Musical theatre talent inspires Mackay dance students
‘One of the best things of being a working professional and having my dreams come true is I can then pass that on and share that with the younger generation’
Mackay
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Musical theatre actor Samantha Dodemaide has worn Dorothy’s coveted red sparkly shoes and now she wants students to know dreams really do come true.
Dodemaide visited Mackay on Sunday to present an intensive class to the dancers at Fame Talent School.
“I love working with students and I always want to come back to Mackay,” the 28 year old said.
“My best friend lives in Mackay so it’s killing two birds with one stone.
“I just love the kids here because they’re so inspiring for me, they really work hard and I think it’s amazing to be able to bring something from down south to the regional areas.
“One of the best things of being a working professional and having my dreams come true is I can then pass that on and share that with the younger generation and hopefully inspire them.”
Ms Dodemaide has starred as Elphaba in Wicked and in Violet at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre.
And she has understudied “amazing” talent including Tina Arena playing Eva Peron in Evita, Caroline O’Connor taking on Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Verity Hunt-Ballard as Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity and Natalie Bassingwaithe as Roxie Hart in Chicago the Musical.
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But her successes were not without hard work.
“I did four years of full-time dance after I finished high school,” Ms Dodemaide said.
“I (then) started to audition for shows and I didn’t get lots of them until I finally got my first contract.
“It was at Universal Studios Japan working in a condensed version of Wicked the Musical.
“That was thrilling for a 19 year old, 20 year old. It was amazing.”
Dodemaide said musical theatre was infectious all over the world as it made people feel good and allowed self-expression.
“To be honest, what I love about musical theatre in particular is it doesn't really matter about skill, obviously to a degree it does, but passion is the most important part of it.”
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Fame Talent School owner Dolly Louw said her students loved practising with the “fun” and “infectious” Dodemaide.
Ms Louw said the students had watched her perform in Chicago in Sydney and after the show, Dodemaide went to the stage door to greet them all.
“I’m just so grateful my kids (got) to work with someone like her,” she said.
For anyone interested in the performing arts available at Fame Talent School, email admin@fametalentschool.com
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