A couple of CQUniversity performing arts students are putting to rest  preconceptions of young people as hope-less, with limited view of a future.

With fellow students, Lincoln Tapsell and Justin Sharrock round out their studies for a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree. What is it about the performing arts  that attract a 20-year old? Justin says, "The theatre is a very sacred place, not everyone gets to experience it, and the degree offers a young person opportunities to be part of all aspects of the theatre, on stage and behind the scenes, it's really eye-opening and exciting."...
Lincoln Tapsell & Justin Sharrock

The course offers not just acting, but also dance, music, lighting and general production experience, not forgetting front-of-house tasks, meeting and greeting patrons.

Justin has his eye on completing a Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching, and will then look to teaching in high schools.

Readers will recall the first of these critical student productions, "Snapshots From Home" many of the dance sequences for which Justin choreographed.  He continues to take national ballroom dance competitions by storm.

Lincoln Tapsell, also 20-years of age, played a leading role in a locally-made feature film with Jim McLeod and Natisha Studwick, which greatly impressed audiences for the recent Manhattan Film Festival .

Lincoln admits that, even as a little chap he was a shy and retiring boy, however he credits his grade 7 teacher for bring out the best in him and giving him confidence to be himself. He says he loves the rush of the theatre, the smiles, and the audience applause, "There's nothing in the world like it! Being able to change people's ways of seeing things, feelings, and so on."

Lincoln and Justin are so enthusiastic about their involvement in the students'  latest production, "Bumpy Angels" and are looking forward to spending some time in workshops with the plays well known writer, Sue Ryder who will visit Rockhampton for the performances... 
Young Mums

"Bumpy Angels" is set in 1954 at the time of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Australia, and deals with the touchy subject of unwed mothers, who endured much by way of moral stigma, and were generally packed off to institutions run by the Sisters of Mercy, for whom they provided unpaid labour in steam laundries.

 Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Performing Arts, Dr. Emma Killion says, "While the play tackles issues of immigration, treatment of the indigenous population of the time, and the still taboo topic of backyard abortion, the play is not overly confronting, but is lightened by some joyous scenes and wonderful music of the era." An underlying theme is that the girls were ‘bumpy angels', but they were also human beings, who needed care, not exploitation, and if we think about it, much the same attitudes prevail , even today.

"Bumpy Angels" was staged in 1993 in  Central Queensland by the Capricornia Players, however this production differs in many ways, and is an historical piece for the University as well. It's also a graduating piece for the nine women on stage, who will then leave behind their University days, with lots of wonderful memories... 
Bumpy Angels