HART THEATRE COMPANY SEASON 7, 2018 1
CONTENTS Welcome 03 Animal Farm 04 The Pajama Game 06 Big 08 A Matter of Life and Death 10 Aladdin 12 The Hart Theatre Company 14 Great theatre is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to. Willem Dafoe Roma Hart Theatre Award 15 The year that was 16 Musical Theatre Guild of Victoria Recognition 18 2
WELCOME TO THE THEATRE As the Hart Theatre Company prepares to roll out its seventh season of theatrical offerings, I am moved to reflect on what it is we engage in when we make and participate in live theatre. Theatre is about reflecting the world around us using narrative, movement and metaphor to examine our world. We share a couple of hours as a collective group working together on both sides of the footlights to create, for a single performance, something that is unique and will never be replicated. Theatre influences the way we think about our lives, our values and our behaviours. For the past six years, the St Leonard s Hart Theatre Company has delivered to its audiences exceptional theatrical experiences that encourage self examination, provoke thought and generate discussion. 2018 will be no exception. Audiences who join us for the season will take a satirical look at the nature of power. They will examine how politics can be overcome by love. They will be asked to remember what it was like to be a child who longs to grow up faster than time actually allows. There will be laughter, music, magic and tears as our remarkable students bring to life the diverse range of productions that have been chosen to populate the 2018 season. There is nothing better than being surprised at the theatre so come join the troupers who make up our shows as they work to dazzle you with tales from other times, other dimensions and far off places. Our track record speaks for itself and we guarantee you will not be disappointed! Kim Anderson Head of Theatre Production Executive Producer Hart Theatre Company 3
ANIMAL FARM MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY DATES: 24, 27, 28 April (7.00pm) 26 April (6.00pm) VENUE: TC Woolhouse Theatre DIRECTOR: Mr Nathan Armstrong While George Orwell s classic tale Animal Farm is about a group of farm animals who overthrow their human master, it really stands as an indictment of all people, parties or regimes that seek to control and coerce others or force obedience through manipulation, brute force, and fear. The play also examines how the promise of utopia can lead to exclusion, degradation, and dismay. Animal Farm warns us of the pitfalls of a steadfast and unyielding belief in an idea, and upholding it no matter the cost. Set in a classroom in the 1960s, our production will see a group of schoolchildren in detention bring to life the story of Animal Farm. Using the tables, chairs, blackboard and all the other things they have at their disposal the students will invent and create the world of Manor Farm and demonstrate how a group of animals initially sought freedom but ended up with a future beyond their most wild imagining. 4
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THE PAJAMA GAME SENIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL DATES: 16, 18, 19 May (7.00pm) 17 May (6.00pm) VENUE: Kevin Wood Centre DIRECTOR: Ms Kim Anderson Romance is blossoming at the Sleep- Tite Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin falls hard for feisty Union rep Babe Williams, and, despite her dismissal of all things love-related, it seems she s falling right back. That is, until Sleep-Tite employees are refused a seven-and-a-half cent raise, and the pair find themselves on either side of the union protest that results. Based on Richard Bissel s novel, 7½ cents, Adler and Ross Pajama Game portrays the ups and downs of romance, with the added heat of politics making the temperature extra hot. Babe and Sid must figure out how to love when the principles they value most are tearing them apart. First staged in 1954, The Pajama Game won three Tony Awards, including best musical, and won another Tony for Best Revival in 2006, a testament to the fact that love, music, and politics are as hot as they ever were. 6
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BIG MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL DATES: 25, 27, 28 July (7.00pm) 26 July (6.00pm) VENUE: Kevin Wood Centre DIRECTOR: Mr Tom Ellis We live in an age where kids wish to be adults and adults wish they were still kids. When Josh Baskin makes his wish to Zoltar a carnival machine little does he know that the next day he would wake up an adult! Cue awkwardness and a quick few lessons on how to be an adult, and Josh makes his way to New York in a fun and engaging story complete with witty humour and a whole lot of heart. Soon Josh realises that there is more to being an adult than he bargained for, and that we should all grow up at our own pace. Accompanied by a beautiful high-energy contemporary score, Big is sure to be the smash hit of the 2018 season. Based on the hit 1987 Movie, Big is new to the stage and is sure to delight those who are young and those who are young at heart. 8
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A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH SENIOR SCHOOL PLAY DATES: 29, 31 August & 1 September (7.00pm) 30 August (6.00pm) VENUE: TC Woolhouse Theatre DIRECTOR: Mr Barry Tudor A Matter of life and Death is inspired by the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It is 1945. A young Airman jumps to certain death from his doomed aircraft. His last words to a girl he has never met but spoken to in his final minutes: I love you June. You are life and I am leaving you There is an angelic blunder caused by a classic English pea-super resulting in the airman Peter Carter miraculously surviving. Peter finds June in the flesh and love seems destined to flourish. If only life and death were that simple. The heavenly authorities, keen to rectify the mistake, have other ideas and Peter is forced to state his case to remain on earth to the Universal Court of Appeal. Originally staged by Kneehigh Theatre, an institution on the fringes of British theatre known for its intensely collaborative, thought provoking and non-naturalistic performances, A Matter of Life and Death is a charming piece that questions the reasons we went to and still go to war. 10
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ALADDIN YEAR 5/6 MUSICAL DATES: 21, 22, 24 November (7.00pm) 23 November (6.00pm) VENUE: TC Woolhouse Theatre DIRECTOR: Ms Georgina Hearnden Welcome to Agrabah, the city of enchantment where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tale! Aladdin, a kind but wily, street urchin, falls in love with beautiful Princess Jasmine, who he knows is way out of his league. It just so happens, however, that the Sultan has declared Princess Jasmine must choose a husband within the next day. With the help of a fast-talking magical Genie, Aladdin introduces himself as wealthy suitor Prince Ali Ababua. Meanwhile, evil royal adviser Jafar has plans of his own. Will love conquer all? With a little help from a Genie and a faithful monkey friend, anything is possible! Join us in Agrabah for magic, music and mischief! A musical the whole family will enjoy. 12
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THE HART THEATRE COMPANY The Hart Theatre Company (HTC) was launched in 2012 with the opening of the Big Top production Barnum. Over the past six years the company has gone from strength to strength and grown in stature within the community. It has offered theatrical opportunities to hundreds of students and drawn in professional theatre practitioners to our production teams who embrace innovative production concepts. With two award-winning musicals to its credit and a dizzying number of nominations and commendations for its musicals at both the Middle and Senior School level, the St Leonard s College Hart Theatre Company has proven it is a force to be reckoned with. The company is named after Mrs Roma Hart, the first Speech and Drama teacher to stage a production at the College. Mrs Hart gave us our foundation; all those who come to play with us give us our ability to soar. MISSION & VISION STATEMENT 14 It is the aim of the St Leonard s College Hart Theatre Company (HTC) to provide all those in the College community who participate in the program with a platform to build confidence as young performers, theatre practitioners, musicians, dancers and scenic artists. HTC looks to foster growth through involvement while creating an environment where unique and creative vision is applied to productions with passion, dedication, fearlessness and inclusion. St Leonard s College Hart Theatre Company s vision sees a future in which Book your seats closer to the show dates via stleonards.vic.edu.au the expression of dramatic art is embraced and encouraged in the spirit of professional theatre. The Hart Theatre Company is a place where performance skills are tools for communication and lateral thinking brings applause.
2017 ROMA HART AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE Michael Gotze The moment I became a part of the Hart Theatre Company was walking in the towering South Road gates to audition at the end of Year 9 for the Senior School Musical for the following year, Pippin. I was absolutely terrified when I walked in the audition room, as I wasn t even a student at the school yet, however my first task was to stand up in front of all of these strangers and sing a piece of music I had never seen before. This was, I think, the defining moment of my St Leonard s College career. The pure adrenaline that one gets when performing, as I did standing up at that audition, is unmatched by anything else. I got in, and spent the first half of the year in awe of the magic we were creating. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday afternoons became my haven and I loved every minute of being part of that ensemble. The passion from every single student and staff member involved was absolutely inspiring to me. What I find most incredible about the Hart Theatre Company is the sense of family that is created within productions. Ms Kim Anderson, who has been my inspiration, guide and mentor over these last few years. She always creates a real sense of community within the shows she directs. To Ando, we are not just cast members, we are a troupe. It has been an honour working under your direction, particularly in Urinetown this year, and I have benefitted from our work together as both a person and a performer. I formed friendships through the program with people that I know I will never lose. The work that was done in rehearsal, and the incredible feeling of showing that to an audience is something that has driven me towards performing after Year 12. My dream is to be a songwriter, and while I don t know what the future holds, I know that the Hart Theatre Company taught me the value of art, the value of hard work, but most importantly, the value of passion. 15
THE YEAR THAT WAS 2017 16
Clockwise from left Honk, The Little Mermaid, Love and Information, Love and Information, The Little Mermaid,, Urinetown, Urinetown, The Trial, Honk, The Trial. 17
MUSICAL THEATRE GUILD OF VICTORIA RECOGNITION 18 2012 Awarded Junior Production of the Year Barnum Awarded Direction of a Junior Production Barnum Nominated Musical Direction of a Junior Production Barnum Nominated Junior Male Performer in a Leading Role Finn Doyle, P.T. Barnum Barnum Nominated Junior Female Performer in a Leading Role Darcy Eagle, Chairy Barnum Barnum 2013 Awarded Junior Production of the Year Sweet Charity Awarded Junior Female Performer in a Leading Role Lucy Travis, Charity Sweet Charity Awarded Junior Male in a Supporting Role Josh Gordon, Lumiere Beauty and the Beast Awarded Technical Achievement in Scenic Design Sweet Charity Nominated Direction of a Junior Production Sweet Charity Nominated Musical Direction of a Junior Production Sweet Charity Nominated Musical Direction of a Junior Production Beauty and the Beast Nominated Junior Male Performer in a Leading Role Daniel Maw, Oscar Sweet Charity 2014 Awarded Achievement in Costume Design The Wizard of Oz and Seussical the Musical Nominated Junior Production of the Year The Wizard of Oz Nominated Direction of a Junior Production The Wizard of Oz Nominated Musical Direction of a Junior Production The Wizard of Oz Nominated Junior Male Supporting Role Daniel Maw, Cowardly Lion The Wizard of Oz Nominated Junior Female Supporting Role Holly Lomas, Wicked Witch The Wizard of Oz Nominated Junior Female in a Supporting Role - Lucinda Pezzimenti, JoJo Seussical 2015 Awarded Junior Male Performer in a Leading Role Josh Gordon, Leading Player Pippin Nominated Junior Male Performer in a Leading Role Christopher Burgess, Pippin Pippin Nominated Direction of a Junior Production Pippin Nominated Musical Direction of a Junior Production Pippin Nominated Choreography of a Junior Production Pippin
2016 Awarded Choreography of a Junior Production Hairspray Nominated Junior Production of the Year Hairspray Nominated Direction of a Junior Production Hairspray Nominated Junior Female in a Leading Role Emily Adams, Tracy Turnblad Hairspray Nominated Junior Male in a Supporting Role Joel Bowditch, Seaweed J, Stubbs Hairspray, Michael Gotze, Corny Collins Hairspray, Jared Clark, Edna Turnblad Hairspray Nominated Junior Female in a Supporting Role Mimi Galt, Penny Pingleton Hairspray, Natalie Wilson, Velma von Tussle Hairspray 2017 Nominated Junior Female in a Supporting Role Annika Soderstrom, The Cat HONK Commendation Junior Production of the Year Urinetown Commendation Direction of a Junior Production Urinetown Commendation Junior Female in a Leading Role Imogen O Leary Quereshi, Little Sally Urinetown Commendation Junior Female in a Supporting Role Mimi Galt Penelope Pennywise Urinetown Designed by Anna Kortekaas annak.com.au 19
St Leonard s College 163 South Road, Brighton East VIC 3187 stleonards@stleonards.vic.edu.au stleonards.vic.edu.au P (+61 3) 9909 9300 F (+61 3) 9909 9300