Where was your first Adelaide gig, and how did it go?
My first Adelaide gig was when I was 15 years with Jumbuck Youth Theatre which was a theatre company through the Education department. It was a production that was written and directed by Dave Brown using young people from schools across the southern suburbs. We did a touring season for Come Out (now Dream Big) festival and a season in The Space. It was the first time I had played a role where I acted as well as sang. It is a year in my life that I treasure for the learning, the experience, the friendships and for how it shaped a lot of us as people.

What is your artist origin story?
I always told people that I was born with music, which was a misheard concept because what the doctor said was that I had a musical heartbeat. I was brought upon a very musical family who attended the Salvation Army, so music has always been a big part of my life. From the age of about five, my dream was that I was going to be on Young Talent Time, until my Dad told me that you had to sing in front of people and that stopped me in my tracks. I then came to find courage around the age of about 11 and started singing in front of people.

I joined the Music Branch Senior Choir, and everything took off from there. Choir took me to music theatre which led to plays and other various forms of performance. The biggest thrill and achievement was performing as Laura Jesson in Kneehigh Theatre’s Australian tour. I had never worked with State Theatre and I managed to snare a last-minute audition. I knew who else was auditioning for only a handful of roles, and so went in with the attitude of just enjoying myself, having fun and maybe someday in the future, the powers that be may see an opportunity for me. When I was told that I was successful for that role, I promptly hung up the phone after explaining that I would call back later. One of the most surreal moments ever! It was whirlwind, it was brilliant, I felt accomplished and ready for more. I am homegrown, probably under-trained but I go with my gut to try to find an authenticity that maybe being undertrained allows

What was your impression of the Adelaide creative scene when you first started, and how has that changed?
I was young – only 16 years. After Jazzland, I landed a role on a television programme teaching music to young people on the ABC, so another style of performance. Back then there was so much more happening, being produced here in Adelaide. I look back now and I am thankful for the people I was surrounded by. One of the theatre companies that I was a part of was SA Youth Theatre – run all by young people of similar age with professional mentors. Their first production was Merrily We Roll Along and I was fortunate enough to play the lead female character of Mary Flynn. I think of the young people who was part of that company and there would be well over a dozen of us, that are still working professionally in the performing arts all over Australia and some internationally.

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How has your own work evolved since you first started?
I started off as a singer/musician, I didn’t think there was anything else beyond that, I loved it so much. As that evolved, I worked out that what I like most about singing was the storytelling, then others started seeing things in me that I hadn’t even thought about – which led to challenging myself with straight acting roles. I have managed to land some great gigs as well, sometimes landing straight into my lap where I found other skills – I became the ABC weather presenter which led to presenting and corporate opportunities which has led to MC work and voiceover work and most recently recording audiobooks. I thrive on the challenge of finding out if I can – will I let myself go where I have never been before? Am I brave enough to step off the edge and see where I land?

What is it about your next project that you’re most excited to share with the world?
We open with The Sound Inside in August at Holden Street Theatres – it is a beautifully written play, written like reading a book so the audience can fill in the blanks with their own imagination. It has some poignant themes and complex characters and even though some are confronting, they are presented in a manner to make the listener ponder.

Who are the artists around you that inspire or challenge you?
I know that this is cliche but anyone I get to work with I learn from, I am inspired and challenged by. You need to approach all your work that way because that is how we learn. Gosh I just find it a privilege when people are open to sharing with you.

Favourite Adelaide venue to play?
Holden Street Theatres. I love the intimacy of the space and connection with audiences. This intimacy will be so important for The Sound Inside which is a two-hander play. I’m fortunate to be back in the space this month after a successful production of Till the Stars Come Down earlier this year.

Dream artist to perform alongside?
Tina Arena – she has an amazing voice with such a clear tonal quality and a brilliant technique. I nearly fulfilled that dream earlier this year but unfortunately it was not my moment to have. Yes, I am back reliving Young Talent Time. 

Favourite artist to collaborate with?
Far too many – so many people here in Adelaide that I would love to share the stage with or belt out a song and have a good laugh let alone anyone that lived elsewhere. This list would go forever.

Where is your next Adelaide performance, and how do you hope it will go?
The Sound Inside at Holden Street Theatres. I can’t wait for audiences to experience this brilliant play for the first time in South Australia.

The Sound Inside runs from August 11 – 29 at Holden Street Theatres