PRESENTS UMMTA’s Production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA Book by Music by Originally Directed by LINDA WOOLVERTON ELTON JOHN ROBERT FALLS and ROBERT FALLS & Lyrics by Originally Produced by DAVID HENRY HWANG TIM RICE DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS Assisted by Union House Theatre, The University of Melbourne Theatre Board & MU Student Union Ltd By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY) THE UMMTA COMMITTEE Company Manager – Katie Possingham Publicity & Sponsorship Officer– Annie Nelson Artistic Director – Ruben Clark General Committee – Chris Dempsey, Treasurer – Tom Fellowes Jenni Rowbottom, Catriona Nguyen-Robertson Communications Officer – Patrick Paevere Social Events Officer – Chenez Dyer Bray SYNOPSIS Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida is a contem- With a pop-rock score that features stirring porary musical take on a grand classic tale ballads and rousing choral numbers, Elton John of the timeless bond between an enslaved and Tim Rice’s Aida is larger-than-life in its Nubian princess and an Egyptian soldier. As themes and conflict, displayed through exuber- forbidden love blossoms between them, the ant dancing, staging and singing. young lovers are forced to face death or part forever. Together, they set a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. DIRECTOR’S NOTE Why do we always return to tragedies? You tragic destinies. This seems to be what keeps would think that as many times as we’ve heard us coming back to certain legendary tragedies the story of Romeo and Juliet, we’d tire of it. again and again. There is a sense of freedom and However, as each new rendition pours in, it is catharsis in watching people who have nothing apparent that we don’t. Aida is another such to lose lay it all on the line. tragedy, perhaps not as famous as Romeo and Juliet, but familiar enough to question the rele- Depending on your spiritual beliefs, life itself vance of yet another retelling. can also be one enormous tragedy, with each of us hurtling toward inevitable death. I believe There is a speech made by the chorus in Jean art (including musical theatre!) gives us oppor- Anouilh’s Antigone that addresses this question. tunity to “shout” before our own tragic lives The chorus meditates on the nature of tragedy come to an end. Through art, we are able to and says, “[Tragedy] has nothing to do with shout about everything from haters, fakers, melodrama—with wicked villains, persecuted and heart breakers, to the fragility of humanity maidens, avengers, sudden revelations and elev- and apparently chaotic nature of the universe. I enth-hour repentances…In a tragedy, nothing would like to thank UMMTA and the cast, crew is in doubt and everyone’s destiny is known… and production team of Aida for shouting with There isn’t any hope…and all you can do about me. We hope you feel moved to do the same. it is shout…you can get all those things said that you never dared say—or never even knew till then,”. In Aida, we get to see characters “shout” — Grace Agnew their own personal truths as they face their CHENEZ DYER BRAY FINLEY ROBERTS – PRODUCER – – PRODUCTION MANAGER – Chenez moved to Melbourne just shy of 3 years Fin is studying a Master of Science (majoring in ago after a gap year in the UK. Before that, she Botany), researching the conservation of spe- lived in Singapore and Malaysia. She’s currently cies in Kakadu National Park. in her 3rd year at the University of Melbourne studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociol- This is his first show production managing and ogy and minoring in Law & Justice. second show with UMMTA, the first being RENT where he was Assistant Stage Manager. She has worked as a Stage Manager for UMMTA’s How to Succeed in Business, Kin He has also been involved with shows by Collaborative Inc’s Gaga & Assange (MudFest Queen’s College and ICAC in publicity and season), OCPAC’s Seussical at the Athenaeum stage management roles. He has enjoyed work- (as part of the Melbourne International ing with such a talented cast and production Comedy Festival), and is currently Stage Man- team. ager for OCPAC’s The Addams Family. She has also directed FLW Theatre’s Blasted and Front of House managed UMMTA’s RENT and Our House. She is also Company Manager for FLW Theatre and Events Officer for UMMTA. Chenez has loved working on this show because not only does she have the most hard working and dedicated production team and cast, they have also all been fun and excellent to work with. She hopes you enjoy the show as much as she has loved working on it. GRACE AGNEW ANTHONY CARDAMONE – DIRECTOR – – MUSICAL DIRECTOR – Grace was born in Ballarat, but grew up in Anthony is a recent graduate from the Univer- Moorestown, NJ, USA, and is a dual citizen sity of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (cheers, Mum and Dad). As a performer, she with a Bachelor of Music (French Horn). He has trained in Philadelphia and New York in regularly plays in orchestras around Mel- programs at New York University, MacGuffin bourne for musical theatre shows. He has Theatre & Film Co., the Prince Music Theatre, been a member of the Australia Music Theatre and the Walnut Street Theatre. US Perfor- Orchestra (AMTO) since their first China tour mances include Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Opening in 2013 and will be travelling again late 2014. Act Soloist, Prince Music Theatre, Phila., PA), La Boheme, Puccini’s Edgar (Academy of Vocal Anthony has been an active member of Arts, Phila., PA), and Into the Woods (Little Red; UMMTA since his first Musical Directing job for MoorArts, Moorestown, NJ, USA). In Austra- Curtains in 2011, where he received a Music lia, she has performed in both 2013 and 2014 Theatre Guild of Victoria Award nomination. A seasons of Hair (Tribe/Mom; 2013 Jeanie u/s) committee member, then Company Manager with StageArt. Upcoming performances include for UMMTA, Producer, Production Manager A Super Brady Cabaret with StageArt, and a and performer for Splendour 2 and 3 and also performance at Hugh Jackman’s Red Ball with Sondheim’s Assassins as Giuseppe Zangara. the 2014 cast of Hair. Last year, she studied music theatre at Centrestage Performing Arts Anthony would like to give a special thank you School’s Showfit course. She is currently a first to the musicians for their time and effort for year acting student at the National Theatre helping him and the rest of the cast and crew Drama School. Aida is her second time direct- make Aida as great as it could be. ing, having previously created a company and produced/directed the musical bare at the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, NJ, USA in 2010. EMMALEE MEISELS KINLOCH ANSTISS – CHOREOGRAPHER – – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Emmalee graduated from Sandringham College Kinloch studied musical theatre at NASDA with a Certificate II in Dance Performance & (Christchurch, New Zealand), graduating in Production (Ausdance), later obtained her 2005 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. He has Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management since performed in a range of roles in various from the Australian Dance Institute, before cities and countries. Favourites include Peter in completing a year of full-time Musical Theatre Company (2nd Company, London); Jack Worth- (Dance) training at IPAS. ing in The Importance of Being Earnest (Magic Hat Productions, London); Bitzer Maloney in As a performer, Emmalee has toured with the Hairy Maclary (Tim Bray Productions, Auck- original musical Spirit to the UK & USA and has land); and Nick in Speaking in Tongues (Cairns performed in such events as: AFL Grand Final Little Theatre, Cairns). (MCG), Melbourne-Moomba Waterfest-Parade, The-Australian-Grand-Prix, Candyman – The Kinloch has also directed several 10 minute Musical (Melbourne Arts Centre), The Mel- plays for Short + Sweet Auckland, including the bourne International Comedy Festival, Mon- original musical What Love Can Be. Kinloch sterball (Lady Gaga Tribute), The Cranbourne moved to Melbourne in July this year, and wishes National Rodeo, Melbourne Town Hall, The to thank UMMTA for the warm welcome. Malthouse Theatre, Zinc (Federation Square) and Studio 3/The Palms (Crown Casino)… to name a few, and is a coveted dance teacher in Victoria after working as a dance specialist in Maine, USA. LIZZIE ENG JOSEPH MILLER – ASSISTANT MUSICAL – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – CHOREOGRAPHER – Born in Singapore, Lizzie is a graduate of the Joseph is a graduate of the Victorian College of University of Melbourne, with both a Bachelor the Arts Secondary School, where he studied full of Arts (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma in time dance whilst completing his VCE, receiving Music. the 2013 Lenton Parr Award for Academic Excellence. At VCASS he was privileged to be She has regularly been involved in musicals able to part take in numerous choreographic around Melbourne, including 1938: An Opera seasons, igniting a passion for choreography. (Keyboard, UHT), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Keyboard, UMMTA), As of this year Joseph is studying at the Austra- Third Person (Repetiteur, UHT), Starlight lian Ballet School and hopes to pursue a career (Musical Director/Composer, tROC), and Our in classical ballet, before branching out into House (Assistant Musical Director, UMMTA). other mediums of the industry. Lizzie feels privileged to have worked with such Joseph was honoured to have been a part of a dedicated cast, crew and band, bringing the Aida and has thoroughly enjoyed watching the story of Aida to life. production come to life, and learning from the talents of the cast.