Griffith musical theatre and McGregor arts workshops over Easter holidays

As the holidays draw closer, two universities are opening up their doors to young people interested in learning more about the arts. Check out the programs:

Griffith University are hosting a school holiday workshop for high schoolers passionate about musical theatre. Picture: Kyle Head

Griffith University and University of Southern Queensland are sharing knowledge with the Toowoomba region and running workshops throughout the Easter holidays, investing in the development of arts skills for the next generation.

A passion for musical theatre is all you need to be part of Griffith University’s musical theatre workshop between April 3-5, in a move by the university’s musical theatre school at recognising the talent the region has been nurturing and the importance of building relationships with teachers and students within regional Queensland.

The program is a condensed three-day version of Griffith’s Brisbane workshops which helps train and prepare high school students for auditions into the university’s musical theatre program.

It is a great way for both students and their teachers to learn what the industry is looking for in auditions, Griffith performance lecturer Megan Shorey said.

Held at the Empire Theatre, it will be the first time the workshop has come to Toowoomba, and Ms Shorey said it “makes sense” from the quality of talent coming from Toowoomba.

Griffith University are hosting a school holiday workshop for high schoolers passionate about musical theatre. Picture: Kyle Head

In the second week of the holidays, between April 8-10, the UniSQ McGregor School will run three workshops covering mixed media, theatre and film production for young people in grades 10 – 12.

The program is planned as a part of Youth Week and is a “celebration of the youth in our community,” UniSQ McGregor School co-ordinator Johanna Guerin said.

“Youth cop a bad reputation around Toowoomba at the moment, and this is a great way to encourage them to develop hands-on art skills and meet other like-minded kids,” she said.

As access to arts workshops, materials and equipment is often expensive, the school is offering a reasonable price of $40 each day for each student, she said.

The workshops include a day of visual art, with experts teaching mixed media, printmaking and ceramics, a day of theatre and acting, and a day of film production.

“What’s great about the workshops is that they’ll provide some real tangible achievement and pride as the students will get to take something they’ve done home with them,” Ms Guerin said.

Griffith University’s Toowoomba Musical Theatre Workshop

Who: Grades 8 – 12

When: April 8 – 10, 2024

Where: The Empire Theatre

Cost: $295

Registration is open, applicants are encouraged to apply before Monday, March 25 – late applicants may be considered.

UniSQ McGregor School of Creative Arts

Who: Grades 10 – 12

When: April 8 – 10, 2024

Day 1: Mixed media, ceramics and printmaking

Day 2: Theatre and acting

Day 3: Film production

Where: UniSQ Toowoomba Campus

Cost: $40/day/student

Registration is now open, but get in quick, places are limited.