Today's interview is a goodie x 2! I was lucky enough to chat to some of the talented folks behind the Auckland production of 'We Will Rock You' based on the music of - you guessed it - Queen! I chat to Rebekkah Schoonbeek-Berridge and Emma Carr ahead of opening night. Check it out below:
Rebekkah Schoonbeek-Berridge is the choreographer behind the production and all throughout this interview, I couldn't help but think what a fabulous job she has! Imagine choreographing an entire production to all of the greatest hits from Queen? I mean, it's a tough gig but someone has to do it, right? After this interview, I was so inspired to create big musical numbers too... mostly in my bedroom with just me as both cast/crew/stage manager etc. Thanks Rebekkah for the inspo and chat!
What drew you into being part of the production and the role?
When I turned 15 my good friends saved up for my birthday present to take me to see We Will Rock You at the Civic. I’m a musical theatre and dance lover. I enjoy choreographing and love being able to merge dance with other forms to help tell a story.
It’s a privilege to be asked to choreograph this show with director Emma. We used to do youth theatre together so it's awesome to see how both of our careers have grown since then. Its a big musical with a big cast, there's so much you can do with it and I've had fun creating and trying new things with the show. Who doesn't love Queen and all the songs? The music is epic and timeless, tracks I grew up listening to and will continue to enjoy for years.
What’s been the highlight so far?
Creating the big musical numbers with the whole cast. I've enjoyed finding the details and specifics in the numbers. Finding the different movement patterns for the different characters.
What’s been the most challenging part about bringing this show to life?
The logistics of it all, making sure the cast have enough time for fast changes and figuring out who needs to finish where and all the different understudy tracks. It's been good for my brain.
What’s your favourite number from the show?
That's always a hard question to answer. Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a fun one that involves the whole cast doing lots of different choreography. All the Yuppie numbers with Killer Queen and big dance sections are fun too.
Describe the show in three words?
Fun, Feel-Good & Fabulous!
What’s next for you?
I’m currently in Edinburgh with a kiwi show “Two Hearts” performing for a month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I then head to London, Paris and NYC to soak up more shows and dance opportunities.
Follow Rebekkah's work on Instagram and her website.
What drew you in to being part of the production and the role?
Being a huge Queen fan, I was stoked with the opportunity to direct the spectacle that is We Will Rock You. I had directed some intimately sized projects in the year leading up to this production and was looking to sinking my teeth into something on a larger scale for a new challenge, and Rock You is mammoth in that aspect.
What's been the highlight so far?
There was one emotional rehearsal when suddenly everything just clicked for the cast, one of the earlier full runs of the show where everyone finally saw all the work their colleagues had been doing at separate rehearsals and brought it all together. It was the moment that we realised we had done the hard work required to produce the show we really wanted to put on stage, it is hard to see the whole picture over the long months of rehearsal - so seeing it was the highlight definitely.
What's been the most challenging part about bringing this show to life?
My decision to cast multiple understudies and swings was definitely my biggest challenge, but a necessary one. It meant that the 'core cast' did not receive as much rehearsal time as usual as they had to share the time with their fantastic understudies so that we could always ensure no one was being forced on stage injured or ill and the show would run smoothly no matter the circumstances for our audiences. It has been an amazingly rewarding experience though, as the understudies were not encouraged to copy their core cast, so you will find they bring a totally different energy and their own take on the role - which has been very refreshing.
What's your favourite part of the show?
'Now I'm Here' & 'Another One Bites The Dust'. Rebekkah's choreography was everything I wanted and more and it has made these numbers (as well as all the others) step up in quality into a really impressive display of dance power. There's also a moment with a pink vacuum cleaner I'm rather fond of...
Describe the show in three words.
Easy to enjoy.
We will rock you with...a powerhouse cast ready to entertain you with the fury of a rock concert, every night.
What's next for you?
Giving birth, hopefully after the season closes but bets are on for during the show on Freddie's birthday (5th September). Also co-directing a stripped back cabaret at NSMT clubrooms for a few nights in November and then I'm done for the year.
Where can we follow your work?
Follow Emma on Instagram and on Facebook.
We Will Rock You is on at Bruce Mason Centre until the 7th of September. Check out our full review here. Photography by SomeBizarreMonkey.
We will rock you with...a powerhouse cast ready to entertain you with the fury of a rock concert, every night.
What's next for you?
Giving birth, hopefully after the season closes but bets are on for during the show on Freddie's birthday (5th September). Also co-directing a stripped back cabaret at NSMT clubrooms for a few nights in November and then I'm done for the year.
Where can we follow your work?
Follow Emma on Instagram and on Facebook.
We Will Rock You is on at Bruce Mason Centre until the 7th of September. Check out our full review here. Photography by SomeBizarreMonkey.
Today's interview is a goodie x 2! I was lucky enough to chat to some of the talented folks behind the Auckland production of 'We Will Rock You' based on the music of - you guessed it - Queen! I chat to Rebekkah Schoonbeek-Berridge and Emma Carr ahead of opening night. Check it out below:
Rebekkah Schoonbeek-Berridge is the choreographer behind the production and all throughout this interview, I couldn't help but think what a fabulous job she has! Imagine choreographing an entire production to all of the greatest hits from Queen? I mean, it's a tough gig but someone has to do it, right? After this interview, I was so inspired to create big musical numbers too... mostly in my bedroom with just me as both cast/crew/stage manager etc. Thanks Rebekkah for the inspo and chat!
What drew you into being part of the production and the role?
When I turned 15 my good friends saved up for my birthday present to take me to see We Will Rock You at the Civic. I’m a musical theatre and dance lover. I enjoy choreographing and love being able to merge dance with other forms to help tell a story.
It’s a privilege to be asked to choreograph this show with director Emma. We used to do youth theatre together so it's awesome to see how both of our careers have grown since then. Its a big musical with a big cast, there's so much you can do with it and I've had fun creating and trying new things with the show. Who doesn't love Queen and all the songs? The music is epic and timeless, tracks I grew up listening to and will continue to enjoy for years.
What’s been the highlight so far?
Creating the big musical numbers with the whole cast. I've enjoyed finding the details and specifics in the numbers. Finding the different movement patterns for the different characters.
What’s been the most challenging part about bringing this show to life?
The logistics of it all, making sure the cast have enough time for fast changes and figuring out who needs to finish where and all the different understudy tracks. It's been good for my brain.
What’s your favourite number from the show?
That's always a hard question to answer. Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a fun one that involves the whole cast doing lots of different choreography. All the Yuppie numbers with Killer Queen and big dance sections are fun too.
Describe the show in three words?
Fun, Feel-Good & Fabulous!
What’s next for you?
I’m currently in Edinburgh with a kiwi show “Two Hearts” performing for a month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I then head to London, Paris and NYC to soak up more shows and dance opportunities.
Follow Rebekkah's work on Instagram and her website.
What drew you in to being part of the production and the role?
Being a huge Queen fan, I was stoked with the opportunity to direct the spectacle that is We Will Rock You. I had directed some intimately sized projects in the year leading up to this production and was looking to sinking my teeth into something on a larger scale for a new challenge, and Rock You is mammoth in that aspect.
What's been the highlight so far?
There was one emotional rehearsal when suddenly everything just clicked for the cast, one of the earlier full runs of the show where everyone finally saw all the work their colleagues had been doing at separate rehearsals and brought it all together. It was the moment that we realised we had done the hard work required to produce the show we really wanted to put on stage, it is hard to see the whole picture over the long months of rehearsal - so seeing it was the highlight definitely.
What's been the most challenging part about bringing this show to life?
My decision to cast multiple understudies and swings was definitely my biggest challenge, but a necessary one. It meant that the 'core cast' did not receive as much rehearsal time as usual as they had to share the time with their fantastic understudies so that we could always ensure no one was being forced on stage injured or ill and the show would run smoothly no matter the circumstances for our audiences. It has been an amazingly rewarding experience though, as the understudies were not encouraged to copy their core cast, so you will find they bring a totally different energy and their own take on the role - which has been very refreshing.
What's your favourite part of the show?
'Now I'm Here' & 'Another One Bites The Dust'. Rebekkah's choreography was everything I wanted and more and it has made these numbers (as well as all the others) step up in quality into a really impressive display of dance power. There's also a moment with a pink vacuum cleaner I'm rather fond of...
Describe the show in three words.
Easy to enjoy.
We will rock you with...a powerhouse cast ready to entertain you with the fury of a rock concert, every night.
What's next for you?
Giving birth, hopefully after the season closes but bets are on for during the show on Freddie's birthday (5th September). Also co-directing a stripped back cabaret at NSMT clubrooms for a few nights in November and then I'm done for the year.
Where can we follow your work?
Follow Emma on Instagram and on Facebook.
We Will Rock You is on at Bruce Mason Centre until the 7th of September. Check out our full review here. Photography by SomeBizarreMonkey.
We will rock you with...a powerhouse cast ready to entertain you with the fury of a rock concert, every night.
What's next for you?
Giving birth, hopefully after the season closes but bets are on for during the show on Freddie's birthday (5th September). Also co-directing a stripped back cabaret at NSMT clubrooms for a few nights in November and then I'm done for the year.
Where can we follow your work?
Follow Emma on Instagram and on Facebook.
We Will Rock You is on at Bruce Mason Centre until the 7th of September. Check out our full review here. Photography by SomeBizarreMonkey.
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