Dozens of talented young performers will again take the spotlight at next month’s Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia, helping to celebrate a powerful global comeback in ocean entertainment.
In a salute to the thousands of artists who perform aboard cruise ships worldwide, Sydney’s Brent Street performing arts training centre will return with a series of spectacular dance productions at this year’s awards night, hosted by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Brent Street is one of Australia’s most celebrated performing arts schools and the subject of the new television documentary series Dance Life streaming on Prime.
The 20th annual Cruise Industry Awards will be held at The Star Event Centre in Sydney on 9 March, where more than 500 industry guests will gather to honour the top achievers in CLIA’s Australasian travel agent community.
CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said Brent Street’s students would provide a fitting celebration at a time when the global cruise industry was enjoying new vitality.
“Brent Street has been nurturing talent in the performing arts sector for more than three decades and is a leading source of stand-out performers for cruise lines around the world,” Mr Katz said.
“Cruising’s resurgence has brought a huge burst of energy and creativity in the entertainment offered at sea, and Brent Street will give us a taste of that energy through the incredible new generation of performers coming through its ranks.”
Brent Street Managing & Creative Director Lucas Newland said the cruise industry had become a major employer of dancers, singers, musicians, and other performers around the world.
“Brent Street alumni have featured on almost every major cruise line brand in the world and thousands of our students have gone on to perform at sea,” Mr Newland said.
“We are extremely proud of our students gaining employment within the cruise industry – it’s a great way for our alumni to travel the world, meet new people, form connections to a broader arts community and gain experience with creative industry leaders.”
Brent Street’s CLIA Awards performances have been directed by Lucas Newland (owner of Brent Street), choregraphed by Cassandra Bartho and feature some of Brent Street’s professional alumni as well as other industry professionals in a song and dance spectacular.
CLIA’s 21st Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia will be hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell and supported by Headline Sponsor Visit Qatar.
For a full list of finalists and sponsors visit CLIA Cruise Industry Awards.