A Taigum choreographer is helping bring one of Broadway’s most powerful musicals to Brisbane this winter, working behind the scenes on a production set to stir audiences at the Ron Hurley Theatre in Seven Hills.
A Homegrown Creative with a National Resume
Maureen Bowra, a Taigum local and seasoned theatre professional, is choreographing Parade, a Tony Award-winning musical returning to Brisbane for the first time in two decades. Running 19 July to 3 August at the Ron Hurley Theatre, the Bump In Productions show marks its Queensland debut.
Parade tells the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager wrongly accused of murder in 1913 Georgia. Bowra brings years of experience from national tours and major productions, including Xanadu and Spamalot. She began her career performing at QPAC alongside icons like Jon English and later shifted into directing and choreography.
Relevance Beyond the Stage
Though set over a century ago, Maureen Bowra sees Parade as deeply relevant to today’s world. She’s drawn to its powerful mix of music and meaning, especially in how it explores prejudice, injustice, and public reaction.
For Bowra, the score isn’t just beautiful, it gives weight to a story that still echoes now. Bringing a show like this to local audiences is a rare opportunity she doesn’t take lightly. And doing it with a Brisbane-based company means she’s telling that story right in the heart of her own community.
A Cast and Crew Close to Home
Bowra is one of many Queenslanders bringing Parade to life, with cast and crew drawn from suburbs including Cleveland, Paddington, Bulimba and Bridgeman Downs. Bump In Productions, founded in 2004, focuses on musicals that may be lesser-known but rich in story and artistic value.
This Brisbane staging of the Tony Award-winning show aims to connect with audiences through its local roots. The team is entirely professional, with members who live and work in the region. That local connection brings a sense of pride and place to the production.
Bringing Broadway to Brisbane’s Suburbs
With Maureen Bowra leading the choreography, audiences can expect a performance that moves with both emotion and purpose. Her Taigum roots bring a local connection to a story set far from home. She works alongside fellow Queensland creatives, including director Johnny Peek from Cleveland and musical director Michael Keen from Wynnum.
Together, they contribute to Brisbane’s growing reputation for producing standout theatre. Parade runs for three weeks at the Ron Hurley Theatre in Seven Hills, with tickets available via TryBooking and more details at bumpin.com.au.
Published 5-June-2025
Featured Photo Credit: Supplied
