Best University acting course in Perth ?

Mon, 11 Jan 2010, 09:36 pm

Hi there, been doing a bit of research but cant find any opinions or reviews on acting courses at Uni in perth. I currently have no experience in acting and am signed up for a beginner course in late January. If i do well with this I would like to pursue it further. Seeing as I'd obviously have no chance of getting into WAAPA or anything like that I'm looking at more easily accesible paths to get started. The uni websites are a bit confusing but i managed to find these courses so far; Curtin: Performace studies degree http://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/undergraduate/performance possibly with a double major of screen arts. AND ECU: Bachelor of arts (Performing Arts) http://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/our-courses/search?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZ3ZWJzZXJ2aWNlcy53ZWIuZWN1LmVkdS5hdSUyRmZ1dHVyZS1zdHVkZW50cyUyRmNvdXJzZS12aWV3LnBocCUzRmlkJTNEMDAwMDAwMTQ1OSUyNmxvY2F0aW9uJTNEJmFsbD0x (sorry for the long links) anyway any opinions or ideas would be greatly appreciated :) Jamie Nicholson

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JamieCNicholsonMon, 11 Jan 2010, 09:36 pm

cernunnonMon, 11 Jan 2010, 09:58 pm

Non-audition courses

Both of the courses you mention are good. As a graduate of the Curtin course, I am biased toward it. I think the best thing about the Curtin course is the frequency of opportunity to audition and perform. The Hayman theatre is (despite recent and now infamous downsizing) the busiest theatre in Perth. During semester there is a new show every week, and as a student you are eligible and encouraged to audition for all of them. You won't get in to everything, but that's life- and not succeeding in auditions is a very important skill for a performer to learn. Feel free to e-mail me cernunnon@gmail.com if you would like more info, I could wax lyrical, but that's just as likely to start a flame war :)

MusicalMumMon, 11 Jan 2010, 10:09 pm

Important to always read carefully...

The second course you have posted a link to states at the bottom of the page under Admission Requirements: "Applicants must have completed a vocational education and training or associate degree programme in the performing arts (Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts from WAAPA or equivalent Associate Diploma from other institutions) and have achieved distinction within their principal skills training practice." An Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts from WAAPA *is* their Acting Course (or their Dance Course). So you actually have to get into and graduate from WAAPA or something equivalent before you are eligible to apply for the BA you have asked about. Can't comment on the Curtin course; know nothing about it. So far as I know though, the only 'pure' acting training at tertiary level in Perth is the WAAPA course. There are other schools around providing preparation type training for trying to get into WAAPA, but no other 'acting university courses' per se. But others may know what's lurking.....

JamieCNicholsonMon, 11 Jan 2010, 10:16 pm

thanks a lot sounds great

thanks a lot :) sounds great that you have so many opportunities to be in productions ! ill shoot you an email if i have any further questions about the curtin course thanks, Jamie

LabrugTue, 12 Jan 2010, 08:53 am

Curtin

Curtin has a very well respected theatre course. I believe UWA does also. Murdoch has been holding its own. While WAAPA is globally acknowledged and more recognisable, the three main universities in Perth all have courses that in some way have received some recognition.

While I did not do a complete Theatre Course @ Curtin (several units as part of a Multi-disciplinary course) I can vouch for the overall focus and validity. As for the UWA and Murdoch courses, I have heard many good things about them.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
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Photographer

Walter PlingeTue, 12 Jan 2010, 11:26 am

Lies and more lies.

Just to let some of you know... who may not be so clued-up on the way things work here. Labrug is a fucking liar and anything he says should be filtered through a deep process of purification. He is as corrupted as that last hard drive you dumped on IBM's reception desk. Do not trust or believe anything this miserable fucker has to say on anything. He will get his due and will be fucking sorry to bother any of you again with his fucking lies. Trust me... I will fucking get this liar for you. I will shit on his head.

JamieCNicholsonTue, 12 Jan 2010, 02:51 pm

thanks for pointing that

thanks for pointing that out musicalmum :D to be honest I am in no position to start a uni course any time soon. I'm Just doing some research. I'm stuck doing an apprenticeship for 2 more years. Wondering if there's any kind of external learning I can start that will credit towards a bachelor/degree. I'm going to do some night classes and whatever training I can at the moment and if that go's anywhere I may enroll in uni and drop out of my apprenticeship. But atm I might as well finish it to have something to fall back on later in life. If I wait til I finish my apprenticeship, then go to uni, then if I'm lucky get into WAAPA I'm looking at 8 more years though, id be 30, how depressing haha

Walter PlingeTue, 12 Jan 2010, 03:50 pm

curtin professionals?

Out of interest, who are some names that have come out of curtin and are still working as professional actors, directors etc? I am keen to go there - and also keen to see the calibre of talent it has produced. Trish

LabrugTue, 12 Jan 2010, 04:06 pm

Curtin

I'd have to do a bit of research but one name that pops out immediately is Kate Mulvaney. Actor, Writer, and highly successful. Google her. You'll see what I mean.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins
SN Profile
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cernunnonWed, 13 Jan 2010, 06:17 pm

Curtin Alumni

You can add Frances O'Connor and Judith Lucy to that list. More recently, Luke Milton continues to have success as a writer and director. Go and see fringe theatre in Perth and it's highly likely there's a Haymanite or two involved, the list is really too long to list and I'd feel bad if I forgot anyone I know. Many people go on from the Curtin course to study at NIDA and WAAPA. It is considered good preparation for vocational acting training. But if you really want to check out the talent at/from Curtin, just go and see theatre in Perth. The current season at The Blue Room Theatre is chockers with Haymanites. And the Hayman theatre itself starts its 2010 season with Chekhov's Three Sisters late in February.

cernunnonWed, 13 Jan 2010, 06:28 pm

External Learning

There's not really a lot of prior learning credit that can count toward an acting degree. I guess that's the nature of the industry- everything you do, you still audition (apologies to Mr Sondheim). Experience does count for a lot though, if not academically. Get some amateur theatre under your belt. Plenty of companies around, have a poke around the website. And go and see theatre- one show a week will come in under your apprentice-slave-wage and will give you some great ideas. Most amateur and some professional actors will happily chat with you after a show, particularly at The Blue Room Theatre, and at the Hayman Theatre. Don't be shy, we won't bite. And don't worry about age, I graduated last year, over 30, and I'm going back for more this year. There are many more great roles for older blokes than for younger.

Walter PlingeWed, 13 Jan 2010, 06:57 pm

Didn't Frances O'Connor

Didn't Frances O'Connor study at WAAPA?

MusicalMumWed, 13 Jan 2010, 07:00 pm

Yes, Frances was at WAAPA

She must have done Curtin first.

Walter PlingeFri, 15 Jan 2010, 04:44 pm

fran oconnor

yep, she did. There are HEAPS of grads who have gone onto waapa and professional theatre/tv/film. Even in perth now, i can think of quite a few actors who are working that did the course. Yes, Luke Milton for one. I have seen Black Swan shows in recent years and Perth theatre Co show that have had graduates, just cant think of names from top of my head. ddavies

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