EDUCATOR NEWS TERM ONE
We can’t wait to see you at the MECC in 2017!
Youth Ambassador Nominations Closing Soon
Don’t let your students miss out!
Applications close 8 February. Download application form here
By being part of the MECC YA Program, students will have the opportunity to enjoy special access
to Arts events with like-minded peers, while gaining the opportunity to get hands-on experience in
performing arts, technical productions, and media and marketing.
CRITERIA
• Enrolled in grade 10 -12, with preference to grade 11-12 students
• Must have parental permission
• Must be able to attend regular workshops, meetings or training sessions
• Assist Friends of the MECC with ushering and ticket scanning at performances
• Be willing to positively advocate the MECC and its programs and performances,
including, but not limited to, public speaking opportunities
• Be available at the end of February for a two hour induction
(three dates to choose from).
Here is what our teachers and students of the 2016 YA Ambassador Program had to say:
“From a teachers perspective - I love the opportunity to connect passion of theatre with real
life experience... Making like minded friends and seeing shows... Cheers for an amazing
2017.” Amanda Sadler, Teacher, Mackay Christian College
“I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and particularly loved the privilege
of being part of the MECC crew where I got to first hand experience what is
involved, as well as the backstage works within a show.
I have gained insight and knowledge of the theatre while making new friends
and meeting new people who share the same passion.”
Ella North, Student, Holy Spirit College
“I loved that we were provided the opportunity to see what it takes to put
on a show. Being a MECC Youth Ambassador allowed me to further my
knowledge in theatre and gave me some life long friends.”
Simone Muirhead, Student, Mackay State High School
Email your students completed form to [email protected], or have them
drop it into the box office by close of business Wednesday 8th February 2017.
EDUCATOR NEWS
Coming up in Term 1
Pearl
The Janis Joplin Story
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Wednesday 8th March, 7.30pm
Ages 14+
110 mins + 20 min interval
Comprehensive Study Guide
available
• Q & A post-show
• $22 school group tickets
Apply for Pathways
to Performance
Funding!
Have you planned your International Women’s Day event yet?
Bring along a group of students and colleagues to pay homage to the legacy of
Janis Joplin.
Pearl – The Janis Joplin Story is an interpretational musical presentation, celebrating a woman who
exploded onto the music scene and quickly became the queen of rock ‘n’ roll and mother of thrift shop
vintage funk.
For the first time in Australia, a production about a rock immortal whose individuality
became a hallmark that both shocked and inspired a generation and to this day touches all ages.
SUBJECT LINKS
Popular music, rock icons, women in music, blues and jazz, society and culture.
Workshop opportunity
A FREE workshop is available on the day of the performance for schools with a booking for Pearl:The
Janis Joplin Story. Once your booking is made, you will be asked to reserve spots for the worskshop as
numbers are limited.
Wednesday 8 March 2017
1pm-2:30pm
Lynette Denney Space, MECC
Watch Video
Email us
Contains strong language and adult themes
EDUCATOR NEWS
Coming up in Term 1
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Wednesday 29th March, 7:30pm
Ages 14+
95 minutes, plus 20 minute interval
Q & A post-show
Comprehensive Study Guide available
$22 school group tickets
This is the ultimate acting masterclass!
See two actors transform into 15 different characters!
Apply for Pathways
to Performance
Funding!
Don’t miss this award winning, hilarious and moving tale of a quiet Irish community turned upside
down by the arrival of a Hollywood movie shoot.
Over a dozen characters, including the extras, are played by just two actors, throughout the
production. This involves lighting fast character transformation, often from one word to the next, with
only minimal props and costume shifts possible to support these transformations.
The story deals with serious themes of rural isolation and alienation, degradation of local community
in a global context, industrial relations and exploitation of locals by large corporations (in this case
Hollywood) and also youth suicide. It deals with the notion of who has the power to tell someone else’s
story, shifting values away from agrarian economies globally and the notion of the value of community
versus capitalist ideologies.
SUBJECT LINKS
Drama: Tragic comedy, characterization. English: Irish culture, celebrity culture, character studies.
Workshop opportunity
A FREE workshop is available for schools who have made a reservation for the performance. Please
book as soon as you can for the workshop as numbers are limited.
Tuesday 28 March
1pm-2pm
Lynette Denney Space, MECC
Watch Video
Occasional course language & mature themes.
References to depression and suicide.
Visit Website
Email us
EDUCATOR NEWS
Pathways to Performance Program Welcomes a New Partner
In 2017 we are pleased to welcome Rio Tinto to our Pathways to Performance program
as a funding partner. Along with our long standing partner BHP Billiton we are able to
offer schools free or discounted travel to shows in our Schools Entertainment Guide.
The Pathways to Performance program is an initiative of BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal
(BMC), Rio Tinto and the MECC which recognises a barrier to schools attending
theatre and associated educational programs is the distance that needs to be travelled
and the cost of funding the travel whether by bus and or train.
Download more information here
Download application form here
Pathways to Performance APPLICATION CLOSING DATES
TERM 1
Pearl: The Janis Joplin Story
Wednesday 8 March, 7.30pm
PTP Applications Close: Friday 3 February
Stones in His Pockets
Wednesday 29 March, 7.30pm
PTP Applications Close: Friday 2 March
START PLANNING FOR TERM 2
Mr Stink
Friday 2 June, 11am, 1pm and 6pm
PTP Applications Close: Friday 31 March
Dracula
Thursday 27 July, 7.30pm
PTP Applications Close: Friday 2 June
For booking or enquiries please contact:
MECC Engagement team: [email protected]
Phone: 4961 9777
Visit Website
PLAN A TEACHERS GET TOGETHER
AT THE MECC!
GO YOUR OWN WAY - THE STORY OF CHRISTINE McVIE
> Friday 24 February > 7.30pm
> MECC Auditorium
Christine McVie was the girl who started out as a school teacher, picked up a
bass guitar and began to sing the blues. The she joined Fleetwood Mac and
made rock history. Go Your Own Way is the story of Fleetwood Mac’s most
famous songbird; a celebration of great music and the tempestuous life of
Christine McVie.
All about women simulcast
LIVE From sydney opera house
celebrating international womens day
> Sunday 5 March > 9am-12.30pm
> MECC AUDITORIUM
> $5 admission to local women’s group
Get your girls togehter for a free simulcast, streamed directly from Sydney
Opera house. Hear from international speakers such as Geena Davis on
Women and Media, Jessa Crispin on Why are you not a feminist? and a panel
discussion about Nasty Women with Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Van Badham,
Celeste Liddle & Lindy West.
LUKE KENNEDY - HIS VOICE
> Friday 17 March > 7.30pm
> MECC AUDITORIUM
Witness Luke effortlessly slide between musical styles as he takes you on his
journey from teenage pub rocker through his considerable international touring
experience as a previous member of vocal sensation The Ten Tenors, to ultimately
breaking out as Ricky Martin’s grand finalist, and series runner-up, on The Voice
Australia Season 2.
BOOK NOW- THEMECC.COM.AU