A new play written specifically for the class of 2022 graduating QUT acting students opens on November 2 and uses the theme of travel to question the meaning of life.
Tight in the Bud, written by Hannah Belanszky and Lewis Treston, directed by Wesley Enoch AM, QUT Indigenous Chair in the Creative Industries, with production design by Peter Keavy, will also showcase the skills of QUT graduating Technical Production and Drama students.
The stories to be told are described as a meditation upon themes of wanderlust, yearning, and adventure with humour and pathos. The over-riding notion explored by the writers – and posed to the audience - considers whether the trappings of our environment inhibit us from becoming the person we really are.
“You can feel the pent-up need to fly in this group. They are on the cusp of getting out into the world after the past few years of having their wings clipped,” Wesley, himself a QUT graduate - Bachelor of Arts (Drama)(Hons), said.
“I love they have been using their imaginations and digital tools to explore the world, developing an incredible depth of understanding of the human condition in crisis. I have been impressed by their ability to interpret the scenarios created by the writers.
“The show is a powerful accumulation of narratives of hope. It reaches out around the globe in a time when we have been housebound, bringing a large group together when we have been contained to small groups and solo.
“I find it invigorating working with this remarkable group of inspiring artists. It’s an amazing privilege to help them with this next step into the profession.”
Associate Professor (Acting) Andrea Moor, said Tight in the Bud was one of the most exciting projects developed as part of the School of Creative Practice capstone subject, Situated Creative Practice: Live Performance Studio.
“It is an extraordinary opportunity for our students to work alongside Wesley Enoch. He has provided a true industry experience for the Acting, Drama and Technical Production students throughout the script development, rehearsal, and production phases of the project,” Associate Professor Moor said.
“We were also very fortunate to secure the skills of Hannah Belanszky and Lewis Treston, two of Australia’s most sought-after writers.
“Lewis’ reimagining of An Ideal Husband was seen recently at La Boite and his play Hubris and Humiliation will premiere at Sydney Theatre Company in 2023.
“Hannah is Yuwaalaraay woman based in Brisbane who focuses on telling Aboriginal stories and creating work that is bold, imaginative, and female driven. Her play Don’t Ask What The Bird Look Like was a finalist for the 2018-19 Queensland Premier’s Drama Award. Commissioned by Queensland Theatre, it has just been announced in the program for the 2023 season.
“QUT is also committed to supporting our recent graduates and we welcome back our production designer Peter Keavy who graduated from technical production in 2021.”
Acting graduate Ruby Sanders, who has the role of S in the production said it was a memorable and exciting way to finish her degree.
“While it's about travel and finding yourself, at its core, this play is about the people we meet along the way, who love, support and challenge us,” Ruby said.
“The characters Tight in the Bud all desperately need one another, just as we have needed each other throughout our time at QUT.”
Her comments were echoed by others, including Aidan O'Donnell, who takes on four roles - Mike Gill, Patch, Announcer.
“Collaborating with Wesley Enoch on a new work has been an extraordinary experience. The play evolves into work very personal to our own stories as graduating artists, and the sense of how we travel both externally and internally, as we evolve as artists into a new phase of our creative journeys,” Aidan said.
Tight in the Bud will play in The Loft at Kelvin Grove from November 2-5. Tickets are available online
The full list of students involved in the production follows:
Creatives/Crew
- Production Stage Manager Erin O'Shea
- Deputy Stage Manager Cate Petersen
- Assistant Stage Manager Daniel Hallen
- Assistant Director Indiah Morris
- Assistant Director, Co-Composer/Sound Designer Haley Meekan
- Co-Composer/Sound Designer Riley Camejo
- Head of Sound & Vision/Vision Designer Kelsey Booth
- Head of Lighting/Lighting Operator Bryce Lyons
- Lighting Designer Briana Clark
- Costume Realiser Kirsten Penlington
- Costume Assistant Max Phythian
- Marketing and Box Office Manager Chloe Vasconcelos
Cast
- Megan Dale
- Ruby Sanders
- Ameer Di Meglio
- Daphne Chen
- Jazleen Latrise
- Mackenzie Curtis
- Audrey Moore
- Olivia Sawyer
- Thea Raveneau
- Andrew Moses
- Faduma Ali
- Lola Bond
- Liam Greinke
- Alex Lunt
- Jack Mahoney
- Erin Herr
- Dimitri Politis
- Byron Lankaster Howells
- Louis Le
- Aidan O'Donnell
- Harper McIlroy
Main image: QUT acting students Alex Lunt, Megan Dale, Byron Lankester Howells, Andrew Moses, Aidan O’Donnell, Mackenzie Curtis, Ruby Sanders and Jazleen Latrise. Photo: Louis Le
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 3151, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
