What is so good about WAAPA!!!

WAAPA is quite clearly the BEST choice in Perth, but it is certainly not the ONLY Choice. I would try for WAAPA certainly but do not pin your hopes on it. There are very selective - small classes - many applicants. It's akin to the IDOL Auditions. Hundreds turn out for a handful of places.

Keep your options open and look toward the Universities also. Curtin Uni. (while having a few political issues over theatre space) is still one of the better courses in Perth along with Murdoch. There are also several smaller Theatrical Training organisations dotted around Perth.

Personally speaking, I found the best training came from actuall involvement. I did some of the Curtin Course after having been involved in Community Theatre for some years already. It taught me a few new things and most that I had already picked up along the way were refined a little.

I auditioned for WAAPA Several Times and on the third time I worked up the courage to ask about my performance. I was told that I was "too well trained" to be considered, that there was "little they could teach me." Now I am not sure if they are positive comments or not, you decide. I found them to be simple statements of fact with out colouration.

They want people they can teach specific skills to. They do not USUALLY take students straight from High School. They can afford to be very picky with who gets in.

Still, if you don't give it a go, you will never know. Also, take leaf out of my book, even if you get accepted, follow up with your audition and find out exactly what you did right or wrong. Helps prepare you for the next audition the following year.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer who can also sing
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

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