The 2011 Pettman Dare International Performance Scholarship is now open for submissions following a successful inaugural year in 2010.  This groundbreaking new scholarship is giving talented and ambitious young New Zealand arts practitioners an unrivalled career opportunity in music theatre. Launched in 2010, the scholarship was created by DARE, a collaboration between Opera North, based in Leeds and the University of Leeds, two of the UK’s foremost cultural and academic institutions, working together with The NBR New Zealand Opera and the University of Canterbury.  Hedda Oosterhoff was the scholarship’s first successful applicant and she is currently part way through her internship in the UK. After graduating from Wellington’s Victoria University in 2004 with a BMus in Performance Violin and in 2008 with a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), the scholarship has brought her many new opportunities. “In the past year I’ve fully fallen in love with the opera theatre,” Hedda says. “My intention is to embrace all opportunities provided by PDIPS and then bring this experience home and continue to work towards a career that incorporates academic work, classical music and live staged performances in lyric theatre.” We are looking forward to Hedda returning to New Zealand and completing her scholarship year with us.  The 2011 Pettman Dare International Performance Scholarship application deadline is 11 February 2011. To register an interest and to submit an application, please contact Lesley Patrick lesley@dareyou.org.uk. Further information is available at www.dareyou.org.uk/fellowships/pettman. The Pettman Dare International Performance Scholarship is developed and delivered by Opera North and the University of Leeds as part of the DARE collaboration www.dareyou.org.uk. It is made possible through the generosity of Professor Barrie and Mrs Maureen Pettman.

12 December - MTNZ have some exciting news - we got the Creative NZ funding allocation confirmed for the Directors School in Christchurch, Queens Birthday weekend 2011. Huge thanks to Matt Bentley for all his assistance and work on the application and also to Helen Horsnell. Will advise further details in the New Year and will talk further about it at conference in Nelson in March

Announcing ML Consultants are now sponsoring the AGM morning tea and White Audio are sponsoring Ricochet - the band for Saturday night.   Many thanks to John MacGibbon and Terry Molloy respectively for their sponsorship.

Newsflash - new Ticketing Forum announced for conference in Nelson - March - Friday 18th 4.30pm onsite at the Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco.  Representatives from TicketDirect, iTICKET and SeatAdvisor will be on the panel to answer your questions about ticketing and  also discuss what they can offer you. Please email kate@musical.org.nz  if you are interested in attending this forum
as it isn't on the conference registration form.

Capital Assistance Fund – please don’t forget to make your society contribution, you only have a few more weeks.  We often get asked about the Fund, and why societies should belong etc.  The presentation on the MTNZ website from Conference 2006 in Invercargill explains it all, or talk to your Zone Rep. http://www.musical.org.nz/about_mtf.htm  and go to Capital Assistance Fund header.

Taieri Musical Society have a new website:  www.taierimusical.org.nz

19 February – Zone Two meeting – Te Kuiti   Programme         Details 

8/9 July – our first ever Combined North Island meeting – (all members from Zones One, Two and Three are invited to attend –we have had a zone 2 & 3 combined before, but never a full North Island one) – details are TBC at this stage, but mark the dates in your diary.  It will be in the Hawkes Bay (ie Hastings/Napier) with the chance to see West Side Story at the Hawkes Bay Opera house on the Saturday night presented by Theatre Hawkes Bay. 

13 August – Combined South Island meeting in Waimate.  With RWC commencing in September, we have had to bring this meeting forward from the usual September time slot, although a few years ago we had the meeting in Oamaru early August.  So mark in your diaries 13 August in Waimate.  Should be great meeting with Sharon, Marion and the team showing us some good Waimate hospitality J - a bid for conference maybe next????? J

New members – we welcome Amici Productions, Auckland as Corporate members and Rongotai College as Education members.

MTNZ are re-branding and need a new logo- can you help ??? ... More

Click here to download the November 2010 newsletter from Ngaire Holmes

Theatrical Rights Worldwide new website, www.theatricalrights.com has arrived. It’s sleek, easy to navigate, sales oriented and features enhanced e-commerce functionality providing TRW with an industry-leading approach to the theatrical licensing process. Check out www.theatricalrights.com  All the best Steve Spiegel 

ETNZ is currently planning for the 2011 ETNZ conference and tradeshow, to be held at TelstraClear Events Ctr, 18 – 21 June 2011. ETNZ is specifically inviting all MTNZ members to the tradeshow on Sunday, 18 June from 1 – 5 pm. There will be specific seminar topics aimed at the MTNZ membership on Sunday and Monday and professional development and equipment training sessions are to be held on Tuesday, 21 June. For more information, check out the ETNZ website, www.etnz.org or become a member of ETNZ. 

News from the New Zealand Theatre Federation - click here

Chris Zampese Design  Website design for Musical Theatre Societies  With years of experience both on and off stage in musicals I understand many of the problems and challenges theatre companies face when they decide to get ‘on the web’. I pride myself on producing quality, functional websites that are, most importantly, easy to maintain in the future. If you are interested in talking to me about web design please email me: chriszampese@googlemail.com or visit me on Facebook – just search for Chris Zampese Design www.facebook.com/CZDesign

ETNZ now have a Facebook page, become a fan
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ETNZ-Entertainment-Technology-NZ/304807077720#!  

Gore Operatic have for sale the set of "Rush" - all boxed up in a container, ready to go! Contact Alan Macleod, macleods@clear.net.nz

The NZ Performing Arts Directory - Theatreview has launched the NZ Performing Arts Directory. Membership is open to all performing arts practitioners, organisations and supporters. Further information can be found http://www.theatreview.org.nz/news/news.php?id=488

Presentations and reports from the Charities Commission AGM 30 November - of interest to MTNZ members Craig Fisher's presentation http://www.charities.govt.nz/news/events.htm and Nathalie Hofsteede - worth checking out 

Latest news from Origin Theatrical http://hosted.vresp.com/441397/73f7100c36/137059217/f1c6659410/

The Producers - For Hire Set Costumes Props (Built by Dunedin Operatic) Modular set suitable for large or small venues Extensive range of props (that includes a fantastic new set of pigeons) Stunningly designed wardrobe that captures the essence of the production Travels in 2x 20 foot containers For further details Design specifications Set, costumes, props photographs Please Contact: Sam Keen (Dunedin Operatic Executive Board Secretary) 03 4774894 027 2550512 dunedinoperatic@xtra.co.nz

MTNZ on Facebook - click here to become a fan - the page will be updated regularly with news and events

New MTNZ Membership Category - Individual Membership – this category was agreed upon at the Executive meeting in Wellington last year. Individual membership of Musical Theatre New Zealand means you will receive Spotlight via post or email, hear about zone meetings and events directly, and you will receive an individual registration pack for conference and updates. Your membership also helps the national body for musical theatre in New Zealand to keep on supporting and assisting our community theatres. Most organisations have this category of membership, so the Executive hope to grow this area. The annual subscription rate for an Individual Member is $25. Contact Kate if you would like a form posted or emailed to you directly or go to http://www.musical.org.nz/images/INDIVIDUAL%20%20MEMBERSHIP.pdf

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