Emily Greenaway

‘Workshop Porch Thoughts’

Award-winning American actor, coach and mentor, Howard Fine, once whispered in the ear of one of his students, ‘find the why, and the how will take care of itself.’ Following a successful career spanning twenty years in dancing, chorography and acting in Australia and overseas, Howard Fine’s words remained etched in Emily Greenaway’s heart.

Having graduated at Dance World 301 in Melbourne in 1999, Emily immediately went on to perform in dozens of shows including, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express in Germany, Me and My Girl in the London Palladium, hosted shows as a Dance Captain with ABC/BBC (Australia and UK) and performed onstage with Olivia Newton John for the opening night of Xanadu.

At 32, now working in the automotive and property industries whilst keeping her foot in the entertainment industry with regular part-time gigs, some ten years on, Howard’s words came into play in 2012, Emily had found her why.

Driving through country Victoria, Emily had a vision, a simple dream of joining all the influential forces she had met or worked with over the years into one explosive workshop to benefit the positive growth of our showbiz industry; providing our young performers with an opportunity to learn and benefit from the masters who have paved the way and created the industry we have become internationally acclaimed for.

According to Emily’s ‘why’, in Melbourne there was limited opportunity for aspiring performers to meet, listen to and to network with some of Australia’s ‘Best’ showbiz teachers in the one arena. Emily’s ‘how’ followed where in April (2013) she launched Melbourne’s first Best of The Best Workshop in Albert Park.

Some of Australia’s ‘Best’ dancers, choreographers and producers including, The SQUARED DIVISION, Dana Jolly, Sue-Ellen Shook, Paul Davis, Tim McDowell, Bobby Galinsky, Barbara Warren-Smith and Jacqui Green (to name a few) joined forces to part their skills and hands-on experience with over 150 aspiring film, television and dance students over an ‘explosive’ 4 day workshop.

Emily’s second Best of The Best Workshop commences on 8 July in Prahran. Over her make-shift office on a café table in Chapel Street, I learnt more about Emily’s ‘why’ and the ‘how’ that just keeps growing and growing.

Students as young as 14 are signing up to meet and be taught techniques by professionals who inspire them. Who were some of your influences when you were their age?

Australia’s most awarded producer, choreographer and director David Atkins! My mum drove me all the way up to Sydney when I was 15 for high school ‘work experience’ because I wanted to do work experience at Dynamite Dance Studios. Sue-Ellen Shook was definitely one of my strongest mentors in full time training.

How do you best explain the Best of The Best workshops?

It’s a program designed where aspiring entertainers can experience small group training from professionals who have walked the walk and earned their stripes in the fields. Some presenters have had over 30 years’ hands-on experience. It provides training, wisdom and networking that can't be achieved anywhere else in this format in Melbourne.

What is the ultimate goal of the workshops?

I sum this up with four key words – Connection; Truth; Positivity; and Drive. You become who you learn from and in some instances it can actually make or break your career. I want to encourage dancers to perform ‘for’ the audience not ‘at’ the audience. This requires an element of soul connection, performing from a place of truth and tapping into their 'why' and their 'passion'. 

Why is this important to the future of the industry in Australia?

We need to continue to build on the expertise that has made our industry what it is today amongst up and coming performers. As a nation we have to maintain the high level of industry standard that Australia has become famous for. We need to keep producing and maintaining the incredibly crucial ‘positive mindset’ and ‘can do’ attitude that has seen unknown Melbourne entertainers become major players overseas.

Why are students drawn to the workshops?

It's not just about how high you can kick and what amazing tricks you can do. It’s important for a performer to truth and connection with the audience to really tell the story and to touch lives. Each and every teacher appointed to this workshop applies the necessary steps to encourage these elements back into the art of dance or acting.

By what criteria do you select the presenters?

The connection with the audience to really tell the story is such an integral part of what will separate a good performance from an exceptional one. Each and every teacher (or mentor) appointed believes in this and applies the necessary steps to encourage these elements back into dance and acting. Each mentor also infuses the correct culture, being positive mindset and skills to not only stretch each student to their full potential, but to market themselves correctly.

Why do teachers or mentors give up their time, travel from interstate and overseas to be part of it?

They love the experience of teaching driven and motivated students who are willing to learn and take on new information. It’s an environment devoid of egos. They enjoy working work with performers who match with what they were giving them. The energy in the room is electric!

Are you planning more workshops?

The Summer School in January is gearing up to be very exciting with artists confirmed from the United Kingdom. We have August workshops confirmed in Benalla, Albury and Newcastle.

What is your Porch Thought For The Day?

Dream, believe, achieve and succeed. Thank you, Howard Fine.