Lachie Clarke
Education

Youth Ambassadors - Where are they now?

Lachie Clarke was a Youth Ambassador in 2015. Two years later, he has finished school and is studying across the road from Southbank Theatre at VCA.

Lachie Clarke was an MTC Ambassador in 2015. Two years later, he has finished school and is studying across the road from Southbank Theatre at VCA.

What have you been up to since you were an MTC Ambassador in 2015?

Since Ambassadors I have pretty much been at school. I went through year 12 last year, which was actually a pretty decent experience for me as I was doing all arty subjects like Media and Theatre Studies, so I got to have (some) fun with it. At the moment I’m studying Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts, so getting to just focus on that every day has been exactly what I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. What we get to do in class there is so interesting and also really fun. Sometimes I’ll be doing something like making a piece, and I’ll think about how I could be in a boring lecture learning about something I don’t really care about, but instead I get to be at this amazing school doing what I love everyday. I’ve also met some of the best people who’ve I’ve become so close with in the short amount of time I’ve been there.

How has the MTC Ambassadors program influenced your career path?

It had a massive impact on my career path. Without it I don’t think I would be studying acting now. Getting to hear from professionals who have actually made it in the industry gave me more hope that I would be able to make a career out of it as well. It also just cemented my love for theatre and the arts. Getting to see all those shows and be surrounded by this craft got me addicted to it.

What was the best thing about MTC Ambassadors?

It’s hard to pick just one. Getting to have in-depth discussions with all the professionals was definitely a big highlight. I think though the best thing about it was that it introduces you to a backstage look at what the theatre industry is all about. I learnt so much about all the different elements and also met some great people. Everything about it was really, really great.

Are you still in contact with your fellow MTC Ambassadors from 2015?

I am with a few of them, but having them all on social media means that you’re able to still see what everyone is up to. It’s cool to see everyone is still doing theatre-ry things and all in different ways, not just acting. We also still have a group chat with everyone in it and occasionally people will start up some conversations on that. It’s nice to know that in the future the chances are some of us will get to work together again.

What’s next for you?

I’ll get through the next three years at VCA and then hopefully be employed (fingers crossed). At the moment though I’m really enjoying getting to go to university everyday and just focus on theatre, it’s the best. I’ve been developing some future pieces I would like to put on, but they won’t be for a while. I want to make sure they are the best they can be and also that I’ve had the training to do them right. I would also like to – after I finish university – potentially go over to Europe and study more in clowning and mime as I am really interested in those are art forms. However, I will see where life takes me and where I end up could be completely different to where I was planning.

Learn more about MTC Ambassadors

Published on 21 June 2017

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