MTC Education 2012

MTC Education 2012

MTC Education 2012 presents Helicopter, a brand new Australian work by recent Sydney Theatre Award-winning playwright Angela Betzien, and Boy Girl Wall, a one-man show travelling from Brisbane after three sell-out seasons.

Students and teachers will gain further access to MTC’s resources through a host of other exciting productions, workshops and events.

Launched in 2010, the MTC Ambassador program has proved extremely popular among young theatre buffs. Nominations for the 2012 intake will close on 9 March. Other highlights of the 2012 Education season include the Youth Scholarship Course, a program designed to open up the world of performance-making for some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged students.

From 2008-2011, MTC Education was an industry partner in TheatreSpace, a nationwide research initiative that investigates young people’s experience with theatre. MTC is committed to incorporating the findings of this research into its programs, ensuring that young people are empowered to access and respond to MTC productions.

 

Boy Girl Wall

by Matthew Ryan and Lucas Stibbard

17 April to 4 May 2012

The MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio

The MTC Education season kicks-off with Boy Girl Wall, by independent theatre makers The Escapists, a one-man extravaganza starring Lucas Stibbard who recreates over twenty roles with puppetry, illustration and live music at a fire-cracker pace. Boy Girl Wall is a postmodern rom-com about two lost and lonely individuals whose happiness depends on the Wall that separates their apartment and a host of hilarious characters and objects with real feelings. The stars seem aligned to create a magical moment between this boy and girl.

Stibbard is accompanied by Neridah Waters performing her original score in a unique production that will capture the imagination of young and old. Stibbard’s performance in Boy Girl Wall earned him a 2011 Helpmann Award nomination for best actor in a play.

Helicopter

by Angela Betzien

2 August to 17 August 2012

The MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio

The multi award-winning creative team behind Real TV, Angela Betzien (playwright) and Leticia Caceres (director) collaborate on a brand new MTC commission Helicopter, a suburban satire starring Daniela Farinacci. Daniela is joined by Charles Grounds and Terry Yeboah who will make their MTC debuts.

Fourteen-year-old Jack is bullied in school, yet spoilt rotten at home by his rich, well-meaning parents who relentlessly baby-proof Jack’s life in case of looming dangers. Although, the hazards of Jack’s life pale into insignificance when compared to his young neighbour Thomas who lived through the war in Southern Sudan. Neither does it compare to the danger raised when Jack’s dad reverses his luxury 4x4 out their drive...

Real TV’s previous productions include Hoods, The Orphanage Project and Children of the Black Skirt. Betzien won the 2011 Sydney Theatre Award for best new Australian work for The Dark Room.

Helicopter was commissioned by MTC and developed with the assistance of Playwriting Australia.

Snapshot of MTC Education 2012

- MTC Ambassador Program

- Youth Scholarship Course

- Pre-show talks led by experienced VCE assessors with a focus on VCE

Drama or Theatre Studies

- Post-show Q&A sessions with the cast & creative teams of MTC Education productions Boy Girl Wall and Helicopter and MTC Mainstage productions Tribes and Top Girls

- Teacher’s notes for Boy Girl Wall, Helicopter, Tribes and Top Girls

- MTC HQ Tours and MTC Theatre Tours

- Solo Performance Workshops and Monologue Performance Workshops

- Free tickets for disadvantaged students

- Travel subsidies for regional and remote schools

- Discounted tickets and school group discounts for all MTC productions

- Discounts on costume hire

For more information, take a look at the MTC Education page on the MTC website at mtc.com.au

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