About Us
Troupe History
Hot Inspirations present a variety show packed with song, dance and comedy in a mix of solo, duo and trio acts. With vibrant and colourful costume changes, the production pays homage to the artists whose music they perform, but is more importantly a tribute to older women who are still active and out there having fun.
A few years ago Joy reflected, “I’m not getting any younger, I better get started on that idea of mine”. So while her friends went out to clubs and pubs, Joy stayed home and sewed and sewed and sewed - three sets of costumes to illustrate her performance dreams – to name a few - Can Can (also known as Can’t Can’t), Show Girl, Welcome to Burlesque, Rio Carnival, Military dress for the Andrews Sisters numbers – always more in the pipeline. Then, she kept her eyes and ears open for other inspiring older women who could still strut their stuff, sing and dance. She happened upon Rana, dazzling audiences with an Egyptian percussion performance in the 2012 series of Senior Superstar in Brisbane. Third troupe member Kristy is also a Senior Superstar alumni, from 2011.
Some people ask us why. Why not? Being active and dressing in gorgeous costumes and staying active helps keep us alive and fit and well and happy and most importantly we put on a great and entertaining show!
A few years ago Joy reflected, “I’m not getting any younger, I better get started on that idea of mine”. So while her friends went out to clubs and pubs, Joy stayed home and sewed and sewed and sewed - three sets of costumes to illustrate her performance dreams – to name a few - Can Can (also known as Can’t Can’t), Show Girl, Welcome to Burlesque, Rio Carnival, Military dress for the Andrews Sisters numbers – always more in the pipeline. Then, she kept her eyes and ears open for other inspiring older women who could still strut their stuff, sing and dance. She happened upon Rana, dazzling audiences with an Egyptian percussion performance in the 2012 series of Senior Superstar in Brisbane. Third troupe member Kristy is also a Senior Superstar alumni, from 2011.
Some people ask us why. Why not? Being active and dressing in gorgeous costumes and staying active helps keep us alive and fit and well and happy and most importantly we put on a great and entertaining show!
Joy
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Joy's parents took her to see a Halle Orchestra when she was six years old and she instantly fell in love with the violin. She started violin training at 9 years of age and singing lessons followed in her teens, leading to a short stint as leader of the Canberra Youth Orchestra in the '60s. Her parents also joined the Philharmonic Society of Canberra and her love of musical theatre was born. Joy has been singing and dancing in extravagant and colourful costumes ever since, moving from various stage and theatre restaurant shows in her earlier life, to parenthood where she took a break to raise two children and beyond, where she has been delivering her one woman variety, comedy and musical show for the past 13 years, including sewing and creating all her own costumes.
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Rana
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Rana's formative years were taken up with world travel and outdoor activities including scuba diving, interspersed with academic and business pursuits – she has a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and a Master of Counselling. Rana came to dance and performance later in life – in her forties - and immersed herself initially in the world of colourful costumes and all things belly dance. Think hip moves, shimmies, flowing colourful veils, giant eye-catching wings, finger cymbals, sword balancing and more. Her dance repertoire has expanded to include the realm of burlesque as well as 60s go-go. Rana is constantly curious and learning new skills – she recently embarked on both hula hoop and Egyptian drumming lessons. When Rana performs her sheer joy of colour and performance radiates for all to see.
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Kristy
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Born in Finland and arriving in Australia in her early teens Kristy found herself ‘at home’ in Brisbane. Her love for music began at an early age, in performances at school and with the local church. She acquired a taste for Latin/Ballroom dance, joining the team of dance instructors at Arthur Murray Dance studio. In 1990 she took a leap of faith and swapped her Singer sewing machine for a microphone, which led to a full time career in entertainment. With a 20-year career as fashion designer/seamstress behind her, she has used her skills to create many colourful and extravagant costumes for her stage productions. Kristy's performance career includes roles in The 70’s show, Diva Feva, Elvis the Show with Dean Vegas, as well as singing in a Blues band. She also made the finals of Senior Superstar in 2011 giving her the opportunity to perform for an audience of 2000 at QPAC in Brisbane. Entertainment is where Kristy can combine her love for music with her love for fashion, still occasionally happily singing to her sewing machine while it purrs on.
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