Not only is Moulin Rouge! The Musical, in my opinion, a top-tier Australian-developed musical, but producer Global Creatures has effectively leveraged their role in creating the musical to deliver some rather impressive educational opportunities for schools and aspiring performing arts industry workers of the future. In addition to offering an in-depth education guide for teachers which aligns to the current Australian Curriculum, during their Sydney Perth and Brisbane seasons they also hosted dedicated Get Technical! – Behind the Curtain of Moulin Rouge! The Musical open day events. With the musical now on the final leg of its Australian tour, an encore season in Melbourne, the producer are hosting one more of these free events.
Get Technical! – Behind the Curtain of Moulin Rouge! The Musical is aimed at upper high school students, those in tertiary education around the performing arts + stagecraft, and individuals with transferable skills keen on exploring technical theatre production. This event will take place on Thursday 30 November 2023 at the Regent Theatre, with bookings now possible by emailing Amanda O’Reilly at [email protected]. Doors for the event will open from 12.30pm on the day, and run from 1.00pm until 3.30pm. It goes without saying that while these events will undoubtedly be interesting to anyone, given the limited capacity in place, it might be best to consider whether you fall into the target audience before requesting a spot.
The behind-the-scenes event was first initiated by Global Creatures in December 2022 during their Sydney season of the musical, in response to critical job shortages in the theatre industry, primarily caused by backstage staff exits during the global pandemic. Recognized at the Australian Event Awards for its innovative concept, it has since expanded to Broadway and West End productions of Moulin Rouge! The Musical in 2023. Attendees will get a chance to interact with the production’s creative and technical team, participate in a Q&A with the staff and crew, and also hear insights from special guest Richard Martin, the Technical Director for Moulin Rouge! The Musical’s Australian shows and the global head of technical production.
The Melbourne session, hosted by Simon Burke AO, will span 2 hours, concluding with a 30-minute Q&A. It will commence with a performance of the show’s opening leading to the end of the first Can Can. Attendees will also be treated to a video tour of various technical departments, including Wigs/Hair and Make-Up, Lighting, Props, and Wardrobe. Richard Martin will introduce a new segment on Technical Production. Simon Burke AO will then interview crew members, shedding light on their roles, responsibilities, and unique journeys into the performing arts industry.
Producer Carmen Pavlovic has emphasised the significance of backstage roles, sharing:
Backstage is where all the magic happens. We, and all producers, are constantly on the lookout for great crew and backstage company members; especially now with productions coming back with a vengeance in 2023. We’re after stage managers; lighting technicians; hair, wig and makeup artists; wardrobe assistants; set automation and mechanists to name a few. We hope to encourage high schoolers on the precipice of adulthood, and current tertiary students to consider the many potential career pathways in live theatre, as well as inspiring those already in the workforce with transferable skills looking to change industries.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is set to conclude in Melbourne on 4 February 2024, and is a production I would highly recommend checking out at least once!
