Final year QUT acting students will tread the boards next week in a play written specifically for them by one of the rising stars of Australian drama.
Very Fine People, commissioned by QUT from emerging Brisbane-based playwright Grace Wilson, who was a finalist last year for the Sydney Theatre Company’s Patrick White Playwright’s Award, features 27 students in their graduation performance on opens on Tuesday November 26.
Directed by the QUT Indigenous Chair in the Creative Industries Professor Wesley Enoch, internationally acclaimed playwright and artistic director, the play runs for four nights in the QUT Gardens Theatre and gives an insight into the strength of the QUT acting course.
Associate Professor Andrea Moor, nationally acclaimed teacher within the acting program in the QUT School of Creative Arts and a well-known stage and screen actor, said the performance would serve to highlight how QUT acting students are stage ready on completion of their studies.
“In the eight years I have been at QUT, we have had a 100 per cent success rate for our acting students achieving agent representation,” said Dr Moor who has a lead role in the just-released film A Royal Proposal: A Royal in Paradise II and is currently starring in Yoga Play, a co-production with La Boite Theatre Company and National Theatre of Parramatta
“Our acting students are so experienced and ready to hit the ground running with their ability to do self-tests and more. This makes them unique compared to many coming out of other acting programs and the industry laps them up for that.
“I believe a key point of difference at QUT is that the acting students are working closely with leading professionals like Wesley Enoch.
“We also have strong connections with arts organisations like La Boite, Queensland Theatre, The Brisbane Powerhouse and others, while our students get to meet with the leading casting directors and agents which is a huge advantage for them as they launch their careers.”
Dr Moor said Very Fine People explored the experiences of young people growing up in the Australian schooling system, through the lens of student politics and connection with the adult world.
“Playwright Grace Wilson is an extraordinary talent. We commissioned her to write the play because she is one of the most exciting young writers in the country. Although just 20 years of age, she was last year shortlisted for the Patrick White Playwright’s Award, the most prestigious award Australia has to offer for playwrights,” Dr Moor said.
“Very Fine People is a really thought-provoking, ambitious piece that really speaks to young people and tackles what matters to them, including the areas of sexual politics and identity.”
The opening night is being presented as a free preview for any high school or university student who can book via gardenstix@qut.edu.au or by calling 3138 4455.
Very Fine People runs from November 26-29. Tickets are available online at https://events.humanitix.com/very-fine-people
Find out more about a QUT Bachelor of Creative Arts (Acting) - QUT - Undergraduate creative arts
Cast and creative list for One Fine Day
Professional team
- Writer: Grace Wilson,
- Director: Wesley Enoch.
- Production Design: Madeleine Barlow
- Lighting Design: Wes Bluff
- Vision Design and Prod Management: Freddy Komp
- Stage Management: Aaron Jeffery
Student team
- Sound Designer: Ewan Robertson
- Assistant Stage Manager/Assistant Director: Maeve Sloss
- Choreographer: Sarah Thompson
Cast
- Najwa Adams-Ebel - Kaya
- Grace Campbell - Kenzie/Kate
- Mia Chisholm - Ava
- Huda Akhlaki - Lily
- Cara Avenia - Taylor
- Rue Dallen - Riley/Miss Lang
- Mannon Davies - Peter/MrTrew
- Chelsea Doran - Emily
- Lachlan Engeler - Mr Reynolds
- Mia Foley - Evie
- Joe Forrester - Alex
- Estella Hall - Maia
- Keeley Hay - Clara
- Karrine Kanaan - Belle
- Hayden Keth - Harry
- Aristene Kisando - Mia/Mrs Dubois
- Rachel McMurray - Mrs Grenfell/Madonna
- Joshua Nicholls - Mr Lawson
- Ella Oliphant - Ani/ Charlie
- Macauley Rapmund - Hayden
- Eryn Saunders- Shay
- George Sharman - Anthony
- Nathan Turner - Liam
- Rad Valance - Rowan
- el waddingham - Tyla
- Lily Lulu Williams - Leah
- Madeleine Wilson - Tahnee/RBG
Main image: QUT acting students - Macauley Rapmund, Rue Dallen, Eryn Saunders, Huda Akhlaki, Nathan Turner, and Mia Chisholm. Photo: Karrine Kanaan
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver
QUT Media
07 3138 2361 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
