WAAPA struts its stuff in Freo show.
ANNE HATHAWAY is one. Hugh Jackman is another. And WA Academy of Performing Arts student Emily Hart thinks she has what it takes to become one. They are rare triple threats—performers who can act, sing and dance.
Hart says she knew she wanted to walk the boards of musical theatre after first getting a taste of the spotlight at the age of five.
The Yokine local has been building up the pipes ever since, belting out Tina Arena songs into her hairbrush when she could barely walk.
“I have been dancing since I was three and have been incorporating singing along the way,” she told the Herald. “I did my first song and dance at five in a dance competition.
“As embarrassing as it is, it was Ring Ring from ABBA and it was lots of fun and I remember it fondly.”
In a move that might seem odd to the hordes of WA teens who emigrate east every year, this Sydneysider packed up her tap shoes and tooth brush two years ago to head west to study at WAAPA (where Jackman cut his pre-Wolverine teeth) . She says it has a global reputation for excellence that’s up there with much more famous schools.
“I couldn’t even put into words how much I have learnt,” she says. “It’s been the most life-changing experience of my life. I’ve been surrounded by some of the most talented people in Australia and taught by some of the best teachers in the world. It’s just amazing.
“It’s really brought my singing voice to a new level.”
The 21-year-old is hoping to join an ever-growing chorus of local musical theatre shows when she graduates at the end of the year.
“I would love to see myself on the stage doing musicals, that would be an absolute dream,” she says. “Whether its as an ensemble or a lead, I’d love to part of the musical theatre.
“There are so many opportunities and there are some great gigs around Perth.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very hard industry and it’s not like everyone is going to get a job, but if you have the passion for it then there is nothing holding you back.”
Hart and some WAAPA chums are boarding the musical bus for the Fremantle Arts Centre on March 28 for a night of big band and musical theatre.
Backed by the 18-piece WAAPA band, Hart will dance and sing her way through show tunes from George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and others.
While Hart confesses to not knowing what songs she will be belting out next Thursday, she is bouncing out of her skin to front the 18-piece band.
“We have a meeting today and we will discuss a couple of the songs,” she says. “We’ve got so many songs in our repertoire and I practice them all the time.
“It’s not stuff I have to learn right off the bat—it’s stuff I’ve been preparing for a while.
“And while I’ve never technically played in front of the band, it’s something that is so exciting, there will be nothing like it. I can’t wait.”
by BRENDAN FOSTER
WAAPA Direct starts at 7pm. $15 adults; kids under 16 free.