Dear Coolum Theatre Players
Just wanted to again, say a huge thank you for granting me the Bursary last year.
As said in my application, this contributed significantly in the price of competing in the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles in July this year.
This experience was incredible and I have never been so motivated to work hard and gain more experience in the performing arts.
I stayed in Los Angeles for two weeks. The first few days were spent preparing for the group performance, sight-seeing and practising for the competition. All 56 countries competing were staying in the same hotel and so we met our competitors as well as getting to know the judges and other professionals involved in the competition. I had sessions in dance, acting, singing and modelling. Unfortunately, I became quite ill and lost my voice so I wasn’t able to perform when I was selected at the music theatre bootcamp.
Australia received second place for the largest team category and also received an award for team spirit.
Each day a ‘daily show’ was filmed which featured interviews and footage everywhere in the hotel and performance stages so competitors had to remain camera-ready at all times.
These daily shows can all be found on youtube.
I performed my three vocal pieces: broadway, jazz and open, as well as my classical flute solo. I performed my two original works in the self-accompanied section. We had a ‘World Stars’ celebration where all the countries could celebrate their performances together. I also received ‘go sees’ from a range of different agents. Go-sees’ are requests from agents who want to make contact with you regarding your performance. I received five go sees from a photographer, two universities and two recording producers as well as a private interview request with the director of musical theatre at New York Film Academy.
It was extremely difficult to say goodbye to everyone on the Australian team after the most incredible two weeks of my life. I am so grateful to everyone who made it possible and could not be happier with how I went.
