Launceston will become the subject of a new musical when the Australian Musical Theatre Festival comes to town this week.
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The festival is not only aimed at helping budding theatre professionals gain a foothold in the industry and enjoying what theatre has to offer, but also at developing productions.
The Examiner will become the centrepiece of one of the productions, which will be written by Derek Rowe.
Rowe has an extensive background in writing for musical theatre and as a recording musician creating songs and jingles.
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The writer, producer and musical director grew up with a father who worked in the theatre industry, so it is no surprise that Rowe fell in love with it himself.
Rowe has known executive producer of the Australian Musical Theatre Festival, Tyran Parke, for quite awhile and is working with him on a project yet to be announced.
However, for the festival, Rowe will turn his attention to Launceston.
"I thought it would be interesting to take [my skill set of musical theatre] ... and capture some of Launceston via The Examiner, and potentially Launnie Chit Chat [on Facebook] too," he said.
"I can guarantee it won't be perfect but it will be fresh, full of mistakes, and hopefully the audience will see where it can go."
Rowe will create Launceston The Musical over the duration of the festival. The final product will be shown on the last day.
There will be a strict creative process which will see the musical come to life.
Rowe will get up at 6am each day of the festival and go for a walk or jog. During this time he will buy The Examiner.
He will look for stories, inserts or classifieds that will catch his eye and will then create a shortlist.
From there, the news story and musical storyline will be picked by 9am, and the song will be written by 11am. The song will be recorded by 3pm and will include backing tracks.
The final piece, created from each day of the festival's period, will be shown on May 23.
"It will have a local flavour and it will be something people will identify with," Rowe said.
However, the festival is also undertaking developments with two other productions, Bearded by Nick Waxman and Yellow Rock by Brittanie Shipway.
"Without new work we can't grow directors, set designers, or performers in the way that Broadway does or West End does," Rowe said.
Bearded is set in Australia and focuses on the lives of two teenage, queer best friends as they grapple with identity and self acceptance.
Yellow Rock celebrates culture, country and kin while sharing Dreaming stories, both old and new, with the next generation.
The festival, launching this evening, will run until May 23. For more information on the workshops, performances and events during the festival visit amtf.org.au.