PRESENTER INFORMATION PACK

Photo by Sherbet Birdie

CONTENTS

COMPANY PROFILE ...... 3 ABOUT THE SHOW ...... 3 CREATIVE TEAM ...... 4 BIOGRAPHIES ...... 4 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS ...... 5 PERFORMANCE HISTORY ...... 5 AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT ...... 5 MARKETING ...... 6 TECHNICAL RIDER ...... 6 CONTACTS ...... 9

Page 2 COMPANY PROFILE Cre8ion is a dynamic and energetic company specialising in producing and touring theatrical shows and events both in Australia and internationally. Theresa Famularo the founding director of the company, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for creating, producing and bringing together innovative and vibrant teams to develop a diverse range of unique productions.

Cre8ion has produced, developed and managed major events including Curiocity , Outback Masters, Australian Women in Music Awards, Vivid Sydney, Advance Queensland Innovation & Investment Summit and Startup Festival, World AIDS Day, World Malaria Day, the Helpmann Awards and the 100 Mile Challenge.

Cre8ion has produced the national tours of Amanece Tour from Argentinean- singer Barbara Luna (music), Dirty Pretty Songs and Songs to Self-Destruct to… with Virginia Gay (cabaret), The Fabulous Frances Faye in Australia with Nick Christo (cabaret), Double Exposure featuring comedians Paul “Flacco” Livingston and Marty Murphy (comedy) and Flacco & Sandman Live featuring Paul Livingston and Steve Abbott (comedy), Random Musical by John Thorn (theatre for youth), The 7 Sopranos (operatic concert), Treasures (classical concert) and the international tours of Fluff – A Story of Lost Toys (theatre for youth) to U.S.A, Canada, Hong Kong & UK, The 7 Sopranos (operatic concert) to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, China & New Zealand, Treasures (classical concert) to France.

Cre8ion continues to produce a number of independent productions including Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys devised and performed by Christine Johnston, Lisa O’Neill & Peter Nelson (theatre for youth), Random Musical by John Thorn (theatre for youth), The 7 Sopranos (operatic concert), Treasures (classical concert) and Songs from Stage and Screen featuring The 7 Sopranos (musical theatre)

ABOUT THE SHOW Take a step back in time to 1956. Think nylons, record players and eye poppin’ lipstick. It was the year when Marilyn Monroe sizzled in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and families gathered around the wireless for their news and entertainment each night. Radio broadcasters predict that television will be the death of radio.

For five years the voices of Australia’s favorite radio show have seduced audiences across Australia every Saturday night. With gorgeous harmonies and perfect arrangements from acclaimed composers such as Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gershwin, and Mancini the sopranos have captured the hearts of a nation. Our stars, The 7 Sopranos must transform themselves from radio stars to TV stars. Will they succeed?

So, channel your inner Doris Day, Marilyn Monroe or Judy Garland and let Songs From Stage and Screen take you on a glamorous journey though the hits of 1950’s radio and television.

Page 3 SIZZLE REEL A short 0:35 trailer can be viewed here

CREATIVE TEAM Writer & Director Tarita Botsman Musical Director Glenn Amer Choreography Joseph Simons Lighting Designer Daniel Anderson Production Designer Tarita Botsman

BIOGRAPHIES Tarita Botsman Link: tarita.com.au Distinguished opera singer Tarita Botsman has a passion for delivering innovative and contemporary performing arts performances with a view to promoting a love of all music, especially classical. Formally trained and qualified through the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the Guildhall School of Music, Tarita is the founder and creative director of The 7 Sopranos. Tarita has developed a unique skill set through opera and theatre from 24 years in the performing arts industry and in the last fifteen years has directed and performed in over 500 events and concerts worldwide; cast and auditioned hundreds of performers and written and directed performances nationally. Tarita has an active teaching studio in Brisbane and Sydney and some of her recent students have included Clarissa Spata and Zoe Drummond, both winners of the Lady Fairfax New York Opera Award and current artists with . Tarita regularly adjudicates competitions and vocal awards Glenn Amer Link: glennamer.com As a renowned pianist, conductor, performer and teacher, Glenn Amer is in constant demand. A voice teacher and vocal coach at the Australian Institute of Music from 1997-2004 and a current guest coach for the National Academy of Music, Glenn continues to use his extensive knowledge and skills to teach students nationally and regularly adjudicates national Eisteddfods. Glenn has worked with renowned sopranos; Rita Hunter CBE, Adele Johnson, Bernadette Cullen, Tarita Botsman and tenor - Horst Hoffman. Glenn regularly tours and accompanies , David Hobson and The 7 Sopranos in concert. In 2014 Glenn joined Opera Australia as a pianist and conductor and continues to be in demand for coaching and teaching. Glenn has recorded albums for ABC Classics and continues to be one of the few artists to record with the Mastertouch Piano Roll Company, creating timeless pianola recordings, whilst also making acoustic cylinder recordings for the Vulcan Cylinder Record Company in the United Kingdom. Joseph Simons Link: josephsimons.com.au Since graduating Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2008, Joseph Simons has become one of Australia’s busiest performers, and innovative young creators. Touring extensively throughout USA, UK, Asia and Australia, Joseph has worked for major dance companies including Chunky Move (Connected, I Like This), Lucy Guerin Inc. (Structure and Sadness, Untrained) and West Australian Ballet (soloist: Dolly, Suite No. 2). He has also been in development casts for Force Majeure, Australian Dance Theatre and DV8 Physical Theatre, London. Joseph was awarded the Tanja Liedtke Fellowship in 2013 and has since choreographed Reception: The Musical,

Page 4 which received two Green Room nominations before winning Best Cabaret in the 2014 Melbourne Fringe, for the West Australian Ballet (Man Alive, Self Destruct), and developed Storm for the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Daniel Anderson Link: daniel-anderson.com Daniel Anderson is an Australian based Lighting Designer for stage, live performance, cityscapes and architecture. In 2012 Daniel was nominated for a Matilda Award for the Billie Brown Award for the Best Emerging Artist, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production) from the Queensland University of Technology. Daniel has collaborated with a range of artists over varying art forms and has created designs for Queensland Theatre Company, Red Stitch Actors Theatre, La Boite Theatre Company, Brisbane Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse, Motherboard Productions, Next-Wave Festival, Brisbane City Council, JUTE Theatre Company, Metro Arts, Black Honey Company and many more. Daniel is a professional member of the Association of Lighting Designers.

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS Duration 110 minutes (including interval) Act I 40 minutes Interval 20 minutes Act II 50 minutes Suitable Ages All ages Suitable Venues Proscenium Arch, Thrust, Black Box Touring Party 10 People 7 Artists 1 Musical Director/ Piano Player 1 Production Stage Manager 1 Company Manager/ Costume Supervisor/ Resident Director

PERFORMANCE HISTORY 2017 Griffith Regional Theatre, NSW Orange Civic Theatre, NSW Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre, NSW The Art House Wyong, NSW SunPAC, QLD 2018 The Concourse, NSW Jetty Memorial Theatre, NSW Glasshouse, NSW Manning Theatre, NSW Byron Bay Theatre, NSW

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT At the conclusion of each performance the artists always hold a ‘meet and greet’ with audiences. This allows audiences to have direct conversations with artists and vice-versa.

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The experience and calibre of the artists touring with this show has allowed us to propose the following workshops to venues, particularly in regional areas.

Presentation, polish and style with Tarita Botsman & Glenn Amer Suitable for all amateur and professional singers Age bracket – 13 to 60 2-hour master class Capacity – 6 students

This master class hones in on refining all elements of presentation for those singers who are auditioning for roles and entering singing competitions. Attendees will be required to have 2 pieces of music of differing styles learnt and provide music for use in the master class Music Theatre Workshop Suitable for young aspiring music theatre performers Age bracket – 13 to 18 2-hour workshop Capacity – 20 students

The music theatre workshop is an opportunity for young performers to extend their singing, acting and dancing skills in an encouraging environment under the guidance of industry professionals from The 7 Sopranos.

Note: Only one of the two workshops can be held on the same day as a singular performance.

MARKETING A suite of marketing collateral is provided including media release, images, video and art collateral templates.

Please reference the Marketing Kit document for further information.

TECHNICAL RIDER STAGE Minimum Stage Area required: 9mtrsL x 5mtrsD Raised platform with treads on each side and/or from the front Standard venue legs and boarders to be used Half-stage may be used depending on depth of stage

Page 6 SOUND PROVIDED BY ITEM DETAILS The Production CD’s or QLab file for audio playback Venue / Presenter Good quality PA system FOH L & R + sub FOH & Foldback run from FOH Sound Venue / Presenter Audio Desk. Minimum 13 channels op position in auditorium not bio box, where possible 3 x foldback Wedges 1 at Piano Venue/ Presenter 2 x sends (1 x Piano & 1 x Track) 3 across front of stage Venue / Presenter 2 x CD Players or Qlab playback Beige coloured headset with dual ear attachment

7 x DPA 4065 or 4066 with Sennheiser or Venue / Presenter Shure radio system

Beltpack holder for transmitter Venue/ Presenter Piano Microphones As required To be tuned prior to technical Venue/ Presenter Grand or Baby Grand Piano with piano stool rehearsal

LIGHTING PROVIDED BY ITEM DETAILS 110/240v – earthed or double The Production ‘On Air’ lx sign insulated The Production ‘Applause’ lx sign Plugs into DMX The Production PC Based Console running ETC Please Note: Only 2 Universe output available A plan specific for you venue will be Venue / Presenter Lamps as per lighting plan sent utilizing fixtures available in your venue Venue / Presenter 85 Dimmers required as a minimum A plan specific for you venue will be Venue / Presenter Gels as per lighting plan sent utilizing fixtures available in your venue Notes: • Show will fit within venues standard rig • No follow spot required

SET PROVIDED BY ITEM DETAILS The Production ‘On Air’ LX Sign Tied to fly-bar or grid The Production ‘Applause’ LX Sign Tied to fly-bar or grid The Production Music Sound FX Props On Stage The Production Props Table On Stage The Production Chairs x 7 On Stage The Production 1950’s Microphone Stand On Stage The Production 1950’s Microphone On Stage

Page 7 VENUE CREW PERFORMANCE ROLE LOAD IN SET-UP REHEARSAL LOAD OUT (SHOW CREW) Stage Mechanist/Loader 1 1 0 0 1 Rigger 0 1 0 0 1 Lighting Technician/ Operator 1 1 1 1 1 Sound Technician/ Operator 1 1 1 1 1 TOTAL CREW REQUIRED 3 4 2 2 4 Notes: • Rigger is only required if venue rules require a rigger for connecting LX Sign and Fake Microphone to fly bars or grid

LOAD IN/ OUT TIMES Load In 4 hours Show Call 2 hours Load Out 2 hours FREIGHT All freight travels with the company DRESSING ROOMS 3 x dressing rooms (2 for Performers, 1 for Musician) Access to hot and cold water. Washing and Drying Machines MERCHANDISE CD’s are sold in the foyer prior to each performance, at interval and at the conclusion of each performance.

Table and chairs will be required for merchandise stand The artists will sign CDs in the foyer directly after each performance Company will supply float and merchandise seller TOURING COMPANY 1 x Company Manager/ Resident Director 1 x Production Stage Manager 1 x Pianist/ Music Director 7 x Sopranos

NOTE: Company travels in a 12 seater bus + trailer. Parking is required at venue. ACCOMMODATION Minimum international 4 Star accommodation 4 x Single Rooms 3 x Twin Rooms CATERING Water, Tea & Coffee

Page 8 CONTACTS Theresa Famularo M: 0419 421 398 E: [email protected]

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