Drama Time is an exciting and rewarding drama program especially created for primary school aged children.
The goal of the Drama Time program is to develop self-cofidence, communication skills and of course creativity.
This is achieved through a stimulating and rewarding drama program designed to encourage active participation, self-expression and build character.
Lara is a passionate and experienced educator and has a wealth of experience as a teacher, performer and producer.
Lara has a Masters in Primary Education and has over ten years teaching experience in a variety of positions. These include the roles of Primary School Teacher, Literacy Co-ordinator and three months teaching English to various under- resourced and needy communities in El Salvador, Central America.
Lara has a Licentiate Degree in Speech and Drama with the Trinity School of London and has forever been passionate about teaching drama to children. As a performer Lara has had a vey successful performance career, most notably playing the ongoing role of Serena Bishop for three years in the long running series Neighbours. Lara also performed in various plays and television commercials and toured England, playing the lead role of Beauty, in the 'Beauty and the Beast' pantomime.
In 2010, Lara created "Applause for a Cause Inc" - a charitable company which produced educational plays for not-for-profit organisations. She produced and performed in its first production “I Can Cry” which had a sold out season and raised over a hundred thousand dollars for a variety of chairites.
Lara is passionate about teaching drama both for the art of drama, as well as for the enhancement of life skills.
Lara is extremely excited to join Drama Time as a director and manager and looks forward to bringing confidence, imagination, communication and the development of social skills to children of all ages.
Pip is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Theatre (WAAPA) and the Victorian College of the Arts (Film and Television). Pip has over 20 years’ experience in the Australian theatre, film and television industries.
As an actor Pip is well known for his roles in the hit film ‘Strictly Ballroom’ (Wayne Burns) and the award winning TV series ‘Frontline’ (Stu). Pip’s other acting credits include ‘Blue Heelers’, ‘Good Guys Bad Guys’, ‘Halifax’ and ‘Secret Life of Us’. Pip also featured in Peter Jackson’s international hit, ‘King Kong’. On stage Pip has worked with the Melbourne Theatre Company and the Playbox Theatre.
Pip began his directing career in theatre, where his credits include Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Avenue Q (Victorian Music Theatre Guild awards nomination – Best Production, Best Director), Merrily We Roll Along, Crossing Delancy, Big Al, Yentl, La Serva Pedrona Falsettos (Victorian Music Theatre Guild awards nomination – Best Production, Best Director) Arafat in Therapy, From Phantom to Figaro, Biloxi Blues (‘Most Outstanding and Memorable Production of the Year’ nomination, Victoria Drama League), Mother and Son – National Tour (Resident Director), Fiddler on the Roof (Resident Director), The Book of Mormon (Resident Director). Pip latest show as Resident Director is Evita stariing Tina Arena.
Pip has also worked in Television as a director/producer roles in a variety of television programs as well as directing the feature film ‘Josh Jarman’, which was released nationally through Hoyts Cinemas and selected for seven international film festivals.
At schools, Pip has worked as a guest director at Mount Scopus College and the King David School.
In 2008 Pip developed the Drama Time program which has now run in over 40 primary schools and kindergartens in Melbourne. 2010 saw the introduction of the Drama Time for Kinder Kids! program and the Drama Time Vacation Care Workshops. In 2012 the Drama Time Glee Club was introduced.
Pip lives in Melbourne with his wife Bindy and their four ‘mini productions’ – Jasper (15), Rani (13), Coby (11) and Benji (8)
............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.jpg)
Simone began her speech and drama journey in South Africa at age 4. Loving all aspects of performance, she explored and studied dance throughout her teenage years in Australia.
Simone’s focus returned to acting, when she successfully auditioned for The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Since graduating, Simone has appeared in Offspring, Neighbours, Stingers, Blue
Heelers, MDA as well as various short films.
Her stage credits include Actors at Work (Bell Shakespeare), The Night Season (Red Stitch), Stories from Suburban Road (The Ensemble-Sydney), The Cherry Orchard, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, A Respectable Family and her one-woman show, Raynbow.
Simone has voiced several audiobooks and television and radio commercials. She is the voice of Smartnuff in the animated series, ZuZu and the Supernuffs (Matchbox Pictures) and Dino Santino in the AFI-nominated tv series and telemovie animation, Dogstar (BBC/Channel 9).
Simone also works with individuals and organisations in embodied communication; an actor’s
approach to public speaking.
Jasmine’s love and passion for Musical Theatre developed at a very young age. Jasmine has trained in Musical theatre from the age of 12 and absolutely loves sharing her skills and passion.
Jasmine has perfromed in professional productions such as Gordon Frosts “Annie The Musical” and Tim Lawsons ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The Musical” both at teh Regent Theatre. She has also appeared in television shows, commercials, short films and has been the voice over for the doll “Lala Loopsy”. Jasmine was fortunate enough to become Melbourne Apprentice runner up at “JOIP on broadway workshop and audition” with J.oipternational productions.
Jasmine has had many years experience teaching musical theatre, dancing, acting and sport at various schools. She continues to train, enabling her to grow as a performer. Jasmine approaches every class with enthusiasm, patience and positivity. Through Drama Time, Jasmine aims to enhance students’ creativity, confidence and communicative skills whilst having a fun time!
].jpg)
Originally from Adelaide, Nicole has been a passionate performer for her entire life. From a young age, she trained in singing, acting and a variety of dance styles. Her extensive training and experience in performing, singing teaching and music makes her a very well-equipped teacher.
In 2018, Nicole completed a Bachelor of Musical Theatre from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. Prior to this, she graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Certificate IV in Musical Theatre.
Nicole’s credits include Jo March in Little Women the Broadway Musical, Serena Katz in FAME!, Liza in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and featured artist in Con2theCabaret. She has gone on to sing as a soloist in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and on QPAC’s stage with the Queensland Pops Orchestra and QPAC Choir.
Now Melbourne based, Nicole is very excited to be joining the Drama Time team and hopes that her love of performing and teaching will encourage her students’ own passion, creativity, skills and confidence to flourish!
Growing up in an artistic family, performing has always been a huge part of Hilary’s life. From a young age Hilary began lessons in drama, dance, singing, piano and saxophone. This inspired her to study fulltime musical theatre at the Australian Dance Performance Institute in Brisbane for 2013.
Continuing her study through to 2016, Hilary graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. Throughout her study she played roles such as ‘Beverly’ in Abigail’s Party, ‘Maureen’ in RENT, ‘Linda-Lou’ in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and ‘Dabby Bryant’ in Our Country’s Good. After graduating, Hilary joined the cast of Love Train as a lead vocalist which performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival for 2018.
Hilary is very excited to be taking on this new role with Drama Time, and wants her skills and passion for the arts to influence and inspire kids to be creative, brave and bold!
Romi is a Melbourne based contemporary director and theatremaker. She is passionate about creating work that starts meaningful conversation and examines the transmission of storytelling. Romi's practice stems from physical theatre and she is an inclusive practitioner. Using live theatre and performance, Romi aims to provoke, question and explore life as we know it.
After finishing a Bachelor of Performing Arts with Honours at Monash University and a Masters of Directing for Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts - University of Melbourne. Romi concentrates on developing new contemporary performances, facilitating children's theatre and performance and integrating access into her process and performances. Romi was an Artistic Associate at Theatre Works for 2018. Romi brings her experience with working with young people in theatre to Drama Time. Her interest lies within supporting young people in self-development, social skills, performance and creative thinking and looks forward to integrating these into her workshops for 2019!
Originally from Queensland, Katya grew up singing, acting and dancing from a young age. Her passion for theatre developed further when she made her professional debut in Harvest Rain’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at age twelve. After finishing high school she was accepted into the Music Theatre foundation course at Griffith University.
To continue her studies, Katya moved to Victoria where she completed her Bachelor of Music Theatre at Federation University performing in shows such as “The Spirit Level”, “My Favourite Year”, “Crusade” and “Chicago”.
Katya is extremely excited to be teaching with Drama Time and is thrilled to share her passion for Drama with the students.
Coming from a long line of musicians, Hannah has a background in professional performance (theatre, piano and violin) and extensive theatrical experience. After her stage debut, aged five, singing "There's No Business Like Show Business", Hannah continued to study music, theatre and dance, going on to obtain a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University.
Alongside former Monash almuni, Hannah co-founded Sausage Dog Productions, an independent theatre company. With this company, Hannah co-wrote, composed, toured and produced two children's shows ("A Pocketful of Joy", 2012-2013, and "The Walls of Poetica", 2015-2016).
Hannah is currently working on a children's book series and composing music for junior string orchestras, while she pursues opportunities to perform in the music and theatre world.
Daniella holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and a Masters of Education (Special Education, Inclusion and Early Intervention). She has over 20 years experience working with children across a variety of early childhood settings. These include working in child care, preschools, holiday programs and as well as working with children with special needs in a Specialist School, running a special needs playgroup as well as in early childhood intervention services.
Daniella began performing in the arts when she was 3 years old. Since then she has trained in voice and dance (jazz, broadway jazz, funk, salsa and Zumba). Her theatre credits include Seussical, Fame, Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, Mame and Patty Simcox in Grease.
Daniella is passionate about using music, movement and drama in her work with young children as a tool to encourage their engagement, social interaction, imagination and extension of their overall skills!! As a mother of 2 beautiful children Daniella has developed an even greater appreciation of the value of the arts in encouraging children's development and communication!
.
.
