Allyce Martins: Rob Guest Endowment Finalist 2012
The much lauded Rob Guest Endowment annual concert will take place on 19 November 2012, where six finalists – emerging stars of Australian musical theatre – will take the stage to show their skills and compete for the opportunity to study in New York under the guidance of the best that Broadway has to offer to the value of $10,000.
AussieTheatre will feature a short interview with each of the finalists. Cassie Tongue asked ten questions to each finalist, in the lead-up to the concert, asking about their lives, careers, and how they’re preparing for the high-calibre event.
This time we speak with Allyce Martins, who recently spent two years in the cast of Wicked as an understudy for Glinda.
Tell us your favourite thing about being a performer.
The connections we make. When you stand on stage, look into your fellow cast members eyes and feel every fibre of their being giving you 110% you can’t help but give them 110% back. The connection when you are both right there, present, is magic! The fact that we as actors can be moved and move others by merely using the power of words and music never fails to blow my mind.
What made you apply for the Rob Guest Endowment process?
I have been working in the musical Wicked for the last two years so have watched many of my cast members, friends, and mentors be a part of all aspects of the Rob Guest Endowment and they all have such wonderful positive things to say, not only about the night but the whole journey. Having just finished a year of touring Asia, I am also looking forward to getting back into the Australian music theatre scene once more!
How are you preparing for the upcoming concert? Any new rituals or routines?
Preparation wise, I am an avid yogi and rarely perform without a vinyasa class beforehand so I will be going to regular yoga classes, most definitely rehearsing my songs so they are comfortable and in my body and voice fully, indulging in some delicious green juices and smoothies to keep up stamina and energy but also making alot of time to relax in the sunshine with my friends so I am calm and positive about life =)
You were covering Glinda in Wicked, which has been such a smash hit around the world. What was it like being involved in such a theatrical phenomenon?
It is really something I am incredibly grateful for. To see how many people go into keeping this musical alive and functioning is epic. It really made me appreciate all of the crew and company behind the scenes that put in a mammoth amount of work. It is also incredible how the story of two witches continues to touch so many peoples hearts and has such a strong following all over the globe!
You’ve worked alongside Debbie Reynolds. What’s your best Debbie Reynolds story?
Haha there are some absolute corkers – she is a very classy, quick, and witty performer and although she did have a tendency to forget things at times, she never let it faze her… My favourite: At the end of an Irish jig, the ensemble finished in a line across the stage, all pointing to stage left with their left hand to welcome Debbie back onstage to join in for the repeat. One night we finished the routine as normal and looked to the wings stage left for her to enter. However she was not there and we all started panicking and jittering a little. Debbie then casually entered stage RIGHT and tapped Nat Jobe on the shoulder as if to say “Here I am!”
What’s your go-to, belt-it-out-in-the-shower song?
At the moment it’s ‘The Freedom Song’ by Jason Mraz but it is very often ‘Light in the Piazza’ and ‘It Won’t Be Long Now’ from In The Heights.
You’ve been in Wicked, Blood Brothers, West Side Story, Oklahoma!… What other major musicals would you like to be part of?
West Side Story (again), Avenue Q, Lippa’s The Wild Party, Beauty and the Beast – actually anything Disney really…
What did you find most valuable about your time at WAAPA?
The work ethic – learning to just keep going whether you were tired, sore, having a mental breakdown… and in doing so realising that you are capable of so much more than you think you are. Also, respect for your fellow company members and the creative team who are guiding you, to listen and take onboard everything they have to say.
Tell us about your most memorable moment in the theatre – as an audience member or performer.
Standing in the bows for Wicked and seeing every single audience member rise to their feet clapping. It gave me shivers and I realised how extremely lucky we were to be a part of such a phenomenon.
What’s number one on your “bucket list?”
In theatre: To voice or play a Disney Princess!
Outside of theatre: To open a yoga school and raw vegan cafe by the beach!
