Graduating class year: 2001
Campus: Duncraig
What was your favourite part about being a St Stephen’s School student?
I was fortunate enough to be one of the first primary school students starting in Year 4 in 1993. In high school I had Chelsea Anderson and Tammy Donnelly for Drama. I took my time in drama class very seriously and couldn’t understand why some fellow students didn’t have the same passion.I then chose Drama as an elective every year. I was recognised with some awards for Drama studies and received principal roles in ‘Away’ and ‘Bye Bye Birdie’.
My original inspiration was back in 1994 when myself and three other Year 5 students were offered a role in the upper school production of ‘Smithy’. I ‘stole’ my big brothers script (I’m not sure if he was crew or something) and I poured over it every night, reading every part. I still have the copy and have fond memories of being on stage each night with the ‘big kids’.
What was the first step you took after graduating from St Stephen’s? (E.g. tertiary study, travel, work)
When it was time to ‘choose’ a career path, at the tender age of 16 I confided in Mrs Turnbull. I wanted to work in Primary school in the hopes to support younger students falling in love with the ‘serious nature of performing’ at an earlier age.
Mrs Turnbull assured me there was not much in the way of drama specialists in primary schools. I listened, applied for a Bachelor of Education at Joondalup ECU and vowed to make the performing arts (mainly drama and dance) happen in primary classes.
To pay the bills I was working for a small theatre company called ‘Perth Youth Theatre’ where I co-directed and choreographed several shows a year.
Tell us about what you’re doing now! Have you had any memorable achievements since leaving St Stephen’s?
I am currently the co-owner and director (with my husband Trevor Patient) of Perth Youth Theatre and we run term-time Drama and Dance classes for ages 6-18 and produce over 20 Productions per year. We just celebrated PYT’s 15th Anniversary! I am also co-owner and Producer of Platinum Entertainment WA Pty Ltd and we are currently producing ‘We Will Rock You’ The Musical by Queen & Ben Elton at His Majesty’s Theatre in March, 2018.
Memorable achievements include:
Reflecting on your time as a St Stephen’s student, how did your education prepare you for life outside of School?
My time at SSS offered me opportunities that have supported me today.