Music Theatre Futures

Connecting Australia's Music Theatre research, pedagogy and industry

Music Theatre has a special ability to connect to audiences through the combination of text, bodies, voice, movement, sound, music, design and more. Its multiple points of connection give it a special place in the cultural landscape.

To ensure Music Theatre continues to remain relevant, impactful and able to adapt to an ever-changing world, the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne will host :">span>: the first in-person conference for music theatre in Australia. Music Theatre Futures aims to increase the points of connection between the music theatre research, pedagogy and industry sectors, so we can work through some of our greatest challenges together.

Register now for the two-day conference featuring conversations, workshops and panel discussions from Australia’s leaders and innovators in music theatre including: writer and director Dean Bryant, marketing and specialist sdvisory company Anthem, Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director Stuart Maunder, Artistic Director of Australian Music Theatre Festival and Head of VCA Music Theatre Tyran Parke, Melbourne Theatre Company’s Head of New Work Jennifer Medway, Australia-UK producer Maryanne Wright, music director James Simpson, writer and director Jean Tong, composer and academic Dr Erin Mckellar, performer and VCA Music Theatre dance specialist Ross Hannaford, performer and counsellor Sophie Carter, producer and casting consultant Benjamin Samuel, and many more!

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Keynote speaker

CARMEL DEAN is an award-winning, in-demand and multi-faceted musician working in the theatre industry across Broadway/New York, the UK and Australia. As a Musical Supervisor and/or Arranger her projects include the new Broadway musical The Notebook, with music by Ingrid Michaelson, and the recent Broadway revival of Funny Girl starring Lea Michele. Carmel was also Musical Director for the Broadway musical If/Then, starring Idina Menzel, and was Music Supervisor of the subsequent National Tour. She is also a noted composer whose award-winning works have premiered Off-Broadway in New York and in Sydney, Australia.

Program

Each day will commence at 9am and conclude by 5.30pm.
Follow our socials ()">span>) to keep up to date with more speaker announcements, exciting updates and info on the sessions.

• Connecting to place
• Keynote speaker: Carmel Dean
• What future are we training them for? Panel discussion
• Connecting with craft: Practice research presentations and workshop
• The future of mental health care on shows Presentation and Q&A
• The creative potential of conscious casting Panel discussion

• Australia’s place in the international landscape Interview and panel discussion
• Show them how to feel: Marketing by Anthem
• How will musicals sound in the future? Panel Discussion
• Connecting with creators: Dean Bryant and Jean Tong Q&A
• New Music Theatre: Practice research presentations, performance and workshop
• Music theatre in Australian performing arts companies Panel discussion
• Creating culture and connections Panel discussion

Registration

Tickets includes two day conference and morning tea.

Early Bird: $25 (rate available until Sunday 26 May)

Regular: $40

Financial assistance is available to BIPOC folks and those experiencing financial difficulties via a Music Theatre Futures supported place. Please get in touch with us at [email protected] to enquire.

Banner: Image by Stu Brown. Music Theatre Futures, 2024

Image: Carmel Dean headshot. Image by Max Sterling.

All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit: access-our-events

Due to current University guidelines, there are a number of conditions currently in place for our in-person events.

• The University continues to strongly encourage individuals to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, but no longer requires evidence of vaccination in order to access campus.
• You are welcome to wear a face mask anywhere on campus for personal and community safety.
• Please stay at home if you feel unwell or have been ordered to isolate.
  Walk-ups and latecomers will be admitted at the discretion of front of house staff.

To read more about the University's COVID-19 response, please visit: coronavirus.