A successful weekend festival is finding ways to cultivate and nurture artistic talent right here in Tasmania.
The University of Tasmania is partnering with the Australian Musical Theatre Festival for the Maker’s Weekend – a bespoke festival designed to unite local practitioners with brilliant industry leaders in the pursuit of creating theatre.
Head of Theatre with the College of Arts, Law and Education, Dr Asher Warren, said the weekend was a unique combination of classes, panels and performances.
“The AMTF Maker’s Weekend is a fantastic event which aligns with our focus, in the University’s Theatre and Performance program, to nurture and upskill local Tasmanian theatre makers,” he said.
“It’s about creating new work that is engaging, inclusive and innovative.”
Underpinning the weekend will be the work participants undertake towards the development of a new Australian musical – Paper Stars.
Dr Warren said this would involve a diverse group of theatre players.
“There will be a great range of classes, panels and performances that span a range of skills and topics including directing, writing, acting, stage management, producing, choreographing, composing and musical direction,” he said.
This partnership means all of the UTAS Theatre and Performance students have access to the whole program.
Since the first festival, the AMTF has partnered with the University to help nurture and develop new musicals with a residency program at the Annexe Theatre, and has included development workshops run by Dr Warren that are based on his Living Room Musicals project.
“The partnership between UTAS and AMTF has been a wonderful chance to build connections, develop ideas and new work, and has been enjoyable too,” Dr Warren said.
The Maker’s Weekend will involve a number of well-known Australian artists including actor and writer James Millar, Opera Australia senior producer Pella Gregory, producer and writer Vicki Madden, and director, singer, producer and educator Tyran Parke.
Find out more about the Australian Musical Theatre Festival Maker’s Weekend, which runs from November 12-13 in Launceston at www.amtf.org.au