While it has been snowing outside of late, we are working hard at BMEC and Local Stages to keep warm and to keep developing local performing arts.
Toward the end of last month we had Untrained at BMEC – which gave 2 local lads – Callum Lofts and James Surplice (follow the links to see their interview footage) an amazing opportunity to work with two professional performers.
The show was a wonderful insight into the world of professional theatre making and contemporary dance. Untrained was performed at Bathurst and the company then made their way through the ice and snow to Orange Civic Theatre for one night.
After the performances the guys held a breif Q&A to allow the audience to to ask their burning questions about the concept of the show. (Video Below)
Contemporary dance has certainly taken off this year for the boys and girls! Every weekend a group of dedicated young women from the region have been working in City Hall with guest artist Ghenoa Gela (Gee).
Gee has been visiting Bathurst recently as part of BMEC's Aboriginal Performing Arts Program to teach hip hop.
The girls are certainly dancing up a storm. They performed at Marramarra (Wiradjuri for ‘make, create, do’) A regional gathering and showcase of Aboriginal Arts from the Central West region of NSW presented by Arts OutWest at BMEC on Tuesday 12 July, and it looks like two of these girls will be heading off to NAISDA for workshops later this year which is very exciting! Prior to Gee coming to Bathurst Alison Plevey (Talk2Me) had been working with this group since March.
Linsey Pollak is a visiting artist at School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU. A partnership formed between CSU and BMEC Local Stages program means that Linsey will also be doing some community workshops.
Linsey is well known for making music with found objects and even uses carrots as clarinets.
Linsey will be performing his show 'Passing Wind' tonight (6pm) at the Ponton Theatre at CSU as well as holding a workshop.
Another musician of a very different style is also coming to BMEC this month. Nick Christo is here with his Cabaret The Fabulous Francis Faye in Australia on July 15 & 16th.
While here, Nick will be running a master class for 10 lucky local singers. Nick is a graduate of WAAPA (Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts) and has had several successful musical theatre roles in My Fair Lady, The Hatpin, The Mikado, Barber of Seville, Fiddler on The Roof, Titanic, Me & My Girl and Camelot.
Nick also has several cabaret and television credits and was the Assistant Director on Gutenberg The Musical, which received a Helpmann nomination. Nick has also been the recipient of the 2008 Sydney Theatre Critic Award for Best Cabaret, the 2007 Short & Sweet Song Festival and the 2005 Sydney Cabaret Showcase Competition for Best Newcomer.
Finally, for the kiddies we have classic storytelling coming to life in BOATS where the story of two stranded mariners unfolds as props are created in front of the audience. A boat is made from a baguette, an oriental man from a teacup and a sail from a tabletop.
BOATS is a high quality and very entertaining performance that kids will love and the parents will have a chuckle as well.
Keep an eye out for more info on BOATS before it comes to BMEC on Thursday July 21 for two days with both evening and daytime performances.
