Holly Kiehne’s 100-Hour prop production powers Anastasia
When the curtain rises on Friday, 23 May at the Toowoomba Empire Theatre, you won’t just witness a spellbinding retelling of Anastasia you’ll witness the work of a backstage magician who’s poured more than 100 hours into crafting every prop detail. Concordia’s musicals are famed for their professionalism and scale and this year Anastasia boasts the largest student involvement ever seen at the College.
At the heart of this backstage wizardry is visual arts teacher Holly Kiehne, marking her sixth musical collaboration at Concordia, and being responsible for every remarkable prop that graces the stage, from cameras to musical boxes.
“That’s where my skillset is, I love making and creating things,” Holly said.
“One of the most challenging things I’ve made is the vintage bellows cameras. I made five of them from scratch.”
With sustainability top of mind, Holly upcycles wherever possible. “I always want to upcycle and recycle rather than buying,” she said.
“It’s getting the aesthetic of the time period right. They need to look authentic and time appropriate. There is a lot of attention to detail. I want people to think they are real, to not be able to tell the difference, which I don’t think they can.”
Holly’s passion for the arts traces back to her childhood in a small country town.
“My mother was an artist growing up, so I was always exposed to the arts,” she recalled.
“Props is a natural progression.”
Those early influences shine through in the delicate details of the period- perfect trinkets that transport audiences straight to 1920s Russia and Paris.
“I’ve put in 100 hours to create these pieces for Anastasia,” Holly said.
But for her, the real reward is seeing students step into a world she’s helped build.
“It’s about being part of the musical team and giving our students the best creative opportunity we can. The students are so grateful, they understand how much time and effort goes into it behind the scenes,” she said.
Anastasia at the Empire Theatre promises to be an unforgettable theatrical journey.
Tickets are on sale now through the Empire Theatre and they are selling fast. Don’t miss your chance to step back in time, secure your seats today, as you won’t regret a single moment in the audience.
