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Young performers are raising the bar this year at Centrestage Theatre, tackling two musicals instead of the usual one.
The theatre’s vice president, Sarah Searle says this is the first time for several years that there will be two shows by Centrestage Youth Theatre (CYT) students within a calendar year. She says this is not an easy task but the kids deserve it. “If the formula works we will do it again next year,” Sarah says. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such amazingly talented kids in our youth theatre who are not afraid of hard work.”
First up is Little Shop of Horrors, which is on this month.
This show is geared to senior CYT performers – described as “a horror comedy rock musical”, it has humour and great song and dance numbers. Sarah says it will stretch the performers with a script and plot that is a little ‘meatier’ than the shows chosen for junior members.
The show tells the story of a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. The plant, named Audrey II, is represented by four puppets to cover its different stages of growth from a small pot plant to a giant (the largest puppet is a challenge for the puppeteer to operate).
The musical is based on the low-budget 1960s black comedy film of the same name with music composed by Alan Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and Motown.
Popular Centrestage actor George Keenan is directing for the first time. Also on the creative team are 16-year-old Billie Hart as Musical Director and Anna Mortlock as choreographer.
There are five shows only at Centrestage Theatre from May 24–27. Tickets are $22 and available either from the Centrestage Theatre Box Office, phone 426 7282 or at centrestagetheatre.co.nz
The art of turning people into zombies was the subject of a recent workshop at Centrestage Theatre.
The workshop – one of many offered by the theatre – was run by special effects makeup artist Donna Rae.
Around eight workshops in various aspects of theatre craft are held each year, at a cost designed to be affordable to students (of both Primary and College age).
Other topics covered recently include stage combat with Alexander Hollaway (stage combat tutor at The Pop Up Globe and director of The NZ Stage Combat School).
Later in the year a Kapa Haka workshop is planned as well as one on the technical elements of theatre (lighting and sound) and a musicality workshop with up and coming Musical Director Zac Johns.
More info on Centrestage Youth Theatre’s Facebook page.
