Theatre Graduates take a Bow

Some of the USQ actors who will be part of the showcase
2008 USQ Acting graduates

USQ's graduating troupe of Actors and Stage Managers will present their showcase performance in Toowoomba and Brisbane.

For the past three years, they have appeared in and produced a number of productions at USQ and touring throughout SE Queensland as part of their Creative Arts degree.

Toowoomba audiences are sure to remember their faces.

'Freshest in their minds will be this year's Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo and Juliet which really showcased the actors and technical students as a team; now it's their time to shine as individuals,' said Director and USQ Lecturer in Acting, Scott Alderdice.

THEATRE SHOWCASE will feature an entertaining and challenging selection of contemporary stage and film scenes.

'These are the best of the best scenes from the world of theatre including works from America, Britain and Australia,' Mr Alderdice said.

'They have been chosen for maximum impact to best show-off the 15 actors' individual strengths as stage performers.'

The scenes include segments from After Miss Julie, a modern adaptation of August Strindberg's famous play; Alex Buzo's Coralie Lansdowne Says No, an iconic exploration of feminist values in the 70's; Sunday on the Rocks by Theresa Rebeck and David Auburn's Proof.

Also on the program is a powerful scene from Australian playwright, Joanna Murry-Smith's play, Honour.

'Joanna is one of Australia's most internationally performed playwrights. Her works have been extensively performed throughout America and the UK and Honour is the play that established this international credential.'

In addition to the live scenes, snippets from the world of cinema including The Butterfly Effect, My Own Private Idaho, Shopgirl and Two Hands will also be shown on the big screen.

Directed by multi-award winning cinematographer, Jason Hargreaves, these powerful film scenes further demonstrate the diversity of the students who easily step from the arena of live theatre to the world of film and television.

'The actors are at their peak and they handle the scenes with complete alacrity and ease."

Over the past 30 years, USQ has prepared industry professionals who find employment in every sphere of the entertainment industry including national television productions, state theatre company performance seasons and national touring productions.

'USQ is one of only two institutions in Queensland which is industry recognised. We pride ourselves in producing industry-ready theatre professionals and our list of successful graduates speaks for itself,' he said.

The Theatre Showcase will be performed in the USQ Arts Theatre on Friday 24 October at 7.30pm. Tickets are $21 Adult and $17 Concession, and are available from the USQ Artsworx Box Office 4631 1111 or at the door tonight.

Showcase will then tour to the Brisbane Powerhouse on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 October as part of the USQ Arts Tradeshow – tickets available through Powertix.

Media Contact: Michelle Fox, USQ Artsworx, +61 7 4631 1114 or 0439 911 623