Carramar Class of 2013 Alumnus, Etain Boscato who is a proud Whadjuk Yued woman is living proof that you don’t have to be on stage to be a star!
After graduation, Etain went to the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and studied a Bachelor of Performing Arts, specialising in live production and technical theatre.
“I knew that I loved woodwork and theatre and from this I found the props and scenery course at WAAPA. I remember going to the open day, walking into the workshop and just falling in love with it”. 
“While at WAAPA I found that working in the theatre during the productions, instead of just building the sets in a workshop, was what I enjoyed the most. I did a secondment at the State Theatre Centre in my third year and at the end of my two weeks they offered me a casual mechanist position. That was in 2016, and from there I quickly learnt the fly system and am now Head Flyman and Senior Staging Technician being one of only three people in the state who can use it”.
“It’s my job to rig and build all the scenic elements of a theatre production. The system is entirely computer controlled so anything that moves in a theatre show at the State Theatre is done by my team and me”.
Etain has worked as a mechanist, as well as designing and building sets at all the premier venues in Perth including The Regal, His Majesty’s Theatre, the State Theatre Centre, the Subiaco Arts Centre and Crown.
“I love the fast-paced environment and the comradery of the job. The theatre crew is a very small network and they have become like family to me. I also love being surrounded by other Indigenous artists in a safe and creative space that lets me learn more about my culture every day.”
It was wonderful to hear how influential St Stephen’s School was on Etain’s career.
“I had a great woodwork teacher – Mr. Lynch – who helped me accept who I am, and really nurtured my passion and love for woodwork and the creative arts. I think if it weren’t for Mr. Lynch I probably never would have pursued a career in the arts. I am very grateful that I got to meet him”.
In addition to her career in the theatre Etain is also an incredibly talented artist in her own right with a passion for creating American traditional tattoo style images.
You can check out her work on Instagram @dartbreaker_