In only a couple of weeks, musical theatre aficionados across Australia will begin being able to watch the iconic musical Rent, with LPD Productions bringing the newest national tour to QPAC in Brisbane, Arts Centre Melbourne, Civic Theatre in Newcastle, His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth and the Canberra Theatre between January and June 2024. Not only have they got the iconic 90s musical touring the country, but they also have a recognisable cast of multitalented triple-threats from the creative arts industries. While still in the rehearsal room ahead of their first performance on 27 January, we have interviewed a few of the show’s talent, with them sharing a bit about themselves, their perspectives on Rent, and their all-important advice for those who wish to enter the industry themselves.
First up, we had the opportunity to interview Thndo, a multi-faceted artist whose career spans nearly a decade. Her journey began with the release of her debut EP ‘Digital Love Letters’ in 2016, marking the start of a musical voyage that seeks to blend stories of strength, love, and empowerment with a soulful, rich vocal delivery. Over the years she has performed at major festivals like WOMADelaide and BIGSOUND, featured as a finalist on The Voice Australia in 2022, and released additional tracks including her ‘Life in Colour’ EP and the single ‘Fall’ in 2022. Representing the themes that her music embodies, you will see her over the coming months performing as Joanne in Rent the Musical.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
Having established a formidable presence in the music scene over the years, including your attendance at numerous music festivals and tenure on The Voice Australia, what has inspired you to undertake roles in theatre, particularly in taking up the role of Joanne in Rent?
I’ve had the honour of developing my storytelling craft on stages as my most authentic self, and have grown as a person over the past decade doing so. My lived experience has shaped my artistry, and as I entered my 30s I started thinking about my legacy and how to continue challenging myself and how to continue to grow as an artist and theatre is the perfect way to do so. How can my lived experiences shape someone else’s story? As an entertainer, it’s my responsibility to honour the story and it doesn’t have to be my own.
As someone who has powerfully conveyed stories of strength, conflict, and empowerment through your music, how do you personally connect with Joanne’s character in Rent? Have you added any of your own unique touches to your portrayal of the character? How have you gone about embodying Joanne on stage?
Joanne’s very existence is politicised; she’s the daughter of formidable parents who no doubt had to work harder than their white counterparts to earn their positions in society and would be expected to be as excellent as they are. She is also a lesbian in an interracial relationship with a woman who would have had a different upbringing and set of expectations for her.
Joanne is as passionate and determined as her peers although she’s not an artist. Everything she does is in service of others; she is fiercely supportive of Maureen, the focus of her legal work is for equal rights and justice for disenfranchised people and she cares about what happens to Mark and Roger when they’re locked out of their building…
As a black woman, I understand the experience of having to be excellent to be taken seriously. We can never get away with doing the bare minimum and that’s where the parallels between Joanne and myself begin to reveal themselves as I’ve been building my interpretation of her character.
How does your approach to performing in a musical differ from your approach to music performances in festivals and concerts?
At its essence, my performance in theatre is not about me. I can only go so far in my personal experience to relate to my character but it’s my responsibility to tell Joanne’s story, not my own. In my own music, I wear my heart on my sleeve but with theatre, I get to keep most of that for myself. I step into someone else’s shoes and explore their lessons, their hurt and their joy. It offers a completely different perspective on life and all its different textures.
I think of Joanne’s childhood, her struggles stepping into her identity as a queer person (she is already marginalised as a black woman and adding the layer of her sexual identity is a whole other challenge), what brings her joy, how she met Maureen, how she feels when Maureen is being very free and giving with her affection, how it feels when she meets the man Maureen left to be with her, the pride she feels when she is helping change people’s lives. I think of my character as a whole person, not words and a description in a script.
It’s fascinating because I can build her from scratch and create a version of Joanne that feels real and relatable to me.
You are now in rehearsals ahead of Rent, commencing at the end of this month, and the wider Australian tour across 2024. How have things been going in preparation for the season, what was your first day of rehearsals like, and have there been any particular highlights of the process so far? Anything particularly rewarding before the curtains rise in a couple of weeks’ time?
The chemistry the cast has formed within hours of being in the same room is something I have never experienced before. I have spoken on Rent being about chosen family and this collective of artists very much feels like that.
The principal cast feels very much like their characters and it’s kind of eerie because it just feels so natural, and there’s an excited energy when we block scenes and they just work. It doesn’t feel like we’re acting, it feels like we just ARE.
Rent addresses themes like love, loss, and social issues. How do you think these themes resonate with audiences today, especially in the context of recent global events? And why do you think the musical has been able to stand the test of time?
Jonathan Larson’s ability to articulate the message that life is too short to hesitate doing something that makes you feel something is unparalleled. “No day but today”… hold the ones you care about close to you. Tomorrow is not promised. That will never not be true, and the current state of the world is a testament to that.
Rent is not about sickness and poverty, it’s about enduring determination and love.
What powerful messages or themes from Rent resonate with you the most, and how do you hope to convey them to the audience?
Community. When we stand alone, we feel the weight of the things we’re going through and it can be quite debilitating. As soon as we can lean on the people around us that we trust, the load is easier to bear.
I’ve been way more communicative with my family and confidants and have been more open and honest since I started working on this show.
I wasn’t expecting that to be my biggest lesson.
Having been involved in multiple facets of the performing arts industry, what is your advice for those newer to the sector who may be looking to follow in your footsteps and forge a career for themselves in it?
Seize every opportunity to learn and grow, through auditions and callbacks. If you don’t book the job, that setback was to teach you something about yourself. The opportunity that is for you will happen, but your resilience is what will allow you to occupy those spaces so don’t feel discouraged if your hard work doesn’t get you where you want right away.
Rapid-Fire Questions
What was your first exposure to Rent the Musical?
I was helping a friend with ‘Take Me or Leave Me’ for their audition for a local production. I sang Joanne’s part, not realising it was foreshadowing.
Your favourite song in Rent that you perform in
Definitely the Finale, we’re all in it all the resolution and the harmonies, it just feels really good for the soul belting that one out.
Your favourite song in Rent in general
I’ll cover you! Such a beautiful moment, but the reprise leaves me in pieces so we won’t talk about that.
Your favourite moment in the show?
Maureen and Joanne reconcile after Angel’s funeral, again realising tomorrow is not promised and they obviously love each other despite their differences.
Favourite piece of choreography in the show?
The tango Maureen, the struggle of masculine energy between Joanne and Mark is really fun to play into. Who ends up the victor? I loved learning it.
Favourite piece of staging/set design/prop?
The scaffolding is great, that industrial feel which is so appropriate for a loft in New York in the 90s makes it feel like we’re really there. I was lucky enough to be in New York in early 2023 so the feel of the set is a great space to work in.
Do you have a favourite pre-rehearsal ritual or routine?
I like to listen to Cardi B, she makes me feel like a boss and Joanne is a boss so it hypes me up.
If you had the opportunity to fill another role in Rent for a Night, with no limitations, what character or role would that be?
Definitely Maureen. I’m more like her in real life, I’m not going to lie. It’s hard not to chuckle at her isms cause I think to myself “I would do this”
I would like to pass on my appreciation and thanks to Thndo for their time in responding to my questions during undoubtedly a busy period of rehearsals, and wish them all the best for the ongoing Australian tour of Rent. Furthermore, my sincerest thanks to the show’s national publicist, Sharonne Lipman from IP Publicity, for facilitating this conversation as well.
Keen on nabbing yourself tickets to Rent’s Australian tour? Ticketing information differs from venue to venue, but can be found either HERE on the show’s official website, or below in the nifty easy-to-use table:
