Full Company for 2012

Applications have closed, the auditions have been held and the Company will be running at full capacity in 2012!

We are very excited about the year ahead, there is a lot of talent to showcase and we begin with our second year Theatre in Education tour of Aladdin in February. A Scene+ season will follow and then it will the turn of our newly minted first year students. Check back for more details!

Recall Success

We racked up more gloating points in 2011 as more of our students gained entry into professional study programmes for 2012. Stephanie Cusick successfully auditioned for Toi Whakaari:NZ Drama School whilst Shannon Quinn and Irasa Siave will study with UNITEC in Auckland. Emelia Robinson will also attend UNITEC to study writing and directing.

Congratulations to all, we look forward to hearing of your success!

Safe and Secure

The Open Stage is in great shape following the 'quakes on 23 December, 2011. Some glassware was lost (to be expected) but the structure itself held up extremely well. All services have been returned and the Company is now back in full force, as well as our after school programme StageOne.

During renovations in 2004 The Open Stage was extensively strengthened for earthquakes. Unlike other buildings that make up the Hagley College campus (which have their strengthening hidden) our steel frame is fully visible - some would say it could even be described as "art".

To save impacting on space inside the theatre our architect Luisa Viettone decided to strengthen what she calls "Notre Dame" from the outside and the result is best viewed from the north face of The Open Stage (as seen above).

Renovations Halted

The Open Stage was to be a hive of activity when long-awaited renovations to our kitchen and bathroom facilities began. Unfortunately the Ministry of Education have stopped proceedings by announcing a freeze on all capital works for the forseeable future. That's a shame (as we were also installing air-conditioning) but in true Hagley spirit we are organising a temporary fix over the Christmas holidays.

Hopefully the Ministry will change their minds in the New Year and allow work to begin!

Farewell, and Welcome!

Our Voice tutor Lauren Lincoln is moving on to greener pastures after many years of service and we would like to publicly thank her for her dedication and fantastic results. Tony McCaffrey has also resigned his position due to other commitments and we wish them both well for the future.

Tony will be replaced by Faith Oxenbridge, a long time supporter of the Company and we are very pleased to welcome Wesley van Gelderen to our team as a tutor of Film and Television. Wesley is a former student of the Company as is Josh David who will also be onboard with us in 2012 as an improvisation tutor.

P