A highly physical contemporary new work, Dusk ’til Dawn, will be presented by advanced performing arts students from the University of the Sunshine Coast at The J Theatre, Noosa, on 8-9 December.

Seventeen students of USC’s Master of Professional Practice (Performing Arts) will perform in the dynamic, cutting-edge show directed by Zen Zen Zo’s co-founder and artistic director Simon Woods.

Mr Woods said the rigorous, practical and industry-focused study program at the University had piqued the students’ eagerness to present a professional theatrical experience.

“The production will not be a conventional staging of a known play,” he said. “Instead, we have devised a new work based on personal memories and local stories, so there has been both a writing and directing challenge for the artists involved.

“The theme is ‘change and transformation’ – one of the great truths of our lives. Nothing stays the same and ultimately life keeps moving. How we deal with change is one of the most important aspects of living a fulfilling life.”

USC Lecturer in Drama Lynne Bradley said Dusk ’til Dawn was a visually arresting, highly physical performance demonstrating the advanced training undertaken by the students and drawing on their individual personal transformations.

“This will be a highly visual and dynamic production employing the range of physical theatre skills that the students have developed throughout the year,” she said.

The cast comprises Ben Adams, Anthony Borsato, Hayley Condon, Xanthe Coward, Tamara Lea Collins, Joshua Curtis, Stephanie Fitz-Henry, Eleonora Ginardi, Luke Goss, Joey Kone, Maja Liwszyc, Ross Miller, Nicole Reilly, Saara Roppola, Cindy Schwenn, Catherine Steer and Travis Wesley.

Xanthe Coward, who runs XS Entertainment, said: “for local artists to have the opportunity to work with a director of Simon’s calibre is a coup, and bodes well for the continuing development of the performing arts industry on the Sunshine Coast”.

For bookings, contact The J Theatre at www.thej.com.au or (07) 5329 6560.

— Terry Walsh