D'AGOSTINO, Cristina

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre)

Graduation year

2007

Current position

Playing the acrobat in Matilda the Musical

What are some of your career highlights?

Some of my career highlights would have to be my debut show Guys and Dolls, where I learnt the ways of the professional industry for the first time and It’s also where I met my husband. Similarly I adored and felt very blessed being cast in the Australian tour of West Side Story. This is a show that I have held close to my heart since I was a child. In this production I was also understudy to the role of Anita. A role that I would dance around to in my living room as a young girl, and that I played in our second year production of West Side Story at University. It's hard to pin point key moments in my career because every experience has taught me something new and I've grown stronger and wiser from every show. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of an array of shows that can not be compared to one another. Because of this I have gained diverse skills throughout my career that I never imagined possible. I’m so grateful for my journey in the professional Performing Arts industry so far.

Describe the most enjoyable and challenging aspects of your job

The most enjoyable aspect of my job is being able to do what I genuinely love and adore everyday. I wake up and am excited to go to work. It's the best feeling in the world! Of course every job has its challenges. When you are doing the same show everyday it's important to keep playing and making choices, so that you keep it fresh. 8 shows a weeks plus added rehearsals for who ever you may understudy in a show is also a challenge. So it's so important to eat well and get valuable sleep, otherwise it can be very exhausting to maintain the level of energy and high quality performance level required for every show.

What are your strongest memories while you were studying at Federation University Australia?

I have various memories from studying at the University of Ballarat. To speak honestly, it was a very big part of my growing up as a woman and a performer. I learnt a lot very quickly from my tutors about what would lie in store in the Performing Arts industry. The harsh realities of the industry and the fight needed to succeed in the best way I could. The emotional rollercoaster that I would inevitably endure, and the highs and lows that would eventuate in the fight to succeed. David Wynen was a big part of my training and still is a strong part of my career today. I will never forget all the time and effort he put into helping mould me into the best performer I can be. I still take values and lessons that he has installed into my daily routine, whether it be performing or teaching myself. David was and still is a mentor and valued friend, and is someone who I respect and look up to.

Do you have any advice about life after study to pass on to current students?

My advice to anyone wanting to pursue a career in the Performing Arts Industry would be to stay true to yourself. There will be hurdles, there will be callbacks, there will highs, there will be great lows. However this is all a big part of the journey. No experience is a wasted one, whether you get the role or not. You will learn a lot about yourself that you didn’t know before, and you will manage to gain more and more confidence, and knowledge of the person you want to be and the performer you are and will become. Listen to everything your tutors are teaching you, and pay close attention to their professional advice. It was invaluable to be when I started out, and it still is today.

In one sentence what words of wisdom would you pass on to students

Find the strength to genuinely believe in yourself and your ability, because if you don't you can't expect anyone else to, and never be afraid to take risks. You'll learn more about yourself and find out a lot about you as a person and a performer by taking a chance, instead of playing it safe. Trust and believe...