Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre the show performance vehicle for Adelaide University's degree course students
Leonard Bernstein musical On the Town was in the 2023 season for Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre, presented by Adelaide University music theatre degree students, building on the experience of previous productions such as Spring Awakening (top right) and Legally Blonde (bottom right), at the university's Scott Theatre.
Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre became the public performance name for Adelaide University bachelor of music theatre degree course, started in 2019, with its first graduates in 2021.
Adelaide University’s music theatre course offered intensive, individualised training in singing and song coaching, as well as classes in dance, acting and music.
The course aimed to develop broad cultural and awareness of different disciples as well as building skills in communicating, collaborating, self confidence, physical presence and analytical insight. The intensive skills development was industry-focused and designed not just to equip students with the three principal disciplines of singing, acting and dancing but also in creating theatre.
Under director George Torbay, students presented music theatre productions, including Spring Awakening, Cabaret, Urinetown, Les Miserables and Legally Blonde in the university’s own Scott Theatre as part of the course. Graduating showcases also were presented.
A new state-of-the-art studio was added to the dance space for the students in the University of Adelaide Union building.
In 2021, the university continued its link with Adelaide Festival Centre and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival with students performing in The Cabaret Project. This partnership allowed all music theatre students access to performances throughout the festival. The music theatre degree partnerships extended to the Adelaide Festival, State Opera of South Australia, South Australian Film Corporation and Adelaide Fringe.
Degree students also formed their own Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre Association as a club to add to their and activities and performance possibilities.
