A MOMENT IN THE SUN

Centre Stage Academy of Performing Arts

There is a particular kind of magic that happens when a drama school throws open its doors and lets its students—tiny, timid, seasoned, or soaring—step onto the stage. A Moment in the Sun, Centre Stage Academy’s short play festival written and directed by Wayne Tunks, delivered exactly that kind of magic: warm, messy, heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human. It was a celebration not just of performance, but of growth.

The Juniors  

There is nothing quite like watching small children take the stage with absolute conviction. Juniors brought the cuteness and sass in their mini plays that were carefully crafted to give performance opportunity without overwhelming the little thespians, while also providing the cheering audience of parents and family members with an insight into the drama games and skill development activities that run each week at Centre Stage Academy.

Intermediates & Seniors  

The Intermediate and Senior performers stepped confidently into more complex territory. Their short plays delved into their lived experience, exploring the comical and serious sides of adolescent life: friendship politics, misunderstandings, jealousy, and the quiet moments that shape identity.

Pieces such as My Thoughts vs Theirs, Deny, Deny, Deny, and The New Girl showcased not only individual talent but also ensemble discipline. These young performers demonstrated collaboration, timing, and generosity—skills that theatre education uniquely cultivates.

Adults

The adult performances were powerful. Kayla Austin and Nicole Smith are regular faces on the Western Sydney Theatre scene but it was wonderful to see them in full flight in Tunks’ comedic pieces While the Footy’s On, Break Room, and Table for One. Their monologues were standout moments - Austin’s emotional clarity and Smith’s grounded presence held the audience firmly in their grasp.

Amy Graham and Louise Gal also shone, both in their ensemble and solo work. Gal’s Mummy’s Day was a knowing nod to every exhausted parent in the room, while Graham’s Last Night was the most intense moment of the festival.

Behind the Scenes

With 25 plays, transitions could easily have become clunky, but Tunks’ team kept the night flowing. Set pieces moved swiftly, projections changed cleanly, and young (and sometimes overexcited) performers were wrangled with impressive efficiency. The soundtrack, selected to match each play’s tone, kept the energy buoyant and the audience engaged. This level of backstage coordination is often invisible, but it definitely deserves applause.

• Applause for cleverly written and well crafted scripts that showcased the strengths of every performer regardless of age or experience

• Afterthought: A reminder of the power of theatre to gently uncover what we’re capable of when someone offers us a script, a space on stage and the opportunity to be seen.

A Moment in the Sun lived up to its name. It gave every performer their chance to shine. Wayne Tunks’ writing and direction provided a strong scaffold for performers at all levels, and Centre Stage Academy proved itself to be a force in Performing Arts Education. This festival wasn’t just a showcase, it was a reminder of why theatre matters: it builds confidence, connection, and joy. In this performance, every student truly had their moment in the sun.

Centre Stage Academy of Performing Arts presents the Short Play Festival, ‘A Moment in the Sun’, at the Western Performing Arts Centre, July 3-4

For more information on Centre Stage Academy of Performing Arts visit https://centrestageacademyopa.com.au/