Video and Written Interviews page.
We asked the cast to describe their production of CROWNS in one word.
We asked the the cast of CROWNS to describe their characters in three words.
An Interview Jimmy Harrison.
Why
did you come back specifically to The University of Tasmania to study after
your many travels around the world?
Well, I don't think I'm too well
travelled! But firstly, because Tasmania is home now - after doing my undergraduate degree in Tasmania, living here for so long, it's my home. You don't get to pick that.
Secondly, Dr Robert Lewis is the mad scientist of voice/movement. He's part of
a growing global community of integrative practitioners that prove it's not
where you do the work, but the merit of the work that counts.
Fine work I must say. Can you give me some history on your theatrical adventures: where you have studied; where you have travelled; what you're now studying and developing at The University of Tasmania? And what ultimately inspired you to pursue theatre?
Well I started out very much wanting
to perform, but not knowing why or how. I've performed in musicals, classical
pieces, short films, as well as stage managing, audio design and voiceover
work. The only thing I never liked was working for the front of house for some
of the performances.
It wasn't until the year after I graduated from the
University that I met Dr Joan Melton. I was cast in Grease as the character of
Danny. I was working on personal projects, and I was rehearsing three shows
simultaneously for the student directed festival held at the Annexe. Oh, and I was wallowing my way through the worst break up ever.
Joan met someone who was 'treading
water' professionally. We formed a friendship and my attention turned to voice,
which Joan had correctly identified as the one constant of my interests. The
empowering nature of exploring one's own voice was a wonderfully healing
process. Pursuing this work led to an internship (and a subsequent graduation)
from the One Voice Centre for Integrative Studies. Working with a wonderful
international network of teachers, actors, dancers, and singers, I began to
develop my own variants of Joan's work, joined with exercises from my memories
of doing Kendo as a child. I presented two workshops in NYC on this work. It's
this blend of Japanese Martial training and integrative voice work that I am
continuing to pursue here at The University of Tasmania.
As to why theatre, I say the voice.
Why the voice though? It is the most overused, under-trained weapon of mass
communication we have. The benefits of training the voice go beyond performing,
but it is the heightened ‘otherness’ of the theatre that truly empowers a
person; it is a place where you are not only honestly vocalising, but, if
you're lucky, you are being sincerely listened to.
Excellent
work, now how would you sum up the classical production of CROWNS?
CROWNS is an exploration of Shakespearean text by engaging with key body and voice principles. Through a pastiche of scenes, each with themes surrounding the notion of monarchy, the cast create a heightened world, one of physical and vocal creativity.
The CROWNS
Crew
Assistant Stage Managers
Caitlyn Stirling
Shelby Clayton
Tom Baxter
Blake Woodberry
Antonio Zanchetta
Jaymes Ruffin
Tom Crawford
Bump in Crew
Karishma Solomonsz
Robbie Bleakley
Joshua Mackenzie
Dylan Nicklason
Hannah Bishop
Special Thanks To
Lucy Pullen-Stage Manager/Writer
Chris Jackson-Technician
Ashley Bird-Costume Room Manager, UCP Coordinator
Tom Harvey-Photographer
Jimmy Harrison-An Inspiration/Helped with the Sound of CROWNS.
Lucy Pullen.
Our Stage Manager and Script Writer.
Lucy graduated her Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Theatre) in 2014, and is currently undertaking her honors year at the University of Tasmania. She has stage managed a variety of shows including Savages (Persona Collective, 2014), A Man With Five Children (CentrStage, 2013) and The Goat (CentrStage 2014). CROWNS is her third project working with Robert Lewis as a director, and the first time since 2011 that she's needed to utilise her skills in iambic pentameter.
Chris Jackson - CROWNS Production Manager.
Tom Harvey - CROWNS Photographer.
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