16 January 2025
Less than a year after taking ownership of the entire Perth territory, Alison Tasker is once again expanding Stagecoach Performing Arts’ reach. Having grown her Perth South school, which she first launched in 2019, into a thriving network of six successful locations across Perth, Alison is now setting her sights on Sydney and Melbourne. Her goal? To bring the transformative power of the performing arts to even more families across Australia.
“I’ve always believed in the power of performing arts to inspire confidence and creativity,” said Alison. “Expanding to Sydney and Melbourne was a natural next step, especially with two trusted team members relocating to lead these new schools. Their expertise and passion make me confident we’ll continue to uphold the Stagecoach ethos while growing its presence in these dynamic areas.”
Alison’s journey with Stagecoach began more than a decade ago, first as a parent and then as the franchisee to open Stagecoach Perth South. Over the years, her schools have flourished, with countless students benefitting from the programme’s emphasis on creativity, confidence and skill development.
“Seeing the difference Stagecoach makes in children’s lives has been the driving force behind everything I do,” shared Alison. “With six successful schools in Perth, I knew it was time to take this leap and introduce the same life-changing opportunities to families in Sydney and Melbourne.”
Key to this success is Alison’s ability to identify and nurture talent. For the Sydney school, she has entrusted two of her experienced drama teachers to take on leadership roles. Their familiarity with the ‘Stagecoach Way’ – which ensures every Stagecoach student experiences the same fun and engaging environment wherever they are in the world – guarantees that students and families will receive a consistent and enriching experience from coast to coast across Australia.
“When I recruit, I look for passion and dedication above all else,” explained Alison. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a team that shares my vision for delivering outstanding performing arts education.”
Alison’s vision does not stop at these two cities. She dreams of making Stagecoach a household name across Australia. “It’s exciting to think about the potential we have to grow and reach even more communities,” said Alison. “Stagecoach is already well-known in other countries, and I’m determined to bring that same level of recognition here. This is just the beginning of an incredible journey.”
Andy Knights, CEO of Stagecoach Performing Arts, praised Alison’s commitment to the brand and her ambitious vision for its future in Australia. “Alison’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in establishing Stagecoach as a key player in Western Australia, and her expansion into Sydney and Melbourne marks an exciting new chapter for our global network,” said Andy.
“Australia is a country full of opportunities to inspire young people through performing arts, and with Alison’s leadership, I’m confident Stagecoach will become a household name across the nation. We’re thrilled to support her in this next phase of growth.”