More than just a drama school
Posted: 2 May 2017
For budding actress Molly Tompsett, being awarded a Busselton Water scholarship for the Acting Up! Drama School offered so much more than the chance to extend her acting skills.
Molly’s mum, Amber Tompsett, said the 11-year-old was once a kid who you couldn’t get to go to school or convince her to come out from under her desk.
“She had panic attacks and anxiety, and I can’t tell you enough how much singing and acting has helped her. With the help of classes at Acting Up! she’s performing lead roles in musicals and is also a school councillor,” Amber said.
“Acting Up! is more than just a drama school. They help set kids up for life by providing them with self-esteem and self-confidence to get up in front of people.
Regardless of whether Molly takes acting and singing any further, I’ll always be so appreciative of how they’ve helped Molly and thankful to Busselton Water for giving Molly the opportunity to continue the lessons without it being a financial burden.
The scholarship was a huge help for us. I mean, we’ll always find a way to pay for Molly to participate in her extracurricular activities but this scholarship has meant that we know for sure she can do one after school activity each term,” Amber added.
Along with Molly, Emily Lyons (13), Ella Demarchi (13) and Anouk Siegrist (9), all received a year-long scholarship, made possible through Busselton Water’s inaugural Community
Partnership Program.
Two of the four scholarships were reserved for students requiring financial assistance and the other two were awarded to students displaying potential and promise in the art of drama.
Busselton Water Chief Executive Officer Chris Elliott said it was great to see the partnership with Acting Up! providing a great opportunity to support the development of both the local community and Busselton youth to thrive and excel in their chosen craft.
“We’re very excited to see these four hopeful actresses being able to participate in their passion regardless of circumstance,” Mr Elliott said.
Acting Up! Educational Director Terry Thompson said the scholarships were something they’ve wanted to instigate for some time.
“We believe all children deserve the opportunity to build their self-confidence, self-esteem and self-reliance which is what our classes serve to do,” Mr Thompson said.
“Financial situation should never hinder a child from being able to achieve their dreams.”
Acting Up! has been nurturing aspiring actors for 10 years and currently has more than 80 students between the ages of 5 and 18 years and another seven adults and 43 children involved in school’s production of Oliver, the Musical, opening in the July school holidays.
“In the first term the older students worked on improvisation and different acting styles while the younger children focussed on characterisation, expression of emotions and acting out small plays. We’ve recently also started taking enrolments for adult classes which is very exciting,” Mr Thompson said.
The Busselton Water Community Partnership Program seeks to raise Busselton Water’s connection with the local community particularly with groups and projects related to water quality and efficiency; environmental sustainability; education; innovation; and leadership.
The next round of the Busselton Water Community Partnership Program will open for applications in May 2017. For more information on the classes available at Acting Up! visit www.actingup.com.au or contact Terry on [email protected] or 0407 197 037.
