THE THIRD YEAR ACTING STUDENTS PRESENT
TARTUFFE
A new version by
Justin FlemingGriffith University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, and pays respect to the Elders, past and present.
WELCOME
As Program Director of the Bachelor of Acting it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the Class of 2024 and welcome you to the first university production of Justin Fleming’s version of Tartuffe, Moliere’s classic play.
The students have worked extremely hard getting to grips with the rhyme and the language as well as taking on essential production roles, which I am immensely grateful for. They are an exceptional bunch. I had the good fortune of directing them in The Cherry Orchard in their first year and have watched them go from strength to strength with a successful fourteen performance Shakespeare school’s tour of A Mid-Summer Nights Dream, to a new Australian Play, Common Ground, developed with and for them by Queensland playwright, Kate Wild, in second year.
Tartuffe is the first major play of their third year, having previously competed a stint of motion capture and filmed work in the Griffith Film School Virtual Production studio, written and directed by Stephen Lance. We were honoured that Justin Fleming flew up from Sydney to join us in the rehearsal room to impart his wisdom and watch a couple of runs from either cast. It was such an inspirational moment for us all.
You are in for a treat. Director, Todd MacDonald has created a wonderful space for the QCGU students to thrive and I am very grateful for his artistry and compassion. Alongside him is Elise Greig who has helped shape the student’s relationship with the language and their voices; her work is always remarkable, and I value her input into the Bachelor of Acting program.
Aaron Jeffery and the QCGU technical team have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to realise this fun and dynamic piece, always
going above and beyond to support the work and the program; it is much appreciated.
If you enjoy this performance then please come back and see the students perform in Vernon God Little, adapted from the original book, by Tanya Ronder at the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC from 15th – 17th August, directed by Jason Klarwein, who worked with the previous year on the Shakespeare tour, we are all looking forward to working with him again.
I hope you enjoy witnessing the talents of these young actors as much as I have.
Enjoy the show!
Jacqui Somerville Program Director – Bachelor of ActingThis performance runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes (no interval, subject to change without notice)
From the Director
It has been an enormous privilege and pleasure to work with this talented group of final year actors from Griffith University. We have had such an enjoyable process bringing to life Justin Fleming’s adaptation of Molière’s timeless classic, Tartuffe.
We also had the very special experience of having Justin visit us in the final week of rehearsal and engage with the team in the room. Justin shared invaluable insights with the students and staff, infusing them with a deeper understanding of the characters and themes. His passion for the story was infectious, and it left a lasting impression on the students. Thank you, Griffith, for investing in this experience for the students and for Jacqui Sommerville who championed the visit.
Witnessing the students bring Fleming’s adaptation to life has been a joyous experience. Their dedication to their craft and their commitment to excellence shine through in every scene. As they navigate the complexities of Molière’s characters with finesse and skill, it is evident that they are not only talented individuals but also a cohesive ensemble that worked with and for each other.
I commend their courage, playfulness, and willingness to take risks and really lean into the language and comedy of the writingwhich Justin was deeply impressed with.
The Griffith tech team have been wonderful - thank you Amy, Keith, Aaron and Izzy. Enormous thank you to the very talented Maddy from the Conservatorium who composed the music, and also to the wondrous Griffith orchestra - what a gift! With Special thanks to Elise Grieg for her excellent voice support and care for the actors.
I am immensely proud of what the students have accomplished in this final year of their training. Their growth as artists has been remarkable, and it is a privilege to showcase their talents on stage. I have no doubt that audiences will be captivated by their performance, and I am confident that Fleming’s adaptation of Tartuffe will leave a lasting impression on all who experience it.
Todd MacDonaldA Note from Playwright
I had the pleasure of joining rehearsals of this production of Tartuffe for a couple of wonderful days. What delighted me was not only the talent evident in the room, but the merging of Molière’s time and our time - the then and the now. This can only be achieved if the players deliver the narrative by landing both the idea and the rhyme. What I was watching was joyous energy pulsing through each scene, which under Todd MacDonald’s meticulous direction, creates a riveting entertainment.
Laughter in the theatre is one of society’s healthiest indications that our sense of judgment is intact. When this judgment and this laughter can traverse four centuries of humanity, sustained by a robust collaboration between universities and theatres, we see clearly what we value - integrity, not hypocrisy; love, not tyranny; the blessing, not the curse; and spiritual beauty, not deceptive piety. The students got this, grabbed it and ran with it. Molière would be as proud as I am.
Justin FlemingCLASS OF 2024
Siena D’Arienzo Alexander James Michael Probets Harrison Everingham Jade Jose Sebastien Skubala Angus Freer Isabella Kirkwood Logan So Rebecca Harland Sophia Marzano Ethan Waerea Dylan Hodge Charlotte Pitt Caitlin WeldTHE CAST
Tartuffe/ Monsieur Loyal
JUSTIN Cast
23 March 1:30pm
27 March 6:30pm
Michael Probets
FLEMING Cast
23 March 7:30pm
26 March 6:30pm
Dylan Hodge
Orgon Ethan Waerea Alexander James
Dorine Charlotte Pitt Rebecca Harland
Elmire Sophia Marzano Caitlin Weld
Laurent Angus Freer
Sebastien Skubala
Valere Harrison Everingham Logan So
Figure in Judgement
Angus Freer
Sebastien Skubala
Cleante Sebastien Skubala Angus Freer
Damis Logan So Harrison Everingham
Mariane Siena D’Arienzo Isabella Kirkwood
Flipote Rebecca Harland
Pernelle Jade Jose
Charlotte Pitt
For the production
Director
Todd MacDonald
Production Managers
Keith Clark and Amy Hauser
Stage Manager
Aaron Jeffery
Assistant Stage Manager
Isabelle Markham
Voice Support
Dr Elise Greig
Voice Captain
Caitlin Weld
Lighting Designer
Keith Clark
Artwork and Design
Liveworm Studio, Queensland College of Art and Design
Sound & Composition
Composer/Arranger
Madeline Ryan-Kerr
Recording Engineer
Chloe Fraser
Co-composer/Arranger
Shelby Devenish
Co-recording Engineer
Connor Lowe
Conductor
Radithya Budi Theomarga
Violin 1
Olivia Spyrou
Violin 2
Mirage Hunter Demecs
Viola
Oscar Nicholson
Cello
Laura Boon
Double Bass
Sophia Buchanan
production roles – Student
Class of ‘24 Stage Managers
Charlotte Pitt and Rebecca Harland
Voice Captain
Caitlin Weld
Publicity
Siena D’arienzo
Costume
Class of 2024
Set and Prop Design
Class of 2024
With thanks
Queensland Theatre
Queensland Multicultural Centre
Griffith Film School
Justin Fleming
Curtis Sullivan
Karrine Kanaan
Special thanks to Queensland Conservatorium supporters and donors.
Philanthropy plays a vital role at Queensland Conservatorium. Only through your support can our students experience valuable learning opportunities through productions such as this one.
To invest in the future of music and performance in Queensland contact us on +61 (0)7 5552 7218 or email giving@griffith.edu.au.
Click or scan the QR code to make a donation
Upcoming Events
Vernon God Little
Third Years
The third year actors showcase their final play, a lively adaptation of the Booker Prize-winning novel Vernon God Little. Set in a gritty Texan town, the story follows 15-year-old Vernon Little, whose life takes a dark turn when his best friend commits a mass shooting at their school. Falsely accused, Vernon faces the wrath of the town thirsty for vengeance.
15–17 August 2024
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
Tickets on sale soon
queenslandconservatorium.com.au
Queensland Conservatorium
Director
Professor Bernard Lanskey
Program Director (Bachelor of Acting)
Jacqui Somerville
Scholarly Teaching Fellow and Lecturer Acting
Claire Christian
Business Manager
Stuart Jones
Front of House Operations Manager
Michael Hibbard
Executive Officer (Engagement)
Dr Natalie Lewandowski-Cox
Technical Team Leader
Cameron Hipwell
Technical Officers
Keith Clark, Amy Hauser, Len McPherson
Venue Officers
Grace Royle, Joshua White, Joseph Gale-Grant
Marketing Communications
Jessica Lund
Administration Officer
Liz Tyson-Doneley