Ara’s NASDA welcomes rising Kiwi director for Beauty and the Beast

_{Matt Cranleigh works on a scene with NASDA third year students} 

Ara Institute of Canterbury’s NASDA is set to bring Disney blockbuster Beauty and the Beast to Christchurch this month, directed by a Kiwi fresh from starring roles in Australian musical theatre.

It’s Matt Cranleigh’s first major creative role after 17 years working on stage and screen across the Tasman - which started with being spotted as talent while at high school in Tauranga.

He’s spent the last eight years performing in large scale productions including Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Frozen but said the timing simply felt right to step into directing.

“I’d been thinking about directing and talking with people in my network in Australia about it for a while. This opportunity came up at exactly the right moment for me to take that first step,” he said.

He brings a character driven approach shaped by his early career in screen acting, along with current Australian industry practice and professional expectations. He said the NASDA environment has been the ideal place to make the shift.

“Being around the energy of studio environment every day is inspiring. It’s the environment I would have fallen in love with when I was young if I’d had the chance to go to musical theatre school.”

Cranleigh says the ākonga (students) have impressed him from the outset.

“The students and the work they are doing and their work ethic is what I have found the most inspiring,” he said. “Sitting in rehearsals you can feel how great the show is going to be because of the work being put in.”

Beauty and the Beast offers NASDA’s third year Bachelor of Music Theatre ākonga the chance to work on one of the most iconic titles in the musical theatre catalogue. First years are providing the crew for the show with second year students making up the ensemble.

Cranleigh says the familiarity of the story and much-loved music gives the cast a strong foundation to build from.

“Beauty and the Beast is a perfected Disney masterpiece. Everyone is going to come and adore it for what it is and we get to bring our own charm to that.”
The production features choreography by Kirsty Allpress and musical direction by Mark W Dorrell.

NASDA programme Lead Simon Goudie said the school was thrilled to have Cranleigh leading the creative team and sharing his recent Australian experience with learners.

“Having someone who’s been working at the centre of the Australian industry brings real value to our ākonga. Matt understands the expectations of a professional rehearsal room and he’s been able to share that with our students in a way that lifts their practice.”

Performances run at Papa Hou Theatre from 19 to 21 June and 23 to 27 June, with evening shows at 7pm and a 4pm matinee on Sunday 21 June.

Tickets are available at Eventfinder.