About the show
Tale as old as time. Guy meets Girl. Guy likes Girl. Girl asks Guy to buy her drugs. Guy buys Girl weed. Girl is an undercover cop. 21 Chump Street is a captivating 15-minute musical by Pulitzer prize-winning writer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Based on a true story, it follows the unexpected consequences of a high-achieving student’s infatuation with an undercover police officer. With music to rival the greats and a powerful message, it explores themes of justice, betrayal, and youthful naivety in the pursuit of love.
Director’s note:
Directing 21 Chump Street is a culmination of what Kurtis insists on referring to as ‘his big musical year’ instead of what some have suggested as the year he studied at Australia’s premier dramatic institute. Regardless, his excitement to bring to fruition the coalesces of skills taught within the course and while observing the production of Sweeney Todd is in a word – palpable.
Kurtis Laing is an emerging Australian theatre-maker with a broad experience in both performing and creating theatre. Having completed his BFA in Drama at QUT in 2017 and a BA (Honours) in directing at the University of Queensland in 2021, studying his master’s at NIDA is the culmination of several years of study and practice. Kurtis also oversees the operations of theatre collective Good Time Theatrics as creative director.
Noteworthy projects include When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell (Underground Productions, 2018), Spring Awakening by Frank Vedekind (Underground Productions, 2019), Boogie Woogie Boys (Hot Bread Comedy, 2020), Awakening by Daniel Lammin (Good Time Theatrics, 2021), and Selkie by Claire Alcock (La Boite Assembly, 2022).
Significant NIDA credits include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Assistant Director, dir. Constantine Costi, 2023) and Pieces (Music Video, DICE, 2023).
Performance Dates
Wednesday 6 December, 9:00pm
Thursday 7 December, 9:00pm
Friday 8 December, 9:00 pm
Saturday 9 December, 2:00pm and 9:00pm
Runtime: 20min
Venue: NIDA Theatres, Studio Theatre, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033
Pricing: NIDA is offering a Pay What You Want option for this event. We are grateful for your support, no matter the amount. Please note that this payment option is non-refundable.
Content Notice: Drug Use, coarse language and haze effects.
NIDA’s Festival of Emerging Artists consists of 7 shows performed across 3 of NIDA’s venues, the Reg Grundy Studio, the Studio Theatre and The Space. It is possible (and encouraged) for patrons to attend multiple shows consecutively, whether in the same venue or across multiple venues. The shows have been scheduled accordingly to accommodate for multiple viewings, e.g. 7:00pm, 8:00pm and 9:00pm shows in the evening, and 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm shows for matinees. Please ensure you do not book more than one show at the same timeslot.
Cast
In order of appearance
Justin
Harrison Mills
Naomi
Celesté Cortes-Davis
The Narrator
Hamish Wells
Tevin/Ensemble
Oliver Miskovich
Charlie/Ensemble
Gabrielle Lanham
Andrew/Ensemble
Elliot Aitken
Band
Keyboard
Iris Wu*
Violin
David Milic*
Cello
Mina Scarratt*
Guitar
Aaron Bonduriansky*
Bass
Dominic Yeap-Holliday*
Drumkit
Finn Johnson*
Creative / Production Team
Director
Kurtis Laing
Musical Director
Iris Wu*
Choreographer
Ayril Borce*
Set and Costume Designer
Max Shanahan
Lighting Designer
Izzy Morrissey
Sound Designer
Chaii Ki Chapman
Production Stage Manager
Jemima Owen
Stage Manager
Guinevere Fisher
Construction Manager
Nathan Lockyer
Costume Supervisor
Danielle Schache
Head Electrician
Thomas Hamilton
Production Coordinator
Archer Dametto
Properties Makers
Caleb Jackson
Samantha Lim
Technical Assistant(s)
Lara Kyriazis
Hayley Cantrill
Isabella Treleaven
