The 20th anniversary gala dinner and musical theatre extravaganza took place on November 18 at The William Wilkins Gallery in Sydney. Much of the event’s success can be contributed to AIM Music Theatre teacher Tyran Parke - an award-winning singer, actor, director and recording artist.
The Opera and Arts Support Group was established 20 years ago by a group of people who love the arts and wish to support artists. They are a group of less than 10 administrators that since their inception have raised almost a million dollars to support artists by paying for everything from dance shoes to overseas trips and tuition.
Each year the Opera and Arts Support Group holds a Musical Theatre Fundraiser which showcases not only established performers but introduces the new talent coming into the industry. “The students of AIM have long given their time and always steal the show,” says Tyran. “This year, the whole of AIM’s music theatre department sang a piece from the musical Memphis and a medley from Sweeney Todd under the direction of Jennifer Murphy and Greg Crease. It was awesome.”
The Annual Fundraiser started a few years ago with about five people in a garage in Surrey Hills, explains Tyran. “To be honest, I do not remember how I came to direct the first one - at the time I was running Statement Cabaret which was a venue and cabaret program underneath the State Theatre. I programmed that for three years so I guess I had access to a lot of talent and knew what people were up to. It was a pretty easy task to put together a night of entertainment and then when it was successful I became associated with it and now it’s something I look forward to each year. And of course it has grown in every way since then.”
Tyran started teaching in the Music Theatre department at AIM about five years ago. He initially started as a singing teacher but has since gone on to teach Acting and Masterclass as well as directing Performance Studies evenings.
“I can truly say that I love teaching as much as performing. It is a great thing for not just the students but my own work to break down a text together. I have very specific views but very passionate views about musical theatre. I do not want it to be outdated and so I know I have a technique to keep it fresh and connected to who we are today and I love seeing that come to life - it ensures that I am going to see good theatre in the future. I feel I am the best version of me when I’m in front of a class and working with young people on great material.”
Tyran studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and graduated in 1998. “I have done a truckload of musicals and I also have recorded two albums, run venues, directed, stage managed and written for the stage. I’ve taught at WAAPA, NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) and of course, AIM.”
Tyran has achieved so much already and shows no sign of slowing down. “Next up is the launch of my second CD – original music written for me by Broadway and Australian composers, as well as a production of The Last Five Years which I will be in, and then I’ll be directing a one man play, Thom Pain followed by the Sydney premiere of Next To Normal at the Theatre Royal. Hopefully in there I can fit in some time to keep teaching at AIM!”
More about Tyran Parke can be accessed here: www.tyranparke.com |
