Dreams Can Come True: Rachel’s Yap’s journey from the Fairholme Stage to the National Institute of Dramatic Art
December 13, 2024
For many aspiring actors, the dream of stepping into the world of performing arts often feels like a distant fantasy. For 2024 Fairholme College Head Girl Rachel Yap, however, that dream is now one step closer to reality.
This week, Rachel received the thrilling news that she had been accepted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting program at the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). This opportunity marks a major milestone in her long-held dream to pursue acting professionally.
‘I've wanted to become an actor for as long as I can remember, and I've found comfort in the creative arts my entire life. While I've always dreamed about becoming an actor, it felt more like a dream than a reality for so long. It wasn't until quite recently, probably the last year or two, that I realised that this passion could actually become my career in the future, I just had to work for it.’
The NIDA program Rachel has been accepted into is a three-year, full-time Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. Designed to prepare students for a career in acting, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes performance technique, voice and movement classes, and even stage combat, voiceover work, and screen and TV acting.
With more than 1,000 applicants vying for just 24 coveted NIDA spots, Rachel admits that she had no idea whether she’d be accepted. ‘They don’t usually take people straight out of school. The whole experience of making it to the final round was insane to me so I just tried to appreciate each step of the way and not fantasise about getting accepted too much,’ she says. ‘But overall, I had a really positive audition experience and learnt so much, so I was feeling hopeful.’
The audition process for NIDA’s highly competitive program is rigorous, involving three stages. First, Rachel submitted an online video application featuring her performance of two monologues—one heightened text and language piece (i.e, Shakespeare) and one contemporary piece.
‘I submitted that video in mid-September and then in November I got an email saying I'd made it into the second round which was an in-person audition in Brisbane. During my in-person audition, I performed my first two monologues again and then made it to the third round later that day where I performed and workshopped a third monologue. Finally, I participated in a short ten-minute interview.’
When the call came, the news was overwhelming. ‘It was surreal,’ she recalls. ‘I kept walking around the house thinking, ‘I can’t believe I got in.’ I had spent so much time stalking the NIDA website and Instagram, imagining that I would get to go there one day, and now that it has finally happened.’
Rachel immediately shared the good news with her family and close friends, including Fairholme Speech and Drama Teacher, Mrs Katrina Bailey, who had played a key role in supporting her through the audition process. ‘She helped me pull together my applications and offered her creative guidance and expertise. But what really meant the most was the belief she had in me every step of the way.’
Looking ahead, Rachel has big plans for her future. While she has a deep love for the stage, her ultimate goal is to break into the film and TV industry. ‘Once I finish the course, I hope I can fully support myself through my acting’, she says. ‘I’m keen to learn all that I can about art and humanity through acting and hopefully elevate the voice and stories of marginalised people through my creative endeavours.’
As for what inspired Rachel to pursue acting, she credits a childhood favourite: Dorothy the Dinosaur. ‘I like to say that Dorothy the Dinosaur inspired me to pursue a creative career,’ she laughs. But in all seriousness, Rachel has drawn inspiration from a wide range of actors, including Bella Ramsey, Anna Sawai, Michelle Yeoh, and Saoirse Ronan. ‘These are all people who are pioneers in the acting industry and who are brimming with talent, humility and compassion.’
Throughout her time at school, Rachel’s passion for the arts has been nurtured and supported by both her teachers and peers. ‘I am so grateful that Fairholme provided me with so many opportunities to develop not only my acting skills but also my creative skills through activities like the school musical, choir and instrumental groups,’ she says. ‘But most of all, it was the people at Fairholme who really helped me get here. Regardless of whether they were involved in the creative arts of not, all my teachers and peers were so supportive and enthusiastic about me pursuing acting and I am so grateful for that.’
Now, with her future at NIDA on the horizon, Rachel’s acting career is truly just beginning. Her journey is proof that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of belief, dreams really can come true.
More News…
Fairholme College is delighted to welcome Mr Mitch Koina as our new Coordinator of High Performance Coaching. Bringing more than a decade of experience across diverse educational settings, Mitch joins the community with a strong commitment to student wellbeing, participation, and performance. ‘This is my 12th year of teaching,’ Mitch shares. ‘I’ve done a range of different contexts now, I did two years down at Lockyer District High School, I then spent six years at St Mary’s College before moving to St Josephs, where I’ve been for the last three years. Now obviously I’ve made my way over to Fairholme which I’m really excited about.’ It was both the College’s reputation and the scope of the role that drew Mitch to Fairholme. ‘Fairholme is a very prestigious college, it’s got a great name and reputation,’ he said. ‘The role itself is really exciting for me. I’ve got a passion for fitness and particularly looking after the wellbeing of young girls, whether that be on the sporting field or with their social aspect, academics, just all round developing good girls on and off the court.’ A strong advocate for pastoral care, Mitch brings valuable leadership experience to the position. ‘I did a Head of House role at St Mary’s for three and a half years, so pastoral care has always been my calling so it’s great to tie in the sporting aspect as well as wellbeing,’ he explained. His philosophy centres on the connection between student wellbeing and performance. ‘It’s all dependant on each other. If we’ve got girls who are happy and their wellbeing is flourishing, then they are doing well on the sporting field and vice versa too.’ Looking ahead, Mitch is focused on building both excellence and enjoyment within the program. ‘I would love to get participation rates very high. We have a lot of elite athletes here that I want to achieve and do really well, but I also want to work on girls enjoying their training, coming in and having a nice vibe around the sporting field and the training.’ Importantly, Mitch emphasises that success looks different for every student. ‘We’re not all Australian representatives, but if girls are working really hard and achieving to the best of their potential, whatever level that may be in the sporting arena, I think that’s a program we can be very proud of.’ As he begins his journey at Fairholme, Mitch is eager to connect with the community. ‘I’m really excited to be a part of Fairholme, it is a great opportunity. The staff and the students have been fantastic to me so far, but as the weeks go on, I’m really looking forward to getting to know the girls and building some relationships from there.’ We warmly welcome Mitch to Fairholme and look forward to the energy, care, and expertise he will bring to our High Performance Sports program.
What inspired you to apply for the Prefect for Sport position? I was inspired to go for this position as I have seen the passion that Fairholme as a community has for sport, and the true love and respect the staff have for athletes at the college. I wanted to work closely with the girls and staff to help progressing sport at Fairholme. Do you have a favourite sport? My favourite sport is touch football. It has given me so very much and I am forever grateful. What has been your proudest sporting moment so far? My proudest sporting moment so far was being fortunate enough to represent my country in the sport I love most. Who has been your biggest influence or role model in sport? My biggest role model in sport has to my parents. They never fail to push me towards things that might seem out of my comfort zone or scary. They constantly support me through everything and influence me to be the best version of myself on and off the field. What are you hoping to achieve this year as Prefect for Sport? I aim to inspire everyone to just have a go. By the end of my final year at Fairholme I hope I can inspire people to just get o ut of their comfort zones and try something new. What advice would you give your Year 7 self? I would tell my Year 7 self that in the big picture no one is going to judge you for trying your hardest and giving things ago! And not to put too much pressure on yourself! Do you hope to pursue sport after school? I wish to continue to play sport at a high level after school. whether that is through touch or rugby. Sport is a very important part of my life that will hopefully continue well after I leave school.
How long have you been involved in The Arts at Fairholme? Since I began here in Year 7, but before then I started playing piano and violin in Year 5. I have participated in a number of ensembles within the school and greatly enjoyed each of these. What does being the Prefect for The Arts mean to you? Personally, I think that being the Prefect for The Arts is primarily a role in which I can help to support other girls. I’m a designated person that girls can come to if they have any questions or concerns with anything regarding extracurricular artistic involvement, and I do a little to help with running some of the artistic aspects around the school, such as finding girls to volunteer for busking at events. But mostly, I think it is about being a positive promoter for the arts, and encouraging other girls to expand their world view to include creativity. Which art form do you enjoy most (e.g. music, drama, visual art, dance etc)? My main art form that I participate in is instrumental music, through my involvement in a few ensembles within the school on violin and piano. However, other art forms, like dancing during March Pasts or singing Shine Jesus Shine are pretty fun too. Do you have a most memorable Arts experience? I think that one of the most memorable Arts experiences that I have had has been at events where I have accompanied my grade, like when all the Year 11’s last year sung at the Valedictorian dinner and I played piano along with other instrumentalists in my grade, Tilly Anderson and Emma Salter. However, I think the most enjoyable Arts experience that I have had is playing Jingle Bell Rock at the boarding Christmas dinner last year, when the rest of my cohort stood around the piano singing. I felt that this was one of those excellent examples of how music can bring people together. What advice would you give to students who might be nervous about joining an arts activity? I would say that it is always worth giving something new a go. You’re much more likely to regret the chances you never took than the ones you do. I’m a strong believer that being involved in any form of extra-curricular activity is so beneficial for everyone; it expands your world view, you meet new people, and get outside your comfort zone. Each individual has something they are good at, and how are you going to find out what that is if you don’t try? Do you hope to continue with The Arts after school? Definitely. It has become such a big part of my life, and I honestly get so much enjoyment out of it. The great thing about the arts is that they are things that you can do at any time of your life. You’re never too old, that’s a skill you have for life. Other people can also get so much enjoyment out of the artistic abilities of others. Who doesn’t love to have someone who can sit around the camp-fire and play guitar, or create a beautiful piece of artwork?
