The success of Stage Door’s part-time courses in Music Theatre, Acting and Dancing is nationally renowned. It is clear that we are fulfilling a need for quality teaching, permitting the course graduate to either enter the profession or carry on to further study at a tertiary level. Students have now entered the WA Academy of Performing Arts , NIDA,La Salle College, Singapore and Melbourne-based performing arts schools or - in the case of some dancers - directly entered the profession. We now have 59 students at Tertiary level, as well as performing artists in America, London, Europe and throughout Australia. Their success exemplifies our goals and achievements.
In November 2010 Stage Door students were successful in gaining entrance to WAAPA Music Theatre, Classical and NIDA, Acting.
The Music Theatre, Acting and Dance Courses run at Stage Door have been endorsed by the WA Curriculum Council . With this approval all these courses may now be used towards WACE Certificates by Year 10, 11 and 12 students.
In addition to the above we have a branch of Stage Door at Perth Modern School and plans are for a new branch in Mandurah.
Staff at Stage Door will include John Senczuk and Ian Toyne as well as Noel O'Neil, Kelly Buckle, Jackie Britton, Robin Evans and Ian Westrip.
We have a close connection with IAJ International the new professional production company now in WA.
CLASSES
Equally successful, are the Stage Door classes and in particular the rotating classes conducted over a three hour block. Many students have continued through the school from the age of 8 yrs to University with pleasing results.
These classes are not necessarily about becoming a great artist but about creative thought and attitude as well as character and personality development.
We have made the classes more accessible at all our branches and at a more affordable rate so that a greater number of young people can attend our classes.
In 2011 special classes for disabled persons are expanding ( now also on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) and the Stage Door Singers are part of our work at the Perth Modern School premises. All proceeds raised from their concerts go to more deserving children.
SENIOR STAFF Ian Westrip OAM Director
Robin Evans, Kelly Buckle, Ian Toyne, John Senczuk, Noel O'Neil, Jackie Britton assisted by other helpers and carers.
STAFF PROFILE
Ian Westrip OAM, FTCL, ARCM, AMUSA, Dip Tch.
Director of Stage Door School Of Performing Arts
Educated in Perth , London and Glasgow , he was the recipient of a number of prizes and awards as a singing and conducting student, including the Royal Scottish Academy Hugh S Roberton prize for choral conducting. He and his wife Marion also a Piano teacher enjoy working with children (having five of their own) and are hoping to expand the activities of Stage Door to other parts of Australia. Kelly Buckle Ian Toyne John Senczuk Noel O'Neil Jackie Britton Robin Evans In 1998 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to music as a performer and teacher.
During the seventies he pursued a career as a singer of opera and oratorio, singing with various opera companies including Australian Opera, Scottish Opera, Canberra Opera and West Australian Opera. At the same time he extended his work into chorus training and conducting, especially with West Australian Opera of which he was Assistant Musical Director and Chorus Master, conducting Nabucco, The Marriage of Figaro, Dido and Aneas, The Medium, The Elixir of Love, Carmen, Amahl and The Night Visitors and other productions. His many singing roles include Figaro in The Barber of Seville, Zurga in Pearlfishers, Papageno in The Magic Flute and Dapertutto in The Tales of Hoffman.
In the eighties, he formed the Music Theatre Company of WA in an endeavour to create more opportunities for young people to work professionally in this genre. He was also Musical Director of the University of WA Choral Society , at the same time continuing to sing and conduct for the WA Opera Company and Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
In 1993, after completing 10 years as Director of Music at John XX111 College, he was made Chorus Master of English National Opera and conducted a recording of Intermezzi and Preludes with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London .
Returning to WA, he again took up Musical Direction of the Music Theatre Company and the management and responsibility for the development of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Some of his major projects in this period was as Chorus Master for Edgley Production’s Aida, conductor of La Traviata, La Boheme and Verdi’s Requiem for Regal Opera.
He is currently Managing Director of The Stage Door School of Performing Arts which he founded to teach and promote singing and music theatre with young people. Until 2003 was a lecturer in singing at the WA Academy of Performing Arts. He is currently also lecturer in singing at the University of WA . He manages, promotes and conducts concerts with the Perth Lyric Chorale and New Philharmonia Orchestra as well as teaching privately under his business name of Concert Enterprises.
With his eclectic taste and wide experience of music theatre, opera and oratorio, he continues his work with a goal of bringing opera and music theatre and choral music to WA, improving opportunities for our young talent.
November 2009