Be New 2024
Our Shows
A Wake to Remember
by Samantha Wong
Presented by Anita Mei La Terra, Declan Ryan, William Moffat
"A Wake to Remember" invites you on an emotionally charged journey through friendship, unrequited love, and the pursuit of dreams deferred. Dive into a story where the past and present collide at a wake, offering a second chance to confront unspoken truths and heal old wounds. This drama-comedy, infused with singer-songwriter-style music, explores the complexities of growing up, death, and the enduring power of friendship. If "The Last Five Years" touched your heart, prepare to be moved and motivated by the poignant yet humorous exploration of life's what-ifs and the music that binds us.
When Henry
by John Sharp and Ben Hunter
Presented by Jo Jabalde and Teddy Burgess
Dive into a world where love, manipulation, and the pursuit of perfection collide in "When Henry." Experience an audacious musical journey that explores the dark and light of human relationships, the complexities of time travel, and the eternal quest for a flawless existence. Will Paige and Henry's love survive the ultimate test, or will the manipulation of time unravel the fabric of their destiny? This show challenges the notion of what it means to truly love and be loved, making us question: If we could change our past, should we?.
Performers in Residence
THE TEAM
Harry Tibballs: An analyst at heart and a literal doctor during business hours, Harry brings a critical eye to the structure and thematic flow of musical theatre writing. A performer and champion baker, he supports a balanced and measured approach to writing.
Laura de Iongh: A performer, director, and choreographer, Laura's area of interest is in creating meaningful characters that connect with audiences. A psychology graduate, she incorporates her knowledge of human behaviour into her approach.
Daniele Buatti: A composer, music director, vocal coach, and kinesiologist, Daniele brings a holistic approach to music and storytelling. A teacher and mentor in every sense of the word, he brings a depth and breadth of knowledge to the program.
Our team is supported operationally by Mikaela Innes and Bradley Dylan.
Special thanks to Jake Ameduri for playing Henry at our workshops.
Everyone involved is a volunteer.
What have we done so far?
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Every week was allocated to one writer and their show. In each session, we did a deep dive into whatever material has been selected and explore its structure, adherence to theatrical conventions and how it fits within the structure of the show as a whole.
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Each writer had a team of performers in residence who learned and provided feedback on their specific show.
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The focus weeks alternated, allowing writers and performers in residence enough time to process feedback, make changes or write new material before the next session.
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Everyone attended every week, even if it's not 'your week'. It was incredibly valuable to contribute to the work of others as writers or performers, and thinking critically about musical theatre structure and composition benefited our own understanding of each work.
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The final showcase will allow each writer to share the product of their hard work with family and friends, as well providing them with footage for use as part of a promotional showreel for the writers and performers.