Actors tap into their independent streak
IT’S lucky for the theatre students at USQ that Myles Waddell can act the tradie.
The third-year actor and his fellow students have been responsible for all aspects of their upcoming productions, from designing and building sets to borrowing or begging for costumes, in the Naturalism Now performance season.
“Training to be an actor is not just about developing characters and rehearsing scenes,” Mr Waddell said.
“An actor is really part of a start-up small business.
“You don’t just turn up to rehearsal and someone shows you where to stand.”
It is this independent challenge which has the students heavily involved in mounting two productions for the Naturalism Now performance season.
Ms Katie-Jayne Olm, who plays Hedda in the Ibsen classic Hedda Gabler said they were learning to be part of the university’s strong tradition in independent productions.
“Over the past 10 years, USQ acting graduates have dominated independent production in Queensland,” Ms Olm said.
“The Queensland theatre industry Matilda Awards traditionally features USQ graduates for their independently produced plays, performances and even companies.”