Official newsletter of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University (Issue 46) December 2016

LIGHTING UP THE OPERA HOUSE page 3 Melissa Erpen sings with Ellie Goulding page 2

Dancers grace international ballet competition page 5

Plus Award winners and visiting artists

Inside WAAPA Issue 46 Page 1 SINGING WITH ELLIE “I didn’t really think anything of it at the time because I guess it kind of felt so out of reach, it just felt so far away, I was excited but I didn’t get my hopes up,” Melissa says. A few days later she got the call saying she had the gig. Melissa was sent all the songs for her first show with the band. “So I learnt everything to the best of my ability, then I had four days of rehearsals with the other backup singer and we just worked through all our harmonies,” she says. “It was very intense, a lot of pressure but I just jumped into it.” That first show with Ellie Goulding was

Photo by A R Thomas Photo in London’s Hyde Park in front of over MELISSA ERPEN SCORES THE GIG OF A LIFETIME 100,000 people. “If someone had told me that I’d be t the end of October, vocalist Melissa has performed on many of the singing with Ellie Goulding, I would’ve just Melissa Erpen and her partner, world’s greatest stages, including Madison laughed because I would’ve thought that English keyboard player Christian Square Gardens in New York, which she A was a bit far fetched!” says Melissa. Gulino, gave a masterclass at WAAPA for describes as “a major bucket list moment”. After her Perth sojourn, Melissa the Contemporary Music students. Other highlights of her year on the returned to London to perform with the Melissa, a 2006 graduate, spoke to the road include performing in Verona, Ellie Goulding band at the Royal Albert current students about how she has gone Italy at the 2015 Intimissimi on Ice – a Hall, followed by trips to America and India from WAAPA student to singing backup spectacular live show that combines ice for Christmas and New Year gigs. and touring the world with English singer/ skating and pop music in the Arena di songwriter Ellie Goulding’s band. Christian, Verona, a Roman amphitheatre – and Melissa credits her time at WAAPA as also a sessional musician, is currently performing in Melbourne at last year’s giving her the opportunity to hone her working with Kylie Minogue. AFL Grand Final. live band experience. “I would definitely say WAAPA helped me in a huge way – As part of the 2015/2016 Ellie Perth-born Melissa moved to London it’s a hub for talent and creativeness. Goulding World Tour, Melissa has travelled in 2012 to further her music career. throughout Europe, the UK, North However after a year she felt increasingly “When I first started at WAAPA I didn’t America, New Zealand and Australia. With unhappy with the direction her music was have much live band experience because I the tour finishing in Melbourne in early taking and experienced ‘a dip in morale’ so came straight out of school,” she explains. October, Melissa took to opportunity to she took a few months off performing, “WAAPA really gives you so many opportunities to perform and working fly to Perth to catch up with family and “But obviously with music, it always with the lecturers, who were so amazingly friends before heading back to London. comes back to you, so I got in contact talented and experienced in their field, “Working with Ellie has been an with a few different agents,” she says. gave me the tools to work with live bands amazing experience, playing in all these Out of this came an invitation to submit and feel confident in that setting.” huge arenas in front of incredible crowds her demo tape to Ellie Goulding’s

around the world,” says Melissa. management for a gig as the star’s new Above: Melissa Erpen (centre) with fellow backing vocalists on tour backup singer. with Ellie Goulding. ANTHEM HONOUR For the first time ever, international Rugby League came to Perth in October. The Australian Kangaroos took on the number one world-ranked New Zealand Kiwis in an end-of-season Test Match on October 15 at NIB Stadium. Sophie Foster, who graduated from WAAPA’s Contemporary Music program this year, was chosen to sing the national anthem at the event. Sophie describes the experience as the highlight in her singing career. “I didn’t realise how monumental it was until I knew it was not only broadcast nationally but internationally as well,” she says. “With 20,000 people in the stands it felt surreal and the adrenalin was pumping. The roar of the crowd afterwards was exhilarating and I had an overwhelming feeling as I stepped off the podium. I am so thankful for the experience and I was proud to call myself an Australian.” Photo courtesy of NRL

Page 2 Inside WAAPA Issue 46 IN THE SPOTLIGHT IT’S BEEN A BUSY YEAR FOR WAAPA LIGHTING DESIGNER TRENT SUIDGEEST

Photo by Jenni Large Photo

In the six years since he graduated from lit Opera Australia’s new production of white sails had wireless Audio Technica WAAPA, Trent Suidgeest has established Carmen, directed by John Bell. This was headphones on, marrying the music and himself as one of Australia’s most sought- followed by The Beast for Ambassador voices in a brilliant technical feat. after young lighting designers. Theatre Group, directed by Simon Phillips, Clive Paget in Limelight Magazine This year alone he has worked on six which opened in August. wrote: “Here, the design and direction theatre productions, moving up and down In October he was back with Opera fully match the aspiration of the the east coast from his base in Sydney as Australia, lighting a new production of venture … Trent Suidgeest’s colossally he travels from show to show. Alan John and Dennis Watkins’ The conceived lighting design picks it all out Trent started the year working on the Eighth Wonder, rechristened Sydney to perfection, the intensity of each scene Sydney Festival and Brisbane seasons of Opera House - The Opera. The show’s reverberating against the sandy stone and the critically acclaimed opera The Rabbits, lighting console was programmed by night sky. Visually, it’s hugely appealing produced by Opera Australia and Perth’s 2007 WAAPA lighting graduates Peter and immensely watchable.” Barking Gecko Theatre Company. First Rubie and Blake Garner. Most recently, Trent was in Melbourne performed as part of the 2015 Perth Set on the steps of the Sydney Opera to design the lighting for Dusty: The International Arts Festival, The Rabbits House, the show was billed as ‘the world’s Musical for the Production Company, won four Helpmann Awards, including first large-scale, live silent opera’. The which opened on November 12. The Best New Australian Work, Best Original orchestra was inside the Opera House show, directed by Jason Langley, stars Score, Best Costume Design, and Best while the cast, performing outside on Amy Lehpamer in the lead role and Production for Children. the Monumental Steps, was miked up, features WAAPA graduates Virginia Gay In April, Trent was lighting designer watching the conductor and stage director (2006 Acting) and Baylie Carson (2015 on the Sydney Theatre Company’s on large screens behind the audience. Music Theatre). production of Hay Fever, directed by Each of the 3,000 strong audience sitting Imara Savage, and two months later, he on the forecourt gazing up the famous Photo by Guy Davies Photo

Inside WAAPA Issue 46 Page 3 SPINNING OUT

ince graduating from WAAPA in 2012, Travis Jeffery has landed a Sstring of plum acting roles, including in Angelina Jolie’s critically acclaimed film Unbroken and the latest instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise alongside Johnny Depp. “I’ve just been incredibly lucky,” says Travis. “I kind of have to stop every now and then

Photo by Kathy Wheatley by Kathy Photo and go ‘wow’. I’ve had such a lucky run.” Most recently, Travis starred in the Australian romantic comedy film Spin Out, FACADE FACELIFT co-written and co-directed by comedian WAAPA COMMISSIONS GRADUATE TO REIMAGINE Tim Ferguson. Released in September this year, Spin THE FAÇADE OF ITS NEW SPIEGELTENT Out centres on a group of close-knit In August, ECU became the first He has also received numerous friends from a small country town who university in the world to acquire private commissions, including a 3m gather for a night of partying at the annual a Spiegeltent, providing a unique tall and 2.5m wide portrait of US Bachelors and Spinsters party. performance space for WAAPA rapper, ASAP Rocky, painted inside The film also stars Twilight heart-throb students to hone their craft. Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui’s home. Xavier Samuel, Morgan Griffin,Winners & Spiegeltents – made of hand- Last year, Jerome entered a portrait Losers’ Melissa Bergland, Christie Whelan carved wood and canvas, lavishly of Naitanui’s face in Australia’s most and Lincoln Lewis. prestigious portraiture award, the decorated with mirrors and stained Growing up on a farm in Healesville in Archibald Prize. glass, and detailed in velvet and the Yarra Valley, Jeffery could relate to his brocade – have been used as In addition to holding exhibitions of character Sparrow’s country upbringing. travelling dance halls, bars and his own work, Jerome runs Up on Hay In the film Travis had to strip down to his entertainment salons since the early STudio, a multi-use exhibition space/ underwear, wear a cow onesie and engage 20th century. gallery promoting and supporting in a messy mud fight. “He’s very naïve and established and local emerging artists. WAAPA’s spiegeltent, dubbed The has a heart of gold, so I think that’s what He is also the founder of Blank Walls, Edith, is currently undergoing a facelift really drew me to the role,” says Travis. an arts collective championing street to make the exterior reflect the “Sparrow is really different from all the roles art, design, installations and sculpture. theatrical treats that will be on offer I’ve done before.” inside the tent for future audiences. Jerome has recently returned Travis will next be seen in Pirates of the from a trip to South America, where Perth aerosol artist and muralist, Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, due for he completed commissions for the Jerome Davenport, has been release in May 2017. commissioned to reimagine the tent’s Motivarte photography school in façade, a project that will take up to a Buenos Aires and painted two works From left: Xavier Samuel, co-writer and director Tim Ferguson, month to complete. in two days for the Hyper Festival in Morgan Griffin and Travis Jeffery Lima, Peru. Jerome, who graduated from WAAPA’s Props and Scenery program Jerome believes his artwork has in 2013, plans to follow a ‘classical benefited enormously from his Spiegeltent theme’ with his painting training at WAAPA. and imagery, incorporating elements “Throughout my three years of the acts to be performed in the at WAAPA I’ve learnt numerous tent in his composition. techniques that have helped in my His artwork, which combines street professional life as a freelance visual art and portraiture, is characterised by artist,” he says. a distinctive photo-realism. “I specialise in murals, so skills The 26-year-old artist, who got his such as mapping large scale theatre first commission in 2010, has since backdrops, proportional drawing, received commissions from local sculpture and scenic finishes, have all councils throughout WA to beautify helped me practically but have also their public buildings, including aided my development as an artist.” schools, gyms and aquatic centres.

Photo by Sarah Enticknap Page 4 Inside WAAPA Issue 46 y Kathy Wheatley b y Kathy Photo A FIRST FOR WAAPA AT GENEE FOUR WAAPA DANCERS ARE INVITED TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST PRE-EMINENT BALLET COMPETITIONS In December, four WAAPA dancers work is currently undertaking a Master “Diana is so caring and invested in us,” will travel to Sydney to compete in the of Arts at WAAPA. agrees fellow dancer Kristin Barwick. “Yet Genée International Ballet competition. “It’s also a first-class opportunity to get she is tough and knows how to get the Sarah Ouwendyk, Isabelle Leclezio, to work with renowned choreographers very best out of us.” Evelyn Roberts and Kristin Barwick and teachers for five days before Kristin was thrilled to be given the will join 90 other young dancers who performing.” opportunity to compete at the Genée. have been chosen to compete in what All four students have received high “I am grateful to have had the chance to is known simply as ‘the Genée’, one distinctions in Advanced 2 RAD exams. participate in something as large as this. I of the world’s most prestigious ballet Evelyn Roberts and Kristin Barwick have got to work with some high standing and competitions. also been awarded the Solo Seal, which amazing people.” This is the first time that WAAPA has is the final exam in the RAD syllabus. In 2002 the RAD took the decision been represented at the competition. The dancers trained six days a week to hold the competition outside London Named after Dame Adeline Genée, in preparation for the Genée on for the first time, taking it to Australia the first president of the Royal Academy contemporary solos choreographed where the Sydney Opera House played of Dance, the competition attracts the by WAAPA Classical Coordinator host to a record number of candidates. finest young dancers trained in the RAD Kim McCarthy, former WA Ballet Following that success, the Genée has syllabus from around the globe. Principal Artist Jayne Smeulders and now been hosted around the world. It returns to Sydney this year from Winners have gone on to work Kristin Barwick. 7-11 December. for some of the most world’s most “They had their WAAPA classes during renowned international ballet companies the week and then on Saturday I worked Candidates received a unique such as The Royal Ballet, American with them on their Genée material, ” opportunity to work with renowned Ballet Theatre and the English National Diana de Vos says. choreographers and teachers for five days before performing at the semi- Ballet. Evelyn Roberts says that it has been a finals, and then competed for a range The four dancers prepared for privilege to work with Diana de Vos on of medals in the final at the Sydney the competition with WAAPA Ballet the Genée program. Opera House. Lecturer Diana de Vos OAM. “She has so much knowledge and Before heading to Sydney, the four “Three international artistic directors experience and is a great mentor for dancers performed in The Rehearsal, a were judging and the opportunity to students going in to such a prestigious divertissement piece that was part of the participate in this huge competition can competition. She has been an WAAPA November dance season, Verge. open some extraordinary doors,” says outstanding tutor who has prepared us Diana, who in addition to her teaching really well for the 10-day competition.”

From left: Isabelle Leclezio, Sara Ouwendyk, Diana de Vos, Evelyn Roberts and Kristin Barwick

Inside WAAPA Issue 46 Page 5 SCREEN SUCCESS WAAPA ALUMNI FEATURE STRONGLY IN THE CURRENT CROP OF AUSSIE TELEVISION SHOWS

A host of new Australian television playwright, screenwriter and director. series airing over the past six months Cecelia most recently portrayed has seen a number of WAAPA Acting Joanne Walters in Seven Network’s graduates gracing the nation’s small miniseries Catching Milat while Leah screens. is best known for her role as Anne In the sixth series of the beloved Cassidy in the comedy series Stupid, Channel 10 drama Offspring, which Stupid Man and as a long-term aired from June to September this presenter on Play School. year, 2008 graduate TJ Power played October saw the premieres of the Proudman family’s surprise half- the Seven Network’s drama series, brother Will Bowen. The 30-year- The Secret Daughter, the Australian old actor has previously appeared in homeland security drama Hyde & the 2010 film Eat, Pray Love, starring Seek on Channel Nine, and the Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, Network Ten two-part miniseries and in the 2012 hit Australian film, Brock, all of which featured WAAPA The Sapphires. graduates in lead roles. In September the 10-part drama 2009 graduate Matt Levett starred series Doctor Doctor premiered as Jamie Norton in The Secret on the Nine Network, with WAAPA Daughter, opposite Jessica Mauboy’s graduate Hayley McElhinney in the Billie Carter; 2010 graduate Claire role of Penny, the small town hospital Lovering took the role of Detective head doctor, starring alongside Tanya Martin in Hyde & Seek, Rodger Corser in the title role of alongside Matt Nable, Zoe Ventoura, heart surgeon Hugh Knight. Mandy McElhinney and Deborra-Lee “It’s a great role and the writing is Furness; and 2011 graduate Alex funny and tragic, often at the same Williams played Australian motor time. I was also drawn to the people racing driver John ‘Slug’ Harvey in involved – Claudia Karvan (who is Brock, starring Matthew Le Nevez, among the producers) is someone I Brendan Cowell and Steve Bisley. really admire and I thought working Matt, who enjoyed a regular role with her would be an incredible as Andrew Swanson in the television opportunity,” Hayley said in a recent drama series A Place To Call Home interview. and was most recently seen the The series also features new television series Wolf Creek, was graduate Shalom Brune-Franklin awarded the prestigious Heath as Irish nurse, Aoife. Shalom was Ledger Scholarship in 2015. Matt is the inaugural recipient of the Chris also an avid filmmaker; his short film Edmund Scholarship. Her credits Unwanted Friend was a finalist in the to date include roles in the Robert 2012 Tropfest short film festival. Connelly’s television miniseries On graduating from WAAPA, Claire Barracuda and the Ben C. Lucas performed in the Australian stage feature film, Other Life. tour of The Graduate, starring Texan Network Ten’s new series, supermodel Jerry Hall, and in 2015 The Wrong Girl, which aired in featured in the disaster film San September, saw 2005 graduate Ian Andreas, starring Dwayne Johnson Meadows in the leading role of Pete and Paul Giamatti. Barnett, best-friend-turned-love- While in his final year at WAAPA, Clockwise from top left: interest of Jessica Marais’s character, Alex was cast as Julian Assange in TJ Power Lily. The Wrong Girl also features Robert Connolley’s Underground: Hayley McElhinney 2013 graduate Cecelia Peters as The Julian Assange Story. He Shalom Brune-Frankllin junior producer Alice Felton-Smith followed that acclaimed performance Ian Meadows Cecelia Peters and 1993 graduate Leah Vandenberg with roles in INXS: Never Tear Us Leah Vandenberg as Meredith Vadivelu, the manager of Apart and Catching Milat. Alex Matt Levett the coffee shop where Pete works. has recently finished performing Claire Lovering Alex Williams Ian, who has a long list of acting in Black Swan State Theatre Company’s production of Tartuffe by Photos courtesy of Network Ten, credits to his name in television, film Nine Network and Seven Network and theatre, is also an award-winning Justin Fleming.

Page 6 Inside WAAPA Issue 46 FINDING INSPIRATION PERTH’S TEDX FEATURES WAAPA STAFF A violin virtuoso, a singer/songwriter/ thousand concerts and recitals around the producer and an electronic music historian world. He has won numerous national and who all have connections with WAAPA international awards, and has performed in were invited to be part of TEDxPerth all the world’s major concert halls, played 2016, held on Saturday 15 October at the with the most prestigious orchestras and Perth Concert Hall. worked with acclaimed conductors. As a

Associate Professor Alexandre Da Costa, recording artist, he has more than 20 by Elisabeth Cloutier Photo sessional lecturer Rachel Claudio and PhD solo CDs. student Meg Travers were three of the 14 Singer/songwriter/producer Rachel speakers at TEDxPerth 2016, which was Claudio, a freelance lecturer in Creativity billed as ‘a day of inspirational, stimulating at WAAPA, is best known for her work in and original ideas from WA’s most original real-time music production. She uses music thinkers and doers’. technology to create and perform entirely TED, which began in 1984 as orchestrated songs live and in real time, a conference where Technology, with her video interpretation of the track Entertainment and Design converged, is a ‘Hey Ya’ surpassing 2 millions views. Rachel nonpartisan nonprofit devoted to spreading is also a composer/arranger/songwriter for ideas, usually through short, powerful talks. major labels, and composer for film and Today TED is a world-wide phenomenon, TV scores. covering topics from science to business to Electronic music historian Meg Travers global issues in more than 110 languages. used her PhD research into ‘ancient’ TEDxPerth 2016 featured talks on the electronic musical instruments such as the Global Poverty Project, ground-breaking trautonium – the forerunner of today’s medical research on treatments for genetic synthesizers – to discuss how technology diseases, advances in space exploration obsolescence impacts the performing arts. using radio waves, and embracing plastic- Travers has degrees in music technology free living. and is a qualified radio technician, and has brought these two worlds World-renowned concert violinist together in building her own electronic Alexandre Da Costa, who is WAAPA’s Head musical instruments, as well as creating of Strings, presented a talk on the role of soundscapes crafted from the RF noises by Illona Tobin Photo a performer and artist in today’s society. that are around us every day, but out of our From top: Associate Professor Alexandre Da Costa, Rachel Claudio The Canadian-born musical superstar and Meg Travers audible range. has been guest soloist for nearly two

The five bandmates are all graduates of WAAPA’s Contemporary Music Artist program. The competition saw music fans cast thousands of votes via the festival’s website throughout October to select who should play at Falls Downtown Fremantle, alongside the likes of Childish Gambino, London Grammar, The Avalanches, Alison Wonderland, Ta-Ku and more. The Falls win confirms that The Hunting Birds are on a roll: they launched their new single, State of Mind, earlier this year,

Photo by Sara Hannagan by Sara Photo made their television debut on Channel 7’s Telethon in October and supported HUNTING BIRDS FLY HIGH British India at their Perth show in November. The Hunting Birds, a young Perth folk/ The band, fostered by Music Insight, is The Falls Festival has been a staple on pop/rock band made up of five WAAPA fronted by the dynamic singer/songwriter the east coast for the last 23 years at graduates, has won a spot on the lineup at duo of Connor Minervini (vocals/guitar) Byron Bay in NSW, Lorne in Victoria and the first-ever Falls Festival in Fremantle on and Kendra Fewster (vocals/keyboard), Marion Bay in Tasmania, but next year is January 7 and 8 next year, after scoring with bassist Brandon Richards, lead the first time it will be held in WA. the most votes in the Falls Downtown guitarist Chris Mackenzie and drummer From left: Caleb Quartermaine – Drums, Chris Mackenzie – Guitar, Foster A Band competition. Caleb Quartermaine. Connor Minervini – Vocals/Guitar, Brandon Richards – Bass, Kendra Fewster – Vocals/Keys.

Inside WAAPA Issue 46 Page 7 CREATIVE COUNSEL HIGH-CALIBRE VISITING ARTISTS BRING THEIR EXPERTISE TO WAAPA TO COMPLETE THE PERFORMANCE YEAR

Thanks to the generosity of the 80 ballets and has worked with leading In November, WAAPA presented the Minderoo Foundation, multi-award dance companies throughout the world. world premiere of Opera! The Opera, winning singer, songwriter, author, poet Christe’s wife, Annegien Sneep has by ABC broadcaster and conductor and film-maker Richard Frankland visited been his assistant and rehearsal director Guy Noble. WAAPA in August for a week of creative since 1981 and supervises the re-staging Noble was a guest artist at WAAPA development with the students in the of Christe’s works around the world. She thanks to the generous support of the Aboriginal Performance program. also designed the costumes or Christe’s Jackman Furness Foundation. The outcome of that collaborative week later ballets. Opera! The Opera, which was was a new work called Poetry, Prose performed by the Postgraduate Classical and Songs from the South, which was Vocal students in the Roundhouse performed in November by the students Theatre, was directed by WAAPA as their graduating production. graduate Brendan Hanson with music Described as ‘a musical tragedy, played direction by Noble and WAAPA lecturer, out in epic style’, the play draws on David Wickam. Richard’s work as a field officer for the Noble describes how the idea behind Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Opera! The Opera – to put the best Custody, Victorian Aboriginal legal Service, characters and music of great opera into and as a councillor for young Aboriginal a new jukebox show – travelled with him people in high risk conditions. for a number of years. It celebrates the Richard has written, directed and European-based Australian music of Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Dvořák, produced over 50 video, documentary choreographer Lewis Major explores Rossini and Wagner. and film projects including the award- the relationship between theatre, winning No Way to Forget, After Mabo movement, light, sound and technology. and Harry’s War. As a performer and dance maker, he has worked with Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi The Aboriginal Theatre students Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant, Shaun performed Richard’s hard-hitting play, Parker, Aakash Odedra, Hans van Den Conversations With the Dead in 2014. Broeck and others. Major presented his new work, Sum, as part of the Verge season. “It’s been a privilege to work with some of the most talented, intelligent and by Jon Green Photo dedicated young dancers in the world “We had a workshop in May for a few here at WAAPA,” says Major. “Their days on Act 1 where I got to know the breadth of training and exposure to students and then Act 2 was completed internationally recognized repertoire, in numerous hotels and airports as creators and teachers have given them I conducted orchestras around the

Photo by Stephen Heath by Stephen Photo an edge that many training institutions country,” says Noble. are unable to provide. The dancers have Thanks to the generous support of “Opera! The Opera was very much brought an intense physical, mental the Jackman Furness Foundation for the written around the students and their and philosophical sensitivity to the Performing Arts, Nils Christe, Annegien individual personalities and it has been choreographic process, and it’s been Sneep and Lewis Major were guest wonderful to see them grow into their a pleasure to watch their technical choreographers at WAAPA for Verge, the characters and inhabit them with such precision, dramatic passion and individual final dance season of the year. exuberance.” artistry on show in my work.” After a highly successful guest residency As a conductor, Noble has worked last year, acclaimed Dutch choreographer with orchestras throughout Australia, Nils Christe and his assistant Annegien New Zealand and Asia, and has also been Sneep returned to WAAPA to work with musical director on many major musicals. this year’s graduating dancers on Christe’s Noble was the host of the Breakfast show Purcell Pieces. on ABC Classic FM from 1999-2001, and is still a regular guest presenter on Born in 1949, Christe began his career the network. He writes a regular column as lead dancer with Nederlands Dans for Limelight Magazine. Theater, choreographing his first ballet for the company when he was 25 years old. Clockwise from far left: director Richard Frankland with the cast of Poetry, Prose and Songs from the South; choreographer Nils Christe Since then, Christe has created more than Photo by Jon Green and Annegien Sneep with the dancers from Purcell Pieces; Guy Noble’s Opera! The Opera; and choreographer Lewis Major’s Sum.

Page 8 Inside WAAPA Issue 46 CREATIVE COUNSEL A GOOD NEIGHBOUR A WAAPA STUDENT TAKES OUT A COVETED INTERNSHIP ON A MUCH-LOVED AUSSIE SHOW Acting student Anneliese Apps has won the inaugural 2016 Neighbours Internship, after being selected by the casting department of Neighbours from more than 150 applicants. “The calibre of applicants far exceeded our expectations and although it was Photo by Kathy Wheatley by Kathy Photo PIANO MAGIC a very difficult decision, we are thrilled From left: Vice Chancellor of ECU, Professor Steve Chapman, Stewart Symonds, Professor Geoffrey Lancaster and to have Anneliese Apps, a WAAPA Hon. Minister John Day. student, as the recipient of this fantastic WAAPA’S OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF initiative,” says Neighbours producer HISTORICAL PIANOS GET A NEW LEASE OF LIFE Natalie Lynch. In May this year, a multi-million dollar to Perth early next year,” says Professor The internship, an initiative of collection of 140 historically-significant Lancaster. “She’ll help us make decisions FremantleMedia Australia and The Equity pianos was generously gifted to WAAPA in terms of prioritizing restoration and she Foundation with the support of Media by NSW collector Stewart Symonds. will restore the First Fleet piano.” Super, gives Anneliese the opportunity to spend a week on the set of the Among these historic pianos was The Stewart Symonds Collection long-running Australian drama, working Australia’s first piano, which arrived on contains 16 instruments, including the with key cast members as well as the board the Sirius as part of the First Fleet First Fleet piano, of exceptional rarity and wardrobe, scheduling, casting, script, art in 1788. uniqueness that hold enormous heritage make-up and editing departments. The value, both nationally and internationally. “The acquisition of the First Fleet piano, internship includes return flights and let alone the acquisition of one of the They include a 1736 spinet made by accommodation for the week. world’s most significant historical keyboard Furley Hawkins and a 1766-67 square “I am so grateful and excited to collections, is a major boon for the cultural piano by the inventor of the square piano have received this wonderful learning and academic life of WAAPA and ECU,” in England, Johann Christoph Zumpe. opportunity,” says Anneliese. “I can’t says Professor Geoffrey Lancaster AM, The spinet – a domestic form of wait to jump into this adventure and who facilitated the procurement of the harpsichord – is the only one left in the see what goes on behind the scenes of collection. “But most importantly it’s a world by this particular maker and the Neighbours!” wonderful thing for WA to have.” square piano is one of the earliest Zumpe Professor Lancaster says that, in the few pianos still in existence. short months since arriving in Perth, what Professor Lancaster says that is now known as the Stewart Symonds restoration work on the Zumpe piano will Collection has taken on a life of its own. also need to address the external changes Planning is underway for an historical made to the piano in the 1820s, when piano festival at WAAPA in 2017, with the case and legs were altered to make it recitals held throughout the year and a more fashionable. “So what we need to do conference on issues relating to historical is get this instrument back to its original pianos, such as how these instruments 1766 state, not only in its ability to be were played in the 18th and 19th played but also in its look.” centuries, the role of the piano in society, restoration, conservation and tuning. “The festival will be all things fortepiano, it’s going to be very stimulating,” says Professor Lancaster. In the meantime, the invaluable instruments in the Stewart Symonds Collection are in need of restoration “We have invited one of the world’s greatest restorers of early pianos, Lucy Coad, who lives near Bath in England,

Inside WAAPA Issue 46 Page 9 25 YEARS OF SUPPORT THIS YEAR MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D’ARCY SLATER FOUNDATION’S SUPPORT OF WAAPA STUDENTS

From left: D’Arcy Slater scholarship recipient James Thomasson; Associate Dean - Performance, Associate Professor Andrew Lewis; Dean of WAAPA, Professor Julie Warn; Christina Slater; and Vice Chancellor of ECU, Professor Steve Chapman

his year marks the 25th anniversary have gone on to enjoy success in their Foundation for making this amazing of the tragic passing of D’Arcy chosen profession. These include 2010 experience possible.” TSlater, who at just 13 years old, graduate Paul Dowson, who appeared Jacinta agrees, saying: “The funds from drowned in the flooded Helena River in the ABC’s conspiracy thriller, The this scholarship will help me to reach while returning to school following Code and the Seven Network’s 2015 my dream and goals of internationally football training. miniseries Peter Allen: Not the Boy being part of the performing arts, taking An only child, D’Arcy was a strong Next Door; and 2013 graduate Grace every experience I can from the show academic and sporting student, Smibert who, now known as Grace and Macau and transforming these into representing Guildford Grammar School Victoria, has appeared in the short film smart tools in preparation for my future in maths and chess competitions, football, Talk to Someone. in theatre.” tennis and swimming. The recipients of this year’s Production Students in WAAPA’s performing arts His parents, Bill and Christina Slater, and Design Travelling Scholarships were courses also benefit from the D’Arcy set up the D’Arcy Slater Foundation 3rd Year Costume student Larisha-Jane Slater Foundation’s generous funding of in memory of their son to offer a wide Taylor and 3rd Year Stage Management the Visiting Artist program, which brings range of scholarships to encourage youth student Jacinta Way. nationally acclaimed directors to the to pursue their aspirations in education, Larisha is waiting for confirmation on Academy. sport and the arts. a ten-week internship starting in March Guest directors facilitated by the Since 2009, the Foundation has next year with top-end fashion labels D’Arcy Slater Foundation include, among generously supported WAAPA through Marchesa and Zac Posen Atelier in others: Jason Langley, who this year its annual student scholarships and New York. Jactina has secured a six- won a Green Room Award win for Best funding for visiting artists. week stage management secondment Direction in Vic Theatre Company’s next year with Dragone Entertainment The student scholarships include Loving Repeating; Matt Edgerton, now Group’s The House of Dancing Water in the D’Arcy Slater Performing Arts Artistic Director of leading children’s Macau, China. Scholarship, worth $5,000, which theatre company, Barking Gecko; and provides financial assistance to deserving “I strongly believe that undertaking an this year’s visting artist, Glenn Hayden, students who have been accepted internship with such celebrated design who directed the 2nd Year Acting into WAAPA’s Acting program, and labels will open many doors for me in my students in Howard Barker’s play Victory. two Production and Design Travelling career, as I would eventually like to rise to Hayden is a WAAPA graduate with nearly Scholarships, valued at $2,000 each. the role of costume designer in feature 30 years’ experience as an actor and film,” says Larisha. director across many forms of theatre, James Thomasson, the recipient of with a particular focus on working with this year’s D’Arcy Slater Performing Arts “I feel so incredibly privileged to have young people and cultural, economic and Scholarship, says he is grateful for the been awarded this scholarship as it has geographical diversity. tremendous impact the scholarship has helped provide me with the opportunity already had on his university life. to travel abroad to undertake my dream WAAPA is immensely grateful to Bill secondment. It is going to make such and Christina Slater for their ongoing Since its inception, many aspiring actors a difference to me and I would like to support of WAAPA through the D’Arcy have benefitted from this scholarship and express my gratitude to the D’Arcy Slater Slater Foundation.

Page 10 Inside WAAPA Issue 46 BAPTISM BY FIRE END OF YEAR o say that Indian-born percussionist “I came to WAAPA to learn the AWARDS TTao Issaro grew up in an artistic Western percussion style with the full family is an understatement. mallets, marimbas and vibraphones,” His mother, renowned Indian dancer he says. “The moment I got here I was and choreographer Daksha Sheth, thrown into the world of concerts and and father, Perth-born musician and exams and it really helped me get my composer Devissaro, are co-directors act together. It is fantastic the discipline of the Daksha Sheth Dance Company, you’re forced into because of the in which his sister Isha Sharvani is now amount of performing you do.” the lead dancer and Tao performs as a This year, Tao’s original compositions percussionist. have been showcased by WAAPA’s Based in Kerala, India, the Daksha award-winning percussion ensemble Sheth Dance Company integrates Defying Gravity at the Fremantle Arts Centre in March and at the 2016 On October 31, Acting graduate contemporary dance with traditional Brittany Santariga was awarded the Chris Indian movement into cutting-edge Australian Percussion Gathering held in Brisbane in July. Edmund Scholarship, worth $12,500. performances. Fellow graduating actor Rory O’Keeffe Tao has performed in over 500 Having completed the first half of won the runner-up prize worth $2,500. performances in 30 countries, touring his Honours year, Tao has deferred his studies this semester in order to The scholarship is named in honour extensively in Asia, Australia, the UK of Chris Edmund, former Head of and the US. He has also performed with embrace the many work opportunities coming his way. Acting at WAAPA. Chris is currently ‘The Asima – an ensemble of young Kerala Pronouncer’ on Network Ten’s The Great musicians founded and directed by his These include performing with his Australian Spelling Bee. father – for the BBC Proms at London’s sister in Ochre Contemporary Dance Royal Albert Hall in 2010 and the Company’s regional tour of Kaya (Hello) The scholarship gives two students Kennedy National Center for the Arts in in September-October, for which Tao who demonstrate artistic excellence Washington DC in 2011. composed the music and performed. the opportunity to make international breaks in their career and attend further As a soloist, Tao was invited to Tao and Isha then flew to India to join training overseas. It is generously donated showcase his skills at the Ustad Zakir their parents for a performance with the by LAGRAL, Jane and Glenn Whiddon’s Hussain’s Barsi Festival in Mumbai Daksha Sheth Dance Company as part of private philanthropic company, and in 2014. He has also composed and the entertainment for the 2016 BRICS the Jackman Furness Foundation for produced music for TV, film and theatre. Summit, held in Goa on 15-16 October. Performing Arts (JFFPA). Tao’s connection to Perth through Tao is now performing a series of “It is a pleasure to be able to help these regular visits to his father’s side of the international shows with his parents’ wonderfully talented young adults reach family was strengthened when, four dance company, starting in Dubai. He is their full potential at an international years ago, he was accepted into WAAPA. also working on a new production with level,” says Jane Whiddon. “We hope He says that the strong focus on his sister and is hoping to be part of a this will enable decision-makers in key performance at WAAPA was ‘a baptism tour to India with Ochre Contemporary entertainment industry hubs around the by fire’. Dance Company. world know what we’ve always known Even with multiple work projects on – that WAAPA produces world class the go, the 25-year-old percussionist performers.” is determined to return to WAAPA to This year’s Leslie Anderson Awards were finish his studies. presented in November to graduating “WAAPA is just a fantastic institution, Acting student Giuseppe Rotondella I’ve studied in America and I’ve been and graduating Music Theatre student to all kinds of music universities and Stefanie Caccamo. conservatories around the world but the These annual awards were first thing that really stands our for me about presented in 1989 in honour of the late WAAPA is the coming together of all Leslie Anderson, doyen of WA’s theatre the facets of performing arts in the one critics who wrote for the Sunday Times building,” Tao says. and The Australian. “You have dancers, stage designers, prop makers, musicians from all disciplines, opera, it’s just such a great boiling pot for all these incredibly talented people from all these different fields. You get to come into this one space and enjoy being lectured by these amazing, amazing teachers and perform in an incredible number of shows, it’s just fantastic.” Winners of the Leslie Anderson Awards Inside WAAPA Issue 46 Page 11 Opera! The Opera Memory Bones

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Page 12 Inside WAAPA Issue 46