These days FAMDA stages more plays than musicals but it has a long history of being involved with music beginning with revue style presentations in the 1950s, then moving into G&S operetta and other English musicals.
FAMDA’s first Broadway musical was The Pajama Game staged in 1975. Since then major musicals have included Oklahoma!, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a ground-breaking production of Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Oliver! and Into the Woods plus 21st Century musicals like The Producers and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
FAMDA has also commissioned locally written musical productions, many with an emphasis on providing opportunities for young performers to work alongside adults. Examples include Bush Magic and Dreamboats by Edwin Coad and Waratah the Musical with a book by Chris Dickins.
The Prom Coast Singers is an offshoot of FAMDA connected exclusively with music.
Born out of FAMDA’s 1997 production of the Broadway musical Annie, the Prom Coast Singers have been performing a diverse and challenging musical repertoire since 1998.
From Carmina Burana to Fauré’s Requiem, from Christmas to Anzac Day, the Singers have performed extensively across the Gippsland area, from Foster to Glen Alvie, Poowong to Toora, Warragul to Wonthaggi.
The Singers have been guided by choral directors Paddy Broberg (1998-2013) and Claudene-Marie Adams (2014-2016), and participated in workshops with noted musical director Richard Gill in 2016.
The Singers have shared stages with the South Gippsland Wind Orchestra, the Bass Coast Chorale, the Yallourn Madrigal Singers, the South Gippsland Singers, Bec’s Bonnie Boners and the West Gippsland Chorale.
Many singers and musicians have participated over the years to enrich the Singers’ journey.
The Prom Coast Singers are currently in recess.
FAMDA - Foster Arts Music & Drama Association 