FESTEN program

Third year Bachelor of Acting students present

FESTEN

By Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov

and Bo hr. Hansen | Adapted for the stage by David Eldridge

28 March - 1 April | Burke Street Studio Theatre

Presented by arrangement with Nordiska Aps, Copenhagen

FESTEN

By Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo hr. Hansen

Adapted for the stage by David Eldridge

Presented by arrangement with Nordiska Aps, Copenhagen

PRODUCER

Professor Paul Sabey

DIRECTOR

Timothy Hill

VOICE AND DIALECT COACH

Dr Melissa Agnew

Patrons are advised that this performance contains adult themes, explicit language, simulated sex, choreographed violence, smoke effects, strobe lighting, prop cigarettes, homophobia, domestic abuse, bullying and mentions of suicide, incest and sexual assault.

WELCOME

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to our production of Festen, performed by our 3rd year Bachelor of Acting students.

Leading up to this moment, these students have worked tirelessly in class to gain techniques in acting, voice & speech, movement, singing, Jazz dance and sight reading. They have presented in-house productions of Ash Girl, Three Sisters and As You Like It. Their first public performance in 2022 was the new Australian play Pash, devised and directed by Claire Christian.

I would like to thank Jacqui Somerville, Director of the Acting Program, and all the staff who have helped the students in their journey.

We’re thrilled to welcome back Tim Hill to direct for us. Tim’s strong vision and commitment to the education of our students is the perfect combination to deliver this production of Festen.

Thanks also goes to Melissa Agnew (voice and dialect coach), Aaron Jeffery (stage manager) and the technical team for their invaluable work on this production.

Finally, I would like to thank you for joining us for what I’m sure will be a wonderful performance. As artists we need an audience, so please continue to support our students in future projects.

Professor Paul Sabey Head of Performing Arts Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dysfunctional families are perhaps the most universal of themes and one of the most common plot functions addressed in theatre, yet few plays attack the nuclear family with the ferocity and verve of Festen.

Based on the Dogma film of the same name, Festen holds no punches, it throws us into the middle of a 60th Birthday party where nothing is what it seems and no one (including the grapes) are safe from the savage dysfunction that unfolds. I can’t say too much without giving things away, but I will say, hold on tight cause you are in for a ride and I can guarantee it will be a turbulent one.

Festen’s characters are complex and nuanced, yet in this play we meet them in the most explosive and tension laden circumstances. They are required to be significantly heightened to reach these weighty events. This brings the unique challenge to the cast in creating detailed ‘real’ characters that meet the intense drama of the piece (not to mention the required fight choreography, intimacy, age range and confronting themes). I feel very lucky that I got to collaborate with the talented and giving young actors of the Queensland Conservatorium. They have thrown themselves into the complex staging of Festen with all the commitment, care and authenticity that a director could ask for.

Thank you to Paul Sabey and Jacqui Somerville for having me onboard again. It is always an absolute honour and privilege to work for this esteemed organisation. Thank you to all the support team at the Conservatorium, for helping make such a complex theatrical production possible (especially making a fly without a fly tower.) Thank you to Conservatorium composing students, Kadin and Joel who have written the beautiful original score for this piece. The music makes this piece of theatre fly!

Most of all thank you to the wonderful students for their talent, generosity and commitment. You all have exceptional futures in front of you.

Festen deals with some very dark and confronting issues. Please approach it with care and look after each other and remember love always wins in the end.

Tim Hill DIRECTOR

FOR THE PRODUCTION

Director

Voice and Dialect Coach

Fight Choreographer

Movement Support

Intimacy Coordinator

Stage Manager

Production Manager

Lighting Designer

Lighting Assistant

Lighting Operator

Sound & AV Operator Program

Timothy Hill

Dr Melissa Agnew

Nigel Poulton

Andrew Cory

Jacqui Somerville

Aaron Jeffery

Amy Hauser

Amy Hauser

Stu Cochrane

Isabelle Markham

Aaron Jeffery

Dominique Fegan

STUDENT PRODUCTION ROLES

Assistant Stage Managers

Choreography & Fight Captains

Sound Sourcing

Video and Projection Props

Costume

Hair & Makeup

Voice Captains

Social Media

Bianca Rapp, Emme Skye

Bianca Rapp, Joseph Poli

Hunter Smith

Chris Nguyen, Gemma Keliher

Zac Hinkins, Abigail Waugh

Hannah Sisson, Koen Brown

Mia Lierich, Seth Bell, Chris Nguyen

Hunter Smith, Abigail Waugh

Hannah Sisson, Janice Devarakonda, Charlie Morris

MUSIC

Head of Composition

Composers

Musicians

Dr Gerardo Dirié

Kadin Jamal, Joel Sanchez-Cam

Sarah Brittain, Sophia Buchanan, Natalia Chan, Felix Hughes Chivers, Jessica Clarke, Ben Crosby, Ingram Fan, Jasmine Feltham, Hanuelle Lovell, Scarlett Nye, Maika Minami Parker, Hedya Sutherland, Frankie Stevenson

Conductor

Sound Engineers / Producers

Stefanie Smith

Connor Townson, Joseph Cross, Charlotte Lennon, Harry Morris

FESTIVAL CAST

Tuesday 28 March @ 7.30 pm

Thursday 30 March @ 7.30 pm

Saturday 1 April @ 7.30 pm

CHRISTIAN

Patrick Bateman

Koen Brown

Gemma Keliher

Charlie Morris

Seth Bell

Matthew Cieslar

Mia Lierich

Janice Devarakonda

LITTLE GIRL

Hannah Sisson

HELMUT

Chris Nguyen

Zac Hinkins

Joseph Poli

Bianca Rapp

Emme Skye

CELEBRATION CAST

Wednesday 29 March @ 7.30 pm

Friday 31 March @ 7.30 pm

Saturday 1 April @ 2.30 pm

CHRISTIAN

Lewis Ziebarth

MICHAEL

Hunter Smith

HELENE ELSE HELGE LARS

PIA

METTE

LITTLE GIRL

HELMUT

GRANDFATHER POUL KIM

KAI

Abigail Waugh

Rosa Woodrow Kyle

Seth Bell

Matthew Cieslar

Hannah Sisson

Hayley Stein

Mia Lierich

Chris Nguyen

Zac Hinkins

Joseph Poli

Bianca Rapp

Emme Skye

Timothy Hill - DIRECTOR

B.A. Griffith University, ATCL Trinity College London, MFA Directing NIDA

Timothy Hill is a freelance director of musical theatre, plays, cabaret, dance and film. In 2015, he completed a Masters of Fine Arts Directing at NIDA.

Recent directing credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (QCGU), Mamma Mia! (The Star Gold Coast 2021), Away (QCGU 2020), The Unreal/Real House Wives of The Gold Coast (HOTA/Matt Ward Entertainment 2020), Wicked (Matt Ward Entertainment/ HOTA 2019), Reagan Kelly (Metro Arts 2019), Fame (HOTA/Matt Ward Entertainment, 2019), Spring Awakening (Underground Broadway 2018 - Matilda Nomination for Best Director,) Bang Bang: Featuring Ronda Burchmore (TAM Presents/Brisbane Festival 2018), a sold out production of RENT (QPAC/Matt Ward Entertainment 2018), Wheel of Fortune (Metro Arts/TAM Presents 2018), This Is Our Youth (Underground Broadway 2018), RENT (Matt Ward Entertainment/Powerhouse 2017), the new Australian Musical Showtrain (Federation University 2016), Mary Poppins (Arts Centre Gold Coast 2016), Into The Woods (The Performers Studio/Arts Centre Gold Coast 2016).

Other career highlights include; for Raw Metal: Metalworx (Writer/Assistant Director), Amped (Writer/Assistant Director), Funky Beats (Writer/Director - critically acclaimed national tour) and in Melbourne: From The Inside (Co-Director - Industry Dance), Evolution of Love (Collaboration - Writer/Co-Director), Time: A Story Of Youth (Project Y Writer/Co- Director), Electric Avenue (Troy Armstrong), Twist and Turns (Oscar Theatre Company, Director), Off/On (Oscar Theatre Company, Director), and Spring Awakening (NIDA, Director). His directorial work in film includes: film clip Gold for Triple J unearthed artist Donatachi in 2015. As assistant director Stranger I Am (NIDACraig Ilott). As dramaturg Left Behind, Uninvited Guest, Disconnect & Beautiful World (Merge Dance Theatre). As teaching artist: Queensland College of Dance (Director in Residence), Griffith University (seasonal lecturer).

PATRICK BATEMAN

Patrick is a highly trained actor from Melbourne, who has been acting for 10 years and realised the potential for a career in the field after receiving a Theatre/Performing Arts scholarship at Caulfield Grammar School. At Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, he has grown professionally and personally, playing roles such as: Christian in Festen, Spencer in Pash, Touchstone in As You Like It, Kulygin in Three Sisters and Angerbird in Ash Girl. Patrick is passionate about bringing truth to every performance and exploring all forms of theatre. He thrives on the challenge of finding specificity and complexity in every role he plays.

SETH BELL

Seth comes from the small rural town of Wingham in NSW. With very little exposure to theatre in his area he found his passion of acting through watching VHS tapes of films like Bedknobs and Broomsticks. As a student at QCGU Seth has portrayed the roles of Captain Solyony in Three Sisters, Duke Frederick in As You Like It and Helge in Festen Seth’s wants to explore who is as a person through his performances to grow as both a performer and person and to become the best of both.

KOEN BROWN

Koen hopes to utilise all that he’s learnt at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University to change to world through his art. Hailing from Sydney, Koen worked extensively in his teenage years as an actor, before travelling to Brisbane to complete a Bachelor of Acting. He hopes to bring meaningful change to the world, and believes storytelling is the way to do this. During his studies, he has portrayed the roles of Lucas/Benny in Pash, Oliver in As You Like It, Vershinin in Three Sisters, Slothworm in Ash Girl, and is looking forward to playing Michel in Festen

MATTHEW CIESLAR

Matthew Cieslar is a highly trained actor based in Brisbane, who is currently completing a Bachelor of Acting at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. He is Australian born with Argentinian parents and speaks fluent Spanish. During his studies, Matthew has performed in the plays Ash Girl, Three Sisters, As You Like It, Pash, Festen and Polyamorous, an episodic content short series produced in collaboration with Griffith Film School.

JANICE DEVARAKONDA

Originally from India, but having grown up in Australia, Janice provides a unique perspective in her work. Her love for performance started over fifteen years ago with singing lessons which naturally evolved into a passion for acting. During her time at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Janice has had the pleasure of portraying Sadness in Ash Girl, Natasha in Three Sisters, Celia in As You Like It, Ruby/Ishani in Pash and Mette in Festen. In 2022, Janice also played the lead role of Mackenzie Mitchell in Griffith Film School’s Polyamorous web series.

ZAC HINKINS

As is often the case, Zac’s fascination for storytelling began from a young age when he performed in ‘at home concerts.’ While studying a Bachelor of Acting at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Zac has portrayed Grandfather in Festen, numerous characters in Pash, Touchstone in As You Like It, Fedotik in Three Sisters, and Pridefly in Ash Girl. Prior to this Zac completed a Diploma of Musical Theatre and Commercial dance at ADPI. Zac seeks new challenges and opportunities to hone his craft, and he is driven to add his voice and skills to the performing arts.

GEMMA KELIHER

A storyteller on and off stage, for the last 10 years Gemma has explored the world of theatre and film as an actor, producer, and writer. While completing her Bachelor of Acting at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Gemma performed various roles including Rosalind in As You Like It, Olga in Three Sisters, and Helene in Festen Supporting her formal training, Gemma has previous experience in amateur theatre, student films, and various acting courses. Gemma is committed to exploring projects that showcase complex women and detail the human condition and looks forward to continuing her creative journey.

MIA LIERICH

Mia is a Brisbane based actor who’s had a big appreciation for the performing arts her whole life. Seeing her first ever major musical solidified her dreams and ambitions to turn this passion into a career. While furthering her training at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Mia has been committed to achieving her goals, playing roles of Irina in Three Sisters, Phebe in As You Like It, and Charlotte in Picture of Us (in collaboration with Griffith Film School). Mia works hard to be the inspiration she saw once onstage for the next generation of theatre lovers to come.

CHARLIE MORRIS

Charlie is a thriving young performer based in both Brisbane (Meanjin) and Melbourne (Naarm). She started her performance journey with years of classical ballet training before shifting her focus towards acting. She trained at The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, VCA Secondary School and 16th St Actors Studio in Melbourne before moving to Brisbane to complete a Bachelor of Acting at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, graduating in 2023. Through her career, she strives to use her craft to assist change in society and bring light to lost and left behind stories through storytelling.

CHRIS NGUYEN

Chris is an emerging Brisbane actor and playwright, set to graduate with a Bachelor of Acting from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in 2023. He made his independent theatre debut at Ad Astra’s 2021 production of The Laramie Project and within the course has performed in As You Like It, Pash and Festen. With a passion for film, Chris has performed in student film productions such as: Attack of the Incels, Otter and Fox and Polyamorous. Chris also works as an acting coach to foster young Brisbane artists and believes that they are the future of the industry.

JOSEPH POLI

After watching his sister in a community musical and thinking ‘I want to do that’ Joseph’s passion for acting was unknowingly ignited. Throughout high school he performed in seven stage productions and was awarded the TRW Rural Actors’ Scholarship. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Acting at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. During his studies, he has performed the roles of Poul in Festen, Silvius in As You Like It, Tuzenbach in Three Sisters and completed a certification in Fundamental Stage Combat with SAFDI. Not forgetting his roots in live stage performance, Joseph plans to steer down the film pathway.

BIANCA RAPP

Bianca’s interest in performing arts began with musical theatre, travelling to New York with her youth theatre company admiring many Broadway performances. She obtained an Advanced Diploma of Art (Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance) at the Australian Dance Performance Institute. With a desire to satiate her passion for acting, Bianca commenced a Bachelor of Acting at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Roles such as Chebutykina in Three Sisters and Duke Senior in As You Like It, as well as working through the developmental process of Pash, has furthered Bianca’s desire to create and perform for stage and screen.

HANNAH SISSON

Hannah is a contemporary screen and stage actress based in Brisbane, Australia. She is a vibrant young performer who thrives in collaborative spaces and is continually commended for her ambitious and motivated nature. She is a four time nationallyrecognised scholarship recipient; all of which she has been awarded for her diligence and dedication. Hannah plans to further her artistic abilities by becoming a qualified intimacy coordinator in hopes to balance the safety of performers whilst enhancing the creative team’s vision.

EMME SKYE

Emme is a Meanjin based performer who has developed a passion for storytelling through acting in programs such as Queensland Theatre’s Young Artists Ensembles, NIDA’s Young Artists Ensemble, Zen Zen Zo’s Stomping Ground and Physical Theatre Masterclass and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University’s Bachelor of Acting. She has grown fond of narratives that strongly convey the dynamics of imbalances in class and gender, and the relationships that are derived from them. Emme is eager to embrace and explore works both old and new, their own and others as they delve into their passion for the creative industry.

HUNTER SMITH

Born in Armidale and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Hunter has always strived to be the best performer he can be. He discovered his love for storytelling through the magic of film and local theatre, where he realised the possibility of a career in the performing arts, as he could recite entire scripts by listening to them just a few times. Hunter is undertaking a Bachelor of Acting at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, where he is completing his final year. Since commencing his studies, Hunter has performed roles such as Amiens in As You Like It and Michael in Festen.

HAYLEY STEIN

Hayley found her passion for theatre and comedy as a teenager when she performed in Annie the Musical in the role of Miss Hannigan, and an 80s musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Francis Flute. She went on to complete a Certificate IV in Musical Theatre at the Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre, and is currently completing a Bachelor of Acting at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Her notable credits include the roles of Rosalind in As You Like It and Natasha in Three Sisters. Hayley is also a Short + Sweet Festival Cabaret Finalist.

ABIGAIL WAUGH

Abigail, is what some might stereotypically call, the proverbial actor and singer. Her aspiration and passion for the performing arts began at a young age. During her Bachelor of Acting training at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Abigail has performed the roles of Helene in Festen, numerous roles in Pash, Jaques in As You Like It and Irina in Three Sisters. Abigail desires to further develop and widen her skills through all aspects of stage and screen. She thrives in a new challenge and is ready to make her mark in the world no matter the obstacle.

ROSA WOODROW KYLE

Rosa is a Brisbane-based actor, writer and director and graduate of the Bachelor of Acting course at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. With a background in performance poetry, her work seeks to merge experimental writing with performance, and has been included in publications such as Griffith University’s Talent Implied. Rosa is interested particularly in directing and is excited by the community-strengthening potential of theatre. She plans to one day found a Brisbane based theatre company of her own, to bring work by new Australia playwrights to the stage.

LEWIS ZIEBARTH

Lewis discovered his passion for acting somewhat later in life while working as a chef. As a student at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Lewis has portrayed the roles of Vershinin in Three Sisters, Orlando in As You Like It and Christian in Festen. Lewis wishes for his growth as an artist to compliment his growth as a human being, by forever exploring challenges of storytelling and performance.

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TICKETS: queenslandconservatorium.com.au