Lights, camera, action: Future Toowoomba stars to watch
From the ‘future Hugh Jackman of Australia’ and musical theatre stars, to aspiring directors, piano players and composers, here are some of Toowoomba’s young people making a name for themselves in the arts.
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Whether they shine in theatre, music or dance, the Darling Downs is filled with talented performers and future stars.
Thirty young people with diverse skills in the creative arts have been recognised and were named recipients of the Empire Theatre’s 2023 Youth Bursaries.
The bursaries, which are valued at a combined total of about $25,000, will be used to assist young people to develop their skills in the performing arts field of their choice through training and workshops.
These short courses will be held at some of the country’s most prestigious institutions including the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Queensland Theatre and Queensland Ballet among others, and will cover the fields of acting, singing, dancing, writing and music.
“We saw an incredible group of students who are really striving to achieve and excel in their different fields,” Empire Theatres Foundation chairwoman Janelle Fletcher said.
“As we look to the future, it’s so important to embrace and invest in the arts and further the cultural experience and development of these young people. It’s these very young people who are the future of the arts in this country.”
Since the initiative started in 2010, the theatre has distributed more than 500 bursaries.
The Empire Theatres Foundation is sponsored by Bernoth Properties, DP Wealth Advisory, Downlands College, Greenridge Group, Horizon Accounting, Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, The Arbour Boutique Apartments and Wearing Memories.
Adeline Hamilton
Aspiring actor and director Adeline Hamilton fell in love with the world of theatre and production five years ago when she started doing private drama lessons.
This passion only continued to grow after she was selected for the Empire Theatre’s Junior Impact program.
“They were long days during rehearsals, but I enjoyed meeting new people and being introduced to the art of stage acting,” she said.
“Our cast became a very tight group, and we all just wanted the show to be a success.”
Inspired by Dalby local-turned Hollywood actor Margot Robbie, the Fairholme College student said she loved Robbie’s down to earth nature and watching her rise to fame from a rural town.
The Empire Theatre bursary recipient said she would be using the opportunity to attend the week-long Queensland Youth Theatre’s Residency Camp, to further improve her confidence and public speaking skills.
“I was so excited when I found out I was going – I am so grateful that I get to experience this,” she said.
“(Performing is) about understanding and interpreting the characters and scenes and bringing them to life … I love the feeling of creating something and then seeing it come to life.”
Allyssa Foenander
From the moment Allyssa Foenander chose drama as a school elective subject, she knew her future would revolve around the performing arts.
The Harristown State High School student said one of her biggest achievements so far had been performing in her school production of Fame JR.
After devoting months to rehearsals, training and preparation for her role in the school musical, Allyssa said the experience helped build her confidence to perform in front of audiences.
“The arts have assisted in my personal growth and skills by not only making me more confident and creative in all situations, but also helping me get involved and encourage others to expand outside their comfort zone,” she said.
“(Drama and dance have) shaped me into the person I am today and created amazing opportunities for me to express myself.”
Grateful for the support and skills development she received from her drama teacher, Allyssa said the educator had taught her everything she knew about the arts, theatre devices and different performance styles.
The bursary will help fund the costs of the 16-year-old’s participation in Empire Theatre drama classes, which she hopes will help expand her current knowledge and skillset.
While Fame JR is also a highlight for Allyssa’s mum Natalie Thompson, it was not smooth sailing for the young creative in the lead-up to her performance after she sustained an injury just days before the big day.
“Just two days before she took to the stage she dislocated her left knee during dance class and was rushed to hospital, but Ally being Ally told (her teacher) that she would still be performing as they were loading her into the ambulance,” Ms Thompson said.
“The next day she turned up to the Empire Theatre for a full day of rehearsal, went on to participate in every performance for the three days that the show was on, in a knee brace and on crutches.”
Ms Thompson said she admired her daughter’s dedication to learning lines and rehearsals, and thanked the Harristown staff and Empire Theatre for supporting and encouraging her daughter in her pursuits.
“It brings me so much joy to see Allyssa setting goals and putting in the hard work to achieve them both on and off the stage,” she said.
“I honestly can’t even describe how proud we all are of her.”
Briella Craig
When it comes to musical theatre, Briella Craig lives and breathes it and has from a young age.
Inspired by icons Barbra Streisand and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Goondiwindi State High School student said she hoped to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career in theatre.
“This bursary I have been awarded will definitely assist me in striving to achieve this dream,” Briella said.
“I enjoy getting fully into character while performing, whether it be crying, laughing or singing my heart out.”
The 16-year-old plans to audition for a musical theatre course at university in her senior year of high school and will use her bursary to prepare through a Conservatorium of Music workshop.
Living in Goondiwindi, Briella said initiatives like the bursaries were crucial in providing opportunities to aspiring artists in regional and rural towns.
It marks the second Empire bursary the aspiring performer has received and comes after she performed in her school musicals as Queen Elsa in Frozen JR and the Genie in Aladdin JR.
Briella also undergoes singing lessons with Jayden Selvakumaraswamy.
Her mum Jennine Craig thanked her daughter’s teachers Samantha Brown, Christabel Stewart and Carolyn Stuart for their support and guidance over the years.
Ms Craig said her daughter had also participated in the State Honours Ensemble Program for the past three years – an opportunity she fully embraced.
“ (Briella) sings and sings all of the time at home … most nights after dinner it’s actually the first thing she will do – head to the music room in our house, close the door and belt out a few tunes,” she said.
“It was absolutely wonderful to see how much she loved the stage (in Aladdin last year).
“We cannot wait to see what the future holds for our girl … she will do amazing things.”
Caleb Nolan
Piano extraordinaire Caleb Nolan plans to use his bursary to help prepare for his repertoire exam and further enhance his skills on the keys through the Cuskelly College’s Music Summer School.
The Downlands College student, who has been playing the piano since he was eight years old, also receives lessons and is part of his school’s Symphonic Band.
“I don’t remember what encouraged me to start, but I do remember what drove me to continue, and that was the sense of magic I felt every time my fingers braced those keys,” he said.
“It’s difficult to describe, but within music I was able to find a whole new world outside my own, a world with endless room for exploration that has never failed to excite me.”
The 15-year-old said he hoped to explore a career in songwriting and music production and was confident working in music would never cease to make him happy and fulfilled.
Inspired by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Caleb said the singer-songwriter’s ability to tell stories through music and create “out of this world” and “hypnotic” sounds was something he also hoped to achieve one day.
“Much of his work is not what you’d expect for popular music, with uncommon song structures, unique vocal effects and often large instrumental portions,” he said.
“However, he has still managed to produce multiple chart-toppers, showing that you don’t have to follow any rules to make it in the music industry, and that it is possible to do what you believe in.”
While the talented piano player said he enjoyed his instrumental pursuits, he said the arts had also taught him about resilience and nothing had pushed him to his limits like the effort he put into his music.
Describing being named a bursary recipient as an “over the moon feeling”, Caleb expressed his thanks to anyone at the Empire Theatre who made the opportunity possible.
“You guys are miracle workers, and I can’t express my gratitude to you nearly enough,” he said.
“A lot of hard work and dedication is required to perfect a performance or a composition … I personally consider self-discipline essential to my character, and music, for me, has played a major role in developing that.”
Claudia Russell
From performing at her brother’s wedding, to the Toowoomba Eisteddfod and Downlands College proms, Claudia Russell feels content anytime she is playing the strings.
The 16 year old was initially drawn to the violin and began playing at the age of 10, before she discovered the magical sound of the harp and took up the latter in 2021.
While Claudia currently plays the lever harp, she said she hoped she would be granted the opportunity to work with the pedal harp in the future.
“I loved the beautiful sound and the elegant look of the instrument (harp),” she said.
“Pedal Harps are used in orchestras and enable the harpist to play more complex pieces with many key changes.”
The bursary recipient said she was attending the Harp Holiday program in Sydney in January next year.
Offering harpists of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to play together, the workshop also offers individuals a private lesson with former Sydney Symphony Orchestra principal harp player Louise Johnson.
“I love music and dance, particularly K-Pop, and being involved in music has enabled me to participate in and enjoy lots of events and meet many people I wouldn’t have otherwise,” Claudia said.
“When I found out I had received a bursary I was so excited – I don’t get many opportunities to meet and play with other harpists.”
The Downlands College student said she was most inspired by Queensland Symphony Orchestra principal harpist Emily Granger and her teacher Sharon Matheson.
Claudia’s mum Lauren Russell said her daughter often juggled playing the harp with schoolwork, a part-time job and social life.
“(She) practises the harp most days, and it is absolutely delightful to have the harp music playing in our house,” Ms Russell said.
“When she is practising for an event she can get really sore fingers, but it is really amazing to see her push through and perfect the pieces she is learning.
“It was lovely seeing and hearing her play ‘What a Wonderful World’ for her brother’s wedding earlier this year.”
Ms Russell said her advice for her daughter would be to take opportunities, learn from others, make her own choices and above all, to keep doing what made her happy.
Darcy Neville
While stage fright was initially a challenge for Darcy Neville who began acting in 2018, not even fear could stop him from falling in love with the feeling of being on stage.
The Toowoomba State High School graduate hopes to study film and acting at the Queensland University of Technology in 2025.
“I have a fierce love for the performing arts, and it is my dream to one day make a career out of serving the industry,” Darcy said.
“From the moment I discovered my love for acting I have been determined to hone my skills to gain an edge in the immensely competitive industry that is the arts.”
Inspired by Ben Rosenberg – a Toowoomba Grammar School student and aspiring filmmaker and director, Darcy said he had appeared in some of his friend’s short films, as well as others.
“(Ben) is an accomplished young film director who has received awards from across the country for his skill,” Darcy said.
“He has shown what can be achieved through commitment and dedication, no matter who you are or where you come from.”
The 18 year old said the arts had opened many doors for him and his friends and helped to create social circles, community involvement and growth development.
Describing the bursary as one of his proudest achievements to date, Darcy said the generosity of the theatre would allow him to gain experience from one of Australia’s most prestigious acting schools – NIDA, through its Young Actors Residency program.
Gemma Gallagher
Communication, consistency, connection and creative expression are just some of the many benefits Gemma Gallagher has acquired as a result of her involvement in the arts.
Drawn to the fields of theatre writing and directing, Gemma said it was the experience of developing her first live production and performing it with her two best friends, when she discovered her love for the theatre.
“Doing that made me realise that I actually really enjoyed creating meaning and connection purely from my brain, and that the act of constructing something so deliberately, to try and produce a nuanced reflection of real life feelings and humanness is so thrilling,” she said.
“I think that feeling of satisfaction when a whole world can come together on a page is what I love about writing, and why I want to do it as much as I can.
“Both writing and directing are holistic art forms, and I love that I can explore a wider scope of connections through them … it’s all about human experience and connection for me.”
The recent graduate of Downlands College said she enjoyed the experience of being an assistant director for a play this year – an experience which also opened her eyes to the “unique talents and magic of” each person involved in the project.
“My experience in the arts has truly defined who I am and has given me skills that span across all aspects of my life,” she said.
“Writing is the skill I value the most, as it has been both developed through and contributed to my academic pursuits, but also bleeds into the rest of my life, because talking to and connecting with others is so central to life.
“It also encourages me to listen to what others say, and understand that there is always a background to what is expressed.”
Inspired by award-winning filmmaker Greta Gerwig who directed Barbie, Lady Bird and Little Women, Gemma said she enjoyed Gerwig’s ability to make characters feel authentic and build connections.
Keen to follow a similar path, the 17 year old said she planned to study drama at university to assist her in achieving her dream job of writing and directing theatre productions.
Ready to roll with a back-up plan, Gemma said she also had a long-term interest in sociology and politics and would happily pursue both fields professionally.
The bursary will allow Gemma to be part of the Queensland Theatre’s Young Writers Ensemble program, which will assist her in connecting with established industry professionals and the next generation of writers.
Jack Elmes
Musically gifted Jack Elmes loves to play the flute, but mostly sing, which has been his main focus for the past four years.
After receiving the bursary, the 12 year old will fly to Sydney, stay at the Sydney University College for 10 days and then perform over the course of two nights with the Gondwana National Choral School.
It will be the second time Jack has had the opportunity to perform with the Gondwana choir and one he is grateful to have.
“My greatest accomplishment has been singing at the Sydney Opera House – this was a surreal experience, and one I hope I have the opportunity to do again,” he said.
“Performing in the arts has increased my confidence to speak and perform in front of a crowd, control my nerves and overcome challenging situations.”
The Toowoomba Grammar School student said he was inspired by his music teacher who always encouraging him whenever he doubted himself and his dad for his hard work ethic and determination.
While the talented young singer hopes to continue his musical talents, he plans to pursue a career in zoology or veterinary science.
Oliver Murphy
Talented musician Oliver Murphy has come a long way, starting out as a busker to raise money to purchase his own instruments – a commitment which is leading to a bright future.
The 16 year old began playing the violin at the age of eight and the double bass a year later, before turning his attention to the viola at 14.
Set to attend the AYO National Music Camp in January next year, Oliver said some of the country’s best young musicians would participate in the two-week residential camp in Adelaide.
“Being able to express emotions and convey stories through music is not just a day-to-day job; it’s my home, my escape from reality,” Oliver said.
“Music has had a deep impact on me, giving me a greater awareness of different aspects of my life.
“Trying to understand and grasp these complex and sensitive emotions, at such a young age, helped prepare me for the complex emotions of life.
“Through music, I’ve learned to interpret and express feelings, shaping my journey towards a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.”
While the Centenary Heights State High School student is grateful for the opportunity he will receive as a result of the bursary, it marks one of many of his accomplishments in the field of music.
Currently preparing for his LTCL in viola, Oliver also won Griffith University’s ScoreIT film scoring competition for his animation Alvaro and the Bull, which was then performed by the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra.
“This was an absolutely phenomenal experience to have my work performed by a live orchestra, and I am in great appreciation of the exceptional musicians whose abilities brought my composition to life,” Oliver said.
When Oliver graduates from high school, he plans to study music at Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium.
While the young musician is unsure what discipline he will follow professionally, he is eager to learn more about composing and said music was the only career he ever considered pursuing.
The young musician’s mother Helena Murphy said her advice for her son would be to never let anyone tell him that he could not do something, be brave, take risks and keep doing what he loved.
“Practice has never been a chore for Oliver, and we have never had to remind him that he needs to practise – more that he has practised for long enough and needs to stop,” Ms Murphy said.
“There have been times when he has had blisters on his fingers from playing, but this never deterred him – it just gave him tougher fingers.
“When he was eight years old, Oliver was determined to raise enough money through busking to buy his own double bass, which he did, and now at 16 years old he is heading to Adelaide to take part in a two week program with the Australian Youth Orchestra – playing Double Bass.”
Ricky Stritzel
Remember the name Ricky Stritzel because this Dalby State High School graduate plans to be a big star on the stage, set and screen.
From the moment he had his first drama class in Grade 2, when his teacher taught a puppetry class, Ricky fell in love with the performing arts and improvisation.
“Without the support of my friends, family and teachers, I wouldn’t be the passionate theatre kid I am today,” he said.
“Growing up, drama has helped me to express myself in front of people, taken me out of my comfort zone and also given me a purpose in this world.
“The performing arts has shaped the very person I am today.”
The bursary recipient’s passion for acting only intensified as he grew and later took part in all of his high school musicals, as well as the Toowoomba Eisteddfod, where he was crowned champion for speech and drama in 2022 and 2023.
Ricky said the award would assist him in sharpening his current skills and knowledge in the world of acting when he attended the Young Actors Residency Week at NIDA.
Inspired by famous comedians and actors Jim Carrey and Rowan Atkinson, Ricky said he was drawn to their unique styles and commitment to roles.
“(They) will do whatever it takes to immerse themselves in characters while maintaining full focus and expressive body language,” he said.
“I’ve always loved watching their works on screen – when I was a kid I especially loved their iconic characters Mr Bean and the Grinch.”
The recent high school graduate said he planned to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Acting and Theatre.
Thanking his mum Maria Stritzel for her “guidance, wisdom, support and endless love”, Ricky said many sacrifices had been made to help him strengthen his acting journey.
“Ricky is a fantastic actor – he has worked tirelessly during his time as a drama student at his school,” Ms Stritzel said.
“On stage, he is a completely different person … every time I see someone on the street, they tell me how fantastic Ricky is or how he carried the show, and it makes me proud.
“You never know – he could be the next Hugh Jackman in Australia.”
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