Hugh Jackman's Advocacies

[jo]

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 35m
@livelaughingman at Taste of Spring Gala. Honored to be celebrate the great work of The Donaldson Adoption Institute. pic.twitter.com/VdRLZr2UOI

[jo]

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 6m
#BringBackOurDaughters

I was just reading the story and unknown fate of the several hundred Nigerian girls who were kidnapped earlier -- it is a horrifying story! Maybe we can all join in hoping that they are rescued soon!


Jo

[mamaleh]

I was totally appalled at that story. It sounds like a horrific storyline on GAME OF THRONES or somesuch. That such things can happen today is as mind-boggling as it is tragic. Reportedly, many have already been sold into slavery. Absolutely disgusting!!

Ellen

[jo]

Leading Australian actors in Perth to launch foundation for performing arts

720 ABC Perth By Emma Wynne

Posted 3 hours 59 minutes ago

Jack Thompson at the ABC Perth studios, 15 May 2014




A foundation formed by some of Australia’s most successful actors hopes to draw $10 million in private finance to support the performing arts in Western Australia.

Founded by actors Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, The Jackman-Furness Foundation for the performing arts will be launched in Perth on May 17.

The foundation will be based at the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts (WAAPA), where Hugh Jackman studied in the early 1990s.

Founding patron Jack Thompson told 720 ABC Perth it is an opportunity to give something back to the industry.

"Without the performing arts there is no film industry and it’s from this centre here at WAAPA that people like Hugh Jackman have come into the industry," he said.

"My son was at WAAPA for three years.

“He finished last year and from the time I first started visiting him and seeing the student performances, I became aware that there is a real need for the community to support the academy.

"WAAPA is already regarded as one of the top 20 teaching institutions in the world for the performing arts.

"Hugh has come from WAAPA and he is bringing back his success to the institution and putting it in."

Mr Thompson said funding from the foundation, which he hopes will eventually deliver $500,000 a year to the academy, will provide for visiting artists and extra equipment.

"We are talking to people who are owners of companies and top executives in the richest, per capita, city in the world," he said.

[jo]

His ties to WAAPA and Perth --

au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/23583002/jackman-gives-to-next-generation-of-stars/

Jackman gives to next generation of stars


EXCLUSIVE Amanda Keenan The West Australian

May 17, 2014, 2:50 am


Jackman gives to next generation of stars
Star power: Hugh Jackman with X-Men: Days of Future Past co-stars Fan Bingbing and Peter Dinklage at the film's Australian premiere. Picture: Getty Images

Hollywood heavyweight Hugh Jackman dreams of one day returning to his alma mater - the WA Academy of Performing Arts - to teach the next generation of stars.

In an exclusive interview in New York this month, Jackman told The Weekend West that the education he received at WAAPA was his launching pad to super-stardom.

At a gala event today at his Mt Lawley stamping ground, Jackman will launch the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts, which he and wife Deborra-lee hope will become the Harvard University of the entertainment industry.

"What I learnt in Perth over those three years has made everything possible for me," Jackman said.

The actor, 45, who stars as Wolverine in the latest X-Men film Days of Future Past, will meet students as he launches the foundation, which will help fund scholarships and exchanges as well as support for teachers.

He said he was inspired by his own teachers and would love to return the favour.

"At some point I'd love to do some teaching, I would love to come back for a period," Jackman said, adding with a laugh: "I don't think I'll be the greatest teacher."

The Foundation boasts actor Jack Thompson as its patron (Thompson's son Bill graduated from WAAPA last year) and local businessman Geoff Michael as trustee.

Last year, when Mr Michael and partner Flora Liveris lost their newborn son Marcos, Jackman and Furness anonymously donated $30,000 to a fundraising drive to buy the kind of vital equipment that was used to care for Marcos at Princess Margaret Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit.

Jackman retains a strong affinity with Perth after spending three years studying at the academy in the 1990s.

He fondly remembers shared-house living and a frugal university student diet of Vietnamese and Hare Krishna food, as well as the leftovers he would scrounge from the dishes he washed at Valentino's in Northbridge.

Jackman and Furness are urging other West Australians to contribute to their foundation, which will have a special focus on indigenous students.

"We want to ensure that there is equal opportunity for them to know about places like WAAPA, to have a chance to audition, to understand what it's about and to feel comfortable there - to feel in every way that it is a place for everybody," he said.

It will also help fund a visiting artist's program and give students the opportunity to travel to the West End in London and Broadway, where the actor made his name as Peter Allen in the Boy From Oz.

[jo]

Performance Alert!!


If you can tune in for the live stream coverage --

hughjackman.thewest.com.au/

Hope we can get it. Manila is on the same time zone as Perth. Manila is 12 hours ahead of EDT - so I am estimating that NYC will get to see it at 12 Midnight (May 16)?

Please return to the link to find out if we can connect to the live stream coverage.




Jo

[jo]

I saw the live stream but through the link which Hugh tweeted. Sorry, if I gave you a link which could not work.

*Hugh gave quite a long extemporaneous speech! Very articulate, very relevant to what his journey back to his school meant to him and as to how he hopes the school can give the same inspiration and training to the new ones who come to WAAPA, how the concept of the Foundation eventually came into fruition and how it is going to be focused! What most stuck in my mind was his saying that his school was the place where " one learns how to learn" and " that saying YES is the way to learn, by having a go!".

His speech was from the heart and also most inspiring! If he ever wants to be Prime Minister of his country, he is already cut out on how to give such inspiring visionary talks!

*His associates who helped him put the seed money for the Foundation, particularly one business magnate, has promised a donation of $ 1 Million ( presumably Australian $).

*Deb ( who was minding the kids in NYC) and himself have matched that with a personal donation of another $ 1 million!

*He acknowledged the contribution of Jack Thompson as a Founding Patron of the Foundation. Jack, if you recall, was Kipling Flynn in the movie "AUSTRALIA", whose son also recently graduated from WAAPA. WAAPA has been acknowledged as one of the top 20 learning institutions of its kind in the world!

*He did not leave without sharing the talent that he has shared on the world's stages and also without baring his feelings for his national hometown. He was visibly tired, and his voice was a little raspy from the long speech, he only had a sip of water to loosen his vocal pipes, and he even noted the "different key" that he had to sing with...but in the end he gave a heartfelt version of I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME!


Such a wonderful human being!


Jo

[jo]

Here's the official report --

au.news.yahoo.com/a/23597957/hugh-jackman-launches-performing-arts-foundation-at-perth-university/

Hugh Jackman launches performing arts foundation at Perth university
ABC

By Katrin Long

May 17, 2014, 4:39 pm



Hugh Jackman attended the Perth launch of the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts.
ABC Hugh Jackman attended the Perth launch of the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Actors Hugh Jackman and Jack Thompson have launched the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts in a packed out ceremony at Perth's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness, along with acting great Thompson have created the national fund in the hope it will draw $10 million in private finance to support the performing arts in Western Australia.

At the launch, Jackman announced mining magnate Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and his wife Nicola have donated $1 million to the foundation.

He then told the crowd he and his wife would match that contribution.

Jackman was born and raised in Sydney, but moved to Perth to study acting at WAAPA.

He graduated from the Academy in 1994 and began an illustrious film and stage career, marked by his ability to play a wide range of characters from Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, to Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz.

Launching the foundation, which will be based at WAAPA at the Edith Cowan University campus, Jackman said he was proud to see so many Australians breaking into the industry.

"They're talented, professional, they're optimistic, and they're having a good time," he said.

In response to Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne saying he wanted to have Australian education institutions appearing in the top 20 in the world, Jackman said: "Mr Pyne. You have one."

Jack Thompson's son Bill also graduated from WAAPA's acting course last year.

He says he sees the foundation as a way to give back to the industry.

"Without the performing arts there is no film industry and it's from this centre here at WAAPA that people like Hugh Jackman have come into the industry," he said.

"The arts are the dew that wets the nest of the imagination and there is where our future will flourish."

Following the launch, crowds were treated to a musical interlude by Jackman who performed I Still Call Australia Home, accompanied by musical theatre students.

Added from another report --

...Launching the foundation, which will be based at WAAPA at the Edith Cowan University campus, Jackman said he was proud to see so many Australians breaking into the industry.

"They're talented, professional, they're optimistic, and they're having a good time," he said.

In response to Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne saying he wanted to have Australian education institutions appearing in the top 20 in the world, Jackman said: "Mr Pyne. You have one."

Jack Thompson's son Bill also graduated from WAAPA's acting course last year.

He says he sees the foundation as a way to give back to the industry.

"Without the performing arts there is no film industry and it's from this centre here at WAAPA that people like Hugh Jackman have come into the industry," he said.

"The arts are the dew that wets the nest of the imagination and there is where our future will flourish."

Following the launch, crowds were treated to a musical interlude by Jackman who performed I Still Call Australia Home, accompanied by musical theatre students.

[jo]

Julie Bishop ‏@juliebishopmp · 32m
Congratulations to @realhughjackman on launch of Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts at #WAAPA pic.twitter.com/i60PeBlGuQ

Mme Julie Bishop is Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. If I am not mistaken, wasn't she present when Hugh and Deb lit the Empire State Building with the Australian green and gold on Australia Day?

Warrick Hazeldine ‏@cp_WHazeldine · 1m
@juliebishopmp @realhughjackman massive day for WAAPA. Great leadership Hugh Jackman.

[jo]

Hugh Jackman, WAAPA, 1994.

Hugh Jackman at WAAPA in 1994. Supplied by the WAAPA archives.

[jo]

www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/hugh-jackman-back-in-perth-to-launch-foundation-to-support-wa-academy-of-performing-arts/story-fnhocr83-1226921240504

Hugh Jackman back in Perth to launch foundation to support WA Academy of Performing Arts

KRISTY SYMONDS Entertainment Reporter •
PerthNow •
May 17, 2014 6:42PM


Hugh Jackman is back where it all began, launching a new foundation to support performing arts at Edith Cowan University’s WA Acedmy of Performaing Arts at its Mt Lawley campus. Source: News Corp Australia


HUGH Jackman plays one of the world’s best-known superheros – now the megastar has jetted back to his one-time home of Perth to rescue the local arts scene.

The Hollywood hunk was back in WA as part of a whirlwind visit to launch The Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts at the Mt Lawley campus of the WA Academy of Performing Arts.

The 45-year-old star, who is best known as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, graduated from WAAPA’s acting course 20 years ago.

The foundation, which has set a fundraising target of $10 million in its first four years, will provide financial support so WAAPA can continue to groom the country’s top acting talent.

Joined by screen legend Jack Thompson, the foundation’s inaugural patron, Jackman announced he and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness would contribute an initial $1 million to the foundation.

Jackman said they were simply matching a donation made by WA iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest.

He said it was “exciting and humbling” to return to the school that put him on the path to stardom and give something back.




Hugh Jackman at WAAPA in 1994. Supplied by the WAAPA archives.



“Nothing could make me happier,” he said.

“I can tell you with absolute certainty, there is no way my career would be what it is or that I would be standing in this capacity on this stage if it wasn’t for this institution of WAAPA.

“It is unique, there is nowhere like it in the world and everyone in our business knows about WAAPA and I want it to be treasured here, in this state, as much as it is around the world.”

Jackman said he wanted to avoid discussions concerning the lack of government funding to the arts and, instead, “focus on being part of the solution”.

“This is a marathon and we hope to be here for the long haul,” he said.

Thompson said it was a “great honour” to be part of the foundation.

Other well-known names at the launch were cricket legend Adam Gilchrist, Premier Colin Barnett and fashion designer Aurelio Costarella.

To close the launch, Jackman took to the stage with current WAAPA students to perform the Peter Allen song I Still Call Australia Home before high-fiving them all and exiting the stage.





Former head of acting, Chris Edmund, who directed and taught Jackman between 1992-94, said Jackman’s commitment WAAPA was “extraordinary”.

“He didn’t have to do this,” he said.

Edmund, who retired last year after 30 years with the prestigious academy, said Jackman’s support was “guaranteeing the longevity of WAAPA”.

Stephanie Power, who was two years ahead of Jackman in WAAPA’s acting course and remains friends with the actor, said the foundation’s support was crucial.

“It’s very important to WAAPA because I think basically without it we’re just going to fold,” Power said.

“This will maintain WAAPA as a drama school and maintain its standing in the world (and) I think without the foundation, WAAPA has a death knell.”

Power, who runs WAAPA’s photo archives, said she remembers a “gangly”, gutsy and fresh-faced Hugh Jackman arriving WAAPA with an unrivalled energy and enthusiasm.

“When I graduated, he found my first place that I lived in,” she said.

“If you went to him and said you had a problem he would go ‘Let me see what I can do’.

“I will tear up, he is the nicest guy - he’s a beautiful, beautiful man who has a heart of gold.”

[birchie]

I hope someone recorded his speech for posterity. I'd love to see that. Just one teeny note, Jo...for something that was planned for weeks and it being a very important occasion, I doubt that the speech was extemporaneous. Of course he always makes it look so natural when he speaks that it appears that way, even when he's hosting award shows, which is why he's such a great host.
Sue

[natalieavery]

May 17, 2014 9:15:39 GMT -5 birchie said:

I hope someone recorded his speech for posterity. I'd love to see that. Just one teeny note, Jo...for something that was planned for weeks and it being a very important occasion, I doubt that the speech was extemporaneous. Of course he always makes it look so natural when he speaks that it appears that way, even when he's hosting award shows, which is why he's such a great host.
Sue

For those who missed Hugh's speech and still want to see the launch or just hear what he said, just click on the launch link that Jo gave you in her post #280. It will go back through it for you. If you just want to see and hear what Hugh said, click on around 01:25. He's on about 25 minutes before the end. The whole thing starts with some nice jazz singing and some speeches and presentations if you want to go through that first.

Hugh truly is an incredibly gifted speaker.

Sarah

[jo]

I am awake ( ungodly hour for me) because I am going to be watching one of the crucial tennis matches in Rome in a few minutes time - but it is a good excuse to listen to Hugh's speech once again while I wait for my tennis viewing

He is an incredibly gifted speaker, as you say, Sarah!

I am sure he had some mental notes on what he wanted to say but his remarks were completely expressed without any cue cards or any sort of formality. It sounded more like an inspirational talk, but in his case, dosed with a great deal of humility ( even the jokes were respectful). I think his talent is beyond Oscar or Tony or Washington Christmas hosting -- those were basically annotating performances and presentations. He would even act them out ( like at how well he acted the Oscar Opening number) but his cue cards there were prepared and rehearsed. Here, he was just reliving what his learning experience at WAAPA has prepared him ( much) for life! How he approached his career ( sometimes we would be bewildered by his choices) and how he has always been inspired towards giving back. He did not mention it -- but if one goes through all of his social activism ( the Broadway Cares contribution which so amazed the theatre community on Broadway that they gave him a second TONY, the continuing involvement with the Gianopulos/Hollywood yearly events to benefit the aged/ill members of the film acting community, his association with World Vision on its goal to minimize worldwide poverty, which eventually led to his Laughing Man venture to benefit farmers from Africa, even his Harlem Village Academy involvement - just a string of his extreme generosity! ). A remarkable human being, and there in itself is an amazing contradiction, as actors are basically known for their egoistic tendencies

One correction, please -- he did ask for that key change at the end of "I Still Call Australia Home" -- which kind of made me think that he has now moved on personally to another rung in the stairway of life. That of giving back, with such graciousness and earnestness!

Hugh is indeed Australia's greatest export to the world ( not just "so far"...but for sometime to come!). Aren't we all so proud of him and to be counted as part of his world admirers


Jo

[jo]

LOL - from that small stage in a learning institution ( WAAPA) in a corner of Australia to one of the biggest websites of Broadway ( BWW) -- his speech has been reproduced from the internet! But I can't help but be amused as to the context in which the BWW reporter reported the event - that Hugh spoke as part of a cabaret performance to raise money for the foundation

www.broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-Tony-Winner-Hugh-Jackman-Speaks-at-WAAPA-to-Raise-Funds-for-New-Charity-20140517#.U3ekNtGKDOU


While it may sound as BWW simply wanting to put out any news about the forthcoming TONY host, I think if all aspiring actors watch it, it should serve as an ideal template on how to become a great actor and an even greater human being!

Sorry, if I am gushing


Jo

[jo]

The site didn't exactly get it right -- the students are not who are behind the Jackman Furness Foundation but are potential beneficiaries of its generosity and the inspiration behind it.

rumorfix.com/2014/05/hugh-jackman-pays-tribute-to-young-team-behind-his-new-foundation/

Hugh Jackman Pays Tribute To Young Team Behind His New Foundation

Posted on May 17th, 2014 at 10:20 am

- [e-mail]



TrueScreen Shot 2014-05-17 at 9.56.45 AM

X-Men Days Of Future Past star Hugh Jackman is one of the biggest hearted stars in Hollywood.

And the Australian-born actor has paid tribute to the team behind his new Jackman Furness Foundation with this fun Twitter image.

Pictured in the middle of his team Hugh wrote: “Awesome day launching the Jackman Furness Foundation. So many highlights, but nothing warms my heart like spending time with these amazing students.”

Jackman launched his new charity in Perth, Australia, to support acting and nurturing new entertainment talent in the area.

The handsome star and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness reportedly donated $1 million to the foundation at Perth’s Western Australian Academy of Performng Arts (WAAPA).

Although Jackman was born in Sydney he later moved to Perth and studied acting with the WAAPA before finding fame and fortune in Hollywood.

Read more at rumorfix.com/2014/05/hugh-jackman-pays-tribute-to-young-team-behind-his-new-foundation/#4eKiu19F7kyBYlqb.99

But it is great to get good coverage of the inaugural event!


Jo

[jo]

Similar report on the launching of the Foundation, but a few new additional info --

au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/latest/a/23600175/jackmans-1m-arts-foundation-kick-start/

After the launch formalities and a VIP lunch, Jackman was set to tour his old stomping ground with WAAPA director Julie Warn.
He was looking forward to popping into class rooms and studios to meet students hoping to be the stars of tomorrow.

He was due to host a cabaret performance for invited guests at the Roundhouse Theatre tonight.

Perth businessman Geoff Michael has been appointed trustee of the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts. Its advisory council includes former governor Ken Michael and Nicola Forrest.


The foundation will initially focus on WAAPA, with other beneficiaries to follow.

Money will be used to attract students, provide scholarships, foster visiting artists and artists-in-residence, fund productions and to provide specialised training for indigenous students.

“The foundation of this place is its teachers,” Jackman said. “That is what we are here to support. The foundation wants to support this institution and other arts institutions.”

Jackman and Thompson hatched the plan to support WAAPA, a school of Edith Cowan University, while filming Australia in the Kimberley in 2007. Thompson’s son Bill graduated from WAAPA last year.

It is hoped the foundation will in time generate at least $500,000 per year to plug the gap between WAAPA’s Federal and State funding and what it needs to train its music, drama, dance and design students.

An ECU report said in 2012 that WAAPA needed an urgent overhaul and $3.75 million extra in government funding.

******

Don't forget to watch the attached video -- he does a TV interview which shows clips of him going around WAAPA, shows scenes of him surrounded by a happy bunch of students, and himself announcing what they are going to do for the evening cabaret show ( He said he is going to sing a few songs from The Boy from Oz and from Les Miserables, plus a Q&A, and an appearance by Jack Thompson).

Maybe they can film it and upload to the internet? I bet it is probably a charity event to benefit the foundation

He said he was staying in Perth the whole day...and that he hopes to come back after a few months. Maybe after PAN filming and before he rehearses for THE RIVER? Too bad Australia is so far from NYC - and his work takes him even further away sometimes.

He also shared that he was flying right back to NYC for his son's 14th birthday celebration! Can't believe that the young boy who used to frequent the Imperial is now at the cusp of becoming a young man!

Jo

[jo]

He must have been sharing vocal lesson techniques when he was visiting with the students at WAAPA --

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 6m
The JFFPA warm up. #bbbbbb

http://instagram.com/p/oH2uQZChFI

[mamaleh]

LOL, those warm-up sounds remind me of the January 2013 evening at the Philadelphia Orchestra, when Hugh didn't realize his mic was on and all of a sudden this strange outpouring of quasi-human noises -- -- of all kinds was carried across the entire theater. It took us a few seconds to realize who/what was behind the sounds, shortly followed by the opening strains of "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning."

Those warm-ups must really open the throat.

Ellen

[jo]

A detailed account of his day with the students at WAAPA --

au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/23636547/jackman-shines-for-budding-stars/

Jackman shines for budding stars


Stephen Bevis, Arts Editor The West Australian
May 19, 2014, 5:05 am






The West Australian Hugh Jackman launches the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts at a special event at WAAPA. Jackman took a tour of the institute and spent time with the current students. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

For just over eight hours, the Wolverine returned to the den where he was raised.

By the time he left, racing home to his son's 14th birthday party in New York after a whirlwind tour of Australasia, he had clawed $4 million out of Perth's cashed-up set after throwing in $1 million of his own to kick off a foundation for the academy that set him on the path to stardom.

Captains of industry, politics, sport and culture walked the red carpet at the WA Academy of Performing Arts on Saturday to be dazzled by Jackman's star power, the wattage he is relying on for the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts to raise more than $10 million.

But for all the VIP guests at two fundraising functions, and Jackman himself, the day belonged very much to the WAAPA students.

WATCH THE REPLAY - HUGH JACKMAN IN PERTH

An all-in team photo of WAAPA's most famous, favourite son with about 130 students captured the euphoric flavour of Jackman's school reunion.


All in: Hugh Jackman and students of the WA Academy of Performing Arts. Pic: Michael Wilson, The West Australian, 17th May 2014. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

The 1994 graduate tweeted the image to his four million followers, saying: "So many highlights but nothing warms my heart like spending time with these students."



Hugh Jackman took a tour of the institute and spent time with the current students. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

Between his official duties, when he was almost upstaged by third-year acting student and MC Johnny Hawkins (who introduced him as WAAPA's "most famous graduate - to date"), Jackman relished a tour of the classrooms, studios and production workshop.

He checked out the old production posters lining the corridors and cringed when he came across a photo-montage of his final-year performance as Mr Erbage in Patrick White's The Season at Sarsaparilla, which toured the South West in 1994.

The good-humoured X-Men and Les Miserables star apologised for putting the students out by having to cancel their shifts at cafes or other weekend jobs to come in on a non-teaching day.

JACKMAN'S $1M KICK-START | HUGH GIVES TO NEXT GEN STARS


Hugh Jackman at the launch of the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts at the WA Academy of Performing Arts on May 17, 2014 in Perth, Australia. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty

The roof almost lifted off studio D when he walked in for a Q and A session with acting, music theatre and singing students. Their eruptive, raucous reception for the WAAPA boy made good set him up for a gag of waving thanks and pretending to walk out again. Cue more adulatory cheers and laughter.

Hosted by WAAPA acting teacher and Australian screen star Angela Punch McGregor, the questions zinged with youthful energy and Jackman's answers were frank, funny and perceptive.

He warned them he would be dropping names and the stories flowed: about his terror at being asked to host the 2009 Oscars by Steven Spielberg and then calling Ricky Gervais and Steve Martin to help him come up with jokes; about watching Jack Nicholson working the camera; about the undying hunger of John Travolta, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig to continually learn and get better; about meeting his wife-to-be Deborra-lee Furness on his first post-WAAPA job, the TV drama Correlli.

There was a real sense of the baton being passed on from the star of today to the potential stars of tomorrow.

"Here's one thing you guys have no idea of what's coming," he said. "The first time you get a job, you get to do a scene with someone who is old, and they are not 21 pretending to be old."

Truth be told, all but a few won't make it. This reality guided a lot of the questions and Jackman's answers.

They canvassed subjects from performance anxiety ("Nervousness is what makes you work harder"), finding a good agent and the calming effects of transcendental meditation to bench-pressing 130kg while trying to sing and his memories of diets of two-minute noodles.

"I lived on $80 a week for three years and had the best time of my life," Jackman quipped.

He told them about the importance of staying solid with each other and the presence of several of his 1994 classmates at the event was testament to that.

"Remember, your year mates will have seen the best of you and the worst of you," he said.


Hugh Jackman and Jack Thompson during the media conference at the launch of the Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts (JFFPA) at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts on May 17, 2014 in Perth, Australia. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

A couple of students told Jackman he inspired them to enrol.

One of them, 17-year-old Andre Drysdale from Brisbane, had appeared with Jackman in the 2006 arena tour of The Boy From Oz. Drysdale was nine, playing the young Peter Allen.

"It was absolutely incredible working with Hugh Jackman," Drysdale said. "He was so dedicated. I wouldn't be here without being in the Boy From Oz."

In the basement, the props and scenery workshop is the engine room behind more than 30 public productions a year, making WAAPA one of the biggest production houses in the country on a relatively shoestring budget.

Jackman checked out the sets being built for the musical West Side Story, WAAPA's biggest production of the year, which opens at the Regal Theatre on June 14.


Hugh Jackman performed several songs from The Boy From Oz and Les Miserables. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

Among the machinery, benches, tools and a partly finished jukebox, he was greeted by several students and department head Jason Garbenis, who was a student at the same time as the Hollywood star. "I remember his girlfriend more than I remember him," Garbenis joked.

Up in the set and costume design department, he encouraged students to get closer as he looked at their work.

"I can tell when I'm visiting designers as opposed to actors because you guys are naturally hiding from the cameras," he said.

He told them about the frustrations of designers having to work with directors unable to give them a clear vision of what they wanted.

Don't get caught up in personalities, stay flexible and keep an eye on the bigger picture, he said. "People who see the show don't care what happened or if the prop was scratched at the last minute," he said. "You've got to keep your eye on the bigger picture, no matter what."

WAAPA staffer and Perth actress Stephanie Power studied acting with Jackman and said it was fantastic to catch up with him again.

"Hugh hasn't changed since the day he was at drama school," she said. "He is as generous and warm and open and loving and caring as he was then. He was actively interested in the other students and solving any problems."


Hugh Jackman stands next to a picture of himself taken during his time at WAAPA. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

The Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts hopes to raise at least $10 million over the next four years towards a revenue-generating endowment that will support the academy and other areas of the performing arts.

The foundation will first focus on WAAPA, with other beneficiaries to follow.

Money will be used to attract students, provide scholarships, foster visiting artists and artists-in-residence, fund productions and to provide specialised training for indigenous students.

Before he left on Saturday night, Jackman held out the tantalising prospect of more visits to Perth, perhaps soon, as the next initiatives of the Perth-based foundation play out.

Watch this space.

I lived on $80 a week for three years and had the best time of my life. "Hugh Jackman

[jo]

Other photos --















And with the generous couple, Andrew and Nicola Forrest, who donated the first $ 1 million to the Foundation --

[jo]

thehughjackman
3 hours ago
Not too worried about the guy to my left ... but the one in the middle is a bit creepy. #JFFPA #WAPPA

The guy in the middle - days of future past

The guy to his left - the new sentinel



Jo

[jo]

au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/23653596/hero-jackman-saves-waapa-in-nick-of-time/

Hero Jackman arrives in nick of time


STEPHEN BEVIS The West Australian

May 19, 2014, 4:49 pm


Hero Jackman arrives in nick of time
WAAPA's Link dancers in the 2012 show Pivot. Picture: Jon Green.

The new Jackman Furness Foundation for the Performing Arts has come at an ideal time for the WA fame school, which cut staff levels and programs to meet its budget after years of being in the red.

The Chamber of Arts and Culture praised the philanthropic example of the initial $1 million donations to the foundation by film star Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness and WA power couple Andrew and Nicola Forrest.

The foundation, which raised $5 million during Jackman's weekend visit to the WA Academy of Performing Arts, was a heartening initiative when government arts funding was stagnating or being withdrawn, chamber chairman Warwick Hemsley said.

The foundation was a great example of legacy investment from the private sector. He hoped the example shown by Jackman, Furness and the Forrests inspired others to follow in their philanthropic footsteps.

WAAPA's financial stresses were highlighted by a 2012 report which said the school at Edith Cowan University must make major changes to its management, funding and course models to be sustainable.

Rated one of the world's best performance schools, WAAPA's intensive tuition program came at the cost of recurrent deficits, the report by University of Ballarat professor Peter Matthews said. WAAPA should collaborate better with ECU to attract more corporate sponsorship, he said.

WAAPA has since trimmed its staff numbers to save hundreds of thousands of dollars to help balance its $22 million budget.

ECU vice-chancellor professor Kerry Cox said the university had taken the Matthews recommendations into account when it devised a strategy for WAAPA's future sustainability.

"That strategy, which we began implementing from the end of 2012, was a restructure of the curriculum and a change in the approach to teaching, so that WAAPA is able to deliver the required outcomes within the funding matrix as determined by allocations from the Federal Government, the State Government and student fees," Professor Cox said.

Following the changes, WAAPA finished 2013 with a balanced budget, he said.

"The great benefit that will flow from philanthropic support for WAAPA is that considerable enhancements to the core curriculum will occur through increased learning opportunities worldwide for staff and students, visiting artists, scholarships for students, and enhanced provision of infrastructure to support staff and students."

Professor Cox said it was a delight that Jackman returned to ECU 20 years after his graduation to "give back" to the performing arts communities that supported his obvious prodigious talents.

*I have a feeling that at some point in time, a landmark place at ECU/WAAPA will be named after Hugh Jackman!

*Incredible fund-raising efforts - $ 5 million during that weekend!

Hmmm...having seen Our Man in action during BC/EFA time -- that is no wonder


Jo

[jo]

Hugh Jackman @realhughjackman · 5h

X-Men: ‘X2’ (03) #Wolverine suit & ‘claws’ from my personal collection are being auctioned at @leonardjoel1919 & proceeds to @fightcancerfdn

[jo]

Hugh Jackman @realhughjackman · 5h

X-Men: ‘X2’ (03) #Wolverine suit & ‘claws’ from my personal collection are being auctioned at @leonardjoel1919 & proceeds to @fightcancerfdn