Cruise ships would not normally be associated with theatre, but CSU graduate Ms Tori Bell can be found cruising anywhere around the world in her role as ‘Chief of the Main Theatre’ for a luxury passenger cruise ship operated by international company Princess Cruises.

 

Currently in Italy working on the new 18-storey Ruby Princess, a 3 100 passenger ship still under construction, Ms Bell is part of a team responsible for commissioning shows, setting up sound and automation systems and preparing the entertainment for the ship’s maiden cruise.

 

“The CSU Bachelor of Arts (Design for Theatre and Television) really put me in good stead for my current role.
I was able to step onboard with a sound background in lighting, sound, set and costume design and construction and, most importantly, stage and production management,” Ms Bell said.   

 

“Cruise ships take pride in their entertainment, so generous budgets allow me to continuously train on and operate state-of-the-art equipment that I wouldn’t see on land unless working for big companies like Cirque du Soleil. A schedule of four main productions and a cast of 13 dancers and four singers means there is never a dull moment.”  

 

It’s a long way from Canberra, Ms Bell's home town, and she recounts the excitement of going to sleep in one port and waking up in another. “Venice one day, Barcelona the next! I love the fact that every time I go for breakfast I have a fantastic view and all I need to do is step off the gangway to experience it.”

 

Graduating just eight months ago, Ms Emily Sinclair from Deniliquin in regional NSW is working with international children’s entertainers The Wiggles.

 

Based in Sydney, Ms Sinclair works as production resources manager, which involves  sourcing and making all the props for a production, sourcing costumes as well as putting some together herself and liasing with set desgners, costume makers, builders and painters. 

 

“Anything to do with the look of the production is left entirely up to me, with approval of course!” Ms Sinclair just finished The Wiggles’ latest project, 'The Kingdom of Paramithi', which went to air in November.

 

Another graduate experiencing the thrill of working at the heights of international theatre is Ms Anna Robb. The first person to graduate with Honours in the theatre and television degree in 2000, Ms Robb has recently moved to Belguim from Las Vegas and will head to Macau next year, to work on a large new acrobatic production titled 'City of Dreams' for international circus theatre company, Dragone.

 

“It’s thrilling to be part of a show from its conception. I’m the production artistic coordinator and at the moment am researching acrobatic acts and assessing whether they can be a part of the show .The complexity of a show like 'City of Dreams' means pre-production has taken almost two years,” said Ms Robb, who originally hails from Mansfield in regional Victoria.

 

Ms Robb’s previous job was in Las Vegas as a stage manager for the Beatles show LOVE by the world famous Canadian circus company, Cirque du Soleil.

 

“One memory that stands out there is the theatre’s sprinkler system malfunctioning and showering the 2000 strong audience with water. Being based in the US provided many opportunities for travel as well as for professional development.”

 

Course Co-ordinator of the Bachelor of Arts (Design for Theatre and Television) degree in the CSU School of Visual and Performing Arts, Mr Scott Howie said the course is designed to give students a solid foundation in all areas of theatre and television design and production. “Our focus allows the graduates to leave with a complete understanding of the process, so they understand their responsibilities, and they also know what everyone else in the theatre is doing, and importantly, how it all fits together.

 

“It's tremendous to see our graduates working at such a high level in the industry. They are certainly an inspiration to our current students, shining a beacon on the immense possibilities for them upon graduation.”

The Bachelor of Arts (Design for Television and Theatre) degree is offered by the School of Visual and Performing Arts, based at CSU at Wagga Wagga, NSW.

 

For interviews and pictures, contact CSU Media.