Home schooling: Drama and music school co-founders Jenny Brinsley and son Thomas
Four years ago teenager Thomas Brinsley left Queenstown to follow a path that would lead him to “getting paid for acting”.
Now 21, he’s returned home from studying at the Wellington Performing Arts Centre with the same dream – although he admits his perceptions have changed a bit.
“[WPAC] was very, very intense,” Brinsley says.
“Our tutors didn’t sugar-coat acting as a career, they made you realise you’re not going to get rich. But that’s not why I’m doing it.”
Brinsley – who moved to Wellington with mum Jenny and younger sisters Alexia and Eleanor so they could all pursue performing arts education – is now in the throes of opening “Theatricks” with Jenny at the family home in Speargrass Flat.
Theatricks is an after-school, evening and school holiday tuition programme for children and adults, and offers in-school workshops.
Thomas Brinsley, who now has a diploma in acting from WPAC and a certificate in vocal and jazz piano from the New Zealand School of Music, will teach blues and jazz guitar, plus singing, songwriting and acting.
Jenny Brinsley, a qualified speech, drama and music teacher who’s working towards a masters in directing, will teach musical theatre, speech, drama and piano.
Classes began earlier this month with several students enrolled.
“We’re excited about it,” Jenny Brinsley says.
“We’re really looking forward to having enthusiastic people coming through the door.”
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