XtrAct Drama Academy - History
XtrAct Drama Academy was founded in 2007 by Wyong Drama Group members Pollyanna Forshaw, Robyn Weidlich and Pamela Campbell. Each of these talented women bringing a love of theatre and strong pedagogical training into their Wyong classes, with a goal of fostering young talent in the Wyong Shire. In 2010, after moving back to her hometown from Sydney's Northern Beaches, current owner, Danielle Brame Whiting, was brought in to run workshops and teach upper primary classes. A welcome change to this new mum who'd spent years traveling all over Sydney's North Shore to teach her craft. In June 2013 the ladies passed on the reigns to Danielle in order to pursue new adventures, including the trip of a life-time catching theatre across America and Britain. Danielle continues to promote their legacy of combining creative pursuits and solid pedagogical training, adding her own extensive professional experience to the mix, to offer further opportunities for creative growth amongst the young people of the former Wyong Shire.
XtrAct Drama Academy - Today
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Danielle Brame Whiting
Owner and Sole Acting Teacher of XtrAct Drama Academy Masters of Applied Theatre Studies, UNE Graduate Diploma of Education, UNE Bachelor of Arts, Honours First Class, UoN Licentiate Diploma of Teaching Speech and Drama, Trinity Guildhall |
Owner of XtrAct Drama Academy since 2013, Danielle has many years experience teaching acting, and Speech and Drama, in Australia and abroad, both privately and to groups. As a Teaching Artist, Danielle is able to bring not only her theoretical knowledge, but also years of practical experience in acting, play writing and directing to her students to create engaging lessons that develop life-long skills, transferable beyond the stage and into our everyday lives. Danielle's approach to her artistic practice and teaching is underpinned by Four Guiding Principles: Encouraging Creative Community, Promoting Constructive Communication Practices, Fostering a Healthy Curiosity, and Connecting with Empathy and Imagination.
In 2016 Danielle co-founded a youth theatre company, Jopuka Productions, finishing her tenure at the end of 2024 with a succesful production of 'Lord of the Flies', adapted by herself and award winning playwright, ,Jamie Hornsby. In her time at this company Danielle focused on mentoring, both in and out of role, young people in the areas of Directing, Acting, Writing and Dramaturgy. She was also instrumental as a dramaturg in the development of new Youth Theatre works by emerging artists from across the country, and developing workshop programs. One particular achievement is the partnership she developed with the Australian Theatre for Young People in the development of a workshop program.
In 2021 Danielle completed her Masters in Applied Theatre Studies with the University of New England. She strongly believes in continually pursuing development in her craft and her Masters studies have allowed her to extend on her theoretical and practical knowledge in a way that has enhanced both the content and delivery of her lessons.
In addition to her work as a Teaching Artist, Danielle works actively as a professional theatre artist. In 2024 she toured a 2 woman show, Mirror Mirror, premiered her one woman show, Flat Pack, at The Art House, Wyong, and began development on a new show through the Central Coast Councils 'Performance Illuminated' programme.
In 2016 Danielle co-founded a youth theatre company, Jopuka Productions, finishing her tenure at the end of 2024 with a succesful production of 'Lord of the Flies', adapted by herself and award winning playwright, ,Jamie Hornsby. In her time at this company Danielle focused on mentoring, both in and out of role, young people in the areas of Directing, Acting, Writing and Dramaturgy. She was also instrumental as a dramaturg in the development of new Youth Theatre works by emerging artists from across the country, and developing workshop programs. One particular achievement is the partnership she developed with the Australian Theatre for Young People in the development of a workshop program.
In 2021 Danielle completed her Masters in Applied Theatre Studies with the University of New England. She strongly believes in continually pursuing development in her craft and her Masters studies have allowed her to extend on her theoretical and practical knowledge in a way that has enhanced both the content and delivery of her lessons.
In addition to her work as a Teaching Artist, Danielle works actively as a professional theatre artist. In 2024 she toured a 2 woman show, Mirror Mirror, premiered her one woman show, Flat Pack, at The Art House, Wyong, and began development on a new show through the Central Coast Councils 'Performance Illuminated' programme.
Danielle's Guiding Principles of Actor Training
At XtrAct we focus on developing Community, Creativity, Confidence, Curiosity and Communication which can also be found in the four guiding principles that underpin Danielle's practice as an theatre artist and an acting teacher.
1. Encouraging Creative Community
Creativity flourishes in theatre when its participants are able to work effectively together. This includes having the courage to share your own ideas, supporting others to share their ideas, and looking for opportunities to build upon the ideas of others through collaboration. When we offer up our own creative ideas to others, we are giving a part of ourselves and this can make us feel vulnerable. Danielle believes that by creating a supportive environment, surrounding actors of all experience levels with a creative community that knows how to be supportive, we can embrace the necessary vulnerability and strive to explore our creative potential. This, in turn, develops confidence and resilience in individuals.
2. Promoting Constructive Communication Practices
There are so many elements of constructive communication practices that are visited within the XtrActing classroom. Some are specific to performance, but most can be regarded as transferable skills, useful in many aspects of our daily existence, which is why Danielle finds actor training so universally beneficial for actors and non-actors alike. Acting is communication. We use both verbal and non-verbal communication to tell stories, create inner and outer worlds for our characters, entertain and engage. Actor training also relies heavily on communication, verbal and non-verbal, whether it be pursuing the goal of our games and activities, or delivering or receiving constructive feedback and tuition, including self-reflection.
3. Fostering a Healthy Curiosity
Within the methodology of all the great practitioners is what venerated theatre maker, Konstantin Stanislavski called the "What If?" Danielle believe's this is the question that must be ever-present in our creative process if we are to fully explore the potential of each moment in our storytelling. What if the scenario were different? What if our heroine's obstacle were different? What if we were underwater? Focusing our curiosity in this way, builds confidence in our creative selves, as well as skills in creative thinking.
4. Connecting with Empathy and Imagination
In line with the acting philosophy of Michael Chekhov, Danielle's believes that an actors' path into telling stories with authenticity relies on connecting heart and imagination. Forsaking the idea that one needs first experience something in order to perform it, she instead asks them to use their inherent imagination and empathy to explore various points of view and ways of existing.
1. Encouraging Creative Community
Creativity flourishes in theatre when its participants are able to work effectively together. This includes having the courage to share your own ideas, supporting others to share their ideas, and looking for opportunities to build upon the ideas of others through collaboration. When we offer up our own creative ideas to others, we are giving a part of ourselves and this can make us feel vulnerable. Danielle believes that by creating a supportive environment, surrounding actors of all experience levels with a creative community that knows how to be supportive, we can embrace the necessary vulnerability and strive to explore our creative potential. This, in turn, develops confidence and resilience in individuals.
2. Promoting Constructive Communication Practices
There are so many elements of constructive communication practices that are visited within the XtrActing classroom. Some are specific to performance, but most can be regarded as transferable skills, useful in many aspects of our daily existence, which is why Danielle finds actor training so universally beneficial for actors and non-actors alike. Acting is communication. We use both verbal and non-verbal communication to tell stories, create inner and outer worlds for our characters, entertain and engage. Actor training also relies heavily on communication, verbal and non-verbal, whether it be pursuing the goal of our games and activities, or delivering or receiving constructive feedback and tuition, including self-reflection.
3. Fostering a Healthy Curiosity
Within the methodology of all the great practitioners is what venerated theatre maker, Konstantin Stanislavski called the "What If?" Danielle believe's this is the question that must be ever-present in our creative process if we are to fully explore the potential of each moment in our storytelling. What if the scenario were different? What if our heroine's obstacle were different? What if we were underwater? Focusing our curiosity in this way, builds confidence in our creative selves, as well as skills in creative thinking.
4. Connecting with Empathy and Imagination
In line with the acting philosophy of Michael Chekhov, Danielle's believes that an actors' path into telling stories with authenticity relies on connecting heart and imagination. Forsaking the idea that one needs first experience something in order to perform it, she instead asks them to use their inherent imagination and empathy to explore various points of view and ways of existing.
Working With Children Check Approval Number: WWC0630680E