A First for New Zealand
Left to right Red – Rose Pickard, Rapunzel – Sophie Morris, Florinda – Summer Millet, and Lucinda – Sophie Wright.
The Fortune Theatre, is leading the way with a unique initiative in New Zealand – an Emerging Artist Scholarship Programme. This aims to bring emerging practitioners into the development and performance of a professional, mainstage production at the Fortune Theatre. This year the production is Into the Woods, a multi-award winning musical by Stephen Sondheim, which runs until 26 August 2017.
General Manager Bob King says “One of our goals at the Fortune is to support the development of emerging local talent. Through initiatives like our Education Programme, the 4X4 Emerging Writers Programme and our Family Season, we are constantly seeking to bring new artists into the Fortune whanau. It is this culture of support and development that has led to the introduction of the Fortune Theatre Scholarship Programme.”
Eight exceptional emerging practitioners have been selected to take to the stage in this beloved musical: Sophie Morris (emerging professional singer and actress), Max Beal, Nic Laughton, Bryn Monk, Rose Pickard (local youth performers), Summer Millett, Joe Witkowski and Sophie Wright (final year acting students from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School).
The programme enables these up and coming actors to work alongside the nationally selected 2017 Fortune Company and receive additional coaching from acclaimed UK Musical Director Mark Dorrell and the Fortune’s own Artistic Director Jonathon Hendry. ”This is a first for New Zealand and speaks to Fortune’s desire to be at the heart of the development of greater youth participation in arts from the talented high school student through to those beginning to forge a career.” says Jonathon Hendry The Fortune is incredibly excited and proud to be introducing this ground-breaking initiative and we need your help. To support these emerging artists during the production, the Fortune is running a Boosted crowd-funding campaign to raise $10,000 to support the eight scholarship recipients while working at the Fortune. All donations go directly towards supporting these talented young professionals as they forge their careers in the arts.
Casts below: Left to Right Cinderella’s Prince – Joe Witkowski, Rapunzel’s Prince – Max Beal, The Steward – Bryn Monk and Jack – Nic Laughton
Drama students can now enjoy a ‘digital look’ behind the scenes at Fortune Theatre productions thanks to a new initiative backed by a GigCity grant with thanks to Chorus.
On Sunday, 10 April, 60 students from eight participating high schools came to Fortune Theatre for The Big Improv Day Out, an intensive 4-hour workshop looking at many elements of Improvisation. The workshop was expertly run by six members of Improsaurus, Dunedin’s own critically acclaimed Improv Troup. It was wonderful to see such energy and focus from the students as well as some fabulous scene work!