SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN WITH STAGE SCHOOL AUSTRALIA

Stage School Australia, established in 1984, has a long history of training Australia’s youth to be ready to tread the boards of professional theatre.  Its disciplines, the Young Australia Broadway Chorus, and the Victorian Youth Theatre, have taught the youth of Victoria confidence, public speaking, communication and team work, as well as skills in singing, dancing and acting.

Two initiatives of Stage School Australia will be treading the boards these holidays, with the Victorian Youth Theatre performing Babe, The Sheep-Pig (based on the film and book we all know and love), and the Young Australia Broadway Chorus performing Disney’s The Little Mermaid Junior.

 Entertaining the masses these school holidays is Madeleine Horsey,  playing Babe.  Having previously performed with the company, she is  one  of many stellar performers taking the stage at Union Theatre.

“My favourite part of rehearsals so far has been developing the  characters, particularly the animal characteristics […] rehearsing in the  costumes has added an exciting element,” she said.

“Being on stage is a whirlwind and such an adrenaline rush. I love to be  able to entertain and bring fun and happiness to people in doing what I  love.”

These youth theatre initiatives are helping young performers work  towards their dreams.

“I hope to be able to be a part of the industry after school and continue to  fulfill my passions on stage,” she says.

For Horsey, theatre is a different way of being able to express herself.

“[With Victorian Youth Theatre] young people get the opportunity to entertain and create, and being able to develop these skills is so important to building personality.”

YABC’s latest musical theatre show, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., will be keeping over 80 performers busy between school terms.

Rishab Shrivastav and Jasmine Arthur are excited to be performing in a show they both watched when they were younger.

Shrivastav, playing Sebastian the Crab, was drawn to YABC by its reputation for producing spectacular shows, and has loved learning all of the songs and staging the numbers.

“I feel through theatre, I am able to express myself easily and I get a sense of belonging on stage,” he says.

“Children are exposed to a whole new world in theatre. They use their mind, body and most of all, their feelings.”

This is Shrivastav’s first production with YABC, and he has been with the company for a year. At 15 years old, he would like to become a professional actor.

For Arthur, who plays Ariel, she has enjoyed meeting wonderful people and being able to work with industry professionals.

“I have been with Stage School for nine years and have been a part of many of their tours and productions,” says Arthur.

“I love all the music that expresses the characters’ stories and the important relationship between the audience and the performers. I loved watching the Disney princess movies, especially The Little Mermaid.”

Arthur can’t wait to perform in front of a live audience, and for her family and friends.

“I hope to continue my love of theatre into the future and aspire to study at VCA after year 12. It’s important to do something you love and enjoy,” she says.

Take the kids along to the Guild Theatre for Babe, The Sheep-Pig and the Union Theatre for The Little Mermaid, both at The University of Melbourne. These children’s stage delights run from 30th September to 3rd October, and will be great fun for the whole family.

This article first appeared at: http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/school-holiday-fun-with-stage-school-australia/ on 25 September 2015.