Final Post + Thoughts on Theatre and Community

There haven't been any posts up on this site for a while and I thought it was time to pop up a notice that the blog is closing down indefinitely.  There are a few reasons for this, one being that my lifestyle has changed significantly in the last three years and I'd like to move into writing more creatively and personally; it would take me several hours to put together each post as I checked sites for upcoming shows and auditions and I just don't have the time to do that right now.  I had recently also found that I was getting a lot of requests from commercial and semi-professional ventures and while I wish to support artists who have found a way to make a living doing what they love, the purpose of this site was never free advertising but a kind of central community noticeboard for the theatre world.

The biggest reason however, is that I don't think this blog is necessary any more.

When I first started this blog there was a need for it.  I often found myself talking to people who said they would love to get involved in theatre clubs but didn't know where to start looking, or who were involved with just one club and wanted to branch out but didn't know who else was around. We were reeling from the big earthquakes, many of the theatre clubs lost venues and the community was still fractured.  We've come a long way since then, and I've found I have been getting less and less feedback as the site isn't needed anymore. The Christchurch theatre community has become a lot closer and there is more collaboration between clubs now.  Art and creation were powerful means to recovery in a post-trauma city and I know that the sense of community and family that theatre provide meant a lot to many of us during this time.

At the end of 2010 I was involved in Musoc's production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  The rehearsal and pre-production period took place in the void between the September 4 2010 earthquake and the big shake on February 22.  It was my first musical since 2005 and the first show I'd performed with the university.  I don't know if it's the vulnerability of singing or the large cast or the intense rehearsals, maybe its something magical about music itself, but being in a musical is a very different experience, socially, to being involved in any other kind of performance art I've experienced.  The cast becomes very close and you feel like you have this temporary second family, reeling together in the adrenaline rush of a perfect run-through and leaning on each other when you are over-rehearsed and exhausted.

'Whorehouse had a two week run in the Ngaio Marsh Theatre from 18-26th Feb.  February 22 2011 was the day after our final show of the first week.  One of the first people I found on campus in the post-quake chaos was the show's producer.  We were both in shock and wearing our show t-shirts, upset that our show might not "go on", unaware of the extent of the damage and naively assuming this was the worst possible side effect.  While I wish we had been right, we stuck together listening to my car radio for the next hour or so, discovering how bad it really was.  We bonded in those moments, and she is still one of my absolute best friends.
In the weeks that followed, the university's campus became populated with propped-up tents as buildings were assessed.  The UCSA building in which the Ngaio Marsh Theatre resided was found to be on unstable ground and was deemed off-limits.  Either way the concept of completing our two week run seemed obsolete with so many bigger things going on.  Members of the cast and crew teamed up with the SVA to shovel silt from people's homes while studying by correspondence and foolishly trying to get back a feeling of normalcy. Despite everything, we couldn't help lose the feeling that we were lacking closure, that our show that we'd worked for months on was surely something an earthquake shouldn't stop us from completing.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Tent Edition! took place about a month after the February shake, in the temporary offices of the UCSA that had been set up in a large tent in the car park 100 metres or so from the original venue.  With most of the costumes locked away, a make-do technical set up and the backstage area just being "outside the tent", not to mention one of the lead actresses having already moved to another city, the tent version of the show was never going to live up to its predecessor.  But it was never about that.  We put on a musical, in a tent, in what felt like a post-apocalyptic world because we had to. We were all floating strangely in a state of shock and we needed to start again.  We had to prove that our little theatre family was still going strong, that we were still going strong and it seemed the only way.  We were picking up where we left off. Not only did we have something to prove when it came to these earthquakes, we also missed performing with our friends and the collective conscience of being on stage together.  For many of us it was the start of the healing process, and the ritual of the final night performance and after match were a small win for moving forward.

My experience with re-booting our musical isn't the only tale of theatre vs nature to come out of the Christchurch earthquakes.  Clubs began sharing resources and new and exciting performance opportunities came about.  In its early days, the Christchurch Pops Choir was a(n albeit auditioned) musical community for those left theatrically "homeless" and needing a place to sing again. The Riccarton Players lost their home, The Mill Theatre, but other school and community halls became available as venues for performance.  The Rangiora Players had already begun work on their own Little Theatre but without the Rangiora Town Hall it is now their exclusive venue and it has completely changed their annual program, from two performances a year to a constant turnaround of plays and pantomimes.

For those of us involved in theatre, it is our life, it is something we live and breathe and it is something we miss when we can't get access.  While we began to bring theatre back into our lives, the community became stronger and closer out of both practical and social necessity and is now better than ever before. And that is why I can't keep up any more!  We are spoilt for choice and there are always a multitude of shows on at any time or auditions for a play or musical.  It' time for this wee site to hang up its hat and for me to move on to a new project.  I've loved updating this blog, however sporadic it has been at times and I thank everyone who has contributed in any way.  I'd also like to thank everyone who has been involved in the extended community of theatre and art in Christchurch, who has let theatre be their therapy during these last three years as we have picked up the pieces of our normal lives again.

Announcements 3-OCT-12

Many theatrical things are afoot this month and next, from upcoming summer shows to events like the University of Canterbury's Platform Arts FEstival.  Here is a quick summary:


Auditions: Elmwood Players' Summer Children's Production 

On the 4th November, Elmwood Players will be holding auditions for their Children's Theatre production The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon. There are great roles available for up to seven adult actors - if you've got a lot of energy and can sing as well, that'd be a bonus.

Roles Available:

THE KNIGHT	Young, unemployed knight, near sighted, acts without thinking.
PRINCESS	Young and stroppy. Meticulous planner. Uses mathematical formulas to solve all problems.
THE DRAGON	Old, semi-retired, far-sighted, friendly and mellow.
THE DUCHESS	Scheming to take over the kingdom.
WILFRED	Duchess’ son. Lazy and generally bored.
THE KING	Kindly but likes the idea of being treated as the King.
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARDS	The Duchess’ right hand man. A bit of a bumbler.

More information about the play, cast and company is available on the Elmwood Players website.  To book an audition time or find out more, email Susan at sj-cameron@clear.net.nz.


University of Canterbury's Platform Arts Festival

UC's Platform Festival is on right now, presenting a wide variety of artistic exhibitions, including lectures, film screenings and theatrical performances. Next week, this year's graduating Theatre and Film Studies class presents Bluebeard's Castle, directed by Peter Falkenberg.  From the University's website:

Welcome to Bluebeard’s Castle, a neo-gothic panopticon, where you can visit Bluebeard’s wives waiting for their master while telling their stories, from the kitchen, the dressing room, the laboratory, the bedroom, the torture chamber and the winter garden.

But where is Bluebeard and what awaits in the last room of the castle?

Performances are October 9-13th.  Shows start at 7.30pm in Drama Workshop 2 in the Jack Mann Building on the College of Education campus off Solway Ave. Tickets are $20/$15 and $10 for school students, available from dash tickets. To find out more about this and other Platform events, see the University website.

Proposals for Musoc's 2013 Summer Musical
After a sell-out season of Chicago, cleaning up at the 2013 UCSA Madcaps Awards and winning twice at the 2013 Supreme Club Awards, Musoc is upping the ante for 2013.  The newly inducted committee has put a call out for proposals for their next show.  If you have a musical in mind that you'd love to see performed in Christchurch, then this is a chance for you to see it happen.  Musoc isn't too strict about the format of proposals but there are a few details they'd like to see that will give your proposal a better chance of being selected, these are all available here on the club's wesbsite.  Musoc is also open to proposals for other ideas that could enhance the musical theatre experience on campus and Christchurch-wide so if you have ideas for smaller productions, cabarets, workshops and other events, now is the time to let them know.  You can email Sam at president@musoc.org.nz or have a look at their page on Facebook to get a better idea of what the club is all about.

Auditions 13-SEPT-12

There's so much going on at the moment, I'll be posting twice today (there's a brilliant season of theatre ahead of us!)

Auditions: Musoc's Show Choir"If you want to see yourself under the spotlight, join a fun, social group and get to learn sweet songs under expert musical direction, this is a golden opportunity."
Musoc is seeking male voices to complete their show choir. Auditions will be held all day on the 23rd September on campus. Auditionees will be required to perform a song of their own choosing and may have their musical ability assessed with some simple sight-reading exercises.

Email Sam at events@musoc.org.nz now to book an audition time & find out more or see the event of Facebook.

Auditions: Rangiora Players' summer youth production
Rangiora Players are holding auditions next weekend for a gothic, supernatural pantomime: Pantostein.

Auditions are open for 12-17 year olds and will be held on the 22nd September in Rangiora.
Roles required include:
OPHELIA
DR FRANK N STEIN
DAME BLOODENGUTZ
IGOR
BORIS VAN RENTAL
BERTHA TIDFYL
DRACULA
THE BRIDE OF DRACULA
THE WEREWOLF
THE MONSTER
CHORUS (zombies/villagers)

More information about the characters, the play and the audition process is available on the Rangiora Players website. To book an audition time call David on (03) 312 1660. 

Musoc presents CHICAGO Video Trailer!

The Musical Theatre Society at the University of Canterbury has put together a video trailer for their current production CHICAGO to give the world a sneak-peek at the show.  I personally love this as a publicity idea and it only takes a tech-savvy member of your production team to put something like this together yourself.
Have a look at the video to get an idea of how a video trailer might work for your club (and to get a peek at Chicago - I've been to see it and I can tell you it is a very strong show!).

Musoc presents CHICAGO

Musoc is proud to present their 2012 spring season of CHICAGO

Set in Prohibition-era Chicago with a sumptuous jazz score and exhilarating dance numbers, Chicago... is the titillating story of sultry jailbirds Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart who let nothing short of murder get between them and their lust for the lime light.

These foxy ladies are joined by the smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn, the sensitive 'Mr Cellophane' Amos Hart, and Matron Mama Morton with her chorus of merry murderesses to provide you with a devious and delightful show. Chicago tells the story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery - all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts.

Performances are Wed-Sat, September 5-14th.  Shows start at 7.30pm Wed,Thur,Sat at the Jack Mann Auditorium. Friday nights are R18, with shows starting at 9.30 and a bar onsite. Tickets are $12/$15 with a discount for group and school bookings. To find out more, see the Musoc Chicago website.  Tickets are available through Dash Tickets and on campus from 11am to 2pm (cash only).

Theatre Goings-On 24-AUG-12

There are quite a few theatrical happenings coming up in the next few weeks, from the spectacular to gritty drama...

Tonight and tomorrow, A Little Box At The Top Of The Stairs Productions presents adult drama "Extremities" by William Mastrosimone, directed by Garry Thomas.  Performances in the Elmwood Auditorium, show starts at 7.30.
Tickets are $18/$14: call 021 453138 to book.  Have a look-see at their group on Facebook to learn about this new theatre company.

Also this weekend, Musoc presents an 80s showcase of song and dance, in the UC Undercroft. Tickets are just $5 on the door, no need to book, and it'd be a fun and uplifting start to a night out, so bring your friends!

Dramasoc would like to remind the writers of Christchurch that there are only a few days to go to submit entries for this year's 3some, for more information or to register your interest, email canterburydramasoc@gmail.com

And that's all from the theatre world for now - although a lot of companies are now getting geared up for their summer musicals and holiday shows so there's plenty of excitement to be had in the very near future!
If you have a play you'd like to let the world know about, or would like to request a review or critique of your show, just send me an email: aimeerhiannon@gmail.com

Theatre Fundraiser & Musoc Showcase

Next week, a fundraiser show for the Isaac Theatre Royal is being held in Christchurch!

The Bitches’ Box is a fast paced comedy show: Amelia Guild and Emma Newborn throw the spotlight on man’s best friend and take the audience on a whistle-stop tour of the four legged characters you may encounter down in the yards. “We asked the question, what would two dogs talk about if they were holed up in the bitches’ box for 20 days?” The answer has resulted in a unique, side-splitting look inside the inner workings of a dogs mind.

The Bitches' Box will be a one-off performance on the 25th August in the Christ's College Old Boys Theatre, with proceeds going to the restoration of the Isaac Theatre Royal.
Performance starts at 8pm, all tickets $33 - for more information and to book tickets see the Event Finder site.


And this month, Musoc presents a premier performance from its new performance group in an 80s Showcase...

"...Don your leg warmers and tease up that perm, and let 18 of UC's best singers perform all your 80s favourites - including hits from Dave Dobbyn, Blondie, Belinda Carlisle, Madonna, Toto and more!"

Performances are Fri 24th and Sat 25th August.  Shows start at 7.30pm in the Undercroft at the University of Canterbury.  Tickets are $5 on the door, audiences are advised to arrive early to ensure they secure a seat.  Musical direction by Sam Creed and Cameron Stewart.

AUDITION NOTICE: Chicago

Break out the gin and roll down those stockings, auditions for Musoc's production of Broadway hit CHICAGO are coming this Queen's Birthday Weekend.

Audition times are 9am-4.30pm on the 3rd and 4th June with possible callbacks on the 5th.
Individual singing audition require auditionees to perform a song of their choice.  A dance audition is also required of all auditionees and these will be held twice a day (12pm and 4.30pm) on both days of auditions.

In roaring twenties Chicago, in an underground setting of jazz, gin and guns, Roxie Hart murders her lover. Her gullible husband Amos is convinced he was a burglar and agrees to take the rap before finding out the truth, ultimately leading to Roxie's arrest. Roxie's incarceration means joining famous stage performer Velma Kelly on Muderess Row. The show follows the two characters in a battle for fame and freedom as they capitalize on their crimes and pre-trial publicity to make headlines and boost their stage careers.

Roles Required

ROXIE HART  lead female mezzo
Naive, sexy, and selfish, Roxie has eyes only for the Vaudeville stage. A sympathetic character despite her selfishness.

VELMA KELLY lead female alto
Sarcastic, tough, sexy. An ex-Vaudeville performer. This character often acts as the hostess/narrator.

BILLY FLYNN lead male tenor
Persuasive, manipulative, sexy. Billy is a suave lawyer who will take any case that'll line his pockets.

AMOS HART lead male baritone
Timid, charming vulnerable. An unassuming, average guy. The only character in the show with totally pure motives.

MAMA MORTON lead female alto
Sexy, powerful, tough. The matron of the Cooky County Jail, believes every favour given should be returned.

MARY SUNSHINE supporting female/traditionally male soprano/counter tenor
Comedic character with a good-natured appearance who is a powerful gossip columnist.

CHORUS
A range of vocal, acting and dance ability required for chorus and cameo roles.


For further information, check out the event on Facebook.  To book an audition time email James Huntly - producer@musoc.org.nz

Call For Production Team for CHICAGO

UC's Musoc has announced Chicago will be their major production for Spring 2012.  They are currently looking to put a production team together.  The show is to be directed by Michael Jamieson and will hit the stage this September.
The roles required are as follows:
Assistant Director
Producer
Musical Director
Choreographer
Publicist/Marketing

If you're interested in any of these positions, please email Hamish (president@musoc.org.nz).  More information on this and other Musoc performances can be found on their website.

Autumn Theatre News from UC

The students at the University of Canterbury have a few theatre announcements for this Autumn.

Dramasoc
The University of Canterbury's Drama Society is holding its Half-Annual General Meeting on the 28 March at 6pm (location TBC see here for more details).  All members are welcome as committee elections will be taking place at this meeting.

Musoc
The University of Canterbury Musical Theatre Society is putting a call out for interest in their UCSA Arts Week event.  They are looking for ideas for themes and volunteers for production roles.  The event is likely to be a medium-scale cabaret.  Email president@musoc.org.nz if you'd like to get in touch.

Musoc is also holding a workshop this week for people wanting to improve singing skills, with a focus on basic music theory and the beginnings of singing technique. See here for more info or email admin@musoc.org.nz to book a place.

And finally from Musoc, auditions are being held next weekend for their new show choir.  The show choir is a break away from their 2010 and 2011 "Glee Club" and will focus on fast-paced learning and cabaret-style performances.  See here for details or email events@musoc.org.nz.

REVIEW: Musoc presents the Get It ON! season of RENT

A stripper, a guitarist, a filmmaker, two lesbians, an anarchist and a drag queen.  Although this sounds like a cross between the start of a terrible Walked Into a Bar joke and the cast of a very kinky blue movie, it’s actually the recipe for Rent – a deeply touching story about human survival.  Rent is a well-loved musical that is often billed as a “year in the life of friends” but this just skims the surface of what the show is about.  Set in New York City, Rent centres on Mark and Roger (who share a freezing loft apartment they can’t pay rent for), their friends and lovers, and the ripple effects of events that take place on one Christmas Eve.  The story revolves around the struggle of the main characters as they live with, die from and survive the HIV virus.  Rent is not your cliché struggling-artists story, but instead is a story of survival and the difference between living life and waiting for death.

Rent has some pretty big themes and a cult following, as well as huge musical numbers (it’s almost completely sung-through with very little spoken dialogue) so for a university club to take on the challenge of producing it is impressive.  Musoc’s Get It On! season of Rent does not disappoint. 

Musoc presents RENT

Thanks to Get It On! NZ, Musoc will be performing Jonathan Larsen's Tony Award winning musical RENT.

Based loosely on Puccini's "La Boheme", RENT tells the story of one year in the life of friends living the Bohemian life in modern East Village, New York City, 1989-1990.  Among the group are our narrator, nerdy love-struck filmmaker Mark Cohen; the object of Mark's affection, his former girlfriend, Maureen Johnson; Maureen's Harvard-educated public interest lawyer and lesbian lover Joanne Jefferson; Mark's roommate, HIV-positive musician and former junkie, Roger David; Roger's new girlfriend, the HIV-positive drug addicted S&M dancer, Mimi Marquez; their former roommate, HIV-positive computer genius Tom Collins; Collins' HIV-Positive drag queen street musician/lover Angel; and Benjamin Coffin III, a former member of the group who married for money and has since become their landlord and the opposite of the group's Bohemian values.  This show demonstrates how much changes or doesn't change in the 525, 600 minutes that make up a year.

RENT runs from Wednesday 7th March to Saturday March 31st, with shows on the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each week. 

Tickets can be purchased online, or in the UC Central Library foyer between 10am-2pm (cash only) - door sales may also be available.

Performances start at 7.30pm. 

Tickets are $15 or $12 for students.

Directed by Sam Creed and Merryn Patrick
Musical Direction by Cameron Stewart and Benjamin McKellar
Choreography by Jessie Budd

For more info, see the event page on Facebook or the Musoc website.

AUDITION NOTICE

The University of Canterbury's Musoc are holding auditions for their March 2012 season of Tony Award winning musical, Rent.  They are looking for men and women with various vocal ranges to play lead and minor characters.  Auditions will be held on Saturday the 26th and Sunday 27th November, and you will be required to recite one song of your choosing, as well as do some cold reading and choreography work.  Performance dates are March 8-14 2012. 

Interested In Taking On A Production Role?

Musoc is looking for some new faces to join the production team for their March 2012 show, Rent.  In particular they are looking for creative designers, choreographers, and producers.  This is an excellent opportunity for anyone wanting to have a go at a backstage role or who is interested in theatre but might not be so enthused about performing. 

You don't necessarily need to have previous experience but they do need people who are committed, enthusiastic and organised.
If you're an artsy, creative type then you might be interested in set or costume design; if you are a bit OCD about being organised then producing would be right for you, and if you're an experienced dancer and natural leader, you might be just the choreographer Musoc is looking for.

Theatre really does have something for everyone, and this is an awesome chance for people who don't usually consider themselves "thespians" to give it a go.  If any of the above roles sound like something you might be interested in, check out the Musoc website or email their secretary, Seamus (secretary@musoc.org.nz), to let them know you're keen. 

Musoc Calling for Proposals for 2012

The University of Canterbury's Musical Theatre Society has called for proposals for their next show (to take place in March 2012).  If you're in Christchurch and have been sitting around waiting for your favourite musical to be produced, this is a great opportunity for you to take control and make it happen.  The deadline for these proposals is approaching fast, but if you haven't got much planned for the long weekend, there's still time to put something together.
And don't worry if it's too late for you this time, Musoc produces two shows a year, so there's another chance next year.

To find out how to propose a musical to Musoc, check out this neat proposal guide on their website.  Proposals must be emailed to Seamus at secretary@musoc.org.nz no later than 5pm Monday 24 October.

Musoc's The Threepenny Opera

The University of Canterbury's Musical Society spring season of The Threepenny Opera is now performing, with last night's opening a theatrical success.

As an unusual choice of show, The Threepenny Opera deserves a proper introduction. 

AUDITION NOTICE

Musoc will be holding auditions for their spring show, Brecht's The Threepenny Opera, this week.