If undeliverable return to: Independent Theatre Association (WA) Inc. City West Lotteries House 2 Delhi St WEST PERTH WA 6005

The Link

JULY 2014

Live performances at Luna Palace Cinemas July 12 & 13/07 - National Theatre – A Small Family Business 12 & 13/07 - RSC – Henry IV Part 2 19 & 20/07 - Royal Opera – Puccini’s Manon Lescaut 26 & 27/07 - Met Opera – Verdi’s Rigoletto 26 & 27/07 - Paris Opera Ballet – Balanchine / Millepied August 02 & 03/08 - Driving Miss Daisy starring Angela Lansbury and J ames Earl Jones 06 & 09/08 - Monty Python Live (also at other cinema chains) 09 & 10/08 - Paris Opera – Verdi’s La Traviata 16 & 17/08 - Met Opera – Verdi’s Otello

Comedy Scripts by Judith Prior

Jest at the West, Jungle Juice, Barney's Fair, The Outback Debutante Ball, The Pirate Prince,

Uncle Jack, Lady Godiva, Sailing South, Jack and the Baked Beanstalk, Haunted Halloween,

Phantom of the Music Hall, The Last Resort, Opportunity Knocks... and more.

www.judithprior.com

Youth or School Musicals. Rockin' Robin, What's New Pussycat?

The Kookaburra Kids. Read the first ten pages of any of Judith's scripts at:-

www.davidspicer.com.au/author/judith-prior

The Link

For all Link submissions please contact the editor, Fran Gordon on 94473820, 0411 858 304, or email to fmgordo@bigpond.com

From the President

It’s July? We’re half way through the year already? This means a couple of things. Chiefly, memberships are now due. This is the fun time for us as we slowly watch more and more clubs drop of the “have not yet renewed” list. Please save us the heart-ache and guesswork and renew soon… One Act time is rapidly approaching, and Dramafest and Youthfest are heading on apace. This year’s Festival Coordinator for Dramafest, Emma Davis, is doing an absolutely brilliant job so far, and it

looks like being an exciting festival this year. For those of you who weren’t at the Information Evening (tsk, tsk, tsk!) there are a number of changes. This year the majori-ty of sessions will be run in the evenings of the week before the Public Holiday (avoiding the AFL Grand Final), and we are introducing a new performance category as a trial run. Between each play we will be running a ten minute play, to see if there is an audience and a performer base who wish to try this category. Because this is a trial only, these plays will not be adjudicated, but there will be a People’s Choice award for them. The Information Evening had a decent turn out. We would have preferred more, as always. But we deemed it enough of a success that we have decided to hold an information evening for the country clubs as well. If it does becomes an annual event we will try and take it around the state, but for the first one we are looking for somewhere in the South West. This information evening will be open to members of all country clubs, whether they are members of the ITA or not. So that we can inform country clubs of what we can do for them, and can find out from them what they would like us to do. We are, after all, the Independent Theatre Association of WESTERN AUSTRALIA, not the Independent Theatre Association of Perth. Don’t forget, we are always on the lookout for interesting articles about our member clubs, and their members. And, if you get this newsletter electronically, forward it on to people who might be interested. The more people who read this and get the information, the better! Be good to each other and talk to you soon Paul

LINK e-newsletter Many people will also receive this newsletter through a link in an email campaign. Please feel free to forward it on to club members and friends. To receive the LINK as an e-newsletter, just email me with “LINK Subscribe Me” in the subject line, and your name in the body of the email. Thanks. Ed.

July 2014

Independent Theatre Association

2014 Committee

PRESIDENT: Paul Treasure VICE-PRESIDENT: Lyn Hutcheon SECRETARY: Norma Davis TREASURER: David Young MEMBERS: Kimberley Shaw Lynda Stubbs

Ben Davis Adam Salathiel Kelly Van Geest Emma Davis(D/Fest) Fran Gordon (LINK Ed)

ITA Committee Meeting Dates

All meetings are held at City West at 7pm.

July 29 August 26 Sept 23 (one week early to finalise details for DramaFest) October 28 November 25 Dec 23- may be a week earlier as it is near Christmas.

Dramafest and Youthfest Dramafest will be hosted by Playlovers and the adjudicator will be Craig Williams. Melissa Merchant will be the adjudicator for Youthfest which will also be hosted by Playlovers. Dramafest and Youthfest packages have all been posted so watch out for them. It is proposed that Dramafest will be held from Tuesday September 23 to 28 with presentations being held on Monday the 29th.

Youhfest will be held on the weekend of September 20/21 at Playlovers.

ITA members enjoying a glass of wine and lovely nibblies at the recent Information Evening

Top left: Vanessa Jensen, Jeff Hansen and Graeme Johnson

Above: Lyn Hutcheon and David Young

Left: Kimberley Shaw, Kent Acott, Bronwyn Hammond and Lynda Stubbs

What’s on - July/August 2014 Old Mill Theatre, Mends St South Perth The Hatpin July 11, 12, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26. Matinee July 20 at 2pm Bookings: 93678719 or on website

Playlovers, Hackett Hall, Floreat Hay Fever July 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 Bookings: 0415 777 173 or bookings@playlovers.org.au, or on website.

Stirling Players, Morris Place, Innaloo Laughing Matters One Act Season July 24, 25, 26, 31, August 1, 2. Matinee July 27 at 2pm Bookings: 9440 1040

Garrick Theatre, Meadow Street, Guildford. Cranford July10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19 at 8pm Matinees: July 13 and 20 at 2pm Bookings: 9378 1990

Melville Theatre, Cnr Stock Rd and Canning Hwy, Palmyra. Relative Values July 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 8pm. Matinee: July 20 at 2pm Bookings: through website

Murray Music & Drama Club, Pinjarra I Hate Shakespeare (Comedy Play) August 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 8pm Matinee: August 9 2pm Bookings: Music Force Mandurah, Pinjarra Pharmacy, or buy at the door. $20

Roleystone Theatre, Brookton Hwy, Roleystone The Great American Trailer Park Musical July 18, 19, 23, 25, 26, (mat & eve) 30, Aug 1,2 Bookings: trybooking.com

KADS, Barber St, Kalamunda. Charitable Intent July 18, 19, 23, 25, 26, 30, August 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 at 8pm Bookings: Lucky Charm Newsagents 9257 2668

Darlington Players Marloo Theatre, Marloo Rd, Greenmount. The Farndale Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of Macbeth July 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19 at 8pm. Matinees: July 6 and 13 at 2pm Bookings: online through website.

Joondalup Encore Theatre, Padbury Community Hall, Caley Rd,Padbury. ‘Allo, Allo July 25, 26, August 1, 2 at 8pm Matinee :July 27 at 2pm Bookings: 0414 829 876 or 6201 7037

Ellenbrook Theatre Company, Maine St, Ellenbrook Curtain up on Murder July 16 - 20 at 7pm Bookings: trybooking.com

ARENA Arts, LC Theatre, Cleaver St, Belmont. Mutts August 8, 9, 10,14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 at 8pm Bookings: trybooking.com or 9497 5140

Koorliny Arts Centre, Sulphur Rd, Kwinana Xanadu August 8,9,15, 16, 22, 23 at 8pm Matinees: August 16 and 23 at 2pm Bookings: through the website

Irish Theatre Players, Townsend Rd, Subiaco Lovers (Winners and Losers) July 21, 22, 23, 26 at 8pm Matinee July 27 a 3pm Bookings: through website, trybooking.com

Adjudicators for 2014 Lyn Hutcheon, Kent Acott, Adam Webb and Kerri Hilton.

Current Co-ordinator of entries: Norma Davis (9457 2471 (h) 0402 249 249 (m) Email: davisnl@iinet.net,au

Do you know about Footlights? This is the portal in the ITA website where you can put all the details of your group’s upcoming productions and auditions, and you can access the calendar which displays many shows around the metro area. It is quite user friendly and is being improved all the time. You can also include a banner which advertises your play or musical on the front page of the website. I encourage all clubs to try this as an added way of advertising their productions. Con-gratulations to Emma Davis for all her facebook posts announcing opening nights, auditions etc. I know people look forward to reading them. And Emma does a great job with Footlights, so don’t forget to put in your club’s production details.

Auditions

Roleystone Theatre - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Director Lys Tickner Auditions Aug 9 8am - 5pm Info www.roleystonetheatre.com.au & Footlights Stirling Players - Up and Running by Derek Benning Director Barry Lefort Reading: Saturday July 5 at 2.30pm Auditions: Saturday July 12 at 2.30pm. Info www.stirlingplayers.com.au & Footlights Melville Theatre Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck Director Trevor Dhu July 12 and 19 Check website www.meltheco.org.au

Membership

Membership fees were due July 1st. Renewal forms have been sent to clubs. You will also find a link to the relevant forms on the electronic newsletter.

The passing of Andrea De Vaack

It's a sad duty to inform those who knew her that Andrea De Vaack passed away a couple of weeks ago. She had been battling Alzheimer's and died of a chest infection, as her body could not cope. Andrea was involved in various theatres over the years, including the Celtic Circle, Limelight, Stirling and Garrick. The ITA Committee has decided to add Andrea’s name to the Rob De Vaack Trophy awarded at Dramafest for the most innovative production. May she rest in peace.

Stirling Players Seussical the Musical by Stephen Flaherty &Lyn Arhens Director Fran Gordon Auditions: August 16 and 17. Call Fran 94473820 to book an audition time. Info www.stirlingplayers.com.au and Footlights Old Mill Theatre Wizard of Oz Director Maree Grayden August 2, 2 - 5pm Check www.oldmilltheatre.com.au and Footlights

artistic life catapult and hurl themselves directly and unapologetically into your heart and soul – which they will do, repeatedly – you will have some devices at your disposal to return to, to help you find your center again, so that your voice, your art and your SOUL will not be derailed, but you will instead find the strength to make yourself heard, and seen, and FELT. Then you will have the pow-er to transform yourselves, to transform others, and, indeed, to transform the world. (part 2 in the August edition)

A warning to all directors - don’t let this happen to you and your production. This story, although it happened in the US, could happen here. Take heed. Milwaukee's Alchemist Theatre was forced to cancel its production of the David Mamet drama "Oleanna" after one performance, after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the playwright's representatives over the theatre company's decision to cast a male actor in the play's lead female role. "Oleanna," introduced to audiences shortly after the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas hearings in 1991, centres on the relationship between a professor and a female student who accuses him of harassment and rape. In Alchemist's production, a young man was cast in the role of Carol, the student. A man played John, the profes-sor. The owners of Alchemist Theatre, said: "We excitedly brought this story to the stage because even though it was written years ago, the unfortunate story that it tells is still relevant today. We auditioned for this show looking for the best talent, not looking for a gender. When the young man auditioned the director saw the reality that this relationship, which is more about power, is not gender-specific but gender-neutral.” Alchemist Theatre said they stayed true to each of David Mamet's powerful words and did not change the charac-ter of Carol but allowed the reality of gender and relationship fluidity to add to the impact of the story. Dramatists Play Service, which represents Mamet, and which gave Alchemist the rights to produce the play, did-n't see it that way. The firm sent the cease-and-desist letter Friday, the day that reviews of the show appeared online and revealed the company's casting decision — a decision that the company went to unusual lengths to keep hidden before opening curtain.

Adjudicators for 2015 Are you taking a “Gap Year” from directing and would like to try your hand at being an Adjudica-tor next year? If so, the ITA Committee would love to hear from you. Training will be carried out at Dramafest. Give it some thought and contact Paul on 0402 530 529 if you are interested.

List of Musicals With Children in the Cast - compiled by Kimberley Shaw I was sitting outside rehearsal, waiting for one of my daughters and was discussing musicals with another mother. She asked me “So, what are the other musicals with kids in the cast?” and was surprised when I couldn’t immediately rattle off a definitive list. When I looked online, I couldn’t find a decent list either. To stop the list being overlong, my definition of “child” is 15 or under (unless there are also younger children in the cast) and the musicals need to be Broadway or West End, published by a major company or Aus-tralian. So here it is, my list of (legit.) musicals with children in the cast. The Addams Family: Pugsley Anne of Green Gables: Anne, Diana, Children Annie: Annie (11), Molly (6), Kate (7), Tessie (10), Pepper (12), July (13), Duffy (13) Annie Get Your Gun: Minnie, Nellie, Jessie, Jake (the youngest), Little boy, Little girl Annie Warbucks: Annie (11-13), Charlene Grace Patterson (9-12), orphan ensemble Anyone Can Whistle: Baby Joan (7 or 8) Aspects of Love: Jenny Dillingham (12-15) Assassins: Billy Moore Bat Boy: Shelley Parker (teen) Beauty and the Beast: Chip Benjamin Franklin in Paris: Benjamin Franklin Bache (7) Big: Billy, Cynthia, Josh (all c.12)

Big River: Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn (often played by adults) (see next month for the rest of this list. Ed)

WA Premiere at Old Mill Theatre.

One of Australia’s darkest child murder cases seems an unlikely topic for a musical- but despite its macabre origins, The Hatpin is a story of hope, courage and a mother’s undying love for her child. Written by WA Academy of Performing Arts graduates James Millar and Peter Rutherford, the musical makes its WA premiere at the Old Mill Theatre in July. It is directed by Graeme Johnson musical direction from Paul Lawrence Olsen. The Hatpin is inspired by the true story of Amber Murray who in 1892 gave up her son to the Makin family in Sydney, Australia. Amber advertised her baby in a newspaper trading column in the hope of saving his life. Baby farmers take the child in return for regular support payments but actually murder the child. Eventually, the evil couple are arrested and tried for the murder of several infants, leading to one of the most moving criminal trials in Australian history. Using the moral support she gains from her friendship with the free spirited Harriet Piper, Amber fights the injustices of circumstance and tragedy to find hope and strength.

10 Minute Plays

Short 5 - 10 minute plays are becoming increasingly popular with audiences, theatre companies and drama groups as it’s recognized that you can pack an awful lot of drama or comedy into ten minutes.

They are not only used as fillers and warm-ups, but put together to form a complete evening’s entertainment. In fact there are whole festivals devoted to them in the UK, the USA and here in Australia.

NOTICEBOARD

Stirling Player

s are looking for

people to direct

(plays and

musicals) in

2015/2016

email

carolebarry@

optusnet.com.au

Needed: People interested in

writing a review for the ITA’s

review secti

on on the website.

Send your reviews to Ben -

mrzorg@gmail.com

Irish Theatre Players are

looking for people to

direct a season for them

in 2015.

Call 0406 085 620 for

more information.

Missing Trophy

The perpetual trophy for

‘Best Youth in a Musical’

is missing. Would all clubs

that have won the trophy in

the past few years please

check to see if they have it.

Pint Sized Plays

available fro

m the ITA

Library contact

Norma

davisnl@iinet.net.au

Old Mill are still accepting Australian plays for their “Commemoration of the Centenary of Gallipoli” next year.

This year’s commencement address at the Juilliard School graduation ceremony was delivered by the American Opera Singer Joyce DiDonato. This may be one of the single most inspiring speeches about the Performing Arts ever delivered, and we have kindly been given permission by Miss Di-Donato to reprint it here. (sent by Paul Treasure. Ed) (There are several pages of the speech so I will serialise it over the next few editions. I hope you enjoy the read and are inspired by her words. Ed.)

“Chairman Kovner, President Polisi, most distinguished honorees, dedicated family, friends, faculty, and to EACH of the talented, ambitious, courageous, adventurous Juilliard graduates of the class of 2014 before us here today, thank you! I stand before you this morning, duly humbled, and in awe of the distinguished and hard-earned accomplishment awarded to each and every single one of you on this unforgettable and long-awaited day of your graduation. Look at you! You are gowned and tassled and you’re ready to take on the world! Through that first nerve-racking audition, all those subsequent sleepless nights, the painstaking preparation for your recitals, the endless hours of reed-making and memorization, the blisters and the tears, and now here you walk side by side with the life-long friendships you have now forged, you are about to be Alumni of the acclaimed Juilliard School! I invite you to breathe that in. You, my friends, are living the dream! I wish I had had the foresight when invited to speak here today, to ask them to break with tradition and print my old biography from when I was your age instead of my current one!A great ex-ample of contrasts, it would have shown you that despite my “star turn” as the off-stage lover in Il Tabarro with my ONE, single, SOLITARY line (did I mention it was OFF-STAGE?), and that despite being the only young artist of my class to fail at securing management until the ripe age of 29, and DESPITE my evaluation sheet for the Houston Opera Studio which simply declared me to possess “not much talent” and that despite WAY more rejections and easy dismissals than actual “yeses”, despite ALL of that, I am somehow, miraculously stand-ing before you all today, regaled in an admittedly different kind of designer gown, dispensing tidbits of “wisdom” before a group of artists who – and this is honestly no exaggeration – art-ists who I never could have been classmates with, because there truly is no way I could have gained admission to your school back in the day. I simply wasn’t ready back then. That is the truth. One never, EVER knows where their journey will lead them. But YOURS has led you here. There are a few more hard-earned truths – as I have come to know them – that have arisen on my personal odyssey as a singer and at first glance, they may seem like harbingers of bad news, but I invite you to shift your thinking just a bit (or perhaps even radically) – you guys are artists, so thankfully you’re already brilliant at thinking outside the conventional box! I of-fer these four little observations as tools to perhaps help you as you go forward, enabling you to empower yourselves from the very core of your being, so that when the challenges of this