"Support every art form; art elevates us", says Greek Australian emerging artist

Greek Australian Hristina Tsingas has been working in the show business and in large music and dance productions in major theaters in Melbourne CBD. But then the pandemic hit her industry was hit hard changing her life. Ms. Tsingas talks to SBS Greek.

Hristina Tsingas. Source: Supplied

Greek Australian Hristina Tsingas may be young, but she has a very impressive resume and vast experience in show business.

For the past five years, she has worked in Company/ Stage Management in Australia’s commercial musical theatre industry.

Musical theatre in Melbourne is a "magnet" not only for the locals but also for visitors from other states, territories, and countries. “I mostly worked with child performers, their parents, and the staff that supervised the children”. 

Ms. Tsingas was born in Athens and she migrated to Australia with her parents when she was 1.5 years old. She majored in Stage Management at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Culture and performing arts contribute to the Australian economy with $112 billion annually, and the federal government have offered $650 million since the begging of the COVID-19 crisis.

There are approximately 600,000 people working in show business (film, television, theatre, musical theatre, ballet, opera, etc).

Hristina Tsigkas. Source: Supplied

“Especially now in lockdown, but generally, try going a day without streaming channels, music, radio, TV, or any type of entertainment. Art is all around us and without it the world is bland”, says Ms. Tsingas.

“It’s time that we start supporting the arts. They supported us during Australia’s bushfires earlier this year by performing and organising benefit concerts. Now they are asking for help. Do what you can to assist, sign petitions, donate money to your favorite local theatre companies to help them stay afloat.”

Ms. Tsingas says that for the past five years she was working alongside artists and now she became one. “I started my own business, designing and selling prints/ cards. My company is sustainable and plastic free”.

She says that it is important to support local artists as much as we can.

“Art elevates society and nourishes the spirit of a community. We must band together to protect this crucial industry as it faces a very uncertain future” she says to SBS Greek.

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