Casterton local and Year 10 student at The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Sarah Crowle, is heading to New York City to perform under the bright lights of Broadway.

Sarah auditioned at the Victorian Dance Festival, held in Melbourne during April, and received an invitation to attend the New York City Musical Theatre Summer Intensive program.

This is a five-week program across June/July, with only 50 places available each week, to participate in the ultimate Broadway experience; training in dancing, singing, and acting, led by world-renowned performers who have starred in Broadway’s greatest shows.

Sarah is thrilled to accept this invitation and looks forward to networking with likeminded performers, learning more about the musical theatre industry and working with the performers direct from Broadway.

“I have always enjoyed the different aspects of performing and I am grateful to my parents for all the experiences they have enabled for me. I am also grateful for the support I receive at The Hamilton and Alexandra College.

At College Sarah attends private singing lessons and has held lead roles in the annual musicals.

“I dance with the Hamilton Dance Company and most school holidays I attend different courses to build my skill set, like NIDA Melbourne and The Australian Shakespeare Company” explained Sarah.

Heading to New York, my intention is to soak up as much knowledge and experience as possible, to take on every opportunity and see what it could lead to in the future. I will be attending Broadway musicals each week; this is a dream come true and I’m sure it is going to be a life changing experience.”

Each week of the New York City Musical Theatre Summer Intensive is different, and action packed. Monday to Friday, students participate in intensive classes from 9am to 5.30pm in ballet, musical theatre, jazz, tap, acting, vocal technique, performance studies, audition prep and musical theatre repertory, along with masterclasses with current Broadway actors and finish with an onstage performance.

In Sarah’s fifth and final week, she will participate in the Joffrey Musical Theatre’s Got Talent (JMTGT) show on a New York City stage. The 2024 JMTGT is a live event where students from around the world will perform and compete in all things musical theatre, along with large scale production numbers choregraphed throughout the week.

The Hamilton and Alexandra College has an extensive music and performing arts program, from Prep through to VCE. Students are encouraged and supported through a team of specialist teachers to follow their confident futures. Just like Sarah!  

This article appeared in the  Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 15 May 2024.