2012

Interview: Johanna Allen

Johanna Allen with Nigel Ubrihien - Mixtape and Other Stories

A mixtape of hits from Blondie, Brel, Finn and many others

Have you ever given a collection of songs to someone? - a personal playlist with a special theme or message? Adelaide’s favourite daughter of musical theatre, Johanna Allen returns to her old stomping ground with her new show of eclectic music passionately performed.

Mixtape and Other Stories is a compilation of Johanna’s favourite songs from the Pixies to Puccini. You might even get to a make a request.

 

 

JOHANNA ALLEN

Johanna Allen was born and raised in Adelaide and has maintained strong artistic ties to its community and audiences. She was involved in the Cabaret Festival in its formative years under the direction of Julia Holt. Due to her commitments in commercial musical theatre she has not been able to take part in recent festivals, but she is thrilled to be returning in 2012.

Her training includes: B.A. (Drama Performance), B.Music Performance (Hons Voice). State Theatre Excellence Award. Emerging Artist Scholarship. The Heide Taylor Performing Arts Award. Emerging Artist scholarship to work with Mr Daniel Ferro, Juilliard School. She has worked in musical theatre, opera, film, television, cabaret and on the theatre stage. New York credits include: highlights of a one-woman cabaret show at Don’t Tell Mama and Australia House, participating as an actor/singer in performances for the New York Theatre Project Amadeus – directed by F. Murray Abraham – in the role of Constanza, as well as cabaret performances at Birdland and The Supper Club in New York.

Australian credits include An Evening with Jeremy Sams, The Beauty Spot (Directed by Darren Yap – Adelaide Cabaret Festival) Kate in The Pirates of Penzance for Opera Australia and Pitti Sing in The Mikado, both opposite Anthony Warlow (National Tour and DVD release), Dead Man Walking at the State Theatre Sydney and singing engagements with the Melbourne International Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, and with the Australian Pops Orchestra and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Other theatre credits include: Into the Woods, Amadeus (Constanza), The Wild Party – Music of Andrew Lippa (Adelaide Cabaret Festival), Mr McGee and the Biting Flea (Patch Theatre, Tour and Victorian Arts Centre), The Angel and the Red Priest (Adelaide Festival), Suitcase – the words and music of Sean Peter (Melbourne International Arts Festival, and Scam! (Junction Theatre Company).

Other credits include Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Adelaide Festival Centre Trust), Mimi/Hot Box Dancer in Guys and Dolls (Adelaide Festival Centre Trust / Adelaide Symphony Orchestra), The Sign of the Seahorse (Playbox Theatre/ Windmill Performing Arts), SCAM! (Junction Theatre Co/Queens Theatre) and Nancy in Oliver – MS Society Benefit Production. As a principal artist for State Opera of South Australia, her credits include Inez in Il Trovatore, Lucy in Treemonisha, Mrs Charlton in Dead Man Walking, and the Old Lady in Candide for the State Opera Young Artist Program. She has worked as a soloist for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and whilst in New York, as a soloist with the New York City Opera and New York Big Band Lincoln Centre Concert program.

In New York she appeared in concert versions of Sweeny Todd (Mrs Lovett) and Bernstein’s Mass. She is a co-founding member of nationally acclaimed cabaret trio Gentlemen Prefer Curves, who have performed throughout all Australian capital cities, including sellout performances at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, the Melbourne Comedy Festival, the International Spielgeltent, and His Majesty’s Theatre Perth.

Film and Television credits include McLeod’s Daughters (role of Hayley), Rewind (Seven Network), and Travelling Light (S.A. Film Corp/Toi Toi productions). She has also worked as a presenter for The Front Bar (Channel 9). Most recent credits include Wicked (Australian cast, Madam Morrible Understudy, Melbourne and Sydney seasons GFO), Dr Zhivago (Tonya Understudy GFO), and The Three Penny Opera (Sydney Theatre Company/ Malthouse Theatre). Her favourite part thus far, was Baker’s Wife in the GFO one night charity performance of Into the Woods, Capitol Theatre, in aid of a cause very dear to her heart - The Rob Guest Endowment Foundation.

What: Johanna Allen with Nigel Ubrihien - Mixtape and Other Stories
Where: Art Space - Adelaide Festival Centre
When: 21 - 23 Jun
Bookings: bass.net.au