With the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University being almost neighbours in the Brisbane Cultural Precinct, it should not surprise anyone that collaborations between the two should happen regularly. But in a more formal process, the organisations earlier today announced a partnership that will see students from the Conservatorium train and study in-residence at QPAC throughout the year.
The partnership is pitched as follows:
The 5 + 5-year partnership will provide Conservatorium students with access to three purpose-built rehearsal spaces at QPAC year-round and will allow the University to consolidate its performing arts courses at its South Bank campus.
It is a little surprising that a partnership of this magnitude hadn’t occurred already, however with in-coming changes to QPAC with the new performing arts venue and a return to normalcy following the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, now will hopefully be the time to kickstart the careers of the next generation of Australian performing arts graduates.
Continue reading below for statements from representatives of both QPAC and Queensland Conservatorium:
QPAC and QCGU have always had a good working relationship, so this is a natural next step for us to cement the partnership. We share a firm commitment to developing and growing the performing arts industry and this partnership provides us with an opportunity to invest in the education of artists coming through QCGU courses.
It also opens up our building outside of our performance schedule and makes it more accessible to the students who can benefit greatly from further exposure to QPAC’s technical and production expertise.
The Griffith Musical Theatre program is now one of the most sought-after programs of its kind in Australia with more than 450 applicants auditioning for just 20 places each year.
John Kotzas – Chief Executive of QPAC
Since the Bachelor of Musical Theatre was introduced in 2011, we’ve had students starring in Frozen – the Musical, SIX!-The Musical, Come From Away, Hairspray, Jagged Little Pill, and The Phantom of the Opera with Griffith alumna Shubshri Kandiah currently in the lead role of Cinderella.
Professor Carolyn Evans – Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University
The Queensland Government supports QPAC in forging successful partnerships to leverage strong outcomes for the arts sector and to further secure the future of performing artists in Queensland. This partnership delivers on the priorities of Creative Together 2020-2030, the Queensland Government’s 10-year roadmap for arts, culture and creativity by activating local places and celebrating our storytellers.
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP – Arts Minister for Queensland
More specifics will surely be unveiled as the partnership gets underway.
