Acting & Musical Theatre

MUSICAL THEATRE MASTERCLASS

Featuring expert tuition from director Tim Hill &
performer/choreographer Justin Anderson

18th & 25th May
Thomas Dixon Centre, West End

Why scramble back and forth between acting training, singing lessons and dance classes, when you can get all three in one high-quality program?

CIA’s Musical Theatre Masterclass is your one-stop shop for performance excellence.

After the resounding success of our Masterclass series last year, we are bringing this offering back in 2025. This May, get ready for an intensive 2-week journey through the essential techniques of acting, singing and dance.

With incredible, in-depth tuition from celebrated freelance director Tim Hill and
performer/choreographer Justin Anderson, whose career spans two decades and
countless popular musicals, students will emerge from this program as more well-rounded
performers, equipped with all the skills they need to shine onstage. Classes will take place across two Sundays at the Thomas Dixon Centre.

Students in Years 2-6 will be working on scenes and songs from Mary Poppins. Young performers will have a ball with this show’s quirky characters, its roof-hopping, “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” choreography.
Meanwhile, those in Years 7-12 will have the exclusive opportunity to workshop audition material for our Semester 2 production of Legally Blonde. They’ll get to know this delightfully kitsch-y and uplifting musical from front to back, receiving all the expert feedback and advice needed to lift their game for audition day (Sunday 1st June, the week after this Masterclass concludes).

Dates and Times
Sunday 18th May 2.00 – 5.00 pm
Sunday 25th May 2.00 – 5.00 pm

COST

$120 + GST

Numbers are limited! Don’t miss your chance to unleash your inner musical star.
Enrol in our May Masterclass below.

CIA EISTEDDFOD (Poetry & Duologue)

Sunday 8 th June
Gehrmann Theatre, Brisbane Girls Grammar School

CIA Eisteddfods give students the opportunity to perform one or more pieces onstage in front of a supportive audience of their families and peers. They are also friendly competitions in which an expert adjudicator gives constructive feedback to all students and awards places.

This year we are holding two CIA Eisteddfods. The first, on Sunday 8th June, will feature the categories of Poetry and Duologue.

Poetry—Students perform a poem of their choice (open to Years 2-10).

Duologue—Two students perform a short scene together (open to Years 4-10).

We will also be awarding $100 prizes to the Most Promising Performer in the Junior (Years 4-7) and Senior (Years 8-10) age groups. Students must enter both categories to be eligible for the prize.

Participation in our Eisteddfods boosts students’ confidence, hones their speaking skills, and rewards their creativity. I highly encourage everyone to take part. I provide all pieces to students, and all preparation is covered in class time.

COST

$30 per section

EISTEDDFOD TIMETABLE


CIA Eisteddfod (Poetry & Duologue) Sunday 8 th June Gehrmann Theatre, Brisbane Girls Grammar School	9.00 – 10.00 am: Years 2 & 3 10.00 – 11.00 am: Year 4 11.00 am – 12.00 pm: Year 5 12.30 – 1.30 pm: Year 6 1.30 – 2.30 pm: Year 7 2.30 – 3.30 pm: Years 8-10

The sooner you get your entry in, the sooner we can start preparing!

“All About Acting” Holiday Workshop: LIGHTS, CAMERA, MURDER

Featuring expert tuition from Six star Chelsea Dawson & director Tim Hill

(Open to students in Year 4 and above)

Monday 7th – Friday 11th July
Gehrmann Theatre, Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Calling all theatre kids, drama queens (and kings), and future Oscar winners! This July, we are running a workshop designed for those who love to act.
CIA may be known for our extravagant musicals, but this workshop is a chance for us to hold back on the showtunes and shine a spotlight on the craft of acting. Over 5 days in the July holidays, students in Year 4 and above will unlock their full acting potential as they bring to life an original play written especially for our cast—Lights, Camera, Murder: A Hollywood Whodunnit.

In the more intimate space of BGGS’ Gehrmann Theatre, students will work closely with highly accomplished, industry-experienced teachers: stage star Chelsea Dawson, who has just finished her critically-acclaimed run as Katherine Howard in the smash-hit musical Six; and director Tim Hill, who since training at the prestigious NIDA has directed musicals such as Rent, Into the Woods, and Billy Elliot.

Then, on the Friday afternoon, students will take part in a grand performance of their original play, Lights, Camera, Murder: A Hollywood Whodunnit.

EVERYONE can benefit from this workshop! As Shakespeare wrote, “the world is a stage”, and acting skills can elevate your every “performance” (on stage or off!).
And if you miss the usual song-and-dance flavour, don’t fret. While this show isn’t a musical, it will incorporate a song or two, so we will be looking to include a few talented singers in this cast.

COST

$400 + GST

Places will be limited, so be sure to get in early!

Semester 2 Senior Production: LEGALLY BLONDE

Featuring expert tuition from Wicked star Jordan Malone, performer/choreographer extraordinaire Justin Anderson, and NIDA- trained director Tim Hill

(Open to students in Year 6 and above)

Auditions: Sunday 1st June
Rehearsals: July – August
Performances: Saturday 23rd August

Have you ever been underestimated?
Have you ever had to smash stereotypes and prove your critics wrong?
Do you agree that “whoever said orange was the new pink is seriously disturbed”?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then WE WANT YOU to be part of the boldest, sassiest, and most fashionable show of the year. CIA’s Semester 2 production is LEGALLY BLONDE.

Stylish sorority president Elle Woods seems to have it all… until her boyfriend dumps her to pursue his more “serious” ambitions. What’s a heartbroken blonde bombshell to do? Follow him to Harvard Law School, of course! But Elle’s quest to win back her BF is soon upstaged by new friends, a high-profile court case, and the discovery of her own hidden talents.

Students in Year 6 and above will bring to life this outrageously fun and empowering musical, based on the smash-hit Reese Witherspoon rom-com. They will work with celebrated, NIDA-trained theatre director Tim Hill, performer/choreographer extraordinaire Justin Anderson, and stage star Jordan Malone, who most recently featured in the Australasian tour of Wicked.

Auditions, rehearsals and performances will all take place at West End’s Thomas Dixon Centre, making use of its beautiful spaces and stellar facilities.

Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, whether you’re a triple threat or prefer to specialise in acting, this experience has something for everyone. Our script is being adapted especially for our group to ensure it includes exciting roles for all cast members.

Places will be limited! Check out our full audition, rehearsal and performance schedule in our Acting & Musical Theatre Calendar.

COST

$500 + GST

“Being true to yourself NEVER goes out of style!”