Drama teacher Louise Blackett shares her experiences on and off stage | photos

It can improve confidence, speech and even change lives.

Wagga Louise Blackett has seen theatre do this and much more first hand after teaching drama for more than 50 years.

Mrs Blackett has been passionate about drama since she was a child and it’s safe to say it has filled her life with joy.

In 1961 she opened the Louise Montgomery school of speech and drama in Wagga and got 27 before 9am after putting an ad in the paper.

The old saying “those who can’t do teach” definately does not apply to Mrs Blackett.

“People used to ask me: why do you want to live in Wagga you could be in London or Melbourne?”

But Mrs Blackett loves Wagga and teaching.

As a teenager she won a lead role in a Melbourne production and didn’t look back.

For three years Mrs Blackett performed in nine professional productions in Melbourne.

Back in Wagga she has been actively involved in production both acting and directing.

When the Civic Theatre was opened on June 29 1963 Mrs Blackett and her husband, Dennis, played leading roles in the play Teahouse of the August Moon.

The couple first met when they were 14-years-old and married in 1965.

Her practical experience is matched by her academic ventures after attending The Royal Academy of Drama and Art in London and Trinity College London - Drama and Speech.

Mrs Blackett has even written a thesis on drama as a therapy which could be the reason behind her passion for her students success.

Today her school is known as the Theatre Workshop and the students put on multiple productions each year.

Students come from a range of backgrounds from wealthy families with all the opportunity in the world to families who are struggling to get by.

“Theatre is good for children, it's not just fun they have to be very disciplined,” Mrs Blackett said.

This discipline is transferred into their personal lives and her students have gone on to achieve great things both on and off stage.

Seeing a student do well with their lives off stage is just as important if not more to Louise.

“It appeals to me more than who is the best on stage,” she said.

“Even if they become a lollypop lady I want them to speak clearly and confidently.”

Mrs Blackett and her students become like one big family.

“I love to hear what they’re all doing,” she said.

While she loves theatre she doesn't push her students to become professional actors.

“Actors are the poorest people unless they’re on a highly paid sitcom,” Mrs Blackett said.

“Nine times out of 10 they’re out of work.”

One of her students Sophie Deal said she gained a lot of confidence since she started at the Theatre Workshop but isn’t planning on a career as an actor.

“It gives you a lot of self confidence and makes you a better person,” she said.

“I was really shy when I started I wouldn’t have been able to go on stage and perform like I do.

“I think it will really help my future.”

Mrs Blackett’s school is highly sort after with thousands of kids on the waiting list.

“I don’t know if that’s because we’re good or cheap,” Mrs Blackett laughed.

“I’ve never done it for the money, don’t get me wrong I like the money and I spend it well and recklessly but I’m not here to become a millionaire.

Despite teaching for 55 years Mrs Blackett has no plans of retirement.

“I don’t intent to retire I want to keep doing the same thing,” she said.

“Working in theatre is so stimulating.”

Mrs Blackett puts on as many performances as possible which is normally one a term.

The cost of the tickets is kept to a minimum at just $7.

“I want everyone to be able to go,” Mrs Blackett said.

“I want theatre to be experienced by all children.”