Mark McKenna


BIOGRAPHY

Mark has been singing for 20 years and has performed in musical theatre, opera, operetta, Gilbert & Sullivan, music hall and oratorio.

Initially he spent a number of years working with various amateur groups in Adelaide, primarily the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of South Australia but was also involved in productions that included Irene, The Girlfriend and Carousel in which he played Mr Snow.

While travelling overseas in 1985 Mark was in Beaufort Opera's production of Carmen in both their London and regional tour which was held in the spectacular Minnack Theatre just outside of Penzance.

His first venture in the world of professional theatre in Australia was as a Supernumery in the 1992 Adelaide Festival of Arts production of Nixon in China.
He was also involved in the chorus of all three other productions produced by the State Opera of South Australia that year - The Magic Flute, Lucia de Lammermoor and Othello.

Over the next 9 years Mark sang with the State Opera of South Australia and Opera Queensland in productions that have included La Traviata, La Boheme, The Mikado, Die Fledermaus, and The Pearl Fishers.

In 1997 Mark joined the ensemble of Phantom of the Opera and spent 15 months with the company touring New Zealand and Australia.
Most recently he was involved in the Gordon Frost production of Annie playing the roles of Bert Healy and Harold Ickes.


PERSONAL PROFILE

Mark was born on 24 November 1959 in Woodville, a suburb of Adelaide.

The son of antique collectors, Mark was introduced to theatre through colleagues of his parents who were involved with the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Mark's involvement was initially on a technical side participating in set building, spotlight operation and backstage work. Eventually the lure of "treading the boards" was too great and he began taking part in the chorus, which eventually lead to performing the vast majority of tenor leads in the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire.

Mark commenced singing lessons in 1982 but it was until he began lessons in 1991, with well known Adelaide teacher Norma Hunter, that was encouraged to audition for the State Opera of South Australia. In 1992 Mark was offered work with State Opera and he has continued to work with them over the last 9 years.

Mark has the support of his partner, family and friends in his career and they continue to be involved all facets of his singing.


PERFORMANCE TIMELINE
AnnieNovember 2000 to June 2001- Lyric Theatre Sydney, Regent Theatre Melbourne, Lyric Theatre Brisbane
Romeo and Juliet2000- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Cosi Fan Tutte2000- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Treemonisha1999
The MikadoAugust 1999- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Die FledermausMay 1999- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Phantom of the OperaJuly 1997 to September1998- Festival Theatre Adelaide, Auckland, Princess Theatre Melbourne, Entertainment Centre Perth
Don PasqualeJune 1997- Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide
TurandotOctober 1996- Lyric Theatre, Brisbane
TurandotAugust 1996- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
The Pearl FishersMay 1996- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
CarmenOctober 1995- Lyric Theatre, Brisbane
The Magic FluteOctober 1995- Lyric Theatre, Brisbane
La BohemeMay 1995- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
The MessiahOctober 1994- Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide
Adriana LecouvrerAugust 1994- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
La TraviataMay 1994- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
L'Allegro Il Penseroso Ed Al ModeratoMarch 1994- Festival Theatre,Adelaide
Dido and AeneasFebruary 1994- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
The MessiahDecember 1993- Victor Harbour, South Australia
CarmenOctober 1993- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
MacbethAugust 1993- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Madama Butterfly in the ParkMarch 1993- Elder Park, Adelaide
Stainer's Crucifixion1993- South Coast Choral Society
OthelloOctober 1992- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
The Magic FluteAugust 1992- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Lucia Di LammermoorMay 1992- Festival Theatre, Adelaide
Nixon in ChinaFebruary 1992- Festival Theatre, Adelaide



back



Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1