Stage School Australia (formerly Children's Performing Company of Australia - CPCA) is a performing arts training provider for young people based in Melbourne and Brisbane.
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Established in 1984 as the Victorian Children's Theatre, Stage School Australia notably encompasses the Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC), the Australian Youth Theatre (AYT: formerly the Victorian Youth Theatre), Beginners OnStage, the Talent Company of Australia (TCA) and The Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA). Since its inception, the organisation has expanded to twenty-four locations across the greater Melbourne area to become one of the largest performing arts tuition providers in the state of Victoria.[1]
In 2022, Stage School Australia expanded to Brisbane with classes in 4 locations; Jindalee, Mount Gravatt, The Gap, and South Bank.
Stage School offers several streams of training which, depending on the age of the student, can be conducted separately or concurrently. Most streams have a hierarchical structure wherein students may be promoted to a more advanced group, based on the student's skill level and experience.
Young Australian Broadway Chorus
In 1995, the company established four theatre ensembles with a strong musical theatre focus. In 1999, these groups expanded to become what is now known officially as the Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC), the stream which trains students in singing, dancing and acting.
The YABC's first performance was held in 1999 at the National Theatre in St Kilda - a gala performance much simpler than the more extravagant shows that are put on in the same theatre by YABC students today.[2]
As of 2022, YABC classes are held in 4 locations across Brisbane.
Australian Youth Theatre
The Australian Youth Theatre (AYT) is the drama branch of Stage School's performing arts training activities which originally traded in the 1980s as the Victorian Children's Theatre. While trading as the Victorian Children's Theatre, the course focused largely on improvised drama, but eventually the curriculum was expanded to include script work and acting for the camera.[3]
As of 2022, AYT classes are held in 4 locations across Brisbane.
Beginners OnStage
Beginners OnStage was established in 2008 as a program for students aged 5 to 7 years as a gateway into the world of performing. In Melbourne, classes now run for 3 and 4 year olds where they learn the foundations of performing arts.
As of 2022, Beginners OnStage classes are held in 4 locations across Brisbane.
Australian Boys Dance Academy
The Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA) was established in 2014 in Melbourne as a safe and supportive environment for boys aged 6 to 18 to learn an array of dance styles. ABDA teaches students Hip-hop, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, and more.
The Talent Company of Australia
The Talent Company of Australia (TCA) is Stage School Australia’s professional talent agency, offering established and up-and-coming actors high-quality representation to secure work in the entertainment industry.
Created in 2003, the TCA has built a solid reputation and relationship with leading casting agents both locally and internationally. TCA talent have appeared in TV, film, theatre, commercials and web series.
In addition to providing talent management services to students, the TCA provides skill-building workshops throughout the year.[4]
Productions
Stage School Australia also operates as a performing arts company and have been producing multiple stage productions bi-annually for two decades. Stage School Australia have done seasons of original plays and musicals as well as many theatre classics including; The Conference of the Birds, Godspell, Man of La Mancha, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver!, Rags, Salad Days, Wizard of Oz, Spring Awakening, Seussical TYA, Conference of the Birds, Disney Alice in Wonderland Jr, Disney Aladdin Jr, BABE the Sheep-Pig, Disney The Little Mermaid Jr, The Secret Garden ~ Spring Version, Disney Beauty and the Beast Jr, Honk! Jr, Shrek Jr, Wicked, Madagascar - A Musical Adventure Jr, and Les Miserables.
Tours
Since 1996, Stage School Australia has conducted many tours in Australia and internationally. Stage School Australia have toured to countries including; France, Germany, Greece, Singapore, Italy, the United States and England.
YABC and AYT touring groups have performed in a variety of high-profile venues including Disneyland. Disneyworld, Disneyland Paris, Theatre Row, Universal Studios, Smithsonian Institution, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, York Theatre Royal, Soho Theatre Pegasus Theatre Oxford to name just a few.
