Frock to the theatre for CQCM's Ladies in Black performance
The Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music's (CQCM) end-of-year production will be anything but dull with CQUniversity's Bachelor of Theatre students set to perform the Australian comedy' Ladies in Black.
The laugh-out-loud story will showcase colourful characters and spectacular fashion while following the story of a shy schoolgirl' who takes a job in one of Sydney's prestigious department stores - there' her life is changed forever when she meets the 'ladies in black'.
The iconic musical highlights the challenges and social norms of the 1950s' which CQUniversity Theatre Head of Course Dr Linda Lorenza said made it an ideal fit to showcase the talents of CQCM's strong female cast.
"Ladies in Black not only allowed us to explore some wonderful fashion and costumes' but it also challenged the students to research that period in Australian history - what was society like at that time' what was the role of women and what social behaviours were expected?" Dr Lorenza explained.
"The production is part of each student's Production Unit in which we also learn about Theatre Praxis and participate in a self-nominated community creative project."
Given the elaborate costumes taking centre stage for this performance' Dr Lorenza said the students embraced the opportunity to showcase this passion for fashion while giving back to the local community.
In the lead-up to the performance' the CQCM students will be fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Research through the social media campaign' #Frocktober2022.
Third-year theatre student Sophie Handcock said she was inspired to coordinate the campaign' which showcases one photo of a different performance 'frock' each day in October' after learning about Australia's most lethal gynaecological cancer.
"Like most of the students' I did not know anything about Ovarian Cancer' so we saw this as a chance to raise awareness of this cancer that impacts the lives of so many women'" Sophie said.
"We will be taking donations in support of this important cause with an overall goal to raise $1000.
"We are starting the campaign with our own frocks and then as the characters are costumed' we will start to reveal the character costumes. I get to play Fay' a 29-year-old Goods Assistant. Her dress style is pretty and romantic despite her spate of relationships with unreliable men.
"I am looking forward to Tech week. This is when we finally see the show come together – plot' music' lighting' sound' costumes and of course hair and make-up all on stage creating the imaginary world of the show."
With less than two weeks until opening night' guest director and internationally renowned performer Peter Cousens AM said he was excited to share this visually captivating and uplifting story with Mackay audiences.
"The musical is incredibly heartfelt and is a coming-of-age story that is shared among several characters. The audience is in for a funny' heartwarming and joyful night of story and music'" he said.
"While audiences can enjoy the finished performance' what they don't see is all the hard work that has been centred on developing the talents' hearts and minds of the terrific students at CQUniversity.
"I have been involved with CQCM since 2012 and every year the performances are consistently of a high standard. It is always a great pleasure and honour to work closely with the staff and share in the stimulating musical environment.
"Mackay is the perfect place to study and CQUniversity continues to generate and inspire exciting young actors and singers every year."
The performances will take place in the CQCM Ooralea Theatre (Building 21)' 150 Boundary Rd Ooralea.
Performance dates:
October 21st – 10:30 am and 7:30 pm
October 22nd – 2 pm and 7:30 pm
October 23rd – 2 pm
Book your tickets at https://cqcm.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/78373
To help support the vital work of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) and make a donation visit' https://www.frocktober.org.au/my-fundraising/3040/cquni-ladies-in-black
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