On the Couch with Danita Weatherstone

Danita Weatherston AAR On the CouchWho is Danita Weatherstone?
I am a dreamer. An old soul. A terrible speller and a huge fan of the band Queen. I love travel, camping, horse riding and bush walks. I have a wonderful family to do these things with, including my hubby and gorgeous step daughter, Jasmine.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
When I was 9 years old, I decided I was going to be an opera singer. So I have never given an alternative career path a thought. After I’ve finished a project it’s a different story – good luck getting me off the couch away from my movie marathon and kelpie lap dog.

Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by opportunity itself, by singers before me and by people in general who are passionate about something. My own motivation is wanting to connect with people and hopefully enable them to feel something when they watch a performance.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
There’s a line from Dirty Dancing: “Baby’s gonna change the world – Lisa’s going to decorate it” … I feel that applies a bit to my sister and I – while I sing, she is saving the planet with her environmental conservation. So I would like to try to be more thoughtful in making sustainable choices.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Living on the Central Coast there is no shortage of good beaches and coastal view points. We are also close to vineyards and national parks. Not too far for Sydney highlights. Plus you can feel right at home walking to the local shop and go in your ugg boots. Best of both world’s!

What are you currently reading?
I have just finished reading The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. It was a great read and helped me to get my mind off rehearsals before I went to bed.

What are you currently listening to?
Butterfly! Butterfly! Butterfly! … Pretty much sums it up at the moment.

Happiness is?
Happiness is doing what you love and doing it with the support of those you love. For me it’s not about what you have, but about what are you doing with your time here.

What does the future hold for you?
For the next 2 months I will be performing with the fantastic cast of Madame Butterfly for Opera Australia’s regional tour. After that I am going on an epic holiday to the states for the first time with my hubby Mat and Miss Jaz (Jasmine). Hopefully life keeps offering me many more fantastic opportunities and I will try to make the best of them.

Danita stars as Cio-Cio-San in Opera Australia’s regional touring production of Madame Butterfly which commences at the Drum Theatre, Dandenong on Friday 13 July 2018. For more information and touring schedule, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.

Image: Danita Weatherstone (supplied)