Welcome

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to our production of Cry-Baby the Musical, featuring the third-year musical theatre students along with the secondand first-year students. We have been delighted to welcome back Alister Smith to direct this production for us, Heidi Loveland to musically direct and Dan Venz to choreograph what I’m sure you’ll agree is an amazing production and showcase for this talented group of students.

This production is the result of an incredible amount of hard work from many people—too many to single out. However, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the performing arts teaching staff who have helped the students prepare for this production, the instrumental teaching staff and Heads of Department, the technical team for making this theatre come alive and the performing arts administration for their continued dedication to the students. It’s been exciting working again with our set and costume designer Penny Challen. Inspired by 1950s teen romance comic books, 1950s colour halftone printing, and Roy Lichtenstein, the set and props comprise 47 custom-designed print and projection files for more than 30 elements. This year there are nearly 200 costumes, totaling approximately 1000 individual items including:

A load of black denim

And just one very special leather biker jacket

Special thanks go to the Bachelor of Music students joining us in the band. Having the opportunity to experience orchestra pit work on a musical is a valuable part of their training, and I’m extremely grateful to each one of them.

This year, the third-year students presented the musical revue Working: Localised in the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC. Following the season of Cry-Baby, they will work towards their final showcase (alongside the Bachelor of Acting students), before graduating in December.

Musical Theatre takes more than just being able to sing a few songs—it takes a commitment to the text, the music and the physicality. These students have worked extremely hard to be the best they can at all three and to them, I say thank you. Thank you for allowing us to provide you with the very best opportunities to help you develop into fine young performers. I’m excited to see them follow the paths of the many graduates from this program who are enjoying wonderful careers in performing arts, teaching or the many other related industries.

Once again, thank you for joining us here. I hope you have as much pleasure watching this wonderful production as we have had putting it on.

Professor Paul Sabey Head of Performing Arts