About Priya…

On Stage Credits

Priya’s passion for being onstage still grows strong, although between producing musicals and teaching, there is not much time left to focus on extra hobbies. Priya has been lucky enough to perform for and work with Centre Stage Theatrics, The Roo Theatre Company, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, The Performing Arts Collective, SoPopera Productions, Arcadians Theatre Group, MoonGlow and more.

Priya’s onstage credits include:

Princess Fiona in Shrek
Hunyak in Chicago
Babette in Beauty & The Beast
Heather Chandler in Heathers
Snow White in Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins
Phyllis Dale in 42nd Street
The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz
And many more.

Priya has also been lucky enough to perform at Disneyland Hong Kong, Disneyland California Adventure, Disney World Orlando, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood and onboard The Oasis of The Seas.

About Priya

Priya is a young adult living with an invisible disability, hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder effecting her day to day life in many ways. Although diagnosed late in life, Priya has struggled from a young age with chronic pain and an assortment of symptoms. Despite her unique quirks and captivating personality, Priya is neurodivergent, having also received her diagnosis late in life. This late recognition means that she has spent many years navigating a world that didn’t always understand or accommodate her, all while discovering the ways her mind works differently from those around her. Having this first hand understanding of disabilities, even before she knew it, has given Priya a unique outlook on life and how to run a company that is accessible and inclusive. Priya dedicates her career to being the educator she wishes she had in her childhood and teen years as well as providing a safe space for all theatre lovers. Although her work is demanding, Priya loves spending time with her partner in the outdoors, and travelling when possible. She is also “mum” to black cat, Cookie.

Training

Priya started teaching at the young age of 12, under the guidance of her then dance teachers at Vanessa Lee Dance Academy. She continued to teach all through high school and then training through Ready Set Dance and continued to teach preschoolers, beginners, competitive teams and soloists in her first years out of high school at a number of dance studios throughout the Illawarra. During high school, Priya also trained under the guidance of Nella Magnante to complete a Singing Teacher’s Course studying vocal education and vocal health. Priya then undertook training with Acrobatic Arts to become a Certified Acrobatics instructor in 2023. 

Priya has not just studied performing arts but general education also. Through high school she studied Early Childhood Education and Care and recently she has studied Primary Education, both at UOW. Priya holds a First Aid Certificate including CPR and a Mental Health First Aid Certificate. Priya holds a current WWCC and has studied Child Safety and implements recommended guidelines from the Office of the Children’s Guardian. 

Priya has momentarily put the books down to focus on running Black Cat Theatre but is sure she will return to studies in years to come.

Awards

In 2013 Priya was awarded the Junior Song & Dance Championship at Wollongong Eisteddfod for the performance ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’. In 2015 & 2016 Priya was awarded the performing arts award at St Mary’s Star of the Sea College for her involvement in the dance ensemble, choir, chamber choir, school musical and Edmund Rice College’s drama performance. Priya graduated from high school, Five Islands Secondary College, in 2019 as a member of the SRC.