An Exclusive Musical Theatre Masterclass in Melbourne.
A consecutive 2 x Tuesday full day MT Masterclass in Melbourne for Working Professional Actors with one of Australia’s most successful performers; Simon Burke AO.
Course Outline | Course Outcomes | Session Details | Apply Now
Course Overview
For decades multi-award winning actor Simon Burke AO has been a fixture of the Australian entertainment industry. Currently playing the Wizard in WICKED at the Regent Theatre where he is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first professional stage appearance, we are thrilled to welcome him to The HubStudio for an exclusive two day Masterclass held over two consecutive Tuesdays in Melbourne 11am – 6pm. Working with both Simon and a professional accompanist you will focus on song interpretation, exploration of the song as text, audition strategies and benefit from Simon’s candid and constructive appraisal of what you personally need to work on.
The focus on this Masterclass will be on delving into the emotional core of each piece, interpreting lyrics, and personalising storytelling. Whether you’re preparing for auditions or seeking to elevate your performance skills, this course will provide valuable insights and practical techniques.
Simon’s multiple film, television, theatre and musical theatre credits in countless celebrated Australian and international productions, have led to accolades such as the Sydney Theatre Award, Green Room Award, AFI Award, AACTA Award and Logie Award, culminating in his being made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his service to the performing arts as an actor, singer and producer. This masterclass then is a golden opportunity to work closely with one of the most loved performers in the business, gain valuable insights, and take your skills to the next level.
Paramount in Simon’s teaching is kindness, inclusion, honesty and good humour; his aim is always to create a safe and happy space where everyone feels inspired to be rigorous in their pursuit of challenging themselves and seeing the possibilities ahead.
Simon Burke Wikipedia. | Simon Burke IMDb
Podcast Interview
Course Outline
This course will give actors insight about how Musical Theatre auditions work.You will be required to prepare 3 songs. In the course of the masterclass you may end up performing all three songs or deeply investigating 16 bars of one. Simon’s method of teaching is specifically tailored to what he instinctively feels each actor needs at that moment and how working on that will benefit the group as a whole
You’ll also explore:
- Selecting appropriate material for performance.
- Learning to collaborate effectively with accompanists in auditions and other settings.
- Understanding the necessary preparation for auditions.
- Maximising the impact of a song performance.
- Advancing personal technique and receiving guidance from Simon who will both challenge and encourage students to expand their comfort zones.
Course Outcomes
Over the course of two full consecutive Tuesdays:
- Develop a heightened awareness of your physical, vocal, and emotional capabilities.
- Expand your imagination to grow deeper in emotion and delivery
- Discover the power of language to inspire and bolster your performance.
- Understand the importance of approaching each audition strategically.
- Immerse yourself in a vast theatrical tradition, realising your role in its enduring legacy.
Melbourne Dates
When: 2 x full-day Tuesday’s
Dates: Tuesday 4th & Tuesday 11th June 2024
Time: 11am – 6pm
Venue: JLS Studio : Footsgrey Melbourne
Participants: 16 Actors maximum
Price: $598.00 incl GST
Session Details
Payment Options
How To Pay & Instalment Option: The easiest way to pay is by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) using the bank details on the invoice (please quote the invoice number in the transfer information), or by simply clicking the ‘pay online’ link also on the invoice (bank fees apply). You will be email an invoice upon acceptance into the program. Payment is due no later than the due date stated on the invoice, however if you would like to pay in instalments please call or email the office to arrange the dates and amounts you will pay. Please note full payment of the course is due by the time the course finishes. You can start payment instalments at anytime upon receipt of the invoice.
About Simon Burke
One of Australia’s most acclaimed and best loved performers, Simon Burke is currently celebrating his 50 years as a professional stage actor at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre where he is playing the Wizard in the Wicked. He most recently starred as Harold Zidler in the phenomenally successful Australian production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, for which he won the 2023 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
Simons many roles in London West End include Captain von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music with Dame Judi Dench at the Royal National Theatre, Fred in A Christmas Carol at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Georges in La Cage Aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre and in the UK premiere of the iconic Australian play Holding the Man at the Trafalgar Studios.
Australian musical theatre credits include Marius in the original Australian cast of Les Misérables (Cameron Mackintosh) Billy in Anything Goes (Hayden Productions) for which he won the Green Room Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Whizzer in Falsettos (STC) Billy in Chicago, Mr Banks in Mary Poppins (Disney Theatrical) Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (Harvest Rain) Bill Clinton in Clinton The Musical (Black Swan) Frank Snr in Catch Me if You Can (Hayes Theatre) and Charlemagne in Pippin (GFO and Suzanne Jones). Other stage credits include Take Me Out, Noises Off (MTC) Up For Grabs, The Wharf Revue, The Herbal Bed, Mary Stuart (STC), October, The Homosexuals (Griffin), The Misanthrope (Bell Shakespeare) Strangers In Between (45 downstairs)
His countless screen credits range from The Devil’s Playground (1976 AFI Best Actor Award) to Devil’s Playground (Executive Producer/lead actor – 2015 AACTA and Logie Awards Best Mini-Series), and an astonishing 25 years as one of ABCTV’s favourite Play School presenters. Other television productions include Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Deep Water, Rake, Dead Lucky, The Alice, Water Rats, Crazy Fun Park. Five Minute Call, a comedy web series set backstage of a big musical that he produced, co-wrote and co-starred in with Helen Dallimore will premiere in 2024.
Simon was proud to host the inaugural Helpmann Awards in 2001, and returned to host from 2002-2006 and again in 2012. He was President of Actors Equity 2004-2014; Vice President of the International Federation of Actors (FIA) 2012-2016, and was made an Honorary Life Member of the MEAA in 2015.
2015, Simon was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the performing arts as an actor, singer and producer.
Apply For The Course
Please send an expression of interest including any specific acting information such as a Biography, Cover Letter, C.V. & Headshot to courses@thehubstudio.com.au or use the below form. Please note the course is by invitation only. If accepted we shall send out an application form with all the course information. Notification for acceptance will be made no later than one week before course commencement.
If offered your place will only be held once payment is received in full. Failure to do so will forfeit your place on the course. For more information or queries please don’t hesitate to call on (02) 9212 0522 or alternatively email us on the above address.
John Bell Shakespeare Masterclass Application Form
IMPORTANT INFO!! We are experiencing some unusual issues with our forms from time to time. If your form isn't sending through please email the same information, including your CV and Headshot via email to courses@thehubstudio.com.au and we'll get back to you asap. OR call 02 9212 0522.
Contact Us
For further questions or queries please contact us directly during 10am – 5pm / Monday – Friday on the below details:
- Office: (02) 9212 0522
- Email: courses@thehubstudio.com.au
- Address: 21 Shepherd St, Chippendale NSW 2008
Our office and studio is located across from Victoria Park and the Broadway Shopping Centre in Sydney’s Chippendale. For best parking and travel options please click here.
Further Questions
The HubStudio prides itself on helping professional actors to facilitate their training journey. If you would like more information about this course, or more importantly which courses would suit you best, then please email or call us to discuss your training goals.
