The performers

MIA TAYLER HAS BEEN SINGING SINCE SHE WAS 4. WHILE SHE STILL LOVES MUSIC, ACTING IS HER FIRST LOVE NOW.

She has a mighty singing voice, musical talent to burn, and loves trying on new personas in front of an audience.

“I’d do acting every day if I could,” says the 15-year-old. “I really love it.”

When Canvas caught up with her she was in the middle of rehearsals for a new play (called

Welcome to Hell), penned by senior students at Long Bay College.

“I’m a sub-lead called Lil. I have a monologue about being an ant,” she laughs.

When Tayler started Long Bay College, she instantly gravitated to other actors. They are a tribe that’s not restricted by age and she soon found friends among the older students.

“I was a shy Year 9 student. When I tried out for the production I met some older kids who were also actors, so I’d spend my lunches in the acting studio with them.”

While many of her contemporaries are attracted to the idea of theatre, her dream is to perform on screen in comic roles. She loves Mike Myers and the Austin Powers films.

“I have created a YouTube channel with my friend. We film ourselves playing a lot of different roles, and I can really relate to how Mike Myers plays such a wide range of characters.

She also loves Taika Waititi. “What We Do in the Shadows is such a great movie,” she enthuses. “I can really see a lot of his type of humour in what we do on You Tube.”