Music Theatre stars to conduct VCA Masterclasses

Date: 17 July 2012

Some of the biggest names in local and international music theatre will impart their knowledge and skills to Victorian College of the Arts students through a series of master-classes as part of the new National Music Theatre Cabaret Program, supported by the State Government through Arts Victoria.

Reg Livermore, Eddie Perfect, Rhonda Burchmore, Moira Finucane, Lynne Ruthven, Luke Hunter, Jo-Anne Robinson, Ben Vereen and Nancye Hayes are among the teachers, performers, directors, musical directors, casting agents and choreographers who will impart their industry expertise to students.

VCA Music Theatre Lecturer and Resident Director of Jersey Boys Australia New Zealand, Martin Croft, said the VCA Master-classes are a chance for students to learn from the very best in the profession.

"The calibre of the Master-class presenters confirms Melbourne's national leadership in music theatre and the VCA's commitment to providing the very best training available anywhere in music theatre," Mr Croft said.

"Melbourne has a long tradition of music theatre, with plenty of great CBD theatres, audiences attuned to attending musical theatre, government support for major theatrical events and an industry infrastructure to foster new ideas, talent and productions.

"Connecting with industry is a key element of VCA Music Theatre. It is vital for students to be engaged from the earliest stages of their training with the wider professional music theatre community and to foster these relationships as they progress through the course and finally into the industry.

"These Master-classes reflect the varying and changing aspects of what music theatre is and can be today. No longer is it always narrative driven but more experiential incorporating elements and expertise as diverse as puppetry, Bollywood dancing, burlesque and circus arts.

"Music Theatre students have to sing, dance and act and the interdisciplinary offering at the VCA offers all those skills on the one campus, located in close proximity to so many important industry partners," Mr Croft said.