Onyx Studio to develop young, local theatre talent

A career treading the boards may be a step closer for aspiring young Hamilton actors thanks to a programme launched at The Meteor Theatre by two local actors and teachers.

Brendan West and Louise Drummond have formed Onyx Studio to teach kids and teenagers the key aspects of performing arts.

“There was a bit of a niche there for it… other schools have offered straight acting and we wanted to incorporate other parts like lighting, tech, sound, and writing,” Drummond said.

The pair have a decade’s worth experience in theatre, they are co-presidents of local theatre group The Apocalypse Lounge, and both have a teaching background. Drummond is a qualified primary school teacher and West is a drama tutor at the University of Waikato.

They plan to run four streams, sorted by age, covering the basics with the younger students and including some more advanced aspects for the older students.

West said the small class size would mean they could really focus on each student’s particular aptitudes and interests.

“For example, if we get someone who shows a natural aptitude towards being a director, we might get them to be in charge of the shows with some guidance from us.”

Drummond said ideally the end goal was to give the students all the skills needed to produce their own shows.

“So they can start creating their own theatre, which would be a real plus because the more people, especially young people, out there creating stuff the better it is for the whole scene.”

West said the classes would also help with building contacts so students could get more involved with local productions.

“Networking is paramount. You get so many young people who come out of school, and they’ve done some stuff, then go ‘who’s around?’… Often we’re able to say there’s x,y, and z shows going on and we can put [students] in touch directly with the people running them.”

Drummond said the Meteor Theatre was keen to host Onyx Studio and offered them an affordable rate for the use of an upstairs rehearsal space when approached.

“They have a goal of getting as much of the community using the theatre as possible, and this is a great way to introduce them to the space, “ she said.

As the school grows the pair plan to add a singing tutor to the roster, and offer more focused workshops on things like prop-making, or stage combat.

West, who has some background in making swords and armour for theatre, would like to hold one on sword building.

“I’d be happy, with the older kids, to take them through building actual safe stage steel swords. It’s the sort of stuff that Weta produces, we want to be able to give at least the basics of that,” he said.

Onyx Studio drama and English classes are $10 a session, and will be held at the Meteor Theatre.

For more information call 027 212 4795, email onyxstudiohamilton@gmail.com or check out the onyx studio Facebook