Boasting the likes of Hugh Jackman, Lucy Durack and Tim Minchin among its alumni, WAAPA has a well-earned reputation as a star factory.
Rankin, who has honed his craft since picking up acting as a means to combat social anxiety and shyness at age 10, hopes to one day emulate the success of his celebrated predecessors.
“Attending WAAPA has been a dream of mine for a couple of years now and to be studying my passion at arguably the most respected performing arts academy in Australia is an absolute honour,” he said.
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The former All Saints’ College student received his first taste of acting playing Basil Faulty in an Actors Workshop drama class and most recently took on the role of Mercutio in a school production of Romeo and Juliet.
“The role of Mercutio was my favourite of all past roles,” Rankin said. “The character is such an eccentric mess that it was hard to let go of him after the last performance.”
Rankin was one of three All Saints’ College students to receive early university offers.
General exhibition winner and school dux Shannae Carnell has been guaranteed an assured pathway to study medicine at UWA while Grace Whitney will join Rankin at WAAPA to complete a certificate of musical theatre.
All Saints’ principal Belinda Provis said the trio showcased the breadth of talent, interests and skills of the school’s 2015 cohort.
“At All Saints’ College, we recognise that there is no one measure of success,” she said.
“We are proud that our students, regardless of abilities and interests, have the courage to strive to be their best selves, whether that be on the sports field, on the stage or in the classroom.”