The entertainment world is Savannah Geddes and Sophie Carmody’s oyster after the young Novocastrians were accepted into the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

In Australia, there are three premier training facilities for musical theatre – NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Sydney, VCA (Victorian College of the Arts) and WAAPA, whose star graduates include Hugh Jackman and Tim Minchin.

And, competition is fierce at all of them.

Every year, hundreds of candidates vie for the 18 available spots in WAAPA’s prestigious Diploma of Musical Theatre.

Now, in 2022, not one but two Newcastle performers will be counted among the 18 successful applicants.

Savannah and Sophie have been friends since primary school, attended Hunter School of Performing Arts together and were both students of Newcastle’s Hunter Drama for many years.

In 2021, they graduated from Hunter Drama’s inaugural Pre-diploma of Musical Theatre course.

Designed specifically to hone the skills of pupils wishing to undertake tertiary studies in performance, Savannah and Sophie said it prepared them exceptionally well for the rigorous rounds of online auditions for WAAPA.

“I was surrounded by teachers who understood all the aspects of musical theatre and peers who appreciated the art form just as much as I do,” Sophie explained.

“I truly believe that, without the Pre-Diploma training I received last year, I would not be the performer or human I am today.

“When it came to auditions, I was prepared with a repertoire which had been approved and improved during classes.

“I felt so beyond supported by my wonderful teachers and received lots of tips and tricks, which made auditions less daunting and more thrilling.”

Savannah was equally enthusiastic about the training and support provided by the Pre-diploma.

“Prior to enrolling in the Pre-diploma course, I had taken a break from performing (after finishing high school) and wasn’t sure if I would be able to get my confidence back,” she said.

“With the help of Ali [Hodge] and Rachel [Wilson], I not only reignited my passion for performing, I was pushed and challenged in ways I had not been before.

“Throughout the course, there wasn’t a single moment where I felt I wasn’t learning something beneficial to my development as a performer.

“I cannot thank the tutors, my class and Hunter Drama enough for the support and passion given to me every week, as I developed skills I would have otherwise been afraid to pursue.

“When it came time to send in auditions for schools, I approached them with a confidence I had not had before.

“It was a confidence derived from pride in how far I had come, and excitement in how far I still had to go.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing environment the Pre-diploma offers to make mistakes, sing the wrong notes, do the wrong steps and truly learn and grow within yourself and as part of a cohort.

“The friends I made, the lessons I learnt and the endless opportunities for personal and creative development I was exposed to will stick with me for the rest of my journey and, for that, I am truly grateful.”

Savannah and Sophie will relocate to Perth in early February where they will be rooming together and sharing the invaluable experience of the intensive year-long Diploma course.

OPPORTUNITY TO ENROL

Auditions for Hunter Drama’s 2022 pre-diploma course will take place at Hunter Drama on Monday 24 January and are open to students from Year 10 and up. Successful candidates will undertake two 90-minute workshops per week throughout the four terms in 2022. 

Head of musical theatre Alison Hodge guides the students in vocals and acting, as well as covering vital components of preparation for a career in musical theatre including: vocal health; fitness, health and safety; audition technique; music theory; history of musical theatre; and portfolio preparation, while Hunter Drama tutor Rachel Wilson teaches tap, ballet and jazz.

Interested candidates can apply for an audition at https://hunterdrama.com.au/pre-diploma/

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