Meet The Mamma Mia Team As Auditions Open For Performers

Auditions are now open for next year’s community musical.

Anybody interested in performing a part in the show is urged to attend the information session on Sunday, December 22.

Production Director, Oumi Karenga-Hewitt is excited to work behind-the-scenes with a skilled and passionate team.

“I have been lucky enough to work with each of the production team over the years,” Ms Karenga-Hewitt said.

“Each of them holds qualifications in their fields and have found ways to amplify and share their knowledge through community arts and creative projects.”

The production team has amassed a wealth of experience through study and work, but also in community musicals, school productions and creative and performing arts.

The team includes:

• Assistant Director, Hannah Lonergan;

• Stage Manager, Rachel Guest;

• Musical Director, Matt Segrave;

• Vocal Coaches, Lara Calabria and Jesse Aviu;

• Costume Designer, Jess Wainwright;

• Choreographer, Teagan Cirillo; and

• Production Manager/Lighting Designer, John Matkovic.

Ms Lonergan and Ms Wainwright are teachers at Murrumbidgee Regional High School - Griffith, teaching music and textiles respectively.

In addition to guiding the next generation of musicians in her classroom, Ms Lonergan has embraced performance opportunities locally.

She was in the band for The Wedding Singer, performed saxophone at the recent TEDxGriffith event, and produced the last two Murrumbidgee Showcases.

Ms Wainwright has been an active member of the creative community for years, leading costume design for both GRAPA and school productions,namely The Crucible, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Ms Wainwright will lend her creative eye to prop management to build a strong visual personality for the show.

Mr Segrave, Ms Calabria and Mr Aviu are teachers at Marian Catholic College within the Creative Arts department.

Each has been involved with multiple school events and performances, including the most recent Cabaret Showcase.

Mr Segrave, Leader of Learning - Creative Arts at Marian, reprises his role as Musical Director following success with The Wedding Singer, Wicked and Beauty and the Beast, and will put together a live band for Mamma Mia!

Ms Calabria and Mr Aviu, fresh off their lead roles as Robbie and Julia in The Wedding Singer, have extensive experience in performing and teaching.

Ms Calabria teaches Drama and Music, holds a Bachelor of Music and Arts, and has starred in past productions of Legally Blonde, Wicked and Beauty and the Beast.

Mr Aviu is a singer-songwriter (J.RVU) teaching Music and regularly performing at local events.

He has been involved in the Grass Roots Open Mic Competition, winning Best Original Song in 2022.

Lead choreographer Ms Cirillo has been dancing and teaching choreography since she was in high school.

She holds Diplomas in both Performing Arts/Classic Contemporary from Brent Street and is currently completing a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology.

Her recent choreography includes concerts for St Mary’s School, and for The Wedding Singer. She has also performed in local productions of Wicked, Beauty and the Beast as well as professional work as a dancer in Australia.

The technical elements will be overseen by John Matkovic who will bring his many years of experience to combine staging, lighting, and technology to deliver an immersive audience experience.

Finally, the talented and highly experienced Rachel Guest is the production’s Stage Manager. Ms Guest studied Theatre and Performance Studies at UNSW and worked professionally across theatre in Sydney before returning to Griffith in 2021.

She was also involved with the backstage crew of The Wedding Singer, where she had the chance to reignite her passion for theatre.

Theatre Manager, Marg Andreazza said she was excited to start building the cast.

With auditions to be held in February, there is plenty of time for people to think about getting involved.

An information session will be held at Griffith Regional Theatre at 10 am, Sunday, December 22 for interested community members to find out more.

Manager of Griffith Regional Theatre, Marg Andreazza said they had already received initial expressions of interest from more than 60

people to be involved but encouraged other members of the community who would like to find

out more to visit the Theatre website to download the information pack and book in for an audition.

Director, Oumi Karenga-Hewitt said she was looking for people who love to sing, dance, or act and wanted to improve their skills.

“You don’t have to be the best performer, our wonderful production team is on hand to guide and support you - you just need to be willing to try, work hard and have fun with it.”

Ms Andreazza said the ever-popular musical, featuring the much-loved music of ABBA told the story of Donna, a feisty independent single parent and her daughter, Sophie who wants a big white wedding and to know the identity of her father.

“It’s going to be a fun show with a big cast and we are delighted to have a strong production team ready to get the show going, and are excited to now offer the opportunity to perform to community members,” Ms Andreazza said.

“We are so excited to share this production with our community and can’t wait to see the talent we know is out there to make this production our biggest and best yet.”

To access the audition pack and application form, visit www.griffithregionaltheatre.com.au, the Theatre Facebook page, or call the Box Office on 6962 8444.

• Topics:

• Performing Arts