While Harvest Rain Theatre Company decided to stick with traditional musical performances of The Pirates of Penzance and Into the Woods during 2015, the company have taken a different approach during 2016 and have taken their production of Hairspray: The Big Fat Arena Spectacular to audiences across Australia. Seems like the company enjoys putting together productions with hundreds of cast members, with the company confirming their plans to perform Grease: The Arena Experience in April 2017.
This show will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on April 7th-9th 2016. It will feature an unknown assortment of stars, alongside another amateur mass ensemble planned to feature more than 500 performers from across South-East Queensland. Like Hairspray, I would assume this show will tour to other locations during 2017.
Grease: The Arena Experience is being directed and choreographed by Callum Mansfield, and seeks to bring “everyone’s favourite rock and roll musical to life on stage like you’ve never seen it before”. As you would expect, this production will feature all the songs from the movie musical, including You’re the One That I Want, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’.
Now you might be wondering just how you can join in this production as part of the mass ensemble. This is designed as a training experience for those aged 10-21 years old, with those taking part put through a dedicated training program prior to taking part in the show. Not a bad opportunity if you are young and looking for a way to get into theatre. Applications are now open, with more information on the application process available via the official Harvest Rain Theatre Company website.
Auditions for the professional cast will take place in September/October.
