Later beluisteren
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Frank Van Straten is a performing arts historian, author and a former director of the Performing Arts Museum in Melbourne. You've probably read one of his insightful commentaries on the history of a musical or play, in a program you purchased whilst visiting a theatre.
Van Straten was the first archivist of the Performing Arts Museum (now the Performing Arts Collection), at the Victorian Arts Centre, and was the director from 1984 until 1993.
For many years he researched and presented ABC Local radio's Nostalgia segment, broadcast on Melbourne's 774 and the ABC Victorian Regional Network.
He has acted as the Historical Consultant for Graeme Murphy's dance musical TIVOLI, and given his vast knowledge, has accepted invitations to contribute information to considerable books, speeches, biographies, performances and exhibitions.
In recognition of his services to the performing arts in Australia Van Straten was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1999.
Frank's passion for our performing heritage is palpable and his knowledge is supreme ... with an ability to talk at length on any subject to do with the performing arts in Australia he is the ideal guest on STAGES. -
In a career encompassing playwrighting, teaching, academia and directing, Grace Barnes has championed the female voice in storytelling. And ... working as an associate or resident director on original productions of SUNSET BOULEVARD, MARTIN GUERRE & THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, she has had a seat at the birth of seminal works of musical theatre and observed the creatives that made them. She was even present in the initial weeks of MISS SAIGON on Broadway.
So how did a theatre obsessed kid from Scotland, escape the bleak countryside of Shetland and soon find herself amongst the bright lights of Broadway?
Barnes has recently completed her PHD and has commenced her second book, a biography of Mina Wylie - the Olympic swimmer from Coogee who was a trailblazer of women's sport in Australia.
Her first book is a reflection on the role of women in musical theatre. "If musical theatre reflects prevailing societal attitudes, what does the modern musical tell us about the place of women in contemporary America, the UK and Australia?" A fascinating read, posing much for consideration, is HER TURN ON STAGE by Grace Barnes. -
In this episode of STAGES, we speak with Michael Norman - upon meeting Michael, you can be nothing but engaged. His exuberant personality leaps at you large, and his passion for showbiz is palpable. The son of performers, he entered the business working in television props and along the way served a stint as a model in the UK, ultimately returning to Australia to assume a career as a Company Manager - on the big commercial shows that tour the country and abroad.
He's been called 'old school' and 'adored by all who have worked with him'. Company Management is a job for a people person. Someone who can represent the Producer's interest while attending to the day to day personnel matters of all on board a big show ... Michael does both with ease - ensuring that if you know Michael's managing the show - you're in good hands!
