Tash takes centre stage

 As if the drama of The Block isn’t enough, Melbourne contestant Natasha Pavlou wants to add singing and dancing to the mix!

To Block fans, Melbourne’s Tash is instantly familiar as the stylish stylist tackling the competition with her Dad Harry.

But watch closely and you might see another Tash, her secret side that only comes out when she’s by herself in the car on shopping trips and she suddenly breaks into song.

That’s Tash the musical theatre superfan and it’s a side of herself she’s about to set free.

Tash started studying her musical diploma at age 31 pictured taking centre stage at Theatre Blacks.

“Back when I was in high school, theatre was my thing,” Tash tells The Block Shop.

“I was a big drama nerd and I ended up getting into a course that was basically stagecraft, studying acting, performance and also learning about lighting, costume design and everything else about the theatre.”

The plan, she says, was to find a career either on or near the stage, but that was put on hold when her career in production managing took off.

Now however, she’s determined to pick up where she left off and finally, take centre stage.

“A few years ago, I really wanted to start acting again, just start doing some sort of performance I came across a new theatre course that was perfect for me,” she says.

“I could work full time and still study, so I decided to go for it… and I started my diploma of musical theatre at the ripe old age of 31!”

After The Block Tash has continued juggling work and classes in dance, singing, acting and more.

Since then, Tash’s life when she’s not in The Block has been spent juggling work and classes in dance, singing, acting and more.

And she’s having a ball.

“I don't know why I love musical theatre, I just do!” she says.

“I’ve always loved singing even though I've never really done it in front of everyone and I'm a terrible dancer but I just love musicals so much I just thought why not just give it a go?

“But let me tell you picking up dancing so much later in life is not the easiest thing especially given I'm probably the most coordinated person!

“But at least my singing and acting skills have picked up thanks to this course and I just want to keep this in my life as a hobby. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to have.” 

Still happy to be learning Tash admits it’s a long time before she’ll be auditioning for any role but has her eye on community theatre or a small production when she graduates.

And while any time on stage would be just fine by her, she does admit there are some roles she’d love to try.

“My dream role has always been Mimi from Rent,” Tash says. “I can't tell you why I just love that show, I love the music, I think it tells a lot of very interesting lot of stories about a lot of people and Mimi – who is a stripper living in New York City’s East Village – is just so cool.”

Natasha pictured with her parents and boyfriend, Brad in NYC the home to Tash's dream theatre role.

Before she gets to the centre stage however, Tash admits she’ll have to work on her dance moves.

But keep an eye out for one move she busts out when visiting House 4 to swap some Block Bucks with her Block buddy Jasmin.

“The Block Shuffle?” she laughs. “Yeah that was just a little bit of choreography I had up my sleeve! But in all seriousness, I am an absolutely terrible dancer and all my teachers will probably attest to that.

“I’ll keep practicing though and you know what? It just means that I'm better suited for lead roles than chorus roles because lead roles don't traditionally have to dance as much!”

Take a look back at Harry and Tash's Block rooms HERE

Follow Tash's Block journey HERE