Rising Star Finalists Announced
The five finalists in the running for a massive prize package in the AussieTheatre.com Rising Star competition have today been announced.
The winner of the annual competition will receive a raft of prizes including: A performance the 2009 Light The Night charity concert; a headshot package thanks to Blueprint Studios; an appearance on Melbourne radio; private acting lessons with RPW; agency consultation with Lambert House Enterprises; a publicity package from Watchdog Communications; media training from JP Bolton; a fully produced cabaret show; a $500 cash prize; a wine hamper thanks to Molly’s Cradle and an AussieTheatre.com package.
The winner of the competition is to be announced on October 3.
Read more about Rising Star here
The finalists are:
17-year-old Kirby Lunn from Lutwyche in Queensland. Kirby has most recently performed as Eponine in the Ignatius Musical Theatre Company’s production of Les Miserables. She has performed with the Spotlight Theatre Company, the Phoenix Theatre Company and as a soloist at a range of events across Queensland.
“My theatre training started when I was four and is a lifelong journey for me,” Kirby said.
“At five, I was so desperate to get on the stage that I looked up ‘Orditions’ in the phone book and the only difference today is that I know how to spell audition.”
Kirby is the only Queensland finalist.
19-year-old Kristyn Bilson from Kensington in New South Wales. Kristyn was a full-time dance student at Brent Street Studios last year and has performed in a variety of shows and events including Hats Off and the Beijing Olympic Games.
Kristyn was the winner of the National Telstra Street Idol Competition, which is part of Australian Idol. As part of her win, she received a huge range of prizes.
“I feel most at home when I am on stage in front of people,” she said.
“As a singer, dancer and actor, it’s a great feeling being able to combine all three disciplines. Musical theatre is stories set to music and it’s a wonderful feeling, challenging and rewarding to become a character and to take people on a journey.”
Kristyn Bilson was originally from Brisbane and moved to Sydney to follow her career.
22-year-old Aaron Taylor from Cooranbong in New South Wales. Aaron is currently working in Hong Kong touring to local schools with Chunky Onion Productions.
“I am a hard working and enthusiastic performer who believes in setting the bar high and trying my hardest to achieve my goals,” Aaron said.
“I am a very career oriented young Australian and I am very willing to take any opportunities that arise.
“I am pro-active and open-minded about my career and know that it’s not all about talent. This year I have designed and launched my own website for marketing purposes and even though it hasn’t had amny hits it’s something I can show people that will hopefully pay off. I believe myself to be a fun and fresh entertainer and I think I am most deserving of this opportunity.”
Aaron filmed his entrance video from Hong Kong.
21-year-old Tom Sharah from Dover Heights in New South Wales.
Tom is a graduate of Charles Sturt University at Bathurst, where he finished with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Theatre/Media).
He appeared in a vast number of productions while studying there.
“If I were fortunate enough to advance in this competition, I would seize every opportunity and treat this as a wonderful way to begin a career in musical theatre,” Tom said.
“I am working towards a dream, and that dream is to perform in musical theatre.”
22-year-old Luigi Lucente from Greenvale in Victoria.
Luigi has just finished making his professional musical theatre debut as an understudy in Guys And Dolls.
He has performed on both stage and screen in Melbourne.
“To perform is a gift. It’s a privilege. I’ve been at both ends of the spectrum, the highs and the lows. I know there is always going to be more rejection than opening night parties, but it isn’t going to stop me,” Luigi said.