JUTE Theatre Company, Media Release, 8 August 2023

Remember the names, Esther Elder and Adria Cunningham. While each aspires to establish a theatre career, individually their goals and passions differ, and now, beneath the wings of JUTE Theatre Company, the two emerging theatre professionals are gaining valuable experience aboard the team of its latest production, Higher Faster Louder by Marilyn Marsh-Booth.

Recognising JUTE and the chance they’ve been given to work with an award-winning team, including the production’s highly respected Director, Matt Scholten the pair is excited for three rehearsal weeks ahead culminating in a world premiere season of Higher Faster Louder opening at Bulmba-ja theatre on Friday 25 August 2023.

An alumnus of JUTE’s Write Sparks program for emerging playwrights, Higher Faster Louder is Marsh-Booth’s first play, born from her own remarkable story as one of the world’s first female commercial pilots during the transformative era of women’s liberation in the sixties.

JUTE’s Artistic Director and CEO, Suellen Maunder, who also happens to play the mature version of Marsh-Booth in the forthcoming production, said Higher Faster Louder challenges the status quo and persistent gender barriers that linger in today’s modern world.

“It is fast and furiously funny while delivering a strong message that true change comes from courage and perseverance, embracing the unknown, and pushing the boundaries of possibility,” said Ms Maunder.

It is this message that is powering the young duo forward in their new pivotal roles in the crew of Higher Faster Louder.

Hungry to apply her learning after completing a Bachelor of Theatre degree, Rockhamptonbased Esther Elder jumped at the chance to extend her skills by completing a series of JUTE’s Build Back Better regional training PODS across all theatre disciplines earlier this year.

It was all the confidence she needed and immediately after finishing JUTE’s Stage Management POD facilitated by Suellen Maunder, she secured a Stage Manager’s role for Browns Mart theatre in Darwin and now, JUTE’s Higher Faster Louder in Cairns.

Esther’s love of acting and all facets of theatre form part of a much bigger picture that involves doing something for humanity and underpin her plans to commence a Master of Applied Theatre.

“I ask myself; how can I change the world? For me, theatre holds the answers and, in this way, is very different from film and tv. I feel so privileged to be here at JUTE and be part of this story, learn new skills and hopefully, pass them on,” said Esther.

Joining Esther on Higher Faster Louder is 18-year-old Innisfail-based Adria Cunningham whose dreams of becoming an accomplished actor are being ignited but also broadened as an assistant to the production’s award-winning Director, Matt Scholten.

Since finishing school in 2022, Adria has been solely committed to improving her acting skills as a student of JUTE Actors Studio (JAS) and at the recommendation of JAS Facilitator, Amber Grossman, followed by a meeting with JUTE’s Creative Director and Dramaturg Kathryn Ash, secured the role to assist Matt in Higher Faster Louder.

“There was no way I would ever turn this opportunity down. The team at JUTE truly value emerging artists and the exploration of this new generation. I think that what JUTE is accomplishing is not only putting themselves on the map but also allowing other regional theatre companies to be recognised and produce even more amazing creatives,” she said.

JUTE Theatre Company’s production of Higher Faster Louder runs from Friday 25 August to Saturday 2 September 2023. Tickets are available now. Click here to find out more and book tickets.

About JUTE

JUTE is a company rendered unique by place, brimming with unique voices and stories, choosing to see difference as strength.

JUTE’s story is a simple one; the best stories are. Yet, like all the best stories, ours is rich with courage, resilience, hope, and joy. It began with a simple passionate idea, but one that has endured for over a quarter of a century, engaging the talents and the hearts of artists and audiences alike. Over time, our story has developed a compelling plot; one that twists and turns, adapts and refines, delivering inspiring experiences time after time. But our story is also grounded, with a clear eye on the practical challenges of the current world and foreseeable landscape. It is a story with no denouement in sight – for it has a vision, a mission, and a strategy to build upon its past successes and to forge ahead into a bright and ambitious future.

JUTE is uniquely placed to promote diversity through the performing arts from its base in northern Queensland. It has the proven capability, through a series of successful collaborations, to witness its creative impact being realised deep into the regions beyond.

JUTE dares to develop and tell stories that challenge, inspire, and bring us together through the power and magic of theatre. The core values of JUTE are to empower the use of selfexpression, passion, and drive to change lives through theatre, telling untold stories that represent our diverse society.

JUTE does this by:

• Developing, producing, and touring exceptional theatre experiences
• Nurturing and presenting cultural diversity through theatre
• Being a catalyst for regional and international partnerships, co-productions, and touring
• Developing audiences through multiple channel delivery of work, education, and engagement
• Organisational efficiency, effectiveness, and resilience
• Financially astute, commercially, and growth-oriented