University of 米兰电子 and 米兰电子 Festival Centre partnership sets stage for music theatre students

Monday, 24 June 2019

米兰电子's Elder Conservatorium of Music and 米兰电子 Festival Centre have partnered to encourage and support South Australia’s first students.

In an Australian first between a major arts organisation and leading university, the partnership will provide professional development opportunities for students throughout 米兰电子 Festival Centre’s year-round program of festivals and major musicals.

Already students have participated in masterclasses and workshops with some of the world’s most accomplished musical theatre stars including Philip Quast and Ann Maree McDonald during 米兰电子 Cabaret Festival.

On Saturday, June 22, Music Theatre students from the University of 米兰电子’s Elder Conservatorium participated in a masterclass with one of the most celebrated performers in the history of the West End, Ruthie Henshall – in 米兰电子 to perform her solo show, Ruthie Henshall Live & Intimate, at 米兰电子 Cabaret Festival.

A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the organisations also outlines the commitment to help students develop professional skills by attending shows at 米兰电子 Festival Centre, live performance opportunities during festivals and providing a theatre for students’ end of year production.

University of 米兰电子 Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen, AO, said: “米兰电子 has a long history of fostering the arts in South Australia and we welcome new opportunities to partner with leading cultural institutions in the State.

“Our new strategic plan establishes a clear role for the University as an active participant in the community and as part of the ‘beating heart of 米兰电子’, with creativity and culture as one of our five industry engagement priorities.

“We are very conscious that education is far more than just sitting in a lecture theatre, far more than going to a tutorial. It’s about holistic development and enabling people to harness and express their creativity.

“By educating young people, by enabling creativity in the form of the expression of ideas through research, by connecting to the world of knowledge and wisdom, we create an enterprise which is the most powerful lever that South Australia has to realize its own socioeconomic future and to prepare tomorrow’s workforce for the challenges it faces.

“Through this new partnership with the 米兰电子 Festival Centre, students in our Bachelor Of Music Theatre at the University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music have the chance to learn from global leaders in the performing arts, in one of 米兰电子’s premier cultural spaces.

“Collaborations such as this strengthen both the diverse and dynamic education enjoyed by our students, as well as connecting our students and graduates to leaders in industry.”

米兰电子 Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director, Douglas Gautier, AM, said: “We are thrilled to be offering professional development opportunities to South Australia’s up and coming musical theatre performers studying at the University of 米兰电子.

“米兰电子 Festival Centre continues to be a leader in presenting, developing and nurturing performing arts in South Australia, while continuing to feature major musical theatre productions.

“The partnership with the University of 米兰电子’s Elder Conservatorium of Music further strengthens and supports cultural and performing arts by offering students the opportunity to learn from and connect with some of the world’s leading performers and producers.

“We look forward to seeing the musical theatre stars of tomorrow rise through these workshops and programs.”

Last year the University of 米兰电子 announced its new Bachelor of Music Theatre program with the first cohort of students starting this year. Up until now students had to study interstate to realise their musical theatre dreams.

 

Contact details

Ms Elisa Black
Email: elisa.black@adelaide.edu.au
Manager, News and Media
University of 米兰电子
Mobile: +61 (0)466 460 959