Bright futures: Toowoomba bursary winners, performers see stars
The Empire Theatre recently presented 30 young performers from the region with bursary awards. Here’s some of their inspiring stories.
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It’s been a tough few years for students who have navigated their way through unprecedented challenges during Covid-19.
And it’s been an equally challenging time for the performing arts sector.
But not even a pandemic can dull the spirits of Toowoomba’s young talent.
Late last year, the Empire Theatre presented 30 young performers from Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Nanango and Clifton, with bursary awards.
Around $25,000 was awarded to the students, which will allow recipients to attend short courses with a variety of prestigious organisations, giving them a step-up in their fields of choice.
We recently sat down with nine recipients, to discuss the bright futures they have ahead of them and how they plan to use their bursary award.
Sophia Bartlett
For Sophia Bartlett, her passion for the performing arts ignited after years of watching her older brothers, who are both musically inclined, perform on stage.
But rather than go down the same path as her siblings, the 14-year-old student from Downlands College, chose to follow acting and dance instead.
“I’ve grown up with the arts so it’s something that I’ve always been interested in,” she said.
“Drama is something I’ve been doing since I was little but it wasn’t until I was maybe in year 6 that I really put it into action and started doing school musicals.”
And while acting is her field of choice, Sophia has been attending dance studio Dance Central since she was just two-years-old.
Not fussy about the type, Sophia is known to wow a crowd, whether it be through contemporary, hip-hop, jazz or tap.
With the assistance of the Empire’s bursary, the 14-year-old will be attending the Empire’s youth arts drama workshops, which starts early this year and runs once a week, for a year.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity that the Empire has given me because it will really set my plans in motion and will open up so many great opportunities for me,” Sophia said.
Keen to pursue a career in the spotlight when she finishes school, Sophia said she is also interested in literature, English and writing and would also consider becoming an English and drama teacher.
Amelia Rawson
Music is a powerful thing and its impact hasn’t been lost on bursary recipient Amelia Rawson, 16.
Her musical journey began when she was about eight-years-old and she started playing the recorder and taking private lessons.
Now eight years later, the St Joseph’s student plays the same instrument at an a-grade level, as well as piano, saxophone and clarinet and loves to play in an ensemble.
“It’s really amazing what music can do and I would like to somehow incorporate it into a career where it can help people,” she said.
“Music therapy is something I’m really interested in … it basically works as diversion therapy and is proven to have a positive response for things like dementia and disabilities.”
When Amelia saw an advertisement for the bursary on social media platform Instagram, she jumped at the chance to submit her application.
Awarded the bursary by the Empire Theatre late last year, Amelia will be using it to attend The Cuskelly College of Music this year.
Clay Hughes
It takes most people years to determine what they want to be when they grow up, but for Clay Hughes, the moment he stepped into the spotlight, he just knew.
The driven 12-year-old received his first big break when he was cast as Captain Red Beard in a school production of Pirates of the Curry-Bean, when he was in grade 4.
And his love for the stage has only continued to grow.
But Clay has more than one reason to take a bow after he was last year’s youngest bursary recipient.
Proud of his achievement, the award will assist the Clifton State High School student to attend Queensland Theatre’s Theatre Residency Week in 2023.
“I was pretty excited when I found out, especially because I wasn’t sure if I would get it or not being so young,” Clay said.
“I wouldn’t mind being in film when I finish school and I want to go to NIDA (Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art) too.”
His mum Shari Hughes said she was incredibly proud of her son and Residency Week would be a great attribute to put on his resume.
“Clay always surprises us and in situations like this application and interview process, where most people feel uncomfortable, he always seems to thrive,” Ms Hughes said.
“It’s funny because we didn’t even know what NIDA was until he told us, but this is so his thing … ever since he stepped on that stage in year 4, he knew he wanted to go to NIDA.”
Kyle Snow
He’s been putting his best foot forward since he first started dancing at the young age of two and now Kyle Snow is devoting his time to teaching the tricks of the trade to younger kids.
For the 17-year-old dancer, it all started when he was first started attending kindergarten and discovered his best friend’s mum owned her own dance studio.
Together, the two pals started dancing at her studio and Kyle’s mum Sam Snow said her son instantly fell in love with it.
“He started out doing jazz and ballet and then added many other genres of dance in too,” Ms Snow said.
“I think his favourite would have to be ballet, although he also really enjoys doing all the different tricks and he will spend hours and hours at home teaching himself how to do hip hop and acrobatic tricks – he’s just incredible.”
Taking to the stage over the years, Kyle performed in the Queensland Ballet’s production which was held at the Empire Theatre, when he was just 11-years-old.
Then in 2019, he got up close and personal with Dora The Explorer when he danced in her movie.
This time last year, the 17-year-old dancer completed a course through the Junior Musical Theatre of Australia and was at one point even sent to Broadway in America for a musical trial-run.
And in May last year, he was awarded the Joan Winter Memorial trophy, for the South Burnett’s Most Promising Dancer, at the Kingaroy Eisteddfod.
Now, the young talent is one of the Empire Theatre’s 2021 bursary recipients, which will help Kyle to attend a Summer program at the Conroy Dance Centre this month.
But over the years, Kyle’s passion has evolved even further, with the talented dancer now teaching the art form and passing his vast knowledge and experience on to young children.
Teaching boys-only hip hop and dance classes at the La Crème Dance Academy in Kingaroy.
“He’s such a good role model and the kids love that they have a male dance teacher at their studio too,” Ms Snow said.
“When Kyle was young, he had a male assistant dance teacher who really inspired him and he used to say ‘when I grow up, I want to be just like him’ and it makes me so proud to see that he has done just that and now his students are probably looking up at him and thinking the same thing.”
Ava Gleeson
Following in the footsteps of her family through dance, Ava Gleeson couldn’t wipe the smile off her face when she was awarded with a bursary.
Keen to attend the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) after high school, the year 11 student selected the centre as her first preference and was successful.
As a result, Ava will attend WAAPA for its dance squad summer school.
“I feel pretty good about myself and honoured to have been chosen … I know a lot of people applied this year so I’m very thankful,” she said.
“Anything in the performing arts spectrum interests me and I sing and act too, but dancing is my main passion.”
But it’s not the first time she has won a bursary, after applying every year since 2017 and winning another bursary at the age of 13.
Moving to the region in 2014, the 16-year old dancer has been attending Dance Central ever since.
Taking after her mum and great grandmother who both also loved to dance, Ava said she loves just about every genre, but jazz and hip hop remain her favourites.
Ava’s mum Kirsty Gleeson said she loved watching her daughter achieving and following her dreams.
“We are so grateful to the Empire Theatre for their support because kids wouldn’t have these kinds of incredible opportunities without it,” Ms Gleeson said.
“Ava has also been so lucky to have been taught by who I think are the best dance teachers in Toowoomba, at Dance Central and without them giving her the foundation to dance, she wouldn’t have been able to apply for this.”
Jade Moon
The term triple threat is often used to describe someone who excels in three areas, but for the University of Southern Queensland student Jade Moon, that’s an understatement.
This year, the 19-year-old is set to commence the third year of her bachelor’s degree in creative arts.
And while her major is theatre, she flourishes in just about every aspect of the arts.
Classically trained in singing and a self-taught guitar and piano player, Jade has always had a musical gift.
Singing in choirs during her primary school years, it wasn’t until she attended high school that she discovered her main passion.
“My mum is very artistic and as a child I was always surrounded by the arts,” Jade said.
“During a drama class in high school I fell in love with being on stage, acting and the theatre.”
Applying for the same bursary in 2019, Jade got to the interview round of the process but sadly was unsuccessful in obtaining the award.
Not one to give up, it was back to the drawing board for the uni student last year when she decided to give it another shot and with more experience on her resume, she was named a recipient.
In fact, Jade said she received the largest bursary and will be using it to attend a residency week course at NIDA in Sydney.
“I really kickstarted my career as an actor and have learned so much during my first two years at uni, but to be able to go do this course in Sydney will help me to meet new people, branch out and experience new things so I’m not limited,” she said.
Not limiting herself, the flourishing actor said any career that involves theatre would ignite her spark, whether it be on the stage or behind the scenes.
Mai-Lun Ruhle
Mai-Lan Ruhle picked up her first violin at the young age of five-years-old and she’s been wowing audiences with its sound ever since.
From performing in orchestras and ensembles, to even busking in her spare time, the year 9 Harristown State School student isn’t shy when it comes to sharing her special talent.
And now with the assistance of her bursary, the 15-year-old will attend The Cuskelly College of Music in NSW, for a five-day program, this winter.
With the support of her school’s head of the music department, who sent Mai-Lan an application to complete, Mai-Lan said she was thrilled when she was notified that she was a recipient.
“I’ve always been interested in the arts because I enjoy expressing myself in ways that don’t require talking and dancing and music is like a different kind of communication,” Mai-Lan said.
“(Receiving a bursary) feels really cool and the winter program will be something I’ve never done before, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
“She is interested in so many areas of the arts so I’m just so excited to see what happens from here,” Mai-Lan’s mum Diana Ruhle said.
“The Cuskelly College of Music embraces the Kodaly method, where music education is considered and taught as a social and cultural experience and I’m really interested to see how Mai-Lun will apply that and the direction she takes her music in afterwards.”
While Mai-Lun hopes the arts will remain a big component of her life, she intends to pursue a career in the fields of maths and science, when she graduates from school.
The mother and daughter expressed gratitude for the Empire Theatre and the bursary’s sponsor Barry Bernoth.
Ruben Fitton
Nothing pleases a parent more than seeing their children following their dreams.
So when 16-year-old Ruben Fitton received a bursary, his mum Sonya Fitton was nothing less than ecstatic.
The bursary will allow the creative young man to attend the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), which is recognised as one of Australia’s best schools in the sector.
Running for one week this month, the screen performance course will teach students a range of skills from industry professionals, including how to act in front of a television camera.
“Ruben’s interest in the arts started at a very young age and he has always loved acting, classical singing and playing the cello,” Ms Fitton said.
“We’re so lucky to have the Empire Theatre and all these bursaries are just so amazing for young people to develop their interest in the arts.”
Over the years, Ruben has proven his dedication through weekly singing lessons, speech and drama classes and by joining chapel and school choirs.
Additionally, he has been a member of the Gondwana Choir, Voice of Birralee and the Toowoomba Grammar ensemble groups.
Taking to the stage last year, he played Bernadette in the Priscilla Queen of the Desert production and attended the Queensland Theatre’s Theatre Residency Week too.
Ms Fitton said she was incredibly proud of her third and youngest child.
“He works so hard and does it all on his own accord because he’s very driven and his achievements are endless,” she said.
“As a parent I’ve always been very interested in seeing what avenues and areas my children are interested in and I think the arts is such a great way to enhance skills like public speaking.”
And while Ms Fitton said she isn’t sure which career path Ruben will follow, she knows it will definitely be within a creative field.
Tui Rei
When Tui Rei was five, his mum Jasmine Riddle decided to enrol him in singing and speech and drama classes, as a co-curricular activity.
Little did she know at the time, but her son, who is now aged 13, is a superstar in the making.
With a love for performing, Tui enjoys acting, singing, dancing and musical theatre.
“He was always a bit of a lively chap but I have no idea who he got it from … I’m certainly none of those things,” Ms Riddle said.
“The best thing about Tui is he’s able to converse with anyone, is great fun and such a charming, relaxed little chap.”
The talented year 7 student also plays the euphonium, sousaphone and piano and starred in the Empire Theatre’s production of Kinky Boots.
“When I asked Tui what he wanted to get out of the course, he said he wanted to push himself outside of his comfort zone within the Toowoomba community, by challenging himself, meeting new people and pass the knowledge he gains back to others in Toowoomba,” Ms Riddle said.
“It just blows my mind – the dedication rehearsals take and then the courage it takes to get up on stage and perform in front of thousands of people and he’s only 13.
Using the bursary award to attend Theatre Residency Week at the Queensland Theatre this September, the one week course will help Tui extend his skills and meet other aspiring performers.
Hoping to pursue a career as an engineer, Tui said theatre will always be part of his life.
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