MYLOGO

Class of 2017 graduate Hayden Rees always dreamed of a future in drama and today his dreams are coming true.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

“With God all things are possible.” – Matt 19:26

Today I am still working as a Drama Teacher at Curtain Call Performing Arts Studios. I teach students from Grade 2 to Grade 6. I absolutely love teaching at Curtain Call. We teach them about everything about performing in the theatre, from projecting voices, character developments to script work and many more. This year, I am also performing in two shows with the studio. In August, I will be performing as Sergeant Fogarty in Chicago and in December, I will be portraying the character, Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins. I can’t wait to perform on the stage in these two well known musicals.

In February this year, I had the opportunity to do a radio interview actor and dancer, Tarik Frimpong. Tarik recently appeared in the movie, Mary Poppins Returns, which he got to act alongside Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Meryl Streep. We talked about his audition process and how he landed the role of Angus and where he began to learn dance which was at his mother’s dance school. We also talked about his first professional show which he played Young Simba in The Lion King and we also discussed about his advice to future performers which is to work hard, to always be proud of you are and be humble to learn from different people.

Lights! Camera! Action! In April, I appeared as an extra in my very first ever movie, which was very exciting. The movie is for a short film festival and I got to play an injured Melbourne Football Player. When I arrived on the set, the make-up artist stuck a band and painted blood around it in order to make me look injured. I got to act alongside actor, Brett Climo, who is best known for the television show, A Place to Call Home. While filming, I got to chat to Brett and I learnt that you have to be patient when you are making a movie, to never give up and to always have fun when you are either in a movie or on stage. I had a great time filming scenes with the other actors and the director gave me the opportunity to share improvisation dialogue with Brett Climo. I cannot wait to see the movie when it is released later this year.

Later that month, I got to attend a musical theatre workshop with Thomas McGuane and Rachel Bronca. Thomas has just recently toured around Australia in Jersey Boys where he played the role of Bob Guadio and Rachel appeared in the musical, Nine where she played the character, Carla. We first learnt two different dance numbers which included hip hop, which was a lot of fun. Then afterwards we did some drama activities which included some improvisation. After a quick break we learnt a song from the musical, Bring It On and after we learnt it, we put the song and dance together. I learnt from Thomas and Rachel that you should always have a good mindset and to have fun when you go in for auditions and to always to enjoy being a part of the show, no matter how big your role is in the performance. The last couple of months have been awesome and I can’t wait to see what God has still got installed for me, as singer Kelly Rowland once said, “Never give up on your dream because you never know what the Lord can bless you with.”

“Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:16