WAAPA Grads Bring Bluey To Life

A theatrical production based on a beloved Australian cartoon is opening up the world to recent WAAPA gradutes, reports Anton Mazandarani.  

Henry O'Brien and Julia Landberg, graduates of WAAPA's Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) degree, majoring in Performance Making, find themselves in the global spotlight as they tour with HVK and Windmill Theatre Company’s Bluey’s Big Play.

Both Henry and Julia share duties as puppeteers for the characters of Bandit and Louis, demonstrating not only their technical proficiency but also their ability to seamlessly integrate into a highly synchronized ensemble.

Bringing these beloved character to life on stage each night requires a lot of stamina, skill and versatility to keep each performance fresh for performers and audience alike, as Landberg asserts, “Each puppet requires three puppeteers and that allows us to rotate and keep it fresh. One show you might be controlling the head, responsible for the majority of facial expressions, and the next show you might be controlling the arms and legs.”

Their journey from WAAPA to international stages was not just a stroke of luck but a testament to the specialised training they received, particularly in puppetry through WAAPA’s partnership with the acclaimed Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.

During their undergraduate years, both students immersed themselves in the unique BPA program, which emphasises versatility and creativity across various performance forms. Course Coordinator Dr. Jeremy Neideck says, “the BPA course offers skills and experience in a range of performance forms like physical theatre, site-specific work and puppetry that are not typical features of a more narrowly focused Acting course. BPA graduates leave with a portfolio of performance works ready-to-go into the industry.”

On the phone from Singapore where the stage play is currently showing, O’Brien, who completed his studies in 2023, emphasises just how “job-ready” BPA graduates are. “I feel like doing the BPA has set me up. I'm  grateful for  the training and skill-set behind me that has allowed me to make the most of those opportunities.”

Landberg also found the specialised training with the Fremantle puppet theatre valuable. “For me, it was one of my absolute favorite units. It was all-encompassing, starting from the true beginning of puppetry, finding the breadth and the movement and control of puppetry all the way through to creating a performance at the end of of the unit.

“I moved to Melbourne when I graduated and during the COVID lockdown I started working a lot with Trash Puppets. I didn't realize how big the puppetry industry is in Australia. It's much wider than I thought, with a lot of opportunities for performers like myself.”

Their roles in Bluey's Big Play underscored the adaptability fostered by WAAPA's BPA program.

The production's international tours to places like Singapore, with plans for Abu Dhabi and Europe, highlight the global appeal and cultural significance of Australian storytelling through puppetry and the universality of Bluey.

For Landberg it's the focus on imagination and learning through play of  Bluey and Bingo, the two main characters, but also for the audience. “There's lots of shenanigans and fun things happening but also life lessons on what it's like being a sister, what it's like learning and how to treat others. And it's something that everyone enjoys; both kids and adults can all find something in the show that they truly enjoy. It's not just for little kids.”

WAAPA’s Associate Dean of Performance, Prof. Frances Barbe, is proud of the course’s impact, noting graduates like Henry and Julia contribute to the industry's innovation and sustainability. “The Bachelor of Performing Arts course at has been running for about 10 years. It is a vital addition to WAAPA’s portfolio of courses, offering something quite unique that is relevant to our evolving performing arts industry, which demands greater flexibility, creativity and innovation for a long-term sustainable career. BPA graduates are sought after for their collaboration skills and their in-depth understanding of the creative process. They enter the industry with experience in directing, playwriting, and producing as well as performance and that broad range of skills and perspectives.” 

Henry and Julia's story highlights how WAAPA's BPA program prepares graduates not just for performance but for leadership and innovation across diverse sectors of the arts. Their success underscores the importance of experiential learning and industry partnerships, ensuring graduates are equipped to thrive in a competitive global entertainment industry.

To find out more about Performance Making at WAAPA visit the website: https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/courses-and-admissions/our-courses/performing-arts

Images by PhotoCo