Griffith musical theatre students are being put through their paces by Tony-Award winning Broadway star Faith Prince at QPAC this week.
The acclaimed actress and singer is conducting a series of intensive workshops and masterclasses with the final year musical theatre students, who will perform a cabaret showcase at QPAC tonight.
‘A dream come true’
Bachelor of Musical Theatre student Tiarne Sue Yek said the experience had been “a dream come true”.
“To get the chance to perform at QPAC and work with someone like Faith while we’re still at uni is pretty special,” she said.
Fellow musical theatre student Zac Parkes said that creating a show in less than a week was perfect preparation for life in the industry.
“A lot of us will be generating our own work after we graduate and having to put together a show in a few days forced us to dig deep and show our versatility.”
‘Once in a lifetime opportunities’
Queensland Conservatorium Acting Director Professor Gemma Carey said that Griffith’s partnership with QPAC had provided once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students.
“We are fortunate to be based in the heart of Brisbane’s cultural precinct at South Bank alongside the state’s leading arts institutions,” she said.
“Our precinct partners provide incredible opportunities for our students to learn from industry professionals and perform alongside the world’s best artists.”
Industry mentors
Faith Prince won a Tony Award in 1992 for a revival of Guys and Dolls and has starred in more than a dozen productions on the Great White Way, including The Little Mermaid, Billy Elliot and The First Wives Club.
In a career spanning three decades, she has also carved out a television and movie career, appearing in hit shows like Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy and Spin City.
Ms Prince said mentoring was “incredibly rewarding”.
“There is so much talent here — the students are terrific,” she said.
“Teaching is a large part of what I do. For me, passing on the work is the most important thing.
“It’s all about telling a story.”
Building professional networks
Queensland Conservatorium Head of Performing Arts Associate Professor Paul Sabey said industry experience was a key part of the musical theatre degree.
“It is vital that young performers build their professional networks and gain exposure to the industry,” he said.
The Sky’s the Limit: Student Cabaret Showcase, October 3. An Intimate Evening with Faith Prince, October 4-5. For tickets, visit QPAC.