AUSTRALIA’S best-known theatre producer John Frost spends most of his time behind the scenes but he will be placed firmly in the spotlight when he receives an honorary doctorate from Griffith University.
The man who can lay claim to a swag of blockbuster musicals in Australia and overseas will beacknowledged by Griffith today (July 15)for his considerable contribution to the arts community over almost four decades.
Mr Frost is one of five people to receive honorary doctorates from Griffith University over the next week. These include former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet Li Cunxin, Queensland Judge Fleur Kingham and international educator Mrs Mary Roosevelt.
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Director Professor Scott Harrison said the “musical theatre landscape in Australia was much richer because of John Frost”.
“He is the driving force behind almost every major musical theatre and light opera production in the country,” he said.
Professor Harrison said Mr Frost was already an adjunct Professor in musical theatre but Griffith had decided to take the extra step of awarding him an honorary doctorate.
“He is a real inspiration to our students,” he said.
“He has employed some of them on his productions and Griffith students are in fact working for him in stage productions right now.
“We are honoured to have him as an advocate of the university.”
Mr Frost has staged dozens of multi-million dollar productions in Australia during his career — often putting his name to more than one in a 12-month period.
He has had hits on Broadway and the West End, picking up two Tony Awards along the way.
His productions for 2016 include We Will Rock You, which opened in Brisbane at QPAC this week, Dream Lover — a new Australian musical about Bobby Darin, and My Fair Lady with OA, to be directed by Julie Andrews. In 2017 John will co-produce with Anne Garefino and Scott Rudin the international blockbuster The Book Of Mormon.