StageArt to Close Doors

Progressive Theatre Company to Wind Up After 8 Years

Last Show – NINE THE MUSICAL – Playing Now

Sadly, Melbourne-based StageArt have announced they will not be continuing in 2019. This independent small company has always strived to promote Australian talent and stage rarely-seen productions that tell relevant stories while always maintaining entertainment as their first focus.

Their current and final production is currently playing at Melbourne’s Chapel Off Chapel until November 11.

“It has been a difficult decision to make as we reflect upon the past seven years which has seen us boldly stage productions which many said could never be done, while fighting hard for equality in casting and creative endeavours. The time has come where we can no longer keep up with the ever increasing costs and demands associated with running a viable independent theatre company, in its current incarnation,” said Executive Producers Katherine Armstrong and Robbie Carmellotti.

StageArt has always been fiercely independent and solely funded by Executive Producers Katherine Armstrong and Robbie Carmellotti, a conscious decision that gave the company the autonomy and power to take risks that commercial producers would not. “This gave us the ability to achieve our mission of equality amongst performers, creatives, band and crew, while being lucky enough to present outstanding, and ground-breaking theatre to our audiences”.

“We have felt an intense sense of satisfaction witnessing the professional success of so many talented people who were seen by audiences, talent managers and casting agents performing in StageArt productions. We consider it a true honour to have been able to stage productions of diversity and to have supported launching careers like Gareth Jacobs (Genie – Aladdin), Jayme-Lee Hanekom (Violet – Charlie & The Chocolate Factory),  Augie Tchantcho (General – The Book Of Mormon), Adam Di Martino (Omar – Aladdin),  Iopu Auva’a (Harry Potter & The Cursed Child), Jake Fehily (Augustus Gloop – Charlie & The Chocolate Factory)  –  just to name a few as many StageArt alumni are excelling in major Australian productions and in theatre’s all around the world”. 

“Audiences and reviewers alike regularly commented “Where do they find these people?” – the answer was simple, we auditioned with an open call policy and a dedication to take a risk with the best talent, not a ‘name’”.

From humble beginnings of a self-devised play at Gasworks in 2011, StageArt soon grew into a trail blazing company producing 31 productions including The Color Purple, Memphis, Titanic, Spring Awakening and In The Heights, all standing out as remarkable moments.

“StageArt will continue to assess future possibilities – in the meantime, we would love to see everyone experience the genius creation which is NINE The Musical. Brilliantly directed by Michael Ralph and Musical Direction by Nathan Firmin, the show is receiving glowing reviews from all over town. We adore that a show of this calibre will be our last and we would love to share it with you”, said Katherine.

“Finally – to our subscribers, audience members, volunteers, casts, crews and everyone in the StageArt family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this incredible experience which has shaped and changed our lives. And as ‘Sonny’ from In The Heights would say ‘It’s the end of an era!’” said Executive Producers Katherine Armstrong and Robbie Carmellotti.

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www.facebook.com/StageArtAustralia

 

www.instagram.com/stageartaustralia/

 

NINE THE MUSICAL

Until November 3
Chapel off Chapel, Prahran, Melbourne
Tickets: www.stageart.com.au/ninethemusical

 

STAGEART’s PRODUCTION HISTORY

2018
Nine The Musical – Chapel Off Chapel
StageArtXposed – Songs For Swingin’ Lovers – Chapel Off Chapel
Bare The Musical – Chapel Off Chapel
Garfield The Musical – Chapel Off Chapel Falsettos – Chapel Off Chapel

2017
Memphis The Musical – Chapel Off Chapel
StageArtXposed – Beautiful Things and Lay Down Sally – Chapel Off Chapel
Spring Awakening – Chapel Off Chapel
The Full Monty – The National Theatre

2016
The Colour Purple – Chapel Off Chapel
Titanic The Musical – Chapel Off Chapel
In The Heights Return Season – The National Theatre
Saturday Night Fever – Chapel Off Chapel

2015
Dreamgirls at The Red Ball starring Hugh Jackman, Fight Cancer Foundation – The Grand Hyatt
A Super Brady Cabaret – Chapel Off Chapel
Dreamgirls – Chapel Off Chapel
In The Heights – Chapel Off Chapel

2014
Hair at The Red Ball – Crown Palladium
King Of The World with Josh Piterman & Laura Fitzpatrick – Chapel Off Chapel
Hair Regional Tour – Warrnambool, Geelong, Warragul, Melbourne, Shepparton and Ballarat.
StageArtXposed Arts FestivalSugartown, Flying High, Wild Eagles Fly Along, Girls Uninterrupted, Melba, Rumour Has It, Life Of Piaf and Swan Dive – Chapel Off Chapel

2013
Hair Summer Of Love – Chapel Off Chapel

2012
Grease 2 Live In Concert Return Season – Chapel Off Chapel
Màtalor A Hard Rock Dance Opera – Chapel Off Chapel

2011
Grease 2 Live In Concert – Gasworks Theatre