Official newsletter of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University (Issue 45) September 2016

CELEBRATE! ECU 25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT Ainsley Melham shines as Aladdin page 4

WAAPA’s new Spiegeltent page 5

Plus Visiting artists, awards and overseas tours

Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 1 CELEBRATION KUDOS WAAPA CELEBRATES ECU'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A NIGHT OF MUSICAL TRIUMPH The Perth Concert Hall was Smith, a Fulbright Scholarship packed to capacity on Friday winner, composed Speak 12 August when WAAPA staff, to honour one of the most students and graduates celebrated remarkable women in Australian Edith Cowan University's 25th history, Edith Dircksey Cowan, for anniversary. her trailblazing work in women’s To the enthusiastic appreciation literacy and education. of the audience, what respected The father-son duo of baritone music critic Neville Cohn Michael Lewis OAM and tenor described as “a veritable torrent of Alexander Lewis performed talent” took to the stage in a night together on stage for the first that showcased the breadth of time, bringing the house down WAAPA’s music programs. with their rendition of Au fond Half of WAAPA’s 1200 du temple saint from Bizet’s The students study music. WAAPA’s Pearl Fishers. Music program offers courses Alexander, a WAAPA Music in classical instrumental music, Theatre graduate, who has already classical vocal studies and performed for Metropolitan opera, composition and music Opera, New York and Komische technology, contemporary music Oper Berlin, will be making his and jazz. Royal Opera House Covent It was this brilliant diversity of Garden debut next month. musical talent that wowed the Michael Lewis OAM is one crowd, with performances by of Australia’s most respected WAAPA ensembles including baritones, highly regarded for his the WAAPA Big Band, Defying command of both operatic and Gravity, Phat Phunk Band, Eneksis, concert repertoire. He is also a the Indian Ocean Ensemble, the visiting voice lecturer at WAAPA. Faith Court Orchestra and the The finale was a rousing, roof- WAAPA Opera Chorus. lifting rendition of Sir Hubert The student contribution Parry’s I was Glad that filled the was peppered by brilliant Concert Hall with the combined performances from staff such voices of the WAAPA Opera as WAAPA’s Head of Strings Chorus, the All Saints’ College Alexandre Da Costa, playing his Choir and John Septimus Roe rare Stradivarius violin. Anglican Community School Choir, with WAAPA’s Associate WAAPA’s high-achieving Dean of Music, Stewart Smith, alumni were also featured: playing the Concert Hall organ. percussionist Marcus Perrozzi led Defying Gravity percussion In his review in The West ensemble through a performance Australian, Cohn wrote: “From of his work Fire in the Sky; jazz traditional Japanese drumming trumpeter Mat Jodrell performed to gospel singing, from big with the WAAPA Big Band; singer/ band favourites to West Side songwriter Helen Shanahan, Story gems, this was an event backed by the WAAPA Gospel to remember – and for all the Choir, performed her song best reasons ... The sheer verve Finding Gold; and award-winning and grandeur that informed this Australian conductor Jessica offering augur encouragingly for Gethin led the Faith Court continuing music achievement Orchestra and choristers through during ECU’s next 25 years.” the world premiere performance of fellow graduate Rebecca Erin Smith’s Speak. Photos by Jon Green Photographer Page 2 Inside WAAPA Issue 45 THE MINCHIN MACHINE ROLLS ON TIM MINCHIN AND JAMES MILLAR WIN HELPMANN AWARDS FOR MATILDA WAAPA alumnus Tim Minchin had a new musical Groundhog Day recently lot to celebrate at this year’s Helpmann opened in the West End to Awards, held at the Sydney Lyric Theatre rave reviews. in July. The production is Matilda The Musical, for which Minchin based on the 1993 wrote the music and lyrics, broke all Bill Murray movie records by winning every one of the 13 about an unfriendly categories in which it was nominated. TV weatherman The Helpmann Awards are the premier who lives the same celebration of Australia’s theatre industry day over and over and recognise excellence across fields as again. varied as comedy, cabaret and dance. Theatre Helpmann 2016 winners. Tim Minchin (above) and James Millar, Minchin, who flew in from Los Angeles publication The Stage Photo by Lightbox Photography for the ceremony, won Best Original awarded Groundhog Score for Matilda. Day: The Musical a five- Broadway, New York in star rating after its premiere Fellow WAAPA graduate James Millar March next year. at London’s Old Vic Theatre, won Best Male Actor in a Musical for his Minchin is currently based in with critic Mark Shenton calling it “an role as headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Hollywood, where he is writing the music absolute musical triumph”. Matilda also picked up awards for Best and lyrics for the DreamWorks Animation The Telegraph’s theatre critic Dominic Musical, Best Director for Matthew comedy Larrikins, which he is also co- Cavendish, who also gave it five stars, Warchus, Best Supporting Actor and directing with Chris Miller. wrote: “A much-loved, ingeniously funny Actress, and awards for music direction, Larrikins tells the story of a bilby who and clever Hollywood film has made choreography, and lighting, scenic, finds himself launched on a musical a triumphant theatrical rebirth – in a costuming and sound design. The award adventure across the Australian outback. show that looks, on first viewing, equal for Best Female in a Musical was shared to, and perhaps better than, the movie Voicing the animated movie will be by the eight young performers who have … Groundhog Day is as funny and as an all-Australian cast including Hugh played the role of Matilda in the Sydney touching as you could wish, and it lands Jackman, Margot Robbie, Rose Byrne, and Melbourne seasons. with the confidence of an instant classic.” Naomi Watts, Jacki Weaver, Ben The Royal Shakespeare Company co- Mendelsohn, Josh Lawson, Damon Groundhog Day reunites the production, based on Roald Dahl’s tale of Herriman, and Ewen Leslie. Minchin will masterminds behind Matilda, with Minchin a schoolgirl who outwits her nasty parents also voice a role. once again penning the music and lyrics, and ogre-like headmistress, has already Matthew Warchus directing and Peter Larrikins is due to be released in 2018. won seven Olivier Awards in the UK and Darling choreographing. Perth audiences will get the opportunity four Tony Awards on Broadway. to see James Millar in his award-winning Groundhog Day will play at the Old Vic If the sweeping international success role when Matilda opens at Perth’s for ten weeks before officially opening on of Matilda wasn’t enough, Tim Minchin’s Crown Theatre in February 2017. SOLO VENTURES During WAAPA’s mid-year break, where he performed with the National WAAPA’s Head of Strings Alexandre Da Orchestra of Argentina, and to Spain Costa performed as a guest soloist with a where he was guest soloist with the Seville number of international orchestras. Royal Symphony in a concert attended by As part of his ongoing relationship with US President Barack Obama. Canada's Orchestre de la Francophonie, At the start of July, Da Costa and jazz the acclaimed virtuoso violinist performed pianist Graham Wood (WAAPA Associate with the orchestra at Lachine and at the Dean of Teaching and Learning) performed Domaine Forget International Festival together in Canada at Montreal’s Maison in St-Irénée. He also appeared with the Trestler, at the Festival des Hautes- Laval Symphony Orchestra and with Laurentides in Mont-Tremblant and at the the Canadian Army’s 22nd Regiment Ottawa Chamberfest. This followed on Orchestra. from their performances in June at the In addition, the northern summer Perth International Jazz Festival.

Photo by Elisabeth Cloutier Photo season took Da Costa to Buenos Aires

Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 3 AINSLEY SHINES AS ALADDIN For Ainsley Melham, performing in one Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in August. of Australia’s most well-known children’s Ben Neutze in The Daily Review wrote: musical groups proved to be the perfect “Of all the Disney films adapted for the training for making the leap to national stage so far, Aladdin is perhaps the most stage shows. magical, requiring the most razzle dazzle After three years with Hi-5, the 2012 ... Melham is still a relative newcomer, but Music Theatre graduate left the singing very comfortably carries the title role, with and dancing group earlier this year to his sweet and slightly dark singing voice.” star in the Australian musical production The stage show of Aladdin debuted on Xanadu at Hayes Theatre Co. Broadway in 2014 and has since toured “Hi-5 was a great training ground,” around the world. Ainsley said in a recent interview. “It was Ainsley appears as Aladdin alongside high octane, but it also was perfect to learn Broadway heavyweights Michael James how to be open and honest and connect Scott as Genie and Arielle Jacobs as with audiences. Jasmine. Scott and Jacobs are original “Kids can sense insincerity. So it’s cast members from the show’s first been good to learn how to be open and performance in the US. vulnerable on stage with the audience.” Also in the Australian cast are fellow That honesty in performance is winning WAAPA graduates Dean Vince, Jakob Ainsley accolades as the title character in Ambrose, Max Bimbi, Ross Chisari and Disney’s musical Aladdin, which opened at Heather Manley.

Photo by Deen van Meer by Deen van Photo A COMMAND PERFORMANCE

Creating new technique on the drums has been an sounds in the essential element to our business.” world of dance Command Q are keen to build on their music seems a success with another tour planned for next far cry from the year and a desire to move their sound duo’s training into a more melodic area. But for the time as classical being, they continue riding the wave of percussionists their growing fame. at WAAPA but Shaun describes recently doing a show Shaun and Louis in Townsville, having never been there believe they before. were always destined to be "The venue was unexpectedly packed electronic artists. to the brim of fans and the energy was incredible,” he says. “It’s those intense erth-based DJs Command Q are "We both loved the never-ending moments that regain any doubts you had making a name for themselves in possibilities of electronic music. No keys, about yourself.” Pthe electronic music scene for their bars, or strings to define what you create,” unique, high energy sound. says Shaun. "We got there using the skills Shaun believes that what WAAPA offers WAAPA Music graduates Shaun Pickett we had learnt from WAAPA, such as how students is a ‘wonderful temporary bubble’ and Louis Frere-Harvey combine DJ to market ourselves, network, perform on in which to learn. elements, drums and vocals to create a stage and create material.” "It doesn’t last long and it is its own little sound that crosses musical genres. The duo also see their WAAPA training, world. Once you’re out you will have to Command Q’s debut EP We Are under Senior Lecturer in Music Tim White, make the real industry networks and bust Animals was independently released in as giving them a wide scope of musical your guts starting from the ground up. July and premiered at No.2 on the iTunes knowledge that feeds directly into their "So while you’re at WAAPA, enjoy it, dance album charts. work, allowing them the freedom to enjoy the people, make the most of them Since then, their tracks have been experiment with different styles of music. and make them your friends. picked up by big American DJ/producers Strong theory and aural skills honed at "The mentors at WAAPA are brilliant Skrillex and Diplo, and in the local scene by WAAPA have made it easy to work with people and it’s very hard to find good Australian acts such as Alison Wonderland. other artists and their technical training mentors once you’re thrown out into After supporting ShockOne’s Australian has helped them in performance. the music industry so use them and take tour earlier this year, Command Q’s own "One of Command Q’s biggest assets is everything you can from them." tour kicked off in late July with shows our performance,” says Shaun. “Learning Photo: Louis Frere-Harvey (left) and Shaun Pickett around Australia and New Zealand. to exhibit energy whilst maintaining good

Page 4 Inside WAAPA Issue 45 WAAPA’S MIRROR TENT ECU is the first university in the world to acquire a Spiegeltent, providing a unique performance space for WAAPA students to hone their craft. At WAAPA's Open Day on Sunday 14 August, the public was invited to watch WAAPA Contemporary and Jazz musicians showcase their talents in the venue for the first time. WAAPA Director Professor Julie Warn said the Spiegeltent was a wonderful addition to ECU’s Mount Lawley Campus. “There’s a whole range of different opportunities that can be offered to our

students by having the use of this really 2nd Year BA Performing Arts (Performance Making) students Imogen Flint, Tim Bolton and Ravenna Boucaert in the WAAPA Spiegeltent alternative space,” Professor Warn said. Photo by Stephen Heath Photography “Performances might include Its extra-large configuration means it Fringe World Festival facilitated the plays, musicals, cabaret, comedy or can extend out to an impressive 42m in acquisition of the Spiegeltent, and the improvisation for example,” she said. length, allowing for a capacity of up to Festival team is providing the expertise 300 guests. with erecting the tent for ECU. Spiegeltent is Dutch for ‘mirror tent’ Professor Warn said the unique nature Fringe World Chief Executive Marcus Photo by Deen van Meer by Deen van Photo due to the hand-made architecture of wood, mirrors, canvas and leaded glass, of the Spiegeltent means students will Canning said that ECU students would with intricate detailing in velvet and need to learn to work differently to reach benefit from performing and working in brocade. The tent will be named The Edith their audiences. the beautiful Spiegeltent. and WAAPA Props & Scenery graduate "You’re not just at the front of the "It’s a world first for a university and a Jerome Davenport, now a muralist theatre so performers will need to play unique opportunity for ECU students to making his mark internationally, has been to all sides, using their voices and bodies have access to their very own Spiegeltent. commissioned to reimagine the façade. differently.” I look forward to them honing their The Edith is one of just a handful “And it’s not just performance students skills and growing their creativity and Spiegeltents in the world and was who will acquire new skills,” Professor potentially one day presenting work at designed by historical custodians of Warn said. “Working in this unique space future Fringe World festivals and beyond. the ornate tents, the Klessens family also provides great learning opportunities This is another way that ECU and WAAPA in Belgium, who have been building behind the scenes for stage management, are giving their students the absolute best Spiegeltents since the 1920s. lighting, sound and production and design opportunities to succeed and shine on a students.” world stage, whatever their chosen field,” ECU’s Spiegeltent is even more rare Canning said. because it has the ability to expand and “Let’s not forget our WAAPA audiences contract its configuration and capacity. too, they will love it,” she said. HONORARY DEGREE FOR BEN ELTON t Edith Cowan University’s Dr Elton, who lives in graduation ceremonies Fremantle, is a great supporter Ain September, English of WAAPA. He was the patron comedian, writer, actor and and keynote speaker at last director Ben Elton was the year’s Musical Theatre Educators’ recipient of the honorary degree Alliance Conference, which of Doctor of Arts Honoris Causa. brought over 175 delegates Dr Elton was a writer for the from ten countries to WAAPA popular British television series for a four-day program of The Young Ones and Blackadder. masterclasses, workshops, panel More recently he has produced discussions and entertainment. West End plays, published several In August, WAAPA’s 3rd novels and is currently directing a Year Music Theatre students feature film in WA. performed the Australian The honorary degree premiere of Dr Elton’s musical recognises Elton’s distinguished The Beautiful Game, with music career in the arts as “an inspiring, by Andrew Lloyd Weber. The charismatic personality and production was directed by Photo: Louis Frere-Harvey (left) and Shaun Pickett genuinely talented performer, award-winning choreographer/ From left: Dean of WAAPA, Professor Julie Warn AM, Dr Ben Elton and director Meryl Tankard. Vice-Chancellor of ECU, Professor Steve Chapman CBE artist and writer”. Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 5 ENRICHING EXPERIENCES

Photo by Kathy Wheatley by Kathy Photo From left: Jack Thompson, Joe Windley, Hugh Hodgart and Russell Bolam. HIGH-CALIBRE VISITING ARTISTS SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE

Hodgart was delighted with his Leigh and Gemma Arterton, among many JACK THOMPSON student actors. “The 3rd Year actors others. Thanks to the Jackman Furness have been a real pleasure to work with. Windley was struck by the openness Foundation for the Performing Arts and They are thoughtful, skilful, collaborative, of staff and students at WAAPA which the Minderoo Foundation, Australian hard-working, adventurous and, most he felt helps create a vibrant learning screen legend Jack Thompson spent a importantly, full of fun!” community. He says this is informed by week in July at WAAPA teaching Screen Bolam believes the joy of being a guest unquestionable talent and directed by Acting classes to the 2nd and 3rd Year director in a drama school is that the a great spirit of cultural and creative Acting students and Screen Performance student actors have been performing adventure. Diploma students. together for two to three years, a “Perhaps it is historically born of life Thompson’s masterclasses focused on privilege he compares to the repertory in a challenging physical landscape but I his philosophy of acting and practical skills systems in professional theatre in was impressed enormously by WAAPA to ‘feed the camera’ and maximise the mainland Europe. students in terms of philosophical impact of the actor’s on-screen presence. “At WAAPA you inherit a game-faced, flexibility, energy and creative courage,” Thompson discussed the process of show-ready ensemble,” says Bolam. “My Windley says. “It is wonderful to have collaborating with directors, actors and Twelfth Night cast is in their second year travelled such a distance and to have other members of creative teams and and yet this is their fifth public show. The arrived in an institution that is clearly a shared insights into his illustrious career. rigour, dynamism, craft, and invention beacon of creative modernity … what on that crackles in the corridors of WAAPA the one hand may seem to be a place of HUGH HODGART explodes in the rehearsal room. I put this geographical isolation actually is a place AND RUSSELL down to the amount of time the actors of great philosophical focus and attentive have spent with the greatest teacher and learning where students can work BOLAM collaborator of all: the audience.” truthfully on themselves in the service of Thanks to the generous support of the their chosen expressive art form.” Minderoo Foundation, two of Britian’s “In my experience the teaching and finest directors were visiting artists JOE WINDLEY learning standards at WAAPA are at WAAPA in August: Hugh Hodgart, Thanks also to the Mindaroo universally high and clearly the institution Director of Drama, Dance, Production Foundation, Hodgart and Bolam were is a global player in that respect.” and Screen at the Royal Conservatoire of joined at WAAPA by compatriot Joe Being able to invite a range of guest Scotland, and Russell Bolam, previously Windley, Lead Voice Tutor at London’s artists to WAAPA is obviously a significant Assistant Director with The Royal Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. bonus to the students, however there is Shakespeare Company. RADA is one of the oldest and most another less overt benefit for the guest Hodgart directed A Tale of Two Cities prestigious drama schools in England, artists themselves. with the 3rd Year Acting students in the boasting an impressive alumni of famous Hodgart describes meeting Windley Geoff Gibbs Theatre while Bolam directed British actors, including Kenneth Branagh, in the “supportive and thoroughly the 2nd Year Acting students in William the late Alan Rickman, Anthony Hopkins, professional” atmosphere at WAAPA as Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in the Ralph Fiennes, Tom Hiddleston, Vivien an unexpected pleasure. Enright Studio.

Page 6 Inside WAAPA Issue 45 “It’s a real testament to the international Clarinettist Jarrad Linke, who is in pleasure of seeing many of its superb ambitions of WAAPA, and the support it his 3rd Year of a Bachelor of Music, productions here in Perth and having receives from the university and, crucially, described working with Lowenstern as “an worked professionally with its graduates from the Minderoo Foundation, that Joe incredible experience that I found truly both in Australia and the UK. I have also and I should have travelled across the invaluable and inspiring.” visited the Academy on a number of world to meet for the first time and to Seonaid Parker, who is in her Honours occasions to speak to the students, which forge a firm personal and professional year on flute, said: “My thesis is actually is always an inspiring experience. friendship which should reap future on flute beatboxing, so having comments “I am therefore so pleased that WAAPA dividends for our two institutions back from Michael as well as watching him have chosen to stage the Australian in our not-quite-so United Kingdom,” perform was an amazing experience. I premiere of The Beautiful Game. Andrew he says. played Ian Clarke’s contemporary flute [Lloyd Webber] and I are delighted that “I’m sure these dividends will also piece The Great Train Race, for which it is finally to be seen here in Australia benefit our friends here in Perth as we Michael gave me some brilliant feedback presented by this vibrant and immensely all seek to strengthen the links between which inspired me to play for myself, do talented young company.” us. The links between WAAPA and RCS, what I want with the music and to have as Glasgow and Perth, are strong and can much fun as possible!” only get stronger.” Michael Lowenstern's visit to WAAPA GABRIELLE MOLETA was generously supported by the MICHAEL Jackman Furness Foundation for the LOWENSTERN Performing Arts. MERYL TANKARD

Movement specialist Gabrielle Moleta spent two weeks at WAAPA in August working with students on animal transformation. Moleta, who trained in Paris, Vienna and London, teaches at American bass clarinetist and new music RADA and works as a movement director composer Michael Lowenstern was a In August, thanks to the generous on films and stage shows. guest artist at WAAPA from July 25-29. support of the Jackman Furness Moleta’s one-week intensive workshop Lowenstern has created numerous Foundation for the Performing Arts, with the 1st Year Acting students compositions for bass clarinet, both solo award-winning choreographer/ challenged them to develop their and with electronics. His works explore director Meryl Tankard directed and imagination, concentration and sense the possibilities of large ensembles of choreographed the 3rd Year Music of observation by using their animal bass clarinets (done by multi-tracking), Theatre students in the Australian transformations to understand their as well as juxtaposing the instrument premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber and own bodies and physical capabilities. with drum and bass-style beats more Ben Elton’s award-winning musical The In the second week Moleta worked common to electronic dance music than Beautiful Game. with students from the Bachelor of to contemporary classical music. Tankard was the original choreographer Performing Arts, Aboriginal Theatre and During his week at WAAPA Lowenstern on the soccer-inspired musical when it Music Theatre courses. attended classes and rehearsals with premiered in London’s West End in 2000. 1st Year Acting student Shannon the students, in particular a class on “Since that time I have always wanted Ryan describes the week with Moleta as Contemporary Performance Practices to direct the production so I am thrilled “invaluable. She brought an enormous with 2nd and 3rd year students. He to be at WAAPA now working with these wealth of knowledge about animal work performed a lunchtime concert with enthusiastic and talented students,” and inspired us throughout the week with the woodwind and brass students, held Tankard says. her insight.” a masterclass and recital with students Ben Elton attended the opening night Gabrielle Moleta’s visit to WAAPA was Lorenzo Italiano, Jarrad Linke and Seonaid of the WAAPA production. generously supported by the Minderoo Parker, and took part in the woodwind Foundation. “WAAPA is one of the world’s great and brass department’s Gabrieli to theatre arts schools,” he says. “I know Gershwin evening concert. because I have had the enormous Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 7 A PERCUSSION REVELATION Tim White, Senior Lecturer in Music traditional ‘stand on stage and play’ type “She was effectively making a meal on and Artistic Director of Defying Gravity works to those which, like LeClère’s, stage and talking as she went,” laughs Tim. percussion ensemble, mimes bouncing a stretched the boundaries of percussion Tim and his students were especially ball. Each imaginary bounce is punctuated music. struck by Kuniko Kato’s performances. by Tim’s vocal accompaniment of assorted “Vanessa’s aim is to enhance Considered to be one of the most sounds: “Doyng, doyng, donk, shoo, shoo.” community, to share the joy of percussion gifted and significant percussionists Tim is demonstrating a work performed and to further explore what ‘percussion’ of her generation, Kato is renowned at the 2016 Australian Percussion is,” explains Tim. “So for the students at for her astonishing virtuosity, exquisite Gathering in Brisbane by orchestral the gathering, a lot of this was totally eye- musical insight and expressive yet elegant

specialist Jean-Baptiste LeClère, in which opening because they were encountering performance style. the French percussionist mimed bouncing concepts and ideas about ‘percussion’ that

Her performance of a Bach chorale a ball to a series of taped sounds. had never crossed their minds before.” on the marimba “absolutely bedazzled “Right at the end of the piece he pulled Tim describes how one work used the everyone and made people cry,” says Tim. a real ball out of his back pocket and performer’s body as an instrument, while “ “She also played the Iannis Xenakis multi- threw it into the air – but just once,” another involved a glass of red wine and percussion solo pieces – works which laughs Tim. spoken words. are the staple of our multi-percussion This was just one example of a solo repertoire, kind of like Bach for number of genre-bending percussion WE CAME BACK, percussion – and she played them performances showcased at the APG, OUR LIVES with an energy and a style that was just which Tim and 19 of his WAAPA TRANSFORMED astonishing.” percussion students attended from Another of Kato’s works performed at July 18-23 at the Queensland ““What is the definition of ‘percussion’?” the APG was the result of a year-long asks Tim. “None of us really know, and Conservatorium, Griffith University. video project in which Kato has videoed that was part of the joy of this gathering. The APG was a week-long event herself playing all six parts of Xenakis’s It seemed to me that a lot of these bringing together percussion students, Pléïades, a huge percussion work for international specialists are still exploring educators, industry professionals, six instruments in four movements. She what it means to be a percussionist – orchestra musicians and instrument then uses a split screen to show the because sometimes it involves lots of makers from around the country. six versions of herself simultaneously instruments and mallets, and at other performing all six parts. The brainchild of Associate Professor times we don’t use any instruments at all. Vanessa Tomlinson, Head of Percussion Instruments are constantly being invented Tim gave a paper on Baroque timpani at Queensland Conservatorium, the and redesigned, and new ideas are being and played a French timpani solo from inaugural APG was held in 2010. tried out that no one has ever seen 1695 by Jacques Philidore – which he Six years later, this year’s APG boasted before.” describes as a surprise for many people who weren’t aware there were any internationally renowned guest artists Aiyun Huang, Head of Percussion timpani solos written before 1950. Jean-Baptiste LeClère, Kuniko Kato at McGill University in Montreal, is a (Japan/USA), Aiyun Huang (Taiwan/ specialist in percussion theatre. Her piece, Tim’s students, all members of Canada) and Michael Askill (Australia), Cooking with Alice, was inspired by one of WAAPA’s award-winning percussion and hosted 180 percussionists in nine the bestselling cookbooks of all time, The ensemble Defying Gravity, performed conservatorium venues for lectures, Alice B. Toklas Cook Book. three times. Their main performance was masterclasses, workshops, rehearsals and a piece by WAAPA student Tao Issaro The work involves the playing of pre- a wide variety of performances. called Trikaal. With all 19 of WAAPA’s recorded sounds while Huang ‘played’ a students performing, Defying Gravity had These performances ran from 9am range of kitchen implements including far more players on stage than any of the through to 9pm every day – even during two meat cleavers on a cutting board. the lunch breaks – and ranged from other ensembles.  Page 8 Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Trikaal uses darkness and lighting, percussion and singing, moving ART SONG SUCCESS performers and three-dimensional soundscapes was quite different from WAAPA’S ART SONG ACADEMY many of the other tertiary offerings. ATTRACTS AUSTRALIA-WIDE INTEREST The first eight minutes of the piece is performed in complete darkness, in which a soundscape created by bells, aluminium tubes, cymbals and whirly tubes envelopes the audience. With the sound of vibraphones a tiny pool of light appears on stage that gradually widens to reveal the 19 percussionists. “Trikaal starts so softly and ends with an absolute roar of sound, using this growing pool of light, sound and harmonic intensity,” explains Tim. “It was something very different from traditional percussion Photography Heath by Stephen Photo ensemble repertoire.” elebrated British accompanist As in previous years, the feedback from Also performing from Western Australia and vocal coach Dr Graham those attending WIASA was unanimous was Kaboom Percussion, made up of CJohnson OBE and internationally in its praise. ex-Defying Gravity members Catherine renowned soprano Dame Felicity Lott Louise Hurley found the intensive Betts and Joshua Webster. Accompanied were artists-in-residence from 2-10 program to be unlike anything else by Defying Gravity, the duo performed July for the 2016 WAAPA International offered in Australia. “It is a unique their new work Doomsday, a 30-minute Art Song Academy. opportunity for the aspiring artists of percussion piece based on a cartoon story WIASA aims to promote the tomorrow to find growth year after year about Superman. performance of art song – poetry from the already spectacular roster of The rich diversity of performances at set to music, sung in a classical style teachers WIASA has hosted,” she said. the APG opened the WAAPA students up – by bringing together internationally Fellow singer Emma Ashton to new ways of thinking about percussion. renowned practitioners with promising described her experience at WAISA “The students’ techniques got better singers and pianists from Australia and as transformative. “I cannot stress the and their musicianship improved but the the Asia-Pacific region. importance of WIASA enough. To big benefit was expanding the boundaries In their 40-year partnership, Dr participate in a program of this level in their minds of what ‘percussion’ is; Johnson and Dame Felicity have would usually require travelling halfway what kind of ideas you can share through established themselves as the foremost around the world.” percussion because they’re not just English proponents of art song. In addition to meeting and performing musical ideas,” says Tim. “And then outside The two experts gave masterclasses with fellow singers and pianists from the musical side of it, our students had a and one-on-one lessons to WIASA’s across Australia and beyond, Emma said socially fantastic time, they took the most 26 participants: 21 singers and five that sharing the stage with Dr Johnson they possibly could from the whole event.” pianists from Western Australia, and her fellow participants in the gala Next September marks Defying Victoria, South Australia, Queensland concert was “a dream come true and Gravity’s 30th anniversary and Tim and his and Singapore. Dr Johnson specialised a major highlight of my performing life students are thrilled that Kuniko Kato has in the works of Schubert and Brahms so far!” accepted their invitation to be the group’s while Dame Felicity Lott focussed on Brisbane pianist Mark Connors found guest soloist for an 11-day residency. French repertoire from various periods. the experience to be immersive and “Rather than just see a player like For Dr Johnson, this is the third relevatory. “The depth of sincerity and Kuniko or Aiyun perform briefly up on consecutive year that he has taught emotional involvement in performance a stage and then they’re on a plane the at WIASA. demanded of us by Dr Graham next day, we got the change to spend six “As I work with the singers, who Johnson, as well as the tremendous days of quality time with them,” says Tim. increasingly come from all over Australia, depth of knowledge and insight about “And on the last night a group of Defying I am struck by the fact that the raw talent the repertoire which he shared with us, Gravity students and I talked late into the presented here is on a par with what one has inspired me to make more sensitive night with Kuniko, and shared a bite to eat may find in the UK or Germany within musical decisions and to respect the with her and her husband Andy. Where the same age-group,” said Dr Johnson. context for the creation of each work. else in the world could you hang out and “Indeed, the preparatory work at WIASA, “A true highlight of the Academy for spend quality time with one of the world’s particularly for those wishing to go on to me was the chance to perform alongside best players in such a great atmosphere?” post-graduate studies overseas, is fully Graham in duet for the gala concert; it “We came back, our lives transformed. It the equal of any matching organisation was impossible not to be moved by his was astonishing and wonderful.” in Europe or the USA – and in this field intense musical energy.” there are not many!” Defying Gravity's tour was assisted by WIASA is generously supported by WIASA concluded with a gala concert the generous support of the Friends of the Jackman Furness Foundation for at Government House Ballroom, the Academy.  the Performing Arts. featuring the Academy participants accompanied by Dr Johnson on piano.

Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 9 Photo by Jacques Roberts by Jacques Photo CANADIAN CLASSICS SIX MUSIC STUDENTS TOUR WITH CANADA’S ORCHESTRE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE

n July and August, six Classical Music France, Germany, so many countries Not only were these musicians students travelled to the far side of where music is very high on the passionate, they were highly skilled. Iworld to perform and tour with Canada’s priority list.” The youngest member, who had just Orchestre de la Francophonie. Da Costa is justly proud of his students, turned 18, was about to start his studies Teresa Vinci (violin), Madeleine Antoine believing that all six are “very, very good at Julliard while older members of the (violin), Alix Hamilton (viola), Daniel Price representatives of what we do here at orchestra were already playing part or full (viola), Andrea Sitas (double bass) and WAAPA”. time with professional orchestras around the world. Thomas Robertson (percussion) were In particular, postgraduate students invited to tour with the OF, a Montreal- Teresa Vinci, Madeleine Antoine and “It was an inspirational standard to aim based orchestra for young musicians Alix Hamilton were all invited to be the for and an insight as to what having an on the cusp of careers in national and principal players in their sections, with orchestral job would feel like,” says Daniel. international orchestras. Teresa chosen to be concertmaster Percussionist Thomas Robertson, who OF comes together for only seven (leader of the first violin section) for was recently awarded the Helen Court weeks of the northern hemisphere several of the programs. Prize for most outstanding graduating summer under chief conductor and “That’s the highest ranking position Classical Music student, says the artistic director Jean-Philippe Tremblay. you can possibly get in such an orchestra musicians in the orchestra were amazing Tremblay and Da Costa have long been so we were very proud of her,” says to work with and that he learnt how to friends. They studied together as violinists Da Costa. put large amounts of repertoire together in a short amount of time. and continue to work together, with Viola player Daniel Price was also Da Costa performing as a guest soloist impressed at how WAAPA’s three Beyond the obvious benefits for the with the OF more than 40 times in its postgraduate students shaped up against students, Alexandre Da Costa believes the 15-year history. the other players from around the world. bigger picture for WAAPA is bright. “It was great for the students of course but it was Now, as WAAPA’s Head of Strings, “The three postgraduate students also a good thing for us to just show the Da Costa is forging an exciting new took the seats of principal violist, first world what we do here at WAAPA and partnership with Tremblay – the violinist and concertmaster which has how much talent we have.” opportunity for the best of WAAPA’s given me a new found respect for both classical music students to play with the my peers and little old Perth, we have Once the six students were back at OF for its annual summer program. some great talent!” WAAPA and the news of their Canadian travels spread, the next aspiring hopefuls Da Costa describes the OF as ‘the real The OF tour, which started in its home were lining up to audition. deal’ – it being highly competitive to win base of Montreal, took in venues across a place and once in, the six-week touring the east coast of Canada, including “The students have already asked me schedule packs in some 30 pieces of Quebec City, Ottowa and Toronto. when I will select next year’s candidates!” different repertoire to be performed at up laughs Da Costa. Daniel found the hours spent on buses to 20 concerts. travelling to venues had a wonderful “I hope this will become a tradition, “Invitations are made to candidates upside: plenty of time for musical something that we can offer every year. I all over the world, they have to send a discourse. “It was an amazing wealth of hope also that the students will take this recording to be selected and then they collective knowledge that I was given the as a bit of a perk to be at WAAPA.” have to audition on site for the position chance to tap in to,” he says. “Now I know Thanks to the Friends of the Academy they will hold,” explains Da Costa. “This the best way to learn more about music: for their support of the Canadian tour. year there were musicians from the talk to those who are passionate about it.” United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Page 10 Inside WAAPA Issue 45 BERLIN BOUND RESEARCH SAM ROBERTS-SMITH WINS TO SING AT ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT EXCHANGE OPERA HOUSES In July, WAAPA welcomed three German academics from the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg as part of a prestigious exchange program. Professor Georg Hadju, Dr Jacob Sello and PhD student Xiao Fu spent two weeks at WAAPA for the first phase of the Australia-Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme. Made possible through a partnership with Universities Australia and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany’s national agency for the support of international academic cooperation, the scheme aims to foster research CANADIAN CLASSICS collaboration of the highest quality between Australian and German researchers and academics. SIX MUSIC STUDENTS TOUR WITH CANADA’S The scheme will support exchanges between the two countries for academics working on joint ORCHESTRE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE research projects. The support of early career researchers and junior scholars is a significant focus of this scheme. West Australian baritone Sam crossover group, The Ten Tenors. While at WAAPA the visiting academics worked Roberts-Smith is the inaugural In October, Sam makes his role closely with WAAPA exchange partners Associate winner of the Deutsche Oper Berlin debut as Zurga in Les Pecheurs de Professor Cat Hope, Dr Lindsay Vickery, Dr Stuart Award from the Opera Foundation perles for WA Opera. James and PhD student Aaron Wyatt. for Young Australians. Sam sees winning the Deutsche The projects collaborated on included: Although this is the 27th year Oper Berlin Award as offering developing internet capacity for the WAAPA that the Foundation has offered a unparalleled access to European commercialised research project; the Decibel German Opera Award, it is the first contacts. First duty though before he Score Player; internet performance hook ups with time that the award has been offered takes up his contract is a month-long Stanford University and the Hamburg Hochschule; by the Deutsche Oper Berlin. intensive German language course. and the creation of new work using Hamburg’s Quintet.net and MaxScore programs. This award contracts the winner “This is just the beginning of an as a member of the Deutsche Oper exciting new chapter for me on the Three world and two Australian premieres were Berlin for a period of ten months for international stage.” showcased in a Sound Unbound: Music From the 2017-18 season. Visitors Concert in July with members of the “I feel very grateful being the Decibel new music ensemble and guest dancer/ first ever recipient,” says the 2008 Congratulations to three 2014 LINK graduate Laura Boynes performing works by WAAPA graduate of his win. “The graduates of WAAPA’s Graduate Hadju, Fu, Sello, Hope and Vickery. Deutsche Oper Berlin is one of the Diploma (Opera) course who have The visitors also gave a presentation at greatest opera houses in the world. won awards from two of the UK’s finest a composition workshop and attended a This is a life-changing opportunity.” institutions for classical music. performance by Stuart James (ECU) and Louise Devenish (UWA) at the State Library of WA Since completing his studies at Soprano Corinne Cowling, studying as part of the Western Australian New Music WAAPA, Sam has won numerous for her Masters of Music in Vocal Archive Series. competitions and awards including Performance at the Guildhall School of the Australian Singing Competition, Music and Drama in London, was a prize The WAAPA researchers will travel to Hamburg the Joan Sutherland Vocal winner at the Franz-Schubert-Institut in November 2016 and the Hamburg academics Scholarship, Symphony Australia Competition, receiving a scholarship will return to Perth in March 2017. Young Vocalist Award, and winner of for the 2016 Franz-Schubert-Institut multiple prizes at the International Master Course in Baden Bei Wien, Paris Opera Awards held in Paris, Austria. France. Samantha Clarke, who is completing Sam was a member of Opera her Masters of Music at the Royal Australia’s Young Artist Program Northern College of Music in before joining the Principal Artist Manchester, has been awarded the roster. Last year Sam returned to Dame Eva Turner Award, and the Joyce Perth as one of West Australian and Michael Kennedy Award for the Opera’s inaugural Mentored Artists. singing of Strauss. He also performed in China with Daniella Sicari, also completing her the Australian International Opera Masters at the Royal Northern College Company and toured North America of Music, has been awarded the with Australia’s premier classical- Amanda Roocroft Prize. Visiting German academic Jacob Sello with his interactive drum Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 11 LINK IN EUROPE WAAPA’s contemporary dance company LINK set off on June 20 for its annual month-long overseas tour. Members of LINK, accompanied by LINK Artistic Director Michael Whaites, participated in workshops and performed in Marseille and Montpellier in France. Their final destination was Amsterdam, where their three-day stay culminated in a performance at the Vondelpark Openluchttheater (Open Air Theatre) to an audience of 500 people. CORIOLANUS IN GREECE by Alex Daly. Photo Dancer Tanya Brown describes the tour: The ancient amphitheatre of Epidaurus in Greece. “What an opportunity to experience, learn, meet In the mid-year break, the 3rd and physically, in response to the people, and dance, dance and dance. For some of Year Acting students experienced environment. “Suddenly the text us it was our first time to Europe, and what an theatre of a very different kind from became alive in a way that it doesn’t incredible first time it was! their usual shows at WAAPA: they in a studio because the actors were Landing in France, performing and performed Shakespeare’s Coriolanus performing in the place where theatre workshopping in Marseille and Montpellier, in an amphitheatre on the Greek was born.” with renowned artists Didier Theron, Christine island of Hydra. Acting student Will McNeill found Fricker and Léa Canu Ginoux. In Montpellier we The 19 Acting students performed the dramatic heft of Coriolanus was were able to soak up Montpellier Dance Festival as part of Hydrama, a unique theatre a perfect choice for the space and and its overflow of performances. We would just and arts festival in Vlychos, Hydra. audience, as it allowed the students casually walk past Emmanuel Gat drinking his They were accompanied on the trip by to use all the levels, scenery and morning coffee in a cafe, before seeing his show Assoc. Prof. Andrew Lewis, WAAPA’s ambiance of the open-air venue. a few hours later. Associate Dean of Performance, “Often we could hear the larger All of us then ventured with our own and music student Amelia Jutilane- scenes of the play echoing throughout itineraries – experiencing the dance in Berlin, Maynard, who composed and the mountains behind us – as well others the columns in Rome, others through performed the music in the play. as the occasional interruption from Italy, Switzerland, London and Wales – before British actor/director Corinna Seeds, the donkey sitting at the top of the meeting again in Amsterdam. It was here, who has lived in Vlychos since 1988, amphitheatre,” he says. between the canals and bikes, we performed on launched Hydrama in 1999 and since The performance was attended both an open stage at Vondelpark, to hundreds, with then has hosted performing arts by the locals and by students from the the sunset as our backdrop! students and professional companies other performing arts school at the It was then on to participating in workshops: from all over the world for her annual festival. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Netherlands Dance summer festival. “The whole village came out to Theatre, Maurice Causey, Michael Schumacher Before landing in Greece, half of watch the play, it was a packed at the Henny Jurriens Foundation in Amsterdam the WAAPA contingent spent five amphitheatre and the audience was and ImPulsTanz in Vienna. days at the Hong Kong Academy spellbound,” says Assoc. Prof. Lewis. All in all, it was a phenomenal experience and of Performing Arts, where they “Some of them didn’t speak English we would all like to thank all those who played a performed Les Liaison Dangereuses, but they seemed to understand the part in making it happen and for the support! It’s directed by Crispin Taylor and attended story anyway.” from experiences like this we grow as artists and classes with the HKAPA students. One of the highlights of the trip as people, thankyou.” The WAAPA students then was seeing Aeschylus’ trilogy The The LINK tour was assisted by the generous enjoyed a week of free travel before Oresteia performed on the mainland support of the Friends of the Academy. rendezvousing with the rest of the in the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. cohort in Athens, where they boarded The amphitheatre, which was built a boat for the hour and a half journey in the 4th century BC, seats up to to the island of Hydra. 14,000 people and is renowned for its The students had performed exceptional acoustics. Coriolanus earlier in the year in “Being able to see the performing WAAPA’s Roundhouse Theatre arts in other countries was under the direction of visiting artist enlightening and wonderful to Michael Jenn. For Hydrama, the play experience,” says Will. “Experiencing was edited down from three hours audiences’ reactions in different to an 80-minute snapshot version. countries was interesting as well – and Through the generous support of the notably, exploring and witnessing part Minderoo Foundation, Michael Jenn of the history of Greek theatre in the spent a week in Hydra rehearsing best way possible.” the cut-down play for the different Michael Jenn’s visit to Hydra was demands of an open-air venue. made possible through the generous From left: Tanya Brown, April Vardy, Anthony Rinaldi and Cheyenne Davis. Assoc. Prof. Lewis felt the students support of the Minderoo Foundation. became more embodied, both vocally Page 12 Inside WAAPA Issue 45 LIVING THE DREAM TWO OF LAST YEAR’S ACTING GRADUATES STAR IN BARRACUDA It’s every acting student’s dream to swim stroke looking right. We didn’t need step straight out of drama school into a to be fast enough to go to Rio, but we did job. While many have to wait for their big need to look like we could for the two or break, the dream did happen for two of three seconds that the shot is on us. So WAAPA’s 2015 graduates. it came down to fixing up our individual Ben Kindon and Andrew Creer strokes, and we had the lovely Nicole both scored leading roles in the four- Livingstone and Kenrick Monk working part Australian television drama series with us a couple of times a week until we Barracuda, which premiered on the ABC were up to scratch. in July. Andrew: For Barracuda we were asked Ben played Martin Taylor and Andrew to reach a moderate level of swimming took the role of John ‘Wilco’ Wilkinson. as swim doubles were being provided. We needed to look aesthetically like a Based on the 2013 novel of the same swimmer and be able to dive/tumble- name by Christos Tsiolkas, Barracuda turn so the swim doubles could do the explores Australia’s national obsession rest. However I wanted it to be completely with sport and the relentless demands believable that Wilco could in fact be an placed upon young athletes. Olympian. To do this I trained twice a Ben made his television debut in the day every day, swimming in the morning series while Andrew came to Barracuda before shooting and gym or yoga every after having played the role of Kevin night after shooting. I spoke in depth Holmes in the television version of with the Victorian Institute of Sport Tomorrow When the War Began. swimmers about their training program After casting 2011 WAAPA graduate and mimicked it as closely as possible. Alex Williams as the young Julian The great thing was, swimming is a very Assange in his 2012 television film meditative sport allowing me extensive Underground: The Julian Assange, time to think through characterisation award-winning director Robert Connelly and scene preparation. Making myself returned to WAAPA last year to audition wake at 4.30am each morning to swim for Barracuda. every day was tiresome but a great way Here Ben and Andrew share their to own the character. thoughts on acting, swimming and drama IW: How did your WAAPA training school: prepare you to step straight into IW: What was the best thing about television work? working on Barracuda? Ben: The most useful thing for me Ben: Barracuda was wonderful for me, were the films we did in third year when I can’t imagine a better inauguration into we teamed up with the WA Screen the industry. It’s a deeply moving story Academy. The way those sets were run that I desperately wanted to tell, and I is really similar to the way it’s done out in was privileged enough to work with so the business, so that when I first stepped many veteran actors like Rachel Griffiths, on to the set of Barracuda I didn’t Matt Nable, Helen Morse, Victoria feel like a complete fish out of water Photos by Ben King Photos Haralabidou, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, all (pun intended). From top: Ben Kindon and Andrew Creer from whom I learnt infinite amounts just Andrew: The short films we do with from watching. At drama school, you WASA is a small-scale experience, but enjoyed. Three years of intensive training only work with people around your age, still totally relevant experience of what a and the freedom to scrutinise every and that poor guy who always got stuck film/TV set is really like. aspect of the art while also having the opportunity to fail and learn from failure playing the grandpas with talcum power IW: What did you enjoy most about is a gift. in his hair, so it was really nice to work being at WAAPA? with an age diverse cast. IW: What’s next for you? Ben: Being able to act every day. And I Andrew: Filming on Barracuda was a really urge current students to enjoy that Ben: The same as everyone else I blessing. The freedom Rob gives you as and make the most of it, because that guess, auditioning and having my fingers an actor to play and try new and things doesn’t happen out in the real world and crossed! is such a treat. it hits you hard. Andrew: I was in Perth in August IW: How did you prepare for the role Andrew: What is most enjoyable is the working on the short film Adult School. - were you required to do swimming change you constantly see occurring to Then in September I’m boarding a plane training? those around you and to yourself. It’s to the USA to start shooting my first Ben: The producers organised a few the joy of trying new things, things you feature film. ex-Olympians to work with us in the never would have considered yourself to Barracuda was released on DVD in weeks leading up to filming to get our do before, let alone master, that I truly September. Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 13 FLYING HIGH WAAPA Dance student Jordan Adventures version Bretherton has been cast in the swaps the island Australian production of Lord of the for an abandoned Flies, to be performed at Melbourne’s theatre. State Theatre in April 2017. Jordan, who is in Choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne his final year of a is bringing his acclaimed adaptation Bachelor of Arts, of the coming-of-age classic to will be one of five Melbourne next year for its first run Australian dancers who outside Britain. will join three UK dancers His company, New Adventures, and the most promising debuted Lord of the Flies in Britain in young talent from workshops 2011 and brought it to 13 cities, with a held in Victoria. different cast each time. New Adventures’ charitable arm, Sir Matthew Bourne OBE is a Re:Bourne, has partnered with 25 five-time Olivier Award winner and community organisations across is the only British director to have Victoria to hold workshops with won the Tony Award for both Best teenage boys and young men curious Choreographer and Best Director of a to experience dance and performance. Musical. The Australian production of Lord of His production of Lord of the Flies is the Flies will run for five performances. based on William Golding’s classic 1954 2015 graduate Scott Elstermann and novel about a group of boys who turn Linton Aberle also auditioned for Lord on each other after finding themselves of the Flies, making it through to the Jordan Bretherton (centre) in a WAAPA 3rd Year self-devised work with on a deserted island. The New final round. Jack Ryan (back) and Mohammed Berrached.

SALLY BURTON WINNERS 3rd Year Acting students Anneliese Apps and Rory O’Keeffe have won the 2016 Sally Burton Awards. Nurturing young artistic talent has long been a passion for Sally Burton, the widow of the great Welsh actor Richard Burton. All students in 3rd Year Acting at WAAPA are invited to perform for the annual prizes – one for a male, one for a female – worth $2,000 each. The students are required to perform a Shakespearean text monologue or duologue. The judging is based on the ability to speak the verse, connect to the text, interpret the content and present the finished work. Sally Burton sees it as fitting that funds from her husband’s estate – the philanthropic money comes mainly from Richard Burton’s film royalties – are being used to support aspiring actors. Many of the past recipients of the Sally Burton Award go on to achieve success in the film, television and theatre industries. Past winners include James Mackay and Matthew Levett, who both went on to win the prestigious Heath Ledger Scholarship; Abby Earl, who is enjoying a long- running role in the hit TV series A Place To Call Home; and last year’s winner Ben Kindon, who stepped out of drama school into a lead role in Barracuda.

Top: Anneliese Apps, Sally Burton and Rory O'Keeffe. Bottom: The 3rd Year Acting cohort with Sally Burton.

Page 14 Inside WAAPA Issue 45 HOLLYWOOD CALLS

CULTURAL MOVES In August, 1st Year Dance student in a work created by New Zealand Nadia Martich participated in the choreographer Taane Mete. “I really Indigenous Dance Residency at the enjoyed working with Taane as I was Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity thrown in deep end and always felt in Canada. challenged,” says Nadia. “The piece was IDR brings together acclaimed one of the most physically exhausting choreographers and teachers with works I’ve ever danced.” dancers from across Canada and around In addition to working with the world to share, investigate, and internationally acclaimed strengthen contemporary Indigenous choreographers such as Mete, 2011 Acting graduate Ben O’Toole dance practice. Only 12 dancers are Nadia was mentored by established has been cast in director/producer accepted into the program every year. contemporary dancers who were Kathryn Bigelow’s upcoming film The four-week intensive program “always giving me tips and pointers and about the 1967 Detroit Riots. features technique, improvisation, helped me grow in confidence as the Kathryn Bigelow is best known choreographic exploration, cultural month progressed.” as the director of The Hurt Locker, process and knowledge, health and “There was so much to learn and gain which won the 2009 Academy Award fitness, leadership, and the creation of from each of the dancers as well as the for Best Picture and BAFTA Award a new short choreographic work that is staff who had so much knowledge to for Best Film. With The Hurt Locker, performed in-studio and on stage. share about Indigenous arts and dance.” Bigelow became the first woman Nadia, along with Indigenous dance Nadia believes the most important to win an Academy Award for Best students from New Zealand, Canada benefit of participating in the IDR was Director. and Mexico, spent her month in Banff making connections with the other For the as-yet-unnamed film, engaged in daily technique classes in dancers. “They were each so passionate Bigelow will be teaming up again with ballet and contemporary dance, fitness about their Indigenous culture and her Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty and strength building classes, mask how they could explore and represent screenwriter, Mark Boal. workshops, and rehearsals. that through dance,” she says. “I would Ben will star alongside Will Poulter At the end of the month, the IDR definitely want to collaborate with them and Jack Reynor in the crime drama, concluded with the participants in the future.” set during Detroit’s devastating riots performing a program of new works Nadia’s trip to Banff was generously that took place over five days in the at The Banff Centre. Nadia danced supported by The Australia Council. summer of 1967. The release date is set for 2017, the 50th anniversary of the riots. While Will Poulter (We’re the Millers, The Revenant, The Maze Runner) and Jack Reynor (Transformers: Age of Extinction, Sing Street) are both known to film audiences, Ben is considered the discovery of the ensemble. Since 2013 Ben has enjoyed a long-running role as Pete in the three series of Love Child, and in 2014 made his film debut in Russell Crowe’sThe Water Diviner. He will next be seen in Mel Gibson’s filmHacksaw Ridge, due in cinemas in November, followed by a role in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, due for release in May next year.

Top photo: Nadia Martich (fifth from left) with participants of the Indigenous Dance Residency in Banff, Canada. Bottom photo: Performance choreographed by Taane Mete. Inside WAAPA Issue 45 Page 15 A Tale of Two Cities Hatch

IN THE SPOTLIGHT A GLIMPSE OF WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING ON STAGE AT WAAPA The Beautiful Game

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CRICOS IPC 00279B Page 16 Inside WAAPA Issue 45