STAGE DOUBLE
Launceston will host the first ever Australian Musical Theatre Festival when the four-day event is held in May this year. The festival includes a packed program of workshops, masterclasses, pop-up musical performances, an extensive schools program, late night festival club The Green Room, and two major shows at Launceston’s Princess Theatre.
And the festival’s impressive line-up of actors, singers, coaches and industry insiders is topped off by its headline performers, Australian stage and TV stars Rob Mills and Jemma Rix.
Mills is a household name as a regular on Neighbours and an Australian Idol finalist.
His musical theatre career credits include lead roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, Ghost The Musical and the original Australian cast of Wicked The Musical.
Rix is one of Australian musical theatre’s most prominent leading ladies, best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked The Musical.
She also received rave reviews for her stunning performance in The Wizard of Oz and is now the Eva Peron alternate to Tina Arena in Evita.
Rob and Jemma will star in the Sound of Musicals at the Princess Theatre in Launceston on Saturday May 25.
Festival manager Jane Forrest says securing Mills and Rix as the celebrity guests was beyond thrilling.
“As a proud Tasmanian I am also absolutely delighted that the home for this incredible new festival will be Launceston, which is a hotbed of musical theatre activity,” Forrest says.
“Australian musical theatre fans have waited a very long time to have their own festival, and now it is happening with two of our most amazing performers to headline the event.”
She expects the festival to attract musical theatre fans from across the country in a boost for the Australian musical theatre scene, and delivering economic benefits for Tasmania.
The full program, which is now online, has something for everyone: karaoke nights, audition workshops, marketing workshops, dance classes and more.
Forrest expects the festival will not only entertain musical theatre fans, but inspire a new generation of performers and creators.
“Stars will be born at this wonderful, welcoming event,” she says.
For up-to-date festival news follow the Facebook page and subscribe to the newsletter via the website. For the full program and to book tickets visit the website at www.amtf.org.au