Being selected from a strong field of 700 into the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) was the icing on the cake for John Curtin College of the Arts Year 12 graduate and Como resident, Michael Drysdale.
The Gifted and Talented Drama student from John Curtin College of the Arts was one of 18 chosen for the Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts in Acting.
According to Dean of the Arts, Carolyn Byatt it is rare that any student is accepted directly from high school.
“In recent years, only one other student was taken directly into this course - Ewen Leslie who will shortly appear alongside Cate Blanchett in War of the Roses,” she said.
“As students, both Michael and Ewen were very focused, talented and passionate about theatre and during their time in the college took every possible opportunity to improve their craft and develop to their full potential.”
“Michael was very mature about the choices he made during his time at the college and willingly accepted and sought out advice,” she said.
Whilst at John Curtin, Michael had lead roles in Macbeth, Antigone and as Lucky in Waiting for Godot. He also participated in the musical Grease as a Year 10 student.
“The opportunity to work with professional actors, especially those from Perth, was amazing and really helped me grow as an actor,” he said.
“After I finish at WAAPA I would like to pursue acting professionally and I should be in good stead as this is what this specific course drives towards.”
John Curtin College of the Arts, Western Australia’s only Selective Arts School, had 21 students accepted into WAAPA for dance, drama and music theatre in 2009.