WAAPA Graduating Year 2013

The next wave of talented performers from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) is seeking your help for their international tour.

In 2012, our class of 17 collaboratively produced an original piece of theatre entitled 'The Swell Party'. Set in Paris in the 1920s, it is the tumultuous story of the most prolific artists of the Jazz Age, including James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso. It focuses on the damage they inflicted on their loved ones, and unveils the truth behind the lavish partying, excessive drinking and raucous behaviour.

The week-long run in August of last year received very warm and exciting feedback, and as a result the class were invited to perform the play at the Smock Alley Theatre during Dublin's 2013 Fringe Festival in Ireland. This will be the first international tour for a WAAPA class in five years.

We are ecstatic about this fantastic opportunity to perform on the other side of the globe, and to also expand as performers, artists, writers, designers and producers. The learning experience will be simply invaluable.

At this stage, the cost of the trip is the only factor that we are apprehensive about. We must all cover our own costs, as well as the hire of the theatre, which alone is close to $2000. Our flights, accommodation, transfers and living expenses will cost approximately $3000 EACH for our week-long run in Dublin, Ireland. This is proving difficult to fundraise, particularly as we are also preparing to move to Sydney after graduation in November to start our acting careers.

Your donations will go towards our airfares, accommodation and the hiring of the theatre. By supporting 'The Swell Party' tour, you are supporting original Australian theatre, educational artistic endeavours, and you will be helping Australia's next generation of talented young performers enter the professional industry.
About the School: The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) prides itself on its high standard of teaching and the success of its alumni, including Hugh Jackman, Frances O'Connor and Jai Courtney. The three-year course provides extensive training in all aspects of performance for both stage and screen. With over 40 contact hours a week, and with most students moving from interstate and overseas to study at WAAPA, the three years are both mentally and physically challenging. WAAPA was recently ranked in the top 25 drama schools worldwide.

See below for the official invitation and our official press release:

Time is an obstacle. Having a busy performance schedule already, the graduating class only have 3 weeks to rehearse the altered show and prepare it for a more minimalist and simple stage and set design. We would like to spend these three weeks before we go away perfecting the show, creating a visually stunning piece of theatre, instead of worrying about fundraising and invoices.