Hi there. I know that Rhoda Lopez is in this show so it's no doubt going to be really great. I saw her in Rent and she was hot (in every sense of the word). I understand that she studied the BA in Music Theatre at WAAPA. In the STM on the weekend it said that Ethan Thomas studied musical theatre at WAAPA? I don't know him. Did he do the BA or the certificate course? When I did the certificate course a few years ago I had to sign something saying that I will never represent to anyone that I have studied "musical theatre at WAAPA", because that is mis-leading as most people would think that that meant I had studied the famous, prestigious BA course or, "the same as all the famous WAAPA grads". If Mr Thomas has studied the BA, good on him (I'm jealous) and well done. If the Sunday Times has mis-quoted him, fair enough, they can do that. But if he (and others I know) are telling journos that they have studied "musical theatre at WAAPA" and they have only done the cert then they seem to be ignoring the promise they made. Am I the only one that cares about this? If no one else is honouring this promise (in the interests of maintaining the reputation of WAAPA around Perth) then I think I might start saying I am a WAAPA grad. I am always very clear with people that I have only studied the cert course. We all know how different the two are... I'd be interested to see what other people think. Do people who do the Singer Actor Dancer course at NIDA think the same? Do they say they have studied "acting at NIDA"?

How can I find out more info about this show, who is the production company, how can get my hands on a script, see a score? Having trouble accessing forums please contact me direct on publicity@mirandamusicalsociety.com.au Thanks

Dear WAPPA "certificate course" student, I was just curious as to whether you researched the relevance of your comment about students who previously studied at WAPPA. As you made VERY clear you yourself did the certificate course and had to sign an agreement that you would not advertise yourself as a WAPPA graduate, how relevant is this to people who studied in the years before you? surely without discovering whether they too had to sign such an agreement you would not feel the need to brandish this information around if it was relevant to them also .... would you? perhaps next time you should think before speaking as I know personally that Mr Tomas did not have to sign such an agreement for his time at WAPPA. To anyone else I would highly recommend seeing Checkout! It is a hugley hillarious musical with terrific actors (as stated by the "WAPPA certificate course" student - although having never seen it I wonder how they can comment so confidently on the show's entertainment value). By personally seeing this musical it is easy to tell that the writers inteded their work to impress the audience with their clever jokes and amusing songs... not with their previous acting instruction by whatever institution they studied at! I hope if you do go you find it as amusing as I myself did! Congratulations cast of checkout you are fantastic!!!!

If you had to sign an agreement saying that you weren't allowed to tell people that you studied at WAAPA. Then aren't you breaking the agreement now?? Also it would be good on an advertising point of view that WAAPA would like people to join and study at the course to create really good actors. So I don't think such agreement exists. I am sure WAAPA would be proud of such good actors like Ethan Tomas, that they would like like their former students to boast about such good organisation.

I am currently a student of the Certificate Course at WAAPA, and was made aware of said agreement. The agreement doesn't state that a Cert graduate deny their status as a former WAAPA student, but says it is illegal to 'misrepresent' themselves as a 'Music Theatre graduate' from WAAPA without making the distinction that it was from the Cert course. This agreement was introduced, explained David King, because of several apparent instances where Cert students have (intentionally or unintentially) omitted information to press that therefore suggested they are BA graduates. When this occurs it not only gives a false representation of a performer's education and training, but is also a little unfair to those who have auditioned and studied hard for three years to obtain their Bachelor degree. However, that is just me explaining my experience with the agreement as a current student, I don't wish to be involved with any argument. In fact, when it comes to Ethan Tomas...I do not know him but have the utmost respect for anyone who cares enough to help create an original musical in this day and age, especially in Perth!!! And on the topic of Rhoda Lopez...yes, she is phenomenal. An incredible performer as well as a dear and supportive friend of mine, so I urge all to support her and her great castmates...as well as the creation of original musical theatre(!!!) by going to see this show!

Thanks Tyler for that. That's precisely what I meant and that's what David said to us too. I know of several people who ignore the agreement. I had to one day contact a media outlet and have them change an article (after I had been sent a draft) to make sure it didn't seem that I was a BA student. I think I'm the only one who seems to go to that kind of trouble though. But the bottom line is, people who studied the cert course are obliged NOT to say that they "studied musical theatre at WAAPA" - because that is misleading. Good luck with the rest of the course - it's a lot of fun.

Well It actually closed last Saturday. (this season anyway!) And, on behalf of Tumbleweed productions we wish to say thank-you to all the talented people who gave their spare time and spare emotion to dedicate themselves to Checkout! A very successful run and many great memories to preserve! Thankyou to all who criticize new art, thankyou to all those who are willing to enjoy art, thankyou to those who never came, and thankyou to those who are willing to say... ' I enjoy music theatre. you all made it possible. My humblest of gratitude, Ethan Tomas. There's only us. Theres only this, forget regret or life is yours to miss.

Hi, my name is Ben and I was unable to view this performance, unfortunately, as one of my ex singing teachers, Rhoda Lopez was in it. I know that Rhoda is the most amazing performer in Australia!! Rhoda did the BA course at WAAPA, and has come out with the most amazing attitude, skills and experience that I have ever seen. Her general attitude towards what she does is just incredible, and I think that everyone needs to get behind such an amazing talent. I want to see Rhoda get bigger and beter, as I know she has the potential. THIS PERFORMER IS AMAZING!! I would really like to see Rhoda in big shows in Australia, such as television series over east, and also major musical productions that tour the globe (something like WE WILL ROCK YOU). Rhoda, I wish you a lot of luck in the rest of your career, and hope that you get onto even more bigger things, as I know you are an amazing talent!!.....i miss you at harmony school of voice and music, and hope that one day I can see you agin and congragulate you on your amazing qualities!! Ben

Just got confirmation from Rhoda herself that she will be the understudy to Gigi in the production of MISS SAIGON (my all time fave show) scheduled for March next year. She rocks and on behalf of all 'check-outers', Congrats Rhoda and we'll be there front row for SAIGON.. Dont spit on us! Luv Eth. There's only us. Theres only this, forget regret or life is yours to miss.

Hi Eth, GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT RHODA!! i live in perth and was just wondering if that is a nation wide production, and if it is, is it coming to perth for any shows? HOPE SO!!....id love to see rhoda again (what an amazing performer). If you knwo any details about it, and when she is actualy performing, that would be wonderful! Thanks again, Ben

Three years ago MISS SAIGOn was down-scaled to incorporate smaller theatres it couldn't normally play. i have seen the original BIG SAIGON seven times and am hanging, like you, to see the scaled down version... no helicopter, and no big statues and cars etc, but big and huge digital visual effects. so yeah i guess i can tell you, that on no authority, other than word of mouth from people involved that.... MISS SAIGON will play perth! and Rhoda, in all her glory will play perth.. me personally only wants to go to the show where she plays Gigi... love her styles! From what i can gather from all sources its going to be a big whirlwind australasian tour. the show has already been played in 25 countries, and translated into 12 languages. big hoo haa is definitely necessary.... see you all at the show! There's only us. Theres only this, forget regret or life is yours to miss.

Three years ago MISS SAIGOn was down-scaled to incorporate smaller theatres it couldn't normally play. i have seen the original BIG SAIGON seven times and am hanging, like you, to see the scaled down version... no helicopter, and no big statues and cars etc, but big and huge digital visual effects. so yeah i guess i have confirmation for you.... MISS SAIGON will play perth! and Rhoda, in all her glory will play perth.. me personally only wants to go to the show where she plays Gigi... love her styles! From what i can gather from all sources its going to be a big whirlwind australasian tour. the show has already been played in 25 countries, and translated into 12 languages. big hoo haa is definitelt necessary.... see you all at the show! There's only us. Theres only this, forget regret or life is yours to miss.