CentreStage & BCMA Join Forces to Launch Ballarat Talent onto National & Global Stages

Two regional powerhouses in performing arts are joining forces in a bold new collaboration set to reshape how local talent breaks into the entertainment industry.

We’re proud to announce a landmark partnership between CentreStage Pty Ltd and the Ballarat Centre of Music & the Arts (BCMA)—a strategic alliance designed to nurture, prepare, and professionally represent young performers from across Ballarat and greater regional Victoria.

Together, we’re creating a streamlined, industry-connected pathway that supports performers from their first acting or singing lesson through to professional castings, national tours, television screens, and beyond.

Why This Partnership Matters
This partnership marks a major step forward in providing regional performers with genuine access to high-level opportunities. While BCMA will continue delivering high-quality training in music, drama and dance, CentreStage will now provide professional talent representation to help those students access auditions and bookings across the entertainment industry.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to collaborate with BCMA and help expose Ballarat performers onto even bigger platforms,” says David Greenwood OAM, Managing Director of CentreStage. “This partnership ensures that young artists in regional Victoria don’t just get seen—they get spotlighted. Together, we’re building a model where high level training leads directly to professional opportunity. Paula has created a fantastic legacy in Ballarat with a strong track record of success, and her vision and passion is inspiring. "

“At the BCMA, we’ve always believed in nurturing artists from their very first lesson, and discovering and maximising their full potential is our goal,” adds Paula Heenan, BCMA’s Founder and Director. “This new partnership gives our students something incredibly powerful—a trusted and established industry pathway, without losing the care and connection of their home studio. It’s a win for Ballarat, for our students and other performers in Ballarat, and for the future of the arts in regional Australia.”

Proven Track Records — Already Making Waves
Both organisations have already helped young performers break into the big leagues. From grassroots training rooms to world-class stages and sets, BCMA and CentreStage have proudly supported students who’ve gone on to work in major professional productions, including: Les Misérables (Australian tour), Annie (National production), Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Matilda the Musical, The Australian Ballet, Wind in the Willows, LEGO TV and commercial projects, CAFS child safety campaigns, The Block, AFL campaigns, corporate shoots, and more.

This partnership is about creating opportunities and building on that success—together.

What’s Next?
On 1 July 2025, we launch this exciting partnership publicly. Following that, on 10 July, all BCMA students currently represented under internal systems will be invited to trial CentreStage’s full agency services for 60 days—completely free.

This trial period includes:

Representation across TV, Film, Musical Theatre, Commercial, and Corporate work
Professional profile creation across leading casting platforms
Industry submissions and career guidance
Seamless integration with BCMA’s existing training and mentorship

CentreStage will manage the submission and talent logistics, while BCMA continues to prepare students with high-level training, rehearsal preparation and audition support. It’s a fully integrated performer experience, rooted in Ballarat but built for national & international stages.

A Partnership for the Future
This collaboration isn’t just about the next few months—it’s a long-term commitment to ensuring that regional talent has a seat at the table. Together, CentreStage and BCMA are committed to developing confident, professional performers who are ready to succeed—whether on stage, on screen, or behind the mic.

Families will receive full rollout details and registration information directly from BCMA in early July.

We can’t wait to show the rest of Australia—and the world—what Ballarat has to offer. Let the spotlight shine.