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Title: The Prom: School Edition Presented By: BG Performing Arts Genre: Teen Musical / Musical Theatre Synopsis: The Prom: School Edition follows four eccentric Broadway stars whose careers have stalled and who are desperate for a new cause to revive their public profiles. When they discover that a student in a small Indiana town simply wants to attend prom with her girlfriend, they travel to the town to support her. Their arrival turns the local prom upside down and brings the community together in an uplifting story about acceptance, equality, friendship and being true to yourself. Audition Date: Sunday August 30th, 2026 Audition Time: 12:30PM - 5:30PM Audition Location and Address: 12 Jamieson Street, Bowen Hills QLD 4006 Audition Requirements: Please familiarise yourself with all the dance, vocal and acting materials provided in the Dropbox link. You have the choice to participate in the intermediate or advanced dance call. A demonstration video for both calls are available and we strongly encourage learning the choreography prior. Please bring any necessary acting/vocal materials, appropriate shoes, sufficient water, sweat towel, snacks and anything else you may need. Audition Registration: Register for The Prom auditions here Audition Pack: The Prom Audition Pack Performance Dates: Saturday September 26th, 2026 Performance Times: 2:30PM 7:00PM Performance Location: The Star Theatre, Wynnum State High School, 5 Peel Street, Manly QLD 4178. Rehearsal Dates: Monday September 21st – Saturday September 26th, 2026 Rehearsal Times: Mon - Thurs - 9AM - 5PM Fri - 9AM - 8:30PM Sat - 10AM - 9:30PM Rehearsal Location: Mon - Thurs - Bowen Hills Studio, 12 Jamieson Street, Bowen Hills QLD 4006 Fri & Sat - The Star Theatre, Wynnum SHS, 5 Peel Street, Manly QLD 4178 Performer Age: 14 – 18 years Creative Team: Director - Sam Caruna Choreographer - Bella Gordon Musical Director - Kate Baxter Production Website: BG Performing Arts – The Prom: School Edition Other information: This is a school holiday musical theatre workshop and performance program rather than a conventional auditioned mainstage production. Workshop dates are Monday 21 September–Saturday 26 September 2026. The program is designed for performers aged 14–18. Workshop cost: $400. The final performance will be presented twice on Saturday 26 September. Tickets are $35 for ages 3+. BG Performing Arts describes itself as a Brisbane youth performing arts school providing professional training in musical theatre, dance and related performance disciplines. Available Roles/Character Breakdown: Emma Nolan | Teenager in Indiana. A reluctant poster child for LGBT youth. Very smart. A bit of a tomboy quality. Alyssa Greene | A cheerleader and top student. Secretly Emma's girlfriend. Faces constant pressure from her mother and friends. Tom Hawkins | The straitlaced school principal. An ally to Emma and a long-time fan of Dee Dee. Mrs Greene | Alyssa's intimidating, conservative, but ultimately loving mother. The head of the PTA. Shelby, Kaylee, Nick, Kevin | Other students at school who bully (but who eventually learn to accept) Emma. Barry Glickman | Flamboyant Broadway star. Completely politically incorrect and doesn't know it. Longs to give Emma the prom he was unable to have as a teen. Dee Dee Allen | Broadway diva. A huge ego to match her huge talent. Hilariously self-involved, but yearns to do something goof for someone other than herself. Trent Oliver | Pretentious Juilliard graduate recently cast in the non-Equity tour of Godspell. Loves to hear himself speak. Angie Dickinson | An ensemble member in the Broadway production of Chicago. Jaded Fosse girl with a heart of gold. Sheldon Saperstein | A charismatic press agent. Ensemble | Olivia Keating, Opening night party attendees, Reporters, High school students, PTA members, Motel Clerk, Cast of the non-equity tour of Godspell, Monster truck rally audience, Mrs Greene's friend, LGBT Students.

Title: Finding Nemo JR Presented By: Phoenix Arts Academy / Phoenix Ensemble Genre: Junior Musical / Family Musical Synopsis: Finding Nemo JR brings the beloved underwater adventure of Nemo, Marlin and Dory to the stage. The story follows Nemo, a curious young clownfish born with a "lucky fin", as he embarks on an adventure that takes him far from home. His anxious and overprotective father, Marlin, sets out to find him, meeting an unforgettable cast of sea creatures along the way, including the optimistic Dory. The production explores family, courage, friendship, adventure and learning to embrace the things that make us different. Audition Date: Saturday August 29th, 2026 Audition Time: 10AM – 11:30AM – Junior Ensemble Group Audition 12PM – 1:30PM – Leads & Senior Ensemble Group Audition 2PM – 5PM – Lead & Featured Senior Ensemble Individual Audition Audition Location and Address: Phoenix Ensemble, Beenleigh Showgrounds. Access via the gate at 60 James Street, Beenleigh QLD. Audition Requirements: Junior Ensemble – Prep to Grade 4: Participate in a group dance and singing workshop. Learn a short routine and part of a song. No preparation is required. Students in Grades 3–4 wishing to audition for Nemo must also attend an afternoon individual audition. Prepare 30 seconds–1 minute of a song from a Disney movie or musical. Sing with a backing track with no lead vocals. Bring a device or USB containing the backing track. A YouTube link is also acceptable. Lead Roles & Senior Ensemble – Grades 5–12: Participate in the group dance and singing workshop from 12:00pm–1:30pm. No preparation is required for the group session. Students wishing to be considered for a lead or featured Senior Ensemble role must also attend an afternoon individual audition. Individual auditions will be conducted in groups of four, with approximately 30 minutes per group. Prepare 30 seconds–1 minute of a song from a Disney movie or musical. Backing track must not contain lead vocals. Bring a device or USB containing the backing track. A YouTube link is also acceptable. Present acting scenes with a partner. Audition scenes are provided in the audition pack and do not need to be printed or memorised, although auditionees are encouraged to read through them several times beforehand. Senior Ensemble – Ensemble Only: Students who only wish to participate in the Senior Ensemble and attend the reduced rehearsal commitment do not need to complete the individual audition. Auditionees should wear comfortable, casual clothing suitable for movement and closed-in shoes. Sneakers are recommended; dance shoes are welcome but not required. Bring a bottle of water. Audition Registration: Register for Finding Nemo JR auditions Audition Pack: Finding Nemo JR Audition Pack Performance Dates & Times: Friday 2 October 2026 – 6PM Saturday 3 October 2026 – 10AM & 1PM Performance Location: Phoenix Ensemble, Beenleigh Showgrounds Rehearsal Dates: September 21st - October 2nd, 2026 Rehearsal Times: Monday–Friday, 9AM - 3PM daily, except Friday 2 October, which will have a later start before the first performance. Rehearsal Location: Phoenix Ensemble, Beenleigh Showgrounds Performer Age: School-aged students from Prep to Grade 12 in 2026 Creative Team: Director: Julianne Clinch Music Director: Kym Brown Production Website: Phoenix Arts Academy - Finding Nemo Jr Other information: The production is open to all school-aged students from Prep to Grade 12 in 2026, not just current Phoenix Arts Academy students. Casting will be gender fluid depending on the diversity of participants. Students may be cast as characters of a different gender, and character genders may be changed where appropriate. There are no strict age restrictions for individual roles. The creative team will consider each student's strengths, preferences and suitability for the role. Lead roles will have solos and dialogue to memorise. Lead Roles & Featured Senior Ensemble - Participants will attend the full 10-day project from 21 September–2 October, plus all performances. Junior & Senior Ensemble - Participants will attend the first Monday and the second week of the project, plus performances. Production Fees - Lead Roles & Featured Senior Ensemble: $300 Production Fees - Senior & Junior Ensemble: $200 Fees cover production costs including scripts, backing tracks, costume pieces, some base costume elements that participants will keep after the production, and a show T-shirt. Students must bring their own lunch and snacks each day and will likely need to provide their own performance shoes. Available Roles/Character Breakdown: Nemo - A curious young clownfish born with a "lucky fin", who brims with wonder and eagerness for adventure. Marlin - Nemo's anxious and overprotective father, who prefers the safety of his anemone to the unknowns of the open ocean. Dory - An optimistic, bubbly and sociable blue tang who experiences frequent short-term memory loss. Junior Ensemble | Prep–Grade 4. The Junior Ensemble participates in group singing, dancing and scenes as: Reef Kids Moonfish Turtle Kids Gulls Supporting roles cast from the Junior Ensemble: Pearl - An excitable and friendly flapjack octopus. Sheldon - An H₂O-intolerant seahorse with an appetite for trouble. Squirt - The fearless, buoyant offspring of Crush the turtle. Tad - A self-admittedly obnoxious butterflyfish. Senior Ensemble | Grades 5–12. The Senior Ensemble participates in group singing, dancing and scenes as: Assorted Fish Sharks Jellyfish Turtles Gulls Supporting Senior Ensemble Roles – Solo Singing Bubbles - A friendly yellow tang who is captivated by bubbles and exclusively uses the word "bubbles" to communicate. Bloat - An open-minded and supportive blowfish who is proud to be part of the Tank Gang. Gurgle - A nervous royal gramma fish who enjoys the regulated cleanliness of the aquarium tank. Peach - A mature, down-to-earth starfish who offers guidance and reassurance to all. Gill - A relentless and inspiring leader with a set of battle scars and a torn fin who will stop at nothing to return to the freedom of the ocean. Professor Ray - Nemo's enthusiastic, encyclopaedic stingray teacher. Bruce - The intimidating ringleader of the sharks who is dedicated to adopting a vegetarian diet. Anchor & Chum - Two of Bruce's loyal shark cronies. Crush - A laid-back, 150-year-old sea turtle who knows how to hang loose. Supporting Senior Ensemble Roles – Acting Coral - Nemo's brave mother and Marlin's wife. Nigel - A friendly, sharp-eyed pelican who is proud to know all the local happenings of Sydney Harbour. Reef Kids' Parents - Supporting acting roles within the ensemble.

Off Broadway Presented by: Base Entertainment Venue: Brisbane Powerhouse Date Attended: 9 August 2026 Choreographer: Rachael Peters “Get ready to kick line and jazz hands your way through Broadway history!” Twenty-four musicals. Eight cast members. An alarming number of costume changes. Off Broadway barrels through Broadway history with its foot firmly on the accelerator. This new musical theatre revue raids Broadway’s greatest-hits catalogue for two packed acts of familiar favourites at Brisbane Powerhouse. Off Broadway isn’t digging around for forgotten gems. It’s serving the big ones (songs that have escaped their original productions and become cultural fixtures in their own right). These are the numbers audiences will recognise within a few bars. Having seen 22 of the 24 featured shows on stage (not to brag hehe), I came in with plenty of reference points. The only two missing from my theatrical bingo card were Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate. Everything else has reached me through Broadway, the West End, professional tours, community theatre, cabarets, cast recordings, pro shots, slime tutorials, film, TV (Glee lol), and basically every MT showcase ever. That left Off Broadway with the tricky job of competing with decades of very familiar versions. Its solution was... dazzle. Off Broadway opens at full tilt, racing through numbers from Moulin Rouge! and Kiss Me, Kate. The choreography wastes no time showing off the cast’s stamina, with the dancers already attacking demanding movement in their mirrorball leotards. I was five minutes in wondering how these dancers were expected to survive the night! With 24 shows on the itinerary, there’s no time to linger. Voiceovers and cast narration shepherd us through the decades, dropping in bits of Broadway history and giving the writers their proper credit along the way. Starting with the likes of Anything Goes and Guys and Dolls, we witness musical theatre’s sound, movement, and style evolve through the years. By the time Jesus Christ Superstar brings us into the ’70s, things have become progressively louder, sexier, and more complicated both musically and choreographically. A Chorus Line receives its deserved place in the timeline (the show famously helped drag Broadway through one of its roughest periods), before Chicago gives the cast a chance to flex their Fosse skills. The dancers’ precision captures exactly why his style is still so satisfying to watch. Chicago gets FOUR songs, by the way (“Hot Honey Rag”, “Cell Block Tango”, “All That Jazz”, and “We Both Reached for the Gun”). Somebody involved has a clear favourite. And I get it. The choreography is consistently one of Off Broadway’s strongest assets. Choreographer Rachael Peters keeps the cast in near-constant motion, with athletic movement, partnering, floorwork, and stylistic shifts between shows. The music for “Big Spender” gets a club-style remix, showing early on that the revue isn’t precious about preserving every iconic number exactly as we know it. In fact, it’s often most interesting when it makes its own choices. “The Sound of Music”, for example, gains a completely different character through a baritone interpretation. “Singin’ in the Rain” becomes a jazzy duet for Bridie Erwin-Keirl and Bailey Nathan-Park, who waltz gently around the stage as they sing. Perri Espinoza carries a considerable amount of the vocal load across the evening. Anything Goes gives us our first look at her impressive breath control, before Cabaret lets her unleash the power, range, and charisma. Her Elphaba moment arrives, inevitably, with “Defying Gravity” (because a Broadway celebration was never getting out of that building without Wicked). I also need to acknowledge the costume because I loved it! Alexander Thorpe proves particularly versatile. His Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror section has exactly the required bite, while his Phantom is commanding and vocally well suited. “The Phantom of the Opera” also delivered one of the evening’s funniest unintended moments when that organ blasted through the theatre and scared the absolute bejeezus out of the audience. Vocally, though, the number also exposed one of the revue’s recurring issues: not every song is equally well matched to its performer. Espinoza handles much of Christine’s punishing upper register, but the role sits less comfortably elsewhere in her range. Similar issues crop up later. “Hopelessly Devoted to You” loses some of its lower notes, while Connor Micallef takes several passages down an octave for the Grease and Jersey Boys material. Micallef has considerable charisma, and the Jersey Boys sequence is fun, but with material so strongly associated with Frankie Valli, I did miss that famous falsetto. Almost everything in Off Broadway arrives with an iconic performer or production attached to it. That makes thoughtful vocal allocation especially important. The cast of only eight is asked to cover an enormous range of styles, voice types, characters, and decades, and there were moments where adjusting a key or redistributing a song could have allowed the performers to show themselves to greater advantage. Bailey Nathan-Park throws himself into the Peter Allen section, with the audience clearly enjoying the exuberance of "Rio" (even as I wondered how anybody onstage still possessed functioning lungs). The ensemble’s stamina throughout is formidable. The boys have a particularly cheeky time with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. After the relentless movement and variety of the first act, the second becomes noticeably ballad-heavy. “Beauty and the Beast” uses the Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson pop duet rather than material from the stage musical for some reason, with Espinoza and Thorpe serenading one another while adding a very small amount of waltzing. Having the dancers take over the movement while the vocalists simply sang may have given the sequence more visual scale. Then there’s “Any Dream Will Do” with Thorpe in a rainbow blazer. I know Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is beloved, but I would still cut that song (sorry not sorry). By comparison, the final stretch is guaranteed to get people excited again, with Mamma Mia!, Fame, and Footloose helping close the evening exactly as a show like this needs to finish. Visually, Off Broadway keeps the Powerhouse unusually connected to its audience. House lighting remains relatively bright for much of the performance, helping the whole room feel part of the celebration. The audience was bopping their heads, tapping their feet, and occasionally singing along. I don’t blame them. For audiences who haven’t had the chance to see many of these musicals live, Off Broadway works as a tasting platter of musical theatre hits. I can imagine that choosing the setlist was a nightmare to narrow down. There are some obvious omissions, including work by Sondheim, Lerner and Loewe, Gershwin, and Bernstein, as well as Les Misérables (presumably because of song rights), but there’s still plenty here to keep musical theatre fans mentally ticking boxes. The costumes do much of the time travelling, rapidly shifting between eras, characters, and recognisable theatrical looks. I was less convinced by the AI-generated projections, which often look noticeably artificial beside performers. For a production built around Broadway spectacle, I would have loved the visual design to match that same level of human craftsmanship. Thankfully, the choreography and singing can’t be AI-generated. Sound is another area that could use some tightening. This is a very LOUD show, and the balance doesn’t always give the vocals much clarity against the tracks. That cast is ultimately what sells Off Broadway. They dance like their lives depend on it, sprint through musical theatre history with barely enough time to breathe, and step into roles made famous by some of the biggest performers in the world without the luxury of a full production building around them. Off Broadway will particularly appeal to audiences wanting Broadway’s greatest hits packed into one exuberant night. Musical theatre diehards may have opinions about the song choices and interpretations (hello, it’s me), but there’s plenty of fun in recognising what’s coming next. In the end, the dazzle did its job. I couldn’t look away.

< Back YOUTH THEATRE: Lights in the Park - Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Grammar School 19 Aug 2026 Season: August 19th, 2026 Title: Lights in the Park Presented By: Toowoomba Grammar School Intermediate, Empire Theatre Genre: School / Theatre / Contemporary Drama Synopsis: Lights in the Park by Alexander Lee-Rekers follows a diverse group of teenagers as they navigate the friendships, relationships and emotional pressures that shape their lives. As they prepare for a huge party in the park, private struggles begin to surface, loyalties are tested and carefully guarded truths are revealed. Funny, honest and deeply moving, this contemporary play explores the complicated inner lives young people often hide from the world. It is a vibrant celebration of connection, vulnerability and the courage it takes to truly be seen. Performance Dates: Wednesday August 19th, 2026 Performance Times: 6:30PM Performance Location and Address: Armitage Centre, Empire Theatre, 54–56 Neil Street, Toowoomba City, Queensland 4350 Ticket Costs: Adult – $18 Concession – $13 Ticket Link: Buy Tickets - Lights in the Park Warnings: Medium-level coarse language, including one use of strong language, and depictions of underage alcohol consumption. Recommended Age: Please refer to the venue for age suitability. Duration: 60 minutes Production Website: Lights in the Park - Empire Theatre Other information: The production explores themes of friendship, relationships, vulnerability, emotional pressures and the challenges faced by young people. The Armitage Centre is a seating bank and patrons may need to climb stairs. Wheelchair seating and Companion Card tickets are available in limited numbers and should be booked through the Empire Theatre Ticket Office or by calling 1300 655 299. Previous Next

Discover the latest in Brisbane theatre auditions and reviews on Stage Buzz Brisbane. Your go-to source for all things theatre in the Queensland capital. WELCOME TO STAGE BUZZ BRISBANE This dynamic hub for South-East Queensland thespians is your go-to source for audition updates, performance reviews, and engaging content that celebrates the vibrant local theatre scene. From spotlighting talented actors to providing valuable tips, it's a community-driven platform that brings the magic of the stage to the forefront, fostering connection and celebration among theatre enthusiasts in the region. NICE TO MEET YOU Embrace the enchanting world of South-East Queensland's theatre scene right here on Stage Buzz Brisbane! We're your go-to hub for all things theatrical: upcoming performances adult audition alerts youth auditions performance reviews exclusive spotlight interviews with local talents rehearsal/performance venue database Whether you're a seasoned thespian or a passionate supporter of the arts, join us on this exciting journey as we celebrate the magic that unfolds on our local stages. At Stage Buzz Brisbane, we believe every production deserves its moment in the spotlight. If you know of any upcoming productions or hidden gems that have slipped under the radar, don't hesitate to reach out and share your insights or let us know about the productions that deserve extra applause. Together, let's shine a light on the vibrant and thriving community theatre culture in South-East Queensland. Let the curtains rise, and let the show begin! Contact

< Back BURLESQUE: Laced in Shadows - Sass and Soul, HOTA 27 Aug 2026 Season: August 27th, 2026 Title: Laced in Shadows Presented By: Sass and Soul Dance, HOTA Genre: Burlesque / Cabaret / Dance Synopsis: You think you know what's next. You don't. Back by popular demand, Sass and Soul Dance returns to HOTA for its sixth and most daring production yet — bolder, darker and more unapologetic than ever before. Laced in Shadows enters a world of burlesque cabaret, where darkness is beautiful, movement is everything, and every moment is crafted to catch you completely off guard. Fully costumed and unexpected at every turn, this one-night-only production invites audiences to discover what's behind the velvet curtain. Hosted by Terry Daktyl, QLD Drag Performer of the Year 2025. Performance Dates: Thursday August 27th, 2026 Performance Times: 7PM Performance Location and Address: Theatre 1, HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 Ticket Costs: $50 Ticket Link: Buy Tickets - Laced in Shadows Warnings: Coarse language Strobe effects Haze Smoke machine Adult themes Recommended Age: 16+ Duration: 2 hours, including interval Production Website: HOTA - Laced in Shadows Other information: The production is Sass and Soul Dance's sixth production and is described as their most daring production yet. Accessibility and venue information can be confirmed through HOTA when booking. Previous Next