BARBARA PRESTIA
Performer & Sales Director, Wild Dreamer Productions
Young Gold Coast Artists shine on world stages as the world of the performing arts becomes more connected than ever
The Gold Coast has been producing young, diverse and talented artists for decades now… and the buzz around the arts continues to produce exceptional individuals. As the city of Gold Coast continues to create a platform and opportunities for young and skilled artists, Wild Dreamer Productions strives to be a part of this too – providing high quality training and support to aspiring creative professionals. Performing Arts Teachers such as Dr Roslyn Dunbar-Wells, Patricia White, Margaret Millard were all invested in the growth of young talent here on the Gold Coast in the 1980’s, as well as Gold Coast Entertainer and legend, the late Paul Sharratt. The Gold Coast Little Theatre, Spotlight and Jeveenbah Theatre’s along with the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra are all helping to create spaces for promising entertainers to polish their skills. As well as performing locally, many young dancers, actors and singers have left the Gold Coast to swim in bigger ponds and achieve great successes on national and international stages.
In recent years, we’ve seen many talented and dedicated dancers travel to pursue training programs and opportunities overseas in places like Washington DC, Switzerland, The Royal Ballet School London and Germany. Joshua Jack Price, a local Gold Coast performer, studied at San Francisco Ballet Company and now proudly has a place in their professional performance arm. Many of these highly skilled dancers have compete in world class competitions, including events like Youth American Grande Prix and the Prix De Lausanne. Not only are these opportunities for performers to benchmark their skills against the wider performing arts community, but also help develop networks and relationships essential to success in such a competitive industry.
Singers are also venturing out to pursue their studies in Universities and Conservatoriums across the globe. One such example is Keiarn Chesebro who is studying in New York and toured with the Soprano, Mirusia. Izellah Connelly played the role of Matilda, in The Australian and Asia Tour of the famous stage production and is now pursing a career as a Pop Star.
Fraser Anderson is a young actor to keep your eyes on too! Recently landing a role in the Australian Series Sea Change. There’s so much thriving talent on the Gold Coast and it’s super exciting to watch them grow and learn to share their gifts with everyone, here and abroad!