May Youth Theatre News feature:
The Youth Theatre hierarchy aims to both nurture and inspire our students interest and love of acting and stagecraft. In this issue we talk to two students who are new to the program, Emily Matthews and Braeden Pugh, about what they hope to gain from their tuition. We also speak to a former Youth Theatre pupil Natalia Pizzey, who reflects on her past experiences with the program and where they have led to.
Nine year old Emily Matthews is a Bundoora Intermediate Youth Theatre student. Her first impressions of Youth Theatre is that it’s a lot of fun. “I am ecstatic at being part of the program. I really like my teacher Seth he makes the classes lots of fun and at the same time I learn heaps, ” says Emily.
One of Emily’s favourite actors is Johnny Depp. “I like him because he is nice in real life, and on screen he plays so many different types of characters and does them all so well.” In regards to her aspirations for her time with the Youth Theatre, Emily hopes to make new friends and learn acting skills. “I want to build up my confidence, be in productions and have lots of fun,” Emily says.
Braeden Pugh is a 12 year old Berwick Senior Youth Theatre student. His first impression of the program were that the classes were really well organised. “I also get the chance to be ‘who I am’ – be creative, express myself and have fun,” says Braeden.
Prior to Youth Theatre Braeden did four years at a different company mainly focusing on script. “I also had the lead role in my Primary school production last year and have just been named in the school production at my new High School.”
His favourite actor is Hugh Jackman. “I think he is a legend! He is so amazing how he can change from ‘singing and dancing’ to ‘action’ or ‘drama’ and always makes the character his own and believable.”
Braeden hopes one day to be a professional actor. “I know that it won’t come easy or happen overnight so I hope that being part of the Youth Theatre will give me the experience and confidence to help me on my journey,” Braeden says.
Former student Natalia Pizzey began Youth Theatre in 1990 when she was in Grade 5 and left when she was in Year 10. “I was incredibly shy and I often didn’t want to go but mum made me,” says Natalia. “I grew out of that pretty quickly and ended up making some great friends. It was definitely a life-changing program for me as it influenced my choice in career, working in film.”
In 1992 Natalia was a member of the inaugural Youth Theatre performing group and went on to have leading roles in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Journey of the Birds, and Salad Days.
Since the age of 21 Natalia has been casting films and developing scripts. Some of the highlights have been taking the play Pandora’s Box to the Edinburgh Film Festival which was very well received. “I have worked on the 2007 film Storm Warning, a small independent Australian film in which I had various roles including casting, production secretary, and post-production assistant,” says Natalia. “The highlight so far has been my role as Production Co-ordinator with the 2008 British crime film The Bank Job which starred Jason Stantham. This was a large budget film with big names and lots of international exposure.”
Her advise to current students is to get involved in something you love doing. “Do something you are happy to get out of bed for in the morning,” she says with a smile.
To read the full version of the May Youth Theatre News, please click here.
