Spring Awakening
Directors Note
I am thrilled to present our production of Spring Awakening, a coming-of-age musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, based on the 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind. Set in 19th century Germany, the story unfolds in a world where students are starved of information about their bodies and sex. This backdrop, combined with a score of alternative rock music, creates a dynamic contrast that renders the narrative both timeless and strikingly modern.
The decision to set our stage in a field of long grass, knee to waist high, has deepened the thematic richness and visual dynamics of the play. This choice symbolizes the wild, untamed nature of adolescence, mirroring the emotional turbulence of our young protagonists. The grass, not yet in bloom but promising growth, parallels their own burgeoning journeys of self-discovery. Setting the action amidst long grass not only enhances the sense of isolation and confinement experienced by the characters but also integrates seamlessly with the themes of growth and transition. It allows our actors to transform the space physically, offering practical versatility and moments of awe as we shift from past to present.
I’ve been struck by how timely this work is right now. It invites us to reflect on the pressures placed on young people today - the truths that we keep hidden from them, the world we are asking them to grow into, and the ways in which we might better understand and support their journey into adulthood. The work offers a chance to reflect and question the progress we have made and the long road ahead, particularly violence against women.
Working with the third-year music theatre students at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) has been an absolute joy. The opportunity to engage with such a great script and score, alongside such a talented team, is something I deeply value. I am confident that this production not only showcases the talent and growth of these early-career artists but also offers a compelling and enjoyable evening at the theatre. I hope you find this work as impactful and engaging as we do.
- Petra Kalive, Director
Cast
Melchior Gabor
Max Macdonald
Wendla Bergmann
Imogen Rabbitte
Moritz Stiefel
Josh Spiniello
Ilse Neumann
Meg Williams
Hänschen Rilow
Jack Reason
Martha Bessell
Hannah Underwood
Ernst Röbel
Regan Walker
Georg Zirschnitz
Gavin Blonda
Otto Lämmermeir
Felix Star
Thea
Morag Hamilton
Anna
Paris Leveque
Adult Women
Freya Boltman
Adult Men
Tarrant Edwards
Dance Captain/Ensemble
Emily Robinson
Ensemble
Brittany Biles
Alexandra Cashmere
Amber Langman
Luke London
Demby McKenzie
Alex Mulcahy
Madison Russo
Finn Woodlock
Band
Musical Director/Keyboard 1
James Simpson
Keyboard 2
Sam Loomes
Guitars
Sam Ainslie
Bass
Oliver Powell
Drums/Percussion
Kieran Rafferty
Violin
Isabel Hede
Viola
Phoebe Green
Cello
Lauren Jennings
Creative Team
Director
Petra Kalive
Choreographer
Ross Hannaford
Musical Director
James Simpson
Set Designer
Ashley Reid*
Assistant Set Designer
Helen Zhang
Costume Designer
Jonel Factor+
Lighting Designer
Alyssa Clay*
Voice and Dialect Coach
Matt Furlani
Sound Designer
Sidney Millar
Intimacy Coordinator
Bayley Turner
Fight Coordinator
Colin Sneesby
Production Team
Production Stage Manager
Morgan Clyne*
Deputy Stage Manager
Jordan Smith*
Assistant Stage Managers
Yolanda Box
Alicia Guiney
Rhianna Sander
Workshop Head of Department (Staging)
Willow Argus*
Workshop Head of Department (Props)
Nigel Chua*
Workshop Head of Department (Scenic)
Nellie Summerfield*
Workshop Assistants
Ryder Blizzard
Lachlan Jones
Ivy Miller
Rory Willingham
Senior Costumiers
Dylan Lumsden*
Miriam Clare Robinson*
Costume Manager
Carmen Lye
Costume Assistants
Alannah Citino
Reuben James
Technical Manager
Oscar McGovern*
Head Electrician
August Johnson
Deputy Electrician
Georgette Tetaz
Lighting Programmer and Operator
Lindsay Gerhardt
Sound Head of Department and Sound Programmer
Declan Acton*
Sound Technicians
Karin Chen
Felicity Ethell
*Third year Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) student
+ Second year Master of Production Design (Stage) student
Professional Staff
Artistic Operations Manager
Abe Watson
Producer
Alex Duffy
Production Coordinator
Andy Turner
Stagecraft Project Coordinator
Alan (Alby) Logan
Scenic Artist
Morgan Jones
Set Construction
Taylor Chen
Workshop Technician
El Lyons-Dawson
Staging Technicians
Charlie Craft
Sasha Vulling
Costume Supervisor
Georgia Johnson
Professional Costumiers
Jenni Langford
Chloe Simcox
Production Photographer
Ben Fon
Videographer
Latitude Video Production
Academic Staff
Head of Music Theatre
Tyran Parke
Head of Design and Production
Anna Cordingley
Design and Production Academic Consultants
Nathan Burmeister, Michael Carr, Martyn Coutts, Jo Evans, Jake Kirby, Jen Langford, Amelia Lever-Davidson, Rex Rees, David Tonion
Music Theatre Academic Staff
Lyndall Dawson, Heather Fletcher, Ross Hannaford, Rosie Harris, Jayde Kirchert, Bert LaBonte, Tyran Parke, Peter Rutherford
Design and Production Academic Staff
Kris Bird, Jo Briscoe, Dr Emily Collett, Anna Cordingley, Martyn Coutts, Jo Evans, Dale Ferguson, John Ford, Nell Hanson, Amanda Hitten, Lisa Mibus, Lisa Osborn, Professor Richard Roberts, Leon Salom, Christina Smith