The Artist’s Lab, founded by internationally acclaimed performers Simone Sault and Paul Tabone, has announced that The Ultimate Broadway & West End Experience will visit multiple cities across Australia in 2024 including Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
The Ultimate Broadway & West End Experience is a 5-day intensive program for aspiring Musical Theatre performers aged 12-35. Participants will gain a deep understanding and invaluable knowledge of the industry from industry-leading experts.
Additionally, participants will gain insight into the Creative Team’s perspective and hear and understand what it is that they look for in the audition room. Workshop leaders include:
- Broadway and West End superstar, Kerry Ellis (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Wicked)
- Australian acting legend, Nancye Hayes (A Little Night Music, Mary Poppins, Sweet Charity)
- Guy Simpson (International Musical Supervisor and Musical Director)
- Helpmann Award-winner, Sharon Millerchip (Chicago, Fangirls, The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
- Luke Volker (Répétiteur)
- Jamie Forshaw (Broadway Executive Producer)
- Beloved Australian performer, Michael Cormick (Beauty and the Beast, Sunset Boulevard, The Phantom of the Opera)
- West End and Broadway Choreographer / Director Simone Sault (Chicago, Company, The Phantom of the Opera)
- Australia’s favourite tenor Paul Tabone (Love Never Dies, Madama Butterfly, The Phantom of the Opera)
- Natalya Aynsley (Répétiteur)
- Rainer Fried (International Director)
- Lisa Graham Wilson (International Tap Artist)
- Ian White (CEO & Senior Agent, Ian White Management)
- Steve Bebout (Broadway & International Director)
- Anthony Barnhill (Music Director)
The Artist’s Lab, supported by Broadway icon Patti LuPone, will offer 3 free or part scholarships to regional applicants and 3 free scholarships to First Nations people currently facing financial hardship.
Of the wider program, Patti LuPone said, “If you want to be in this business and understand what is required of you, then you should study with The Artist’s Lab. I highly recommend this programme to all of you that want to be in musical,” she said.
“We are thrilled that The Ultimate Broadway & West End Experience has become so important to aspiring performers in Australia,” said Producers Simone Sault and Paul Tabone. “We both continue to work internationally in large-scale musical theatre productions, and we hope to continue to connect these talented young Australians with the reality of what is required to be successful.”
“The Artist’s Lab is proud to offer everyone clear, concise, and honest advice on what is required to become successful so each person can hone their craft and realise their dreams of life on the international/national stage,” said Sault and Tabone.
“This program gave me invaluable insights into how the professional world of Musical Theatre works,” said 2023 scholarship recipient and proud Anewanian performer Mak Bonney. “Paul and Simone’s extensive knowledge and excellent people skills pair perfectly to make a healthy, happy and fun environment to learn and grow in.”
“I would encourage all First Nations/POC aspiring artists to apply for the next intake as it offered me perspective and an opportunity that not many other artists like us get to experience. Australian Theatre needs to see more First Nations people on their stages representing our diversity in all aspects of theatre,” said Bonney.
Following an initial launch in Sydney last year, the training program comes to Brisbane (8 – 12 January), Sydney (15 – 19 January) and Melbourne (22 – 26 January) in 2024. Applications are now open. Early bird pricing is available until 22 December 2023. For more information, visit: www.theartistslab.com.au for details.
Image: The Ultimate Broadway & West End Experience (supplied)