Atea Tutu is a youth ambassador for the Melbourne Theatre Company. 83482 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By ALESHA CAPONE
ATEA Tutu hopes to become an actress in the future, and the teenager is already well on her way to a career in show business.
This year, the young Point Cook resident was selected to be a youth ambassador for the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC).
Atea was one of 25 students from across the state chosen for the program, which gives them the chance to see MTC shows, meet the cast and crew and promote theatre-going among their peers. Atea has also been studying acting with ATA Acting Classes in Hoppers Crossing for the past three years.
The teenager said she began the classes without any intention to become a professional performer.
“It used to be just for fun, but it’s something I really enjoy, so now I’d like to pursue it as a career,” she said.
“It’s really fun and adapting into other personalities, you can express yourself as another character.”
As she is now 17, Atea will soon join ATA’s adult classes at the Williamstown Community Centre, which begin on 20 July.
Atea said the classes have boosted her public speaking skills, which was useful while she was captain of Carranballac College from Year 7 to Year 9. “It helps with my confidence and public speaking, I don’t mind speaking in front of a large crowd,” she said.
Now in Year 11 at Point Cook Secondary College, Atea was also cast in last month’s school play.
“It’s nerve-wracking before you go on, but once you’re on the stage, it goes away and doesn’t bother you,” she said.
