binformed

Young talent time Teens are the next superstars as auditions uncover Brisbane’s hidden talent. Story by Chris Herden

ove over Justin Bieber. At 17 he’s Jack from Ashgrove, Li from Inala and Indigo As a result there’s already a veteran of showbiz and from Wynnum, alongside 11-year-old Quoi a lot of untapped Mmore than 12 million people from The Gap. On the same weekend, on talent out there worldwide follow his every move on Twitter. both Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of – 10,000 children But Brisbane’s got talent and there are plenty kids are expected to line up at the Brisbane around the country of new stars emerging, chasing a dream for Entertainment Centre to take part in auditions have already success. Perhaps inspired by Queensland’s for the new , a reinvention registered for YTT own Cody Simpson who, at 14, is making a of the junior variety show (also for the Ten auditions. Georgie Rowlands name for himself in music after launching Network) which first found success in the “There are a lot himself on YouTube, or by twins Isabella 1970s and launched the careers of some more kids out there and Sofia who won the hearts of millions of of Australia’s biggest international stars, who are wanting to perform now so I think it’s month she made her professional debut in television viewers as they showed themselves including Danni Minogue and . the perfect time to bring back Young Talent Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for the Queensland to be supercooks on the first series of Junior Singer, record producer and YTT creator Time,” Mills says. “I know that any audition Theatre Company but she has been MasterChef, kids across the city are stepping will once again be behind the can be quite nerve-wracking but I think kids performing since she could walk and talk. out of the shadows and into the spotlight for a show and one-time finalist these days have so much more confidence.” According to mum Julie, her daughter chance at stardom. will be the presenter. It’s been One of those kids is Georgie Rowlands, loved to sing and dance around the house so This weekend will see a whole new cast eight years since Mills was on Idol and he from Morayfield, who appears on the cover much – a natural talent she claims Georgie has of kids take the heat in the kitchen as the says TV talent shows have inspired droves of this issue of bmag. At 13 Georgie is already not inherited from either of her parents – that next series of Junior MasterChef starts on of talented children and teens to sign up for a seasoned performer and currently playing five years ago she enrolled Georgie with Fame. Channel Ten on Sunday night (25 September, performance schools, acting classes, dancing the title role in the Fame Theatre Company’s “I just love being on stage, it is so much 7.30pm). Among them will be 12-year-olds and singing lessons. school holiday show Cinderella. Just last fun. I do jazz, tap, ballet and singing lessons at

18 bmag.com.au I Read Brisbane’s Best my school and I do drama outside of school as straight into it. is very dedicated circus and trapeze work and has performed well, and I’m hoping to go into a performing I love comedy to her acting craft with Tim Minchin and Kanye West. She is arts school like WAAPA ( but if there is and we think she studying visual arts and has created her own Performing Arts Academy) when I finish a chance to is really going to shows for Australia’s Got Talent and for the high school.” Meanwhile, Georgie has been do something go somewhere, 2-High Festival at Brisbane’s Powerhouse. working on a song and a dance routine she has tense and particularly on “Versatility is something I’ve always choreographed herself for her Young Talent dramatic, I’d Sarah McCreanor the acting side admired. Frank Woodley is my idol because Time audition. love that too. of things.” he combines comedy, acting, acrobatics and Courtney Cavallaro,11, hasn’t quite made “I was always a At 19 Sarah McCreanor, from Shailer he is a musician and artist and I thought…oh, up her mind about whether YTT is for her loud and confident kid and I started doing Park, is already too old for Young Talent Time, I want to do that. It’s been such a rewarding since it was a show from a bygone era by the school acting clubs just for a bit of fun,” which is auditioning children from age 8 to experience to do my own work at a young age time she was even born. “I don’t exactly know Courtney says. “Mum and dad thought it 16, but she will get her time in the spotlight and, even though there are mistakes along the what Young Talent Time is but I love musicals would be good for me and I took things a bit when she stars in the arena spectacular way, it gives me the motivation to keep going and it’s definitely a thing I’d be interested further with Harvest Rain Theatre Company. version of the animated action fantasy film and create more.” in,” says the Wilston primary school student I love the performers there and I love Adam How to Train Your Dragon, which will begin who has starred in Alice in Wonderland and Sandler and I would like to be like that.” its world tour in Australia in March 2012. “It’s Young Talent Time auditions will be held 24 and 25 September from 9am at the Brisbane is playing Peter Pan in Peter and Wendy at According to Harvest Rain’s training a pretty overwhelming experience I’m about Entertainment Centre. For details see Brisbane Arts Theatre until 1 October. manager, Su Wilkinson, Courtney is a very to go on. It is going to be very active, acrobatic www..com.au/ytt. Australia’s Got Talent auditions will be on 19 and 20 November at the “My dream has always been to be on film natural young actress who doesn’t have to try and physically demanding,” she says. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from but I like theatre because you can just get too hard. “She has fantastic stage presence, Sarah is trained in many dance forms, 9.30am. For details see www.fmashows.com/agt.

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