Australian Performance Troupe to Hold Theremin Competition and Auditions at Cal Poly Oct. 22-23

As part of an ongoing collaboration with Cal Poly, Australian music/theatrical performance troupe Deep Blue will visit campus for a series of community events, including a Theremin competition and troupe auditions Oct. 22-23.

Deep Blue is “the orchestra reinvented for the 21st century.” The troupe combines classical music, contemporary music played on stringed instruments, circus tricks (stilt walking, acrobatics and unicycle riding) with electronic instruments and app-managed audience interaction. The troupe also runs the Young Blue series, music education workshops designed for middle school students to develop their musical and performance skills.

The Theremin competition will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the Bonderson Engineering Center (Building 197), Room 107. An electronic musical instrument, the Theremin is played without physical contact from the musician; instead musician-inspired choreography and hand movements control it.

Deep Blue will also host auditions and interviews for Deep Blue USA from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, in the PAC Pavilion on the Cal Poly campus. The troupe is looking for amplified acoustic musicians, including string (guitars, violins, bass guitars, violas, cellos and double basses) and e-musicians; digital instrument players (e.g., Mac-based Ableton, samplers); percussion and V-drum players; and synthesizer and keyboard players. Deep Blue is also seeking individuals with other skills, including composition, circus, stunts, costume design, administration, booking and management.

Interested individuals should prepare one or two pieces for the audition that showcase who they are and why they are unique. Interviews will focus on why and how they will work well with Deep Blue. 

While on the Central Coast, the group will work with Cal Poly Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies students to develop new methods of audience engagement and stage presentation. Principle members of Deep Blue will also meet with local music and technology educators to gage interest in bringing a Young Blue series to the community in fall 2015.

The Deep Blue visit is co-sponsored by Deep Blue, Queensland University of Technology, the Center for Expressive Technologies, and the Liberal Arts & Engineering Studies program. Partners include the Cal Poly Music and Theatre & Dance departments.