Founder & Artistic Director – Janine McGrath
The ‘Heart of BCYB’ – Marie-Ann Grosskreutz
Tribute to Marie-Ann Grosskreutz
(1933 – 2012)
As Marie-Ann always said to me when we faced a change that seemed to be out of our control “THINGS ALWAYS HAPPEN FOR A REASON”. Well at the moment I’m having great difficulty accepting and dealing with this change, but if I can accept this favourite saying of hers then she is now meant to be with Fred – he wanted her back!
The best change that happened in my life was meeting Marie-Ann and Fred it felt like I had known them my whole life. Their passion for ballet and theatre matched mine and I’ve been grateful to them every single day since and will continue to be grateful until it is my turn to be in their company again.
Marie-Ann is the heart of BCYB as she was part of every aspect of the productions and the running of the company – she is BCYB! Personally she is my mentor, dearest friend she has been a 2nd mother to me. We talked every day on the phone about everything and anything. I’m still reaching for the phone wanting to hit her number for a chat with a woman I love so much.
I will miss hearing ‘I’ve had a flash to the brain’….. the funny thing is I say that all the time now too. I ended up ringing her and saying it to her! She was still having ‘Flashes to the brain’ in her final days here is a little pink envelope that has such inspiration on it from our last conversation.
How do we go on when the ‘heart’ of something is taken away? I would have loved more time with her but its time to let go. The impact Marie-Ann has made on so many lives is just incredible there is no one like her – she is my wise owl like her amazing Fred.
I know she has taught us all well and has moulded and reined me in for many years. I can still hear her in my head and always will. She will still be beside me in the studio rehearsals, back stage amongst it all, having champagne in the foyer but most of all beside me in the audience. I will miss having a sleep over going through all her wonderful selections of music she chose for me, and having a good few wines while we did it. There are so many memories and conversations. My only regret is that I didn’t record them all in case I can’t recall all the important pieces of advice! I could have written several books on Marie-Ann’s take on life and how we move through it.
We will forever celebrate you as we have amazing memories that will last many life times.
I know you will always be with me every step of the way, believe me I’m banking on that! Visit me and Angel your beautiful ragdoll cat whenever you like.
Give Fred a kiss and a big hug for me I know you are already staging a ballet for the angels!
The late ‘Engineering Genius of Set Construction’ – Fred Grosskreutz
Company Manager – Margaret Cook
Margaret has had a long association with the performing arts. As a teenager, she studied dance both in Australia (under Robyn Croft and Mary Heath), and the USA, and featured in a number of amateur productions.
Through her early adult years, she continued to dance recreationally with the Queensland Ballet School. Once she became the mother of a dancing daughter she again became heavily involved with the dancing world, including holding the position of Business Manager for a large performing arts school. She was integral in the establishment of the Brisbane City Youth Ballet in 2004, and was the assistant company manager for many years, before taking on the role of company manager in 2012. In addition to this role she is actively involved in fundraising events for The Australian Ballet and volunteer work for local eisteddfods. When she is not volunteering in the dancing world, she can be found lecturing in occupational health and safety at the University of Queensland and sitting on a number of boards in the not-for-profit sector.
Her daughter spent 12 wonderful years in the BCYB family performing in both the corps de ballet and soloist roles, and these experiences set her on the path of her current professional performing life overseas. Margaret is determined to give many more dancers the opportunity to experience “life on the stage”.
BCYB Costume & Set Designer – Max Hurley
One of Australia’s most gifted designers, Max Hurley has made considerable impact with his outstanding work for theatre. Some of the many companies he has designed for include Queensland Light Opera Company, Queensland Opera, Queensland Ballet, Australian Youth Ballet, and Ballet Theatre of Queensland.
The Max Hurley Collection of Costume Designs is displayed on the Mezzanine floor at QPAC. Brisbane City Youth Ballet was delighted and honoured to have Max design the scenery for Sleeping Beauty in 2007 and Cinderella in 2008.
In 2009 he designed the beautiful costumes as well as the stunning scenery for Snow Queen, and repeated the double for 2010’s production of The Nutcracker and 2012’s production of The Wizard of Oz.
Production Manager and Lighting Design – Mal Czislowski
Mal began his ballet career in the sixties dancing principal roles in Les Sylphides, Aurora’s Wedding, Swan Lake, Coppelia and as the Prince in Nutcracker on numerous occasions. He has danced with Queensland Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Queensland, Queensland Modern and Contemporary, The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust and has appeared with The Australian Ballet and The Royal Ballet.
Since retiring from dancing, Mal has been involved in set construction, theatre lighting and stage management. His love for the theatre has never waned and he was delighted when asked to be part of the production team for this vibrant youth ballet company.
Assistant Production Manager & Set Construction – Christopher Crome
Scenic Artist – Leo Herreygers
Stage Manager – Victoria Whiting
Sound & DVD Production – Jason Whiting
Photography – Tom Baker
Ballet Mistress – Jan Moore
Tutu Couture & Stagewear – Anne Tytherleigh