WAAPA AUDITIONS!!

theres this good course thats only new its called CODA and it is at a school called 'sing over king' in newtown, its only a one year course but i have a friend who is doing it and they love it, its apparently really hard work and very challenging and they are now completely prepared for professional auditions (both acting and music theatre). Apparently its a good place to make connections as well because they have alot of celebrity guests and people working in the industry come to talk to them. Only 10 people are accepted every year i think, which is good because the teachers can spend mroe time workign with you privately and they get to perform and write their own cabaret in the middle of the year plus they have a showcase at the end of the year to agents. So if you dont think you're ready to make the moove to WA or wherever this looks like a great course. they have a web site too its www.singoverking.com

Its a standard rule for all drama schools. No performing outside the school. Its a protection thing. It protects you as a studying artist, and it protects the school, from having its name attatched to something that it doesnt consent to. But there are always exceptions, and a comprimise between school and student sometimes can be made. I didnt study at WAAPA either, i studied at a different institution, but, I was born and bred here in lovely little perth, and have returned home here for a year. It isnt Melbourne or Sydney, it doesnt have the same night life. But its got a bloody good little arts community and its got some of Australias best theatre actors who have lived, studied and worked here. WAAPA is a fabulous school and produces very very good actors. As for the crying, and the cutting you down, and the tall poppy syndrome and all that? Well, thats the industry for you. It hurts. You do cry, you do have moments where you wonder why , and you do have to ask yourself is this really what i want? And thats the best thing about it. you either get a new job doing something else. or you become the most committed artist you can be. As for expensive air fares. Centrelink has a program which i managed to get into called Fares allowance. Now if you are studying at a drama institution in a city other than your home town They will fly you to that city at the beginning of the year they will give you a trip home and back in the middle of the year. and they will fly you home for christmas... for free.. THATS RIGHT... FREE!! Unfortunately not a lot of ppl are aware of this. But if you can get your hands on it, its worth it. I never would have been able to afford coming home and flying back east. But centrelink paid for it. Look into it. There are always options. :) Best of luck.

(Psst...Hugely looking forward to Pal Joey this Saturday!)

Wow didnt know about the free flight thing??? Thanks guys. Why dont the institutions know about this and tell interstate students.???? It is so hard to keep your head above water without the added cost of flights but this sounds excellent. Thanks again

Yeah. Without Fares Allowance I wouldnt have been able to get home to see my family and friends. I dont know why schools dont tell students about it. Honestly i dont know many people know about it. i was lucky enough to see it on a brochure once. It isnt really advertised. On top of that. Centrelink also reimburses you if you paid to get to school at the beginning of the year or in the middle of the year or whatever, if you didnt know about it. Look into it! Its a life saver.

Some interesting facts, but WAAPA is just too far, its like going to another country. I can go to NZ and Bali quicker and cheaper

Bali and NZ dont have WAAPA. Your loss.

Is the Fares allowance means tested.??.. My daughter is at Mackay Con (we live in SA)but she gets nothing from Centrelink as we are both teachers

Its only for students that have a centrelink allowance already

Hey Glossop, Get your daughter to check with Centrelink cos once she is away from home for 18 months she could look at supporting herself and get youth allowance. This would maybe help.

thanks 'Walter' I think she has to earn a certain amount within that 18 months though .... which is a tad ironic as we wouldn't have to help out so much if she earnt the $16000 or whatever it is It's also hard to get regualr work in a MT course due to long hours and commitments Guess that is what summer break is for :-)

Just wondering Glossop what you think of Mackay con for music theatre? Haven't read much about their graduates but it looks like a professional and well organised school, how is your daughter finding the course?

so how was it?

Life is treating me well, old friend. I am about to tread the western soil again after a lengthy sojourn in the east. I've got some acting work to come back to, which is always nice; plus I get to spend Chrissy with the family, *plus*, I get to be in Perth for the Red Bull Aerobatics, which is super freakin' exciting! I'll drop you a line when I step off the tarmac. Be good to see you again. DM.

She's really enjoying the course... Finding it very useful (and she was pretty experienced before she went). I think she sometimes wishes there was a little more dance (but this is a girl who was doing private jazz, ballet, singing and music theory lessons during year 12 plus appearing in musicals) The visiting directors and lecturers are experienced in the industry and the facilities are good. She recently played 'Audrey' in Little Shop for their second production of the year... she also gets other chances to perform in cabaret shows...(one of my concerns was how she would feel if she wasn't performing) There don't seem to be many graduates working in their chosen field in Australia... but there are some So far we're happy and more importnatly so is she

She's really enjoying the course... Finding it very useful (and she was pretty experienced before she went). I think she sometimes wishes there was a little more dance (but this is a girl who was doing private jazz, ballet, singing and music theory lessons during year 12 plus appearing in musicals) The visiting directors and lecturers are experienced in the industry and the facilities are good. She recently played 'Audrey' in Little Shop for their second production of the year... she also gets other chances to perform in cabaret shows...(one of my concerns was how she would feel if she wasn't performing) There don't seem to be many graduates working in their chosen field in Australia... but there are some So far we're happy and more importnatly so is she

Excellent, thats what its all about. You create your own destiny. If you have good training and the drive to take your talent and training somewhere you will make it

I just want an opinion about my chances of recieving a place in either the cert or B.A. courses of musical theatre at WAPPA. You see, I'll be finishing a Drama/Education double degree at the end of next year here in Queensland, and have been in the performance industry on stage and screen for the past 11 years. i have also been receiving singing and vocal lessons for 9 years. I beleive that i can manage the physical and mental workload required for either musical theatre course based upon the experience gained in the course i am currently studying in. On top of my 5-6 subject a semester course, i have managed to be largely involved with many amateur theatre companies, and have been part of the creative teams for the Brisbane Festival, and the 2006 River Festival, also here in Queensland. I have also performed at many high profile events such as the international childrens festival 'Out of the Box', and have my own radio show. Moving doesn't really faze me, as i moved to Japan for a couple of years, away from my family here in Australia, and am now also living out of home with minimal contact with family. My social life is my work- partying and clubbing just isn't my scene.

Hi Jai I'm currently in first year of the BA course. If you are a bit older with that kind of experience your chances are better than a lot of the guys auditioning nowadays. You'd almost certainly get into the cert anyway. My first few months here have shown me that personality is a BIG factor. The staff have to work with you for 3 years (as do the rest of us). In your auditions be pleasant, enthusiastic and fun. Audition with material that you really enjoy performing. What are your songs? By the way, on the topic of workload, nothing can prepare you for this course. Trust me, I came from a very busy couple of years into this course and it has been intense. Fun, but intense. Good luck.

I dont think they would bring someone to Perth for the cert course from interstate. Its a big ask financially to uproot someone for a year with no BA guarantee. Sounds like you have a better chance at the BA though. tick both boxes and on the form and give it a go. No harm in trying. Plus if you are male they will love you.