Double treat for theatre students as stars arrive in Mackay
Published on 18 May, 2012
Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) students are in for a double treat when two internationally renowned musical theatre artists visit for four days at CQUniversity Mackay...
Cabaret and musical theatre star Queenie van de Zandt, well known for her incredible versatility, will workshop with students on Sunday, May 20 from 10.30am.
Cabaret star Queenie van de Zandt will workshop with students in Mackay. Queenie is considered one of the country's best musical theatre performers and Australia's leading teacher of audition technique for musical theatre.
Her workshop is a result of the Bachelor of Music Theatre Club's fundraising efforts to pay for extra workshops from visiting professionals.
She will also be performing ‘The Best and Worst of Queenie Van De Zandt' at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre on Monday, May 21 from 7.30pm. Visit http://www.mackayecc.com.au/ for more information.
Students will also work side-by-side with Associate Professor Peter Cousens, who is the new Artistic Ambassador for CQCM's Bachelor of Theatre program.
Peter's workshops will run from May 21 to May 23, enabling him to mentor musical theatre students.
Recognised among Australia's major music theatre stars, Peter is the only Australian to play The Phantom on London's West End and his four solo albums testify to a superb voice of broad range, colour and musicality. Peter also performed the role of Chris on the International Symphonic Recording of Miss Saigon.
He has starred alongside Russell Crowe in Blood Brothers and with the late Richard Harris in Camelot, and has had an extensive career playing major roles in musicals throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Internationally renowned theatre star and TV veteran Peter Cousens will participate in workshops with Musical Theatre students from May 21 to 23. On television he was last seen on McLeod's Daughters and previously had starring roles in Return to Eden, The Sullivans, Carson's Law, The Young Doctors, Son and Daughters, The Timeless Land and Under Capricorn.
Senior Lecturer Dr Judith Brown said it was a great opportunity for students to learn and be inspired by two of Australia's leading professionals.
"It will be a very busy time for us at the Con over those few days but the students will get a great benefit by working with these industry professionals," Dr Brown said.