ASTROMAN BY ALBERT BELZ Welcome

Over the course of this year our productions have taken you to London, New York, Norway, Malaysia and rural Western Australia. In Astroman we take you much closer to home – to suburban Geelong where it’s 1984. ASTROMAN In this touching and humorous love letter to the 80s, playwright Albert Belz wraps us in the highs and lows of growing up, the exhilaration of learning, and what it means to be truly courageous. BY ALBERT BELZ

Directed by Sarah Goodes and Associate Director Tony Briggs, and performed by a cast of wonderful actors, some of them new to MTC, Astroman hits the bullseye of multigenerational appeal. If ever there was a show to introduce family and friends to theatre, and the joy of local stories on stage – this is it.

At MTC we present the very best new works like Astroman alongside classics and international hits, from home and abroad, every year. As our audiences continue to grow – this year we reached a record number of subscribers – tickets are in high demand and many of our performances sell out. Subscriptions for our 2019 Season are now on sale and offer the best way to secure your seats and ensure you never miss out on that must-see show. To see what’s on stage next year and book your package visit mtc.com.au/2019.

Thanks for joining us at the theatre. Enjoy Astroman.

Brett Sheehy ao Virginia Lovett Artistic Director & CEO Executive Director & Co-CEO

Melbourne Theatre Company acknowledges the Yalukit Willam Peoples of the Boon Wurrung, the First Peoples of Country on which and MTC HQ stand, and we pay our respects to all of ’s First Peoples, to their ancestors and Elders, and to our shared future.

MTC is a department MTC is assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, MTC is a member of Live of the University its arts funding and advisory body, and by the State Government of Victoria through Performance Australia and the of Melbourne. Creative Victoria. Australian Major Performing Arts Group. MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS ASTROMAN BY ALBERT BELZ

27 OCTOBER – 8 DECEMBER , Fairfax Studio

— About the play — For a troubled but brilliant teenager in 1980s Geelong, the world is a small place. Thirteen-year-old Jiembra Djalu and his brother Sonny are the new kids in town, and while Jiembra may be a video game whizz and maths genius, he’s always getting into strife. A friendship with the owner of the local arcade and a chance at gaming glory could see his life changed forever, but could also mean leaving behind what matters most – his brother and adoring mother.

— Cast — Michelle Djalu Composer & Sound Designer Jethro Woodward Mick Jones Nicholas Denton Associate Sound Designer Tom Backhaus Jiembra Djalu Kamil Ellis Breakdance Teacher Aaron Vidot Natalie Djalu / Mrs Taylor Tahlee Fereday Video Designer Jamie Clennett Mr. Pavlis Tony Nikolakopoulos Fight Choreographer Lyndall Grant Sonny Djalu Calen Tassone Set & Costume Design Secondment Jeremy Pryles Stage Manager Christine Bennett — Creative Team — Assistant Stage Manager Brittany Coombs Director Sarah Goodes Stage Management Secondment Associate Director Tony Briggs Lucie Sutherland Set & Costume Designer Jonathon Oxlade Rehearsal Photographer Deryk McAlpin Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti Production Photographer Jeff Busby

For information regarding running time, please see a member of the Front of House team.

Media Partners Cover Photo: Astroman received By arrangement with Justin Ridler development assistance from Playwriting Australia A love letter

From the playwright, Albert Belz

With great respect, I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation and pay respect to their Elders, past and present.

Kia ora, for this piece, it was set in a coastal town Ko Hikurangi toku maunga, in Aotearoa. And then I moved to Australia Ko Waiapu toku awa, with my partner in 2011, whereupon I forgot Ko Horouta toku waka, about this piece since we were both too Ko Ngati Porou me Nga Puhi toku iwi, busy settling into our new lives in our new Ko Ngati Pokai toku hapu, hometown – Geelong. Kaiwaka te marae, Ko Albert Belz toku ingoa. After a year-and-a-half of living in Geelong we moved to Melbourne where I somehow Love letters were made to be seen – found time to write again. I picked up the Astroman has always been my love letter old outline for Astroman and was reminded to the 80s, the era that I grew up in. about all the good vibes that buzzed around it for me. So, I started researching and You might have guessed from the above writing the first draft of Astroman, except introduction that I’m Maori. While living in I relocated the story to a place and to a New Zealand (Aotearoa) I wrote the outline people that had left such an indelible mark on my life – Geelong.

When I finished it, Playwriting Australia really liked it and I got the wonderful opportunity to workshop it with a mob up in Sydney. Again, thanks to Playwriting Australia it went on to get a public reading at the Australian Playwrights Festival in 2015 where the piece really discovered its heart – and flew.

The piece is more than just a love letter though, Astroman is a story about patterns and growth. It’s about acknowledging the patterns in our lives, good and bad. It’s (Above) Tahlee Fereday; (opposite) Elaine Crombie (obscured) about discovering the bravery to dare to Calen Tassone, Nicholas Denton and Kamil Ellis break the patterns that could destroy us – especially if we’re on our last life. Also, it’s about embracing the kaleidoscope ‘It’s about embracing the kaleidoscope of patterns that bring colour, opportunity, growth and love into our lives.’ of patterns that bring colour, opportunity, drawer gathering dust in Auckland for a growth and love into our lives. couple of years. So, I must thank Sarah Goodes, Chris Mead and all the other My partner and I have since moved back to fantastic people at MTC who eventually Aotearoa, but in doing so we both left much found an opportunity for me to get of our heart in Geelong and Melbourne – Astroman out of the bottom drawer. the cities that added so much colour, Together with my New Zealand agent growth, love and opportunity to our lives. Playmarket, they sorted all the necessary I hope you get a real sense of this upon details out, and here we are, because experiencing Astroman. love letters were made to be seen.

After the public reading in Adelaide, there I dearly hope you enjoy this story – was much interest from various companies ‘To the future and beyoooond!’ around Australia including Melbourne Theatre Company. However, Astroman Albert Belz, September 2018 n eventually ended up at the bottom of my

(Above, left to right) Tony Nikolakopoulos, Calen Tassone (obscured), Tahlee Fereday, Kamil Ellis, and Elaine Crombie; (opposite from top) Elaine Crombie; Kamil Ellis

History repeating

For Associate Director Tony Briggs, Astroman brings back memories of his childhood in 1980s Australia.

There were a few things that struck Tony Amongst a montage of colourful nostalgia, Briggs after reading Astroman. He liked that the first workshop of Astroman evoked it was funny and not too earnest, but also memories of the childhood conflict Briggs that the story had a big heart. experienced when his parents encouraged him to leave home in pursuit of a better However, what impacted Briggs most were education. But travelling to Melbourne the similarities he shared with the play’s meant leaving his family and friends in protagonist, Jiembra Djalu, growing up North Richmond on the tranquil Hawksbury in 1980s Australia. River, NSW. It was an opportunity, spearheaded by his Aunt Hyllus Maris, Briggs’s story differs from Jimmy’s in that he and Briggs felt the pressure of the adults was older, and already at boarding school, around him. at Scotch College in Hawthorn, when Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean came out. He ‘I was 12 at the time and I genuinely believed remembers the moment distinctly, walking I was being sent to a boys’ prison,’ he said. into the boarding house common room and North Richmond was a country town in seeing the King of Pop glide across the those days and Briggs spent his childhood screen first thing in the morning. Briggs also in a place he describes as paradise. ‘There remembers the day Prince’s Purple Rain were no estates back then. It was just farm dropped, as clearly as he remembers trips land and my playground was the river.’ to the arcade on school holidays. Trading the Hawksbury for Hawthorn’s (From top) Tony Nikolakopoulos; Elaine Crombie and Tahlee Fereday; Nicholas Denton, Calen Tassone and Kamil Ellis (Opposite) Associate Director Tony Briggs with Director Sarah Goodes

polluted stretch of the Yarra was less than ideal, Briggs remembers. ‘But I went and I survived the first year, and then I chose to go back the year after that, and the year after that, until I finished.’

Briggs is not sure he would send one of his three children to boarding school today, unless they explicitly asked, he says. However, he can’t deny the pathways and opportunities that his independent school education provided. ‘I had more at my disposal, and I used that to my advantage.’

It was at Scotch College, under the tutelage of drama teacher Ian Harrison that Briggs did his first ever production, Kiss Me, Kate, performing alongside current Lord Mayor Sally Capp, no less. However, the performing arts spell had been cast on him much earlier in life. Briggs grew up surrounded by music and storytelling. His mother and aunts, including his Aunt Hyllus, were , which Briggs based his 2004 play for MTC on, and the film of the same name, which followed eight years later.

Briggs started acting professionally from the age of 18. However, his louder calling as a young adult was on the track and field. He left Hawthorn after school, this time to attend the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, as the first Aboriginal track and field scholarship recipient. He competed nationally in the 110m hurdles, 400m sprint, and later stepping up to the 400m hurdles, where he became a three-time national medalist. ‘I was training for the Olympics, that was my plan. To go to the Olympics, then immediately retire from athletics and play professional rugby, which was actually always my first love.’

‘I loved it, but I was also just listening to the adults around me, who told me to do the thing I was good at. I was fit and healthy and young and it did give me focus and discipline, which I think I’ve been able to carry with me into other endeavours.’ But somewhere along the way, Briggs’s attention shifted and he could only think about performing.

‘I remember the big turning point for me, I was lining up for a heat at the National Championships and on paper I should have won that heat. But I was thinking about a role I’d auditioned for in a film a week earlier.’ Briggs ended up coming fourth in that race and ran a below par time; the first time he’d failed to make the finals in a heat. And he knew in that moment it was time to hang up the spikes. Briggs got the part in the film and never looked back.

After the ground-swelling success of his play and subsequent film, The Sapphires, Briggs and his family relocated to East Gippsland, away from the chaos that consumes so much of city life. But Briggs admits, it took him off the grid a little.

In 2018 though, he has pivoted again, and now wants to focus his attention on directing. Despite his multiple acting commitments in 2019 (Briggs appears in Storm Boy and Black is the New White for MTC next year), the fact he’s in the middle (Back, left to right) Kamil Ellis, Nicholas Denton, Tahlee of creating a major TV series, and Fereday, Elaine Crombie and (lying down) Calen Tassone

Kamil Ellis and Tony Nikolakopoulos touring an entirely new production of The Briggs says he’d like to think he’s helped Sapphires in 2019/20, Briggs is keen to learn alleviate some of the creative problem the trade of directing, and Astroman felt solving in the room and offered another like the perfect place to start. unique perspective on what direction the production should go in. ‘The thing that’s special about the Astroman rehearsal room, and I know this is clichéd, But in terms of a contribution he knows but there’s an ease in the room. It really he’s provided, that would be his lived does feel like a family in there.’ experience. Growing up as an Aboriginal boy in 1980s Melbourne at boarding school. ‘We’re approaching the end of rehearsals so ‘Yeah, I know I’ve done that,’ he says everyone is mentally and physically tired. chuckling, ‘And I know that helps the cast Every now and then the energy levels flat understand the world of our main character, line, but the nature of the show is that there Jiembra Djalu.’ n is a lot of laughter, so we always pick back up again.’

Working alongside MTC Associate Director Sarah Goodes has shed light on the craft of directing, Briggs says. ‘She sees the story as a whole, then dissects it and lays it out like Go online to see the full gallery of a jigsaw puzzle. It’s been so easy to work production and rehearsal images. with Sarah.’ mtc.com.au/backstage Creative Team

ELAINE CROMBIE NICHOLAS DENTON KAMIL ELLIS Michelle Djalu Mick Jones Jiembra Djalu

Elaine Crombie is a Pitjanjtatjarra, Melbourne born actor Nicholas Kamil Ellis is thrilled to return to Warrigmay, South Sea Islander Denton was previously seen at Melbourne Theatre Company for and German descended woman Melbourne Theatre Company Astroman. Kamil’s MTC debut in and proud mother of two brilliant as Andrew in Wild. Before that 2017 was for the production of sons. An actor, director, singer, he appeared as Charlie Bucktin Macbeth. Previous stage credits songwriter, stand-up comedian, in the critically acclaimed include The Secret River (Sydney writer and proud MEAA member, production of Jasper Jones, Theatre Company); The Terrarium Elaine’s theatre credits include: which was remounted at (NIDA). TV credits: Bushwacked The Sunshine Club, Fountains Theatre earlier this Bugs (ABC/Mint Pictures); Beyond, An Octoroon (Queensland year. Nicholas’s other theatre Deep Water (); Theatre); Bloodland, (Bangarra credits include: One Flew Over Nowhere Boys 3 (Matchbox with STC); Conversations With the The Cuckoo’s Nest (Monster Pictures); Season 1 Dead, Barbara and the Camp Media); Smoking Joe, Cowboy & 2 (Goalpost); Dance Academy Dogs (Belvoir); Cherry Pickers, Mouth (Old 505, Sydney); Love (Werner Film); My Place (ABC Blackie Blackie Brown (STC); Song by John Kolvenbach TV). Kamil is a 19 year-old Blaque Showgirls (Malthouse (Melbourne Fringe), The Glass Wiradjuri boy who has been Theatre). Television productions Menagerie (Melbourne Fringe); performing traditional song include: 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, The Sugar Syndrome (The Kings and dance since the age of two. How to Stay Married (Brindle Collective); Out of Gas On Lovers Kamil’s not-so-secret passion is Films/Princess Pictures); Redfern Leap (Gasworks Arts Park) to obtain his pilot’s licence. Now - Season 1 (Blackfella Films); and Monologue for a Murderer Black Comedy - Season 2 (Scarlett (La Mama Theatre). In television, Pictures); Top of the Lake: China Nicholas has appeared in Glitch Girl (See-Saw Films); Kiki and Kitty Season 1 and 2 (Matchbox (Porchlight Films); Rosehaven – Pictures/Netflix) and Season 2 (What Horse? performances on film include Productions); Holding the Man, Kath and (Magpie Pictures); Nowhere Boys Kimderella and recent horror – Season 3 (Matchbox Pictures). film The Unlit. Nicholas was also Film productions include: Jackie the recipient of the Best Actor Jackie (Scarlett Pictures); Black Award (Rabbit, 2015) at the Talk, Top End Wedding (Goalpost St Kilda Film Festival. Pictures). I am a passionate advocate of truthful storytelling and I endure to be a champion and inspiration to my past, present and future Aboriginal, South Sea Islands and Torres Strait Island and wider communities. Carrying tradition into the future.

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TAHLEE FEREDAY TONY NIKOLAKOPOULOS CALEN TASSONE Natalie Djalu / Mrs Taylor Mr Pavlis Sonny Djalu

Tahlee Fereday is a 2017 graduate Making his MTC debut in August: Calen Tassone is a young talent of the Victorian College of the Osage County, Tony Nikolakopoulos from the Pilbara, Western Arts (VCA). Before her studies has appeared on stage in Hamlet, Australia. Astroman marks she was based in Darwin, where The Spook (), Calen’s debut with Melbourne she hosted The Breakfast Show Roulette (Ranters Theatre, Theatre Company. Other theatre with Tahlee on Larrakia Radio including a season in Portugal), credits include Conversations 94.5FM. This year Tahlee has Court Yard of Miracles (State with the Dead and Confessions worked with creatives such Theatre Company of South of a Pyromaniac with Yirra Yaakin as Andrew Bovell, Patricia Australia), Honeymoon in Hellas Theatre Company; and the Cornelius, Christos Tsiolkas, (Kali Techni), and Waiting for national tour of Sugarland Melissa Reeves, Irine Vela and Godot (ACT 7). He has directed (ATYP). Calen has recently Susie Dee. She as also worked over one hundred productions finished shooting the Matchbox with companies such as, for Stage School Australia and Pictures television serial The Malthouse Theatre, Arena taught Drama at Deakin Heights for the ABC. Prior to this, Theatre Company and Australian University and is currently he appeared in the ABC’s Black Theatre for Young People (ATYP). teaching at VCA. Among Tony’s Comedy Series 2 (Scarlett Most recently, she played Martha many television appearances Pictures). While studying at the in Fallen at are Wentworth, Please Like Me, International Screen Academy, with She Said Theatre (dir. Penny All Saints, Pacific, Underbelly, he won the role of ‘Taylor Pete’ Harpham). Tahlee has worked Pirate Island, Killing Time, The in the Kriv Stender’s directed with MTC this year in Cybec Time of Our Lives, Fat Tony & Co, feature Red Dog: True Blue Electric (dir. Luke Kerridge and Reef Doctors and Little Oberon (Roadshow Films). Prue Clarke) and First Stage (dir. (telemovie). Some of his feature Sapidah Kian) and is excited to film credits include the highly make her debut in a mainstage acclaimed Alex and Eve, The MTC production. Independent, The Extra, Tom White, The Wannabes, Kangaroo Jack, The Wog Boy, Head On, Legend Maker, West of Sunshine and Joe Cinque’s Consolation. He has also appeared in many short films including 296 Smith St where he received a performance excellence award. Creative Team

ALBERT BELZ SARAH GOODES TONY BRIGGS Playwright Director Associate Director

Albert Belz’s career originally Melbourne Theatre Company Tony Briggs is a Yorta Yorta/ began as an actor before writing Associate Director Sarah Goodes Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) for stage and screen. An last directed A Doll’s House, Part creative who has worked as award-winning international 2, The Children which won three an actor in theatre, film, and playwright and screenwriter, Helpmann Awards including Best television for many years. His his works have crossed many Director and Best Production, performing credits include datelines and divides. They’ve and Joanna Murray-Smith’s Three roles for Melbourne Theatre been performed internationally Little Words for MTC, following Company and many other theatre from London to Paris to New York her critically acclaimed direction companies throughout Australia. & Sydney. Themes of class, of John. This year she directed Tony will be appearing in two ethnicity and sexual politics, to The Sugar House at Belvoir MTC productions in 2019; Storm Gothic serial killers and religion Theatre in Sydney. Sarah’s Boy (with Queensland Theatre) resonate through his words. Belz reputation as a leading director and Black is the New White (with has held writing residencies in of new Australian and STC). The writer of the 2005 Les Quesnoy (Northern France) international work has been Helpmann award winning MTC and both Waikato and Victoria built on wide-spread praise and production of The Sapphires, Universities NZ. This year he multiple award nominations. Tony is directing a new national worked with Auckland Theatre Formerly Resident Director at 2019 and 2020 touring version Company to translate Chekhov’s , Sarah of this popular story. Astroman The Cherry Orchard which saw directed The Hanging, Disgraced, is Tony’s directorial debut for a highly successful run at the Orlando, Battle of Waterloo, The Melbourne Theatre Company. ASB Waterfront Theatre. Also this Effect, Vere (Faith), The Splinter, year, his play Cradle Song – a and Edward Gant’s Amazing horror set in South West Ireland Feats of Loneliness. Her other – opened to much critical directing credits include Elling, acclaim as part of the Koanga Black Milk, The Sweetest Thing, Festival in Auckland. His latest and The Small Things (B Sharp television comedy series Tongue Belvoir); The Colour of Panic Tied (Greenstone Pictures) is (Sydney House); Vertigo currently screening on New and the Virginia, The Schelling Zealand Television. Belz lectures Point, Hilt, and What Happened in performing arts and writing Was (Old Fitzroy Theatre); and for stage & screen at Manukau The Unscrupulous Murderer Institute of Technology. He is Hasse Karlson Reveals the currently the Writer in Residence Gruesome Truth about the at Canterbury University, NZ. Woman Who Froze to Death on a Railway Bridge (Darlinghurst Theatre Company). In 2015 she was the recipient of the Gloria Payten Travel Scholarship. Creative Team

JONATHON OXLADE NIKLAS PAJANTI JETHRO WOODWARD Set & Costume Designer Lighting Designer Composer & Sound Designer

Jonathon has designed for For Melbourne Theatre Company Jethro Woodward is a Windmill Theatre Co, Sydney Niklas has designed the lighting Melbourne-based composer, Theatre Company, Belvoir, for A Doll’s House, Part 2, Rupert, musical director, arranger, Queensland Theatre, The Last Australia Day (with STC), The musician and sound designer Great Hunt, Terrapin Puppet Cherry Orchard, The Beast, and recognised for his expansive and Theatre, Barking Gecko, Queen Lear. Other theatre credits highly-layered film, theatre and Arena Theatre Company, include When the Rain Stops dance scores. A multi Green Bell Shakespeare, Vitalstatistix, Falling, Spring Awakening, Room Award winner and Aphids, The Escapists, The I Want to Dance Better At Parties Helpmann nominee, he has Border Project, LaBoite Theatre, (STC); , Not worked with some of Australia’s , Melbourne Like Beckett (Malthouse Theatre); leading major and independent Festival, , Asia Angels in America, Wild Duck, companies including; Malthouse TOPA, STCSA, Malthouse Theatre Babyteeth, Who’s Afraid of Theatre, Melbourne Theatre and Performance Space. For Virginia Woolf, The Pillowman Company, Sydney Theatre Melbourne Theatre Company, Big (Belvoir); Sunday in the Park with Company, Belvoir, Melbourne Bad Wolf (Windmill Theatre Co) George (Victorian Opera). His Symphony Orchestra, Opera and Boy Girl Wall (The Escapists). dance credits include Specktra, Victoria, Chamber Made Opera, He is currently Resident Designer Dust (Dancenorth) Complexity of Back to Back Theatre, Chunky at Windmill Theatre Co. His film Belonging, An Act of Now, Black Move, Lucy Guerin, Australian work includes Girl Asleep and has Marrow 247 Days, Singularity Dance Theatre, Aphids, Stuck illustrated the picture book The (Chunky Move); Piece for Person Pigs Squealing, Rawcus, KAGE Empty City for Hachette Livre/ and Ghetto Blaster (Nicola and more. For MTC works Lothian Books. Jonathon has Gunn); The Collapsible Man, include: The House of Bernarda received Matilda Awards for Appetite (KAGE). Exhibitions Alba, Life Without Me, Clybourne Best Design – A Christmas Carol include Wonderland, Game Park, The Seed, and The Heretic. and Attack of the Attacking Masters, Star Voyager: Exploring Jethro regularly tours his work Attackers, PAWA Award – Best Space on Screen (ACMI) Tim internationally and has won Costume The Irresistible, Sydney Burton The Exhibition (MOMA), for his work Theatre Award – Best Costume Hollywood Costume (V&A on Song for a Weary Throat for Mr Burns, APDG Award – Best Museum). Niklas has won two (Rawcus), For The Ones Who Production Design and Best Green Room Awards, a Helpmann Walk Away (St. Martins Youth Costume Girl Asleep, ACCTA and Sydney Theatre Award and Theatre), The Bloody Chamber Award - Best Costume Girl has received 10 Green Room (Malthouse Theatre), Moth Asleep, Lord Mayor’s Fellowship Award nominations. (Malthouse Theatre/Arena to attend Prague Quadrennial of Theatre Company), Goodbye Scenography and Architecture, Vaudeville Charlie Mudd and a Sidney Myer Creative (Malthouse Theatre/Arena Fellowship in 2016. Jonathon Theatre Company) and Irony Is trained at Queensland College Not Enough (Fragment 31). of Art and Kid Praha (Czech Republic). EXPERT HACK

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MTC LIFETIME PATRONS Acknowledging a lifetime of extraordinary support for MTC. Pat Burke Allan Myers ac qc and Dr Roger Riordan am Caroline Young and Peter Clemenger ao and Maria Myers ac Maureen Wheeler ao and Derek Young am Joan Clemenger ao The Late Biddy Ponsford Tony Wheeler ao

ENDOWMENT DONORS Supporting the long term sustainability and creative future of MTC. Leading Endowment Donors The Late Biddy Ponsford $10,000+ Prof David Penington ac and $1,000,000+ Andrew Sisson ao and Mim and Michael Bartlett Dr Sonay Hussein Jane Hansen and Paul Little ao Tracey Sisson Prof Margaret Gardner ao and Renzella Family The University of Melbourne $20,000+ Prof Glyn Davis ac Anonymous Carolyn and John Kirby am $50,000+ Tony and Janine Burgess $1,000+ $5,000+ Geoffrey Cohen am Anne and Mark Robertson oam Virginia Lovett and Orcadia Foundation Rosie Harkness Rose Hiscock Robert Peck am and Yvonne Lady Potter ac von Hartel am

MTC’S PLAYWRIGHTS GIVING CIRCLE Supporting the Next Stage Writers’ Program. Louise Myer and Martyn Myer ao, Maureen Wheeler ao and Tony Wheeler ao, Christine Brown Bequest Naomi Milgrom ao, Allan Myers ac qc and Maria Myers ac, Tony Burgess and Janine Burgess Dr Andrew McAliece and Dr Richard Simmie, Larry Kamener and Petra Kamener

ANNUAL GIVING Donors whose annual gifts help MTC enrich and transform lives through the finest theatre imaginable. Benefactors Circle Bruce Parncutt ao Leigh O’Neill ◆ Rosemary Forbes and $250,000+ Craig Semple ▲ Dr Kia Pajouhesh Ian Hocking Crown Resorts Foundation Dr Caroline Thew (Smile Solutions) Bruce Freeman ■ Packer Family Foundation Luisa Valmorbida ▲ In loving memory of Richard Park Gaye and John Gaylard Anonymous Prof David Penington ac and Heather and $50,000+ $5,000+ Dr Sonay Hussein Bob Glindemann oam The Joan and Peter Jeanne Pratt ac Henry Gold Clemenger Trust John and Lorraine Bates Janet Reid oam and Allan Reid Roger and Jan Goldsmith The Cybec Foundation Sandy Bell and Daryl Kendrick Kendra Reid Murray Gordon and Lisa Norton Maureen Wheeler ao and Bill Bowness ao Renzella Family Lesley Griffin Tony Wheeler ao Dr Andrew Buchanan and The Robert Salzer Foundation ◆ Fiona Griffiths and Peter Darcy $20,000+ Andrew Sisson ao and Tony Osmond ◆ Ian and Jillian Buchanan Tracey Sisson Tony Hillery and Betty Amsden Foundation Sandra and Bill Burdett am Trawalla Foundation Trust Warwick Eddington Dr Geraldine Lazarus and John and Robyn Butselaar Ralph Ward-Ambler am and Peter and Halina Jacobsen Greig Gailey The Janet and Michael Buxton Barbara Ward-Ambler Irene Kearsey and Michael Ridley Hutchinson Builders ● Foundation Anonymous (6) Janette Kendall ◆ Louise and Martyn Myer ao Barry and Joanne Cheetham Advocates Circle Alex and Halina Lewenberg Victorian Department of Tom and Elana Cordiner ● Virginia Lovett and Education and Training The Dowd Foundation $2,500–$4,999 Rose Hiscock ● The Vizard Foundation Gjergja Family Marc Besen ac and Dr Sam and Belinda Margis Caroline and Derek Young am ▲ Leon Goldman Eva Besen ao and NEST Family Clinics ◆ Anonymous Robert and Jan Green Jay Bethell and Peter Smart Peter and Kim Monk ◆ $10,000+ David and Lily Harris Lynne and Rob Burgess Sandy and Sandra Murdoch Jane Hemstritch Pat Burke and Jan Nolan Jane and Andrew Murray Erica Bagshaw Bruce and Mary Humphries Joanna Baevski ▲ Diana Burleigh Dr Paul Nisselle am and Anne Le Huray Jenny and Stephen Charles ao Sue Nisselle The Cattermole Family Marshall Day Acoustics Christine Gilbertson ◆ Diane Cregan ◆ Hilary and Stuart Scott ● (Dennis Irving Scholarship) Debbie Dadon am Tim and Lynne Sherwood Linda Herd ■ ● Ian and Judi Marshman Macgeorge Bequest Ann Darby ● Ricci Swart Matsarol Foundation Dr Anthony Dortimer Richard and Debra Tegoni ◆ ● The late Noel Mason and Ian and Margaret McKellar Susanna Mason ▲ and Jillian Dortimer Cheryl and Paul Veith George and Rosa Morstyn Melody and Jonathan Feder ■ Price and Christine Williams The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Daniel Neal and Peter Chalk Foundation Dr Helen Ferguson Margaret and Ray Wilson oam Tom and Ruth O’Dea ■ Gillian and Tony Wood Laurel Young-Das and Mark and Amanda Derham Elizabeth Laverty Rae Rothfield Heather Finnegan Katharine Derham-Moore Joan and George Lefroy Anne and Laurie Ryan Anonymous (5) Robert Drake Leg Up Foundation F & J Ryan Foundation Loyalty Circle Bev and Geoff Edwards Alison Leslie Edwina Sahhar George and Eva Ermer Dr Caroline Liow Margaret Sahhar am $1,000–$2,499 Anne and Graham Evans ao Peter and Judy Loney Susan Santoro Prof Noel and Sylvia Alpins am Dr Alastair Fearn Lord Family ◆ Kaylene Savas ◆ Valma E. Angliss am Grant Fisher and Helen Bird Elizabeth Lyons Graeme Seabrook James and Helen Angus Jan and Rob Flew Ken and Jan Mackinnon Marshall Segan and Kate Aplin Heather Forbes-McKeon ■ John Mann and Tina Mitas ● Ylana Perlov Margaret Astbury Elizabeth Foster Helen Mantzis ◆ Prof Barry Sheehan Ian Baker and Cheryl Saunders John Fullerton Dr Hannah Mason and Pamela Waller John and Dagnija Balmford Nigel and Cathy Garrard John and Margaret Mason Diane Silk Heather Bamford Diana and Murray Gerstman Garry McLean Dr John Sime Sandra Beanham Gill Family Foundation Elizabeth McMeekin A Simon Angelina Beninati Brian Goddard Emeritus Prof Peter McPhee Jane Simon and Peter Cox Tara Bishop ◆ Charles and Cornelia Goode and Charlotte Allen Reg and Elaine Smith oam – David and Rhonda Black Foundation ◆ Robert and Helena Mestrovic Earimil Gardens Charity Steve and Terry Bracks am Isabella Green oam and John G Millard Tim and Angela Smith Jenny and Lucinda Brash Richard Green Ross and Judy Milne-Pott Annette Smorgon ◆ Bernadette Broberg John and Jo Grigg Felicity and Des Moore Diana and Brian Snape am Beth Brown and Tom Bruce am Jane Grover ◆ Ging Muir and Geoff and Judy Steinicke Pam Caldwell Ian and Wendy Haines John McCawley ■ Dr Ross and Helen Stillwell Alison and John Cameron Charles Harkin Barbara and David Mushin Dr Mark Suss ■ John and Jan Campbell Mark and Jennifer Hayes ● Jacquie Naylor ◆ James and Anne Syme Jessica Canning The Hon Peter Heerey am qc Nelson Bros Funeral Services Rodney and Aviva Taft Clare and Richard Carlson and Sally Heerey Nick Nichola and Ingrid Moyle Suzanne Thompson Fiona Caro Barbara Higgins ◆ Susan Oliver ● Frank Tisher oam and Kathleen Cator Jane Hodder ◆ Dr Harry and Rita Perelberg Dr Miriam Tisher Chef’s Hat Sandi and Gil Hoskins Dr Annamarie Perlesz Susie Waite ● Chernov Family Emeritus Prof Andrea Hull ao Peter Philpott and Kevin and Elizabeth Walsh ■ Keith Chivers and Ron Peel Ann and Tony Hyams am Robert Ratcliffe Anthony Watson and Sue Clarke and Lindsay Allen Peter Jaffe Prof Hannah Piterman ◆ Tracey McDonald Assoc Prof Lyn Clearihan and Ed and Margaret Johnson Dug and Lisa Pomeroy Pinky Watson Dr Anthony Palmer Prof Shitij Kapur and John and Joan Pye Marion Webster ◆ Dr Robin Collier and Neil Collier Dr Sharmistha Law Sally Redlich Penelope and Joshua White Sandy and Yvonne Constantine Malcolm Kemp Victoria Redwood Ursula Whiteside Prof Barry Conyngham am and Fiona Kirwan-Hamilton Christopher Richardson Ann and Alan Wilkinson Deborah Conyngham ● and Simon E Marks qc Anne and Mark Jan Williams ■ Dr Cyril Curtain Doris and Steve Klein Robertson oam ◆ Mandy and Edward Yencken Mark and Jo Davey Larry Kornhauser and Roslyn and Richard Rogers Greg Young Jocelyn Davies Natalya Gill ■ Family ■ Ange and Pete Zangmeister Natasha Davies Pamela Lamaro ◆ Sue Rose Anonymous (36) Tania de Jong am ◆

LEGACY CIRCLE Acknowledging supporters who have made the visionary gesture of including a gift to MTC in their will. Mark and Tamara Boldiston Peter and Betty Game Dr Andrew McAliece and Max Schultz Bernadette Broberg Fiona Griffiths Dr Richard Simmie Jillian Smith Adam and Donna Cusack-Muller Irene Kearsey Peter Philpott and Anonymous (9) Robert Ratcliffe

LEGACY GIFTS Remembering and honouring those who have generously supported MTC through a bequest. The Estate of Leta-Rae Arthy The Estate of Gordan J Compton The Kitty and Leslie Sandy The Estate of Prudence The Christine Brown Bequest The Estate of Betty Ilic Bequest Ann Tutton The Estate of Ron Chapman The Estate of Bettie Kornhause The Estate of James Hollis The Estate of Freda E White Minson The Estate of Dorothy Wood

Acknowledging Donors who join together to support innovative and inspiring programs for the benefit of our community. ▲ ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ■ YOUTH AMBASSADORS ◆ WOMEN IN THEATRE ● EDUCATION GIVING CIRCLE GIVING CIRCLE GIVING CIRCLE

To find out more about supporting MTC please call 03 8688 0959 or visit mtc.com.au/support Current as of October 2018 Thank You

MTC would like to thank the following organisations for their generous support

Major Partners

Major Media Partners

Production Partners

Premium Season Partners

Season Partners

Marketing Partners

Southbank Theatre Partners

If you would like to join our corporate family or host a private event, please contact [email protected] 2018 Partners current as of October 2018. Indigenous Scholarship Program

Malyan Gilbert, Lead Teaching Artist: Lenka Vanderboom, Tamia Blackwell, Caitlyn Gerada, Janet Galpin, Nomi Haji-Amad, William Pepper, Jayde Hopkins, Sarah Maher, Corey Brunskill-Saylor, Jyden Brailey and Joshua Vickery-Stewart.

Now in its fourth year, MTC’s Indigenous and cultural experiences, and have the Scholarship Program offers a unique learning opportunity to meet a range of industry opportunity for young First Peoples interested professionals and community leaders to learn in a career in the performing arts. more about potential career pathways.

In 2018 participants from across the country MTC Executive Director Virginia Lovett said, ‘Our are taking part in the program, with recipients Indigenous Scholarship Program is a key program hailing from Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, in our education portfolio and this program has Melbourne and regional Victorian towns Stawell, grown from strength to strength. It is wonderful Kinglake and Bendigo. to welcome another nine scholarship recipients to MTC. This program is all about opening up Through a series of workshops exploring opportunities, breaking down barriers and performance skills, script writing and traditional offering insight into the wide range of career dance, the group work together to devise a short options in the performance industry. We are performance to be presented at the end of the passionate about supporting young people in year at Southbank Theatre. their education and career pursuits and grateful to the donors who enable us to do so in such Over the course of the program, the participants a meaningful way.’ also experience a variety of live performances

The Indigenous Scholarship program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Crown Resports Foundation and the Packer Family Foundation.

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