Summary: The role responsible for the most important component of any Musical, is the Musical Director. From finding the best vocal talents, collaborating with a Director, sourcing and guiding musicians, interpreting scores and leading the show at each performance - it is a role that requires great communication, organisation and tremendous responsibility. Making her mark in this role is Lucy Bermingham. Born and Bred in our Nation's capital, Bermingham was raised in a large musical family. As soon as she could walk and talk she embraced her musicality and the instruments of voice and piano. Growing up she became the official accompanist for a choir, worked as a repetiteur in Amateur musical theatre, eventually conducting a succession of musical theatre pieces. Lucy joined the Australian Regular Army in 1996 and was a member of the Band of the Royal Military College and The Australian Army Band, Sydney - both with whom she travelled on several tours of duty to East Timor, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands. She quickly rose to the rank of Lieutenant in 2005 and became Captain in 2007. Leaving the Army she joined the staff of the Canberra Theatre Centre. Accompanying her brother at a professional audition, she caught the eye of a staff member who was impressed with her skill as a pianist. This instilled in her a confidence to pursue her dream to work in the Musical theatre. Moving to Sydney she quickly became a sought after Musician, taking the musical helm for dynamic and demanding scores of musicals such as 'Violet', 'Spring Awakening' and 'In The Heights' - winning Lucy great accolades for her perceptive and passionate work on these productions. 'In The Heights' opens this week in a return season at The Sydney Opera House. Lucy is once again leading the musical side of the production. STAGES spoke to her about the role of the Musical Director and the fascinating path that has lead her to her work today.
