NEW STORIES AND TALENT ENRICH JUTE’S 2010 PROGRAM

JUTE Theatre has unveiled five new productions and a series of programs to nurture emerging writers, producers and actors for its 2010 season.

JUTE’s Artistic Director and CEO Suellen Maunder said 2010 would see JUTE focusing on what the Theatre does best – passionately engaging others in the telling of new stories that stimulate the mind, revitalise the spirit and lift the heart, providing a true sense of belonging.

“Behind the scenes, JUTE undertakes a range of programs that contribute to the the cultural richness of this region.  Script development programs, programs that support emerging artists and workshops in theatre practice,” she said.

The Indie Season sees JUTE mentoring independent producers in the areas of production management, design, marketing and direction. The Indie producers receive $5000 cash towards their production and retain creative control of the work which is produced as part of the JUTE annual season of plays.

“This year’s successful applicant is POP Robot Theatre, an emerging theatre company that grew out of the James Cook University’s theatre course. Their mission is to provide opportunities for young emerging performers and directors to make professional theatre about young people.” 

Ms Maunder said JUTE had three projects shortlisted for touring in 2010 – Cake by Kathryn Ash, Gods of Spicy Things by Sue Hayes and Blackbird by John Rodgers in collaboration with Megan Sarmardin.

Open auditions are scheduled for April 7 so new professional performers who have not previously auditioned for JUTE as well as emerging and community performers not previously cast by JUTE can showcase their updated performance skills. 

Casting for the 2011 program will take place between April and June.

Ms Maunder said JUTE was committed to developing and employing regional practitioners and where possible would cast from the region, but would also cast in other centres across Australia where required. 

Applications close on February 12 for the award-winning script development program, Enter Stage Write, which runs from April to November. It supports emerging and mid career writers for performance to develop their scripts for production and touring.

“JUTE’s nationally recognised script development program will be working with up to 13 playwrights in 2010 and 2011, with some being supported towards a JUTE production outcome,” Ms Maunder said.

Scott Witt’s madcap adaption of Macbeth is the first production of the year on March 12-27. This humorous Aussie take on Shakespeare’s classic features five budding actors working alongside professionals to hone their theatrical skills and learn techniques such as clowning and stage combat.

The Folding Wife by Paschal Daantos Berry on May 8-9 is an Urban Theatre Projects production. It is the story of three generations of Filipina women and their desire to escape poverty and live in the First World.

Dancing Back Home on June 4-19 features six young playwrights exploding on to the national stage and dancing their way back home in a kaleidoscope of talent looking at love, family and murder in six different outback regions.

Blackbird on August 20-28 is a compelling Indigenous Australian story told through song, linking the 19^th Century to the present moment through an unbroken chain of experience.

October 7-9 is JUTE Theatre’s Indie Season featuring POP Robot Theatre’s production of Falling Petals by Ben Ellis. In a small town a strange illness is killing the children, but three students think they will remain unaffected.

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For more information:

JUTE Theatre Artistic Director and CEO

Suellen Maunder

T: 07 4050 9444, M: 0419 757 231

E: suellen@jute.com.au W: www.jute.com.au

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Pip Miller PR   

M: 0419 681543   E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

MACBETH SHOWCASES FAR NORTH’S BEST AND EMERGING TALENT

This week JUTE’s largest ever assembled cast (11 actors) began productionL-R:  Cameron Hurry, Theresa O’Connor, Andy Lamb & Michael Elliott of Macbeth; its first play of the season. JUTE’s contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth will open on Friday 12 March following five weeks of rehearsal. 

A humorous Aussie take on Macbeth will showcase some of the Far North’s emerging talent as they perform alongside respected professionals in JUTE Theatre’s first production for the year.

Opening on March 12, Scott Witt’s madcap adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth has proved the perfect vehicle for JUTE’s leading performers to mentor five budding actors and introduce them to the mechanics of a live show.

In this production, an avant-garde Australian theatre collective step into the limelight when the London Shakespeare Company fails to show on opening night. There are problems galore from Macbeth going missing to one of the actors wanting to take on every role – including Richard III!

Against a faithful re-telling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, JUTE creates a modern masterpiece of ambition, inevitability and the acceptance of fate, undermined by comedy, clowns and chaos.

JUTE’s Artistic Director and CEO Suellen Maunder said a number of respected professionals had been secured for the production including director Scott Witt and lighting designer Ben Hughes, who has worked on numerous productions for the Queensland Theatre Company and the Queensland Ballet. Dominie Hooper is the highly regarded designer who has realized many beautiful designs for JUTE Theatre and Peter Matheson is the dramaturg.

“With this production, JUTE has given five young actors the opportunity to learn about the mechanics of professional theatre, the role of the director, set and light designers, production and stage managers and how they all interact to create a show,” she said.

“By performing alongside five professional actors, they will gain skills in acting technique, stage combat and clowning.”

Macbeth features Christopher Glover, Sue Hayes, Cameron Hurry, Peter Marshall, Suellen Maunder and Theresa O’Connor. It introduces Chris Ah Gee, Michael Elliott, Andrew Finlay, Liz Hurley and Andy Lamb.

The production is funded by the Australia Council and Arts Queensland with support from Cairns Regional Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) and Queensland Theatre Company’s (QTC) regional program. 

Macbeth runs March 12-27, Tuesday-Wednesday 6.30pm, Thursday-Saturday 8pm, matinee on March 18 at 11am. Tickets $30, concession/QAC $27, groups of five or more $25 each, under 25yrs $25, Tuesday $17. To book call ticketLINK on 1300 855 835 or go to www.ticketlink.com.au

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For more information:

JUTE Theatre Artistic Director and CEO

Suellen Maunder

T: 07 4050 9444, M: 0419 757 231

E: suellen@jute.com.au W: www.jute.com.au

Issued by:

Pip Miller PR   

M: 0419 681543   E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

YOUNG ACTORS GIVEN CHANCE TO LEARN THE ROPES AT JUTE THEATRE

Five budding actors will be given the opportunity to perform alongside professionals in JUTE Theatre’s production of Macbeth.

Media Call: Wednesday 4 November at 10am at JUTE
Suellen Maunder will talk about the opportunity for young actors and indicate what they are looking for…calling all  budding actors now.  Pip Miller PR 0419 681543

JUTE’s Artistic Director and CEO Suellen Maunder said the Theatre had received funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) through Cairns Regional Council for five young people from the regional community to participate in an adaptation of the classic Macbeth, by Scott Witt.

“Apart from performing alongside five professional actors, the young people will learn about the mechanics of professional theatre, the role of the director, set and light designers, production and stage managers and how they all interact to create a show. They will also gain skills in acting technique and stage combat and clowning,” Ms Maunder said.

“This opportunity is open to anyone between 16-26 years who have a desire to learn about theatre. The young people will be chosen through a week long audition/workshop process and must be available for the production in February and March 2010.”

Auditions will be held from Monday to Friday, 23-27 November, 9.30am-4pm at the JUTE Rehearsal Studio, Centre of Contemporary Arts, 96 Abbott St, Cairns.

For further information, contact Suellen Maunder on T: 07 4050 9444, M: 0419 757 231, E: suellen@jute.com.au W: www.jute.com.au

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Pip Miller PR    M: 0419 681543   E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

CAIRNS THEATRE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CEO APPOINTED TO BOARD OF  PEAK ARTS FUNDING BODY, the AUSTRALIA COUNCIL for the ARTS

Theatre is definitely alive and well in northern Australia with news this week Artistic Director/CEO of JUTE Theatre, Suellen Maunder has been appointed to the Theatre Board of the Australia Council.

Having been appointed by the Federal Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, Ms Maunder’s position is effective immediately and represents one of seven highly coveted board places steering theatre’s peak national funding body.

Ms Maunder was both thrilled and honoured to learn of her appointment, which she said was timely after returning from a five-week trip to UK and Asia.

In her position as Artistic Director/CEO of JUTE Theatre, Suellen is an experienced theatre professional, manager, director and actor who has been instrumental in steering north Queensland’s award winning theatre company from the time it was launched in Cairns some 17 years ago.

While considered to be her most prestigious board appointment to date, Suellen has previously served as a Trustee of the Board of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre as well as serving on the peer assessment panel for Arts Queensland.

The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body whose vision is to enrich Australia by supporting the practice and enjoyment of the arts.  It does this through funding, strengthening and developing the arts sector.

As a national body, it collaborates to build new audiences, foster philanthropic support and deepen understanding of the arts through research.

Each year, the Australia Council provides more than $175 million in funding for artists and arts organisations across the country.

The art form boards are the Council’s major source of advice on the development of arts policy and grant programs.   Suellen brings her wealth of knowledge about theatre practice in the regions to the board and said  “It is a great privilege to bring a regional voice to this table, and to take part in the decision making about the future of theatre making in this country”.

Suellen is looking forward to working with her peers towards a vibrant theatre sector in Australia.

For further information, contact Suellen Maunder on T:  07 4050 9444     M:  0419 757 231 E:  suellen@jute.com.au W: www.jute.com.au

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Pip Miller PR    M: 0419 681543   E: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au