Cast

Sarah began dancing at the age of 3 and after leaving her home in Tasmania at age 18, she graduated with a Cert IV in Dance from Ettingshausen’s Pro in Sydney in 2017. During this time Sarah won a scholarship to train at Broadway Dance Centre in New York which she undertook after returning from her 10-month contract performing aboard Royal Caribbean International cruise liners. Sarah’s credits also include Arts for Alzheimer’s in NYC, performing with recording artist Starley at the Sydney Mardi Gras plus various corporate events around Australia. Sarah is beyond thrilled to be making her professional musical theatre debut in one of her dream shows, An American in Paris.

Jasmin Durham started learning ballet at the age of three at the Lisa Clark Dance Centre in Canberra, later studying jazz, tap and contemporary dance. In 2009 she moved to Melbourne to study at The Australian Ballet School and performed on The Dancers Company tour in 2010 and 2011. Jasmin joined The Australian Ballet in 2012, where she was given the opportunity to perform in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and China. Jasmin has performed works by Jiří Kylián, Twyla Tharp and Christopher Wheeldon and has worked with many choreographers including Tim Harbour, Alexei Ratmansky, Graeme Murphy and Stephen Baynes. Jasmin was promoted to coryphée in 2018 and was nominated for the Telstra Ballet Dancer of the Year Award in 2015 and 2020.

Amba hails from Perth and has graduated from Patrick School of the Arts in Melbourne. During her studies, Amba landed her first professional musical role in the West Side Story International tour and travelled Australia, Germany and New Zealand throughout 2019. Amba performed in the Perth and Melbourne seasons of Michael Boyd’s Cabaret De Paris during her full time training, as well as The Ultimate Vegas Show and has since performed both shows in Perth in 2020. She has also had the opportunity to work with Square Division, performing at the ICC Women’s World Cup alongside Katy Perry. She is also a qualified Pilates instructor and has been working with the tertiary students at Patrick School of the Arts. Amba returned to the stage with West Side Story in 2021 and had the opportunity to debut as one of her cover roles of Anita. She is so thrilled to be joining the incredibly talented cast of An American In Paris.

Jasmine Henry started dancing at the age of four at Debra McCulloch Dance Academy in Perth. In 2014 she began full time ballet at Charlesworth Ballet Institute and later moved to Pevnev Ballet Academy. In 2018 she flew to Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she was accepted into the Vaganova Ballet Academy. During her three years at the academy, Jasmine had the opportunity to perform on the Mariinsky stage, the Kremlin theatre, in Greece and took part in a three-week tour of Japan. After completing her graduation exams Jasmine was the first Australian accepted into the Mariinsky Theatre.  She performed a variety of classical repertoire with the Mariinsky Theatre in 2021-2022 as a corps de ballet member.

Francis was born in Melbourne and studied with Lorraine Blackbourn before furthering his studies at the Australian Ballet School.  He has danced with The Australian Ballet, New York Theatre Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Francis has performed in all the major classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker to modern/contemporary works by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, Twyla Tharp, Jiri Kylian, Jose Limon, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Ulysses Dove, Glen Tetley, Lew Christensen, John Neumeier, Olivier Weavers, Mario Radacovsky, Donald Byrd, Darrel Grand Moultrie and Robert Garland. Francis has performed in three musicals: the Broadway tour of An American in Paris, New York City Center Encores’ I Married An Angel and The Wiz with Broadway Sacramento. Most recently Francis performed in two movies: Tyler Perry & Debbie Allen’s, A Jazzman’s Blues, and Hallmark’s Sugarplum Twist. Francis is a freelance artist in New York City.

James is a recent graduate from the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts. His WAAPA credits include: Bobby in Crazy for You, Butch (Paul Understudy) in A Chorus Line, Otto/Dance Captain in Spring Awakening, Steward in Into the Woods and Ensemble in Cabaret. James’ corporate credits include WA Breast Cancer Charity Gala (Carmelo Entertainment), Girl Power – Regal Theatre (PSP Events), Havana Nights – Optus Stadium (PSP Events), Crown New Year’s Eve Ball (Carmelo Entertainment), Crown Service Ball (Carmelo Entertainment). James is thrilled and humbled to be making his professional debut in An American in Paris.

Mitchell began his training at Diane Blass School of Dance in Wollongong, then furthered his training at the Queensland University of Technology, completing an Associate Degree in Dance. Since graduating he has worked with Royal Caribbean, Tokyo Disneyland, as well as performing in Opera Australia’s productions of Turandot and The Pearl Fishers. Television credits include ABC’s Dance Academy and Dance Captain in the telemovie Carlotta produced by Fremantle Media. After making his musical theatre debut in WICKED on London’s West End, Mitchell returned to Australia and again toured with the production. Mitchell was also Dance Captain in the Australian tour of A Chorus Line, Macavity in CATS in the Macau/Korea tour, Dance Captain in the Australian tour of Grease Is The Word, and Resident Choreographer for its Asian tour. Mitchell was also in the original Australian cast of Matilda and more recently Mitchell was in the original Australian cast of The Book of Mormon.

Chloe is a recent graduate of WAAPA (Bachelor of Fine Arts – Music Theatre). Her WAAPA credits include Polly in Crazy for You, Wendela in Spring Awakening, Cassie understudy in A Chorus Line, Kit Kat Girl and Dance Captain in Cabaret, and Lucinda in Into the Woods. Chloe’s other credits include The Diamonds SMA Productions (2019, 2020) and the Carmelo Pizzino Variety Ball, New Year’s Eve (2019, 2020). Chloe is so thrilled to be making her professional debut in An American in Paris.

Jake was born on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. As soon as his parents discovered that their baby was bopping his little head to any music he heard, they put him into dance classes. At the age of ten Jake successfully auditioned for The Australian Ballet School. At the age of 18 he joined The Australian Ballet. He was promoted to coryphée in 2017 and to soloist in 2018.

Joe Meldrum’s performing career was launched by following in the famous footsteps of Fred Astaire as leading man in A Fine Romance: The Magic of Fred Astaire (JTM). Most recently, Joe performed in the Tony Award winning Broadway revival version of PIPPIN (GFO) after successfully completing the Australian tour of Chicago earlier in the same year. Additional theatre credits include ‘Snowboy’ in Opera Australia’s West Side Story on Sydney Harbour, ‘Trick’ in the 20th Anniversary production of The Boy From Oz (The Production Company), leading man in the premiere season of Just A Couple of Song and Dance Men (JTM), ‘Lad’ in The Who’s TOMMY (Victorian Opera), Oklahoma! and Curtains (TPC). On screen, he features in Dream Deep for Museums Victoria and feature film Beautiful for KOJO Pictures. Joe is a 2015 WAAPA graduate, a proud member of Actor’s Equity and is represented by Ian White Management. He dedicates this show to all who have generously guided him on his journey so far.

Joe is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and received his diploma in classical ballet from the Australian Ballet School. After making his debut in Cats on board the Oasis of the Seas, Joe relocated to London where he worked for Royal Ballet choreographer Will Tuckett on the creation of his Nutcracker as well as in the ensemble of Anyone Can Whistle at the Union Theatre and Oklahoma! at the Royal Albert Hall. He then joined the company of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, performing in Stuttgart and Hamburg before returning to Australia to perform in West Side Story on Sydney Harbour and, most recently, the 10^th Anniversary Tour of Billy Elliot the Musical.

Rose is a 2019 Music Theatre graduate from the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts (WAAPA).  She made her professional debut at the age of 11 starring as Jane Banks in the Disney/Cameron Mackintosh musical Mary Poppins.  Following this Rose went on to play Jemima Potts in TML Enterprises’ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Since graduating Rose has been involved in various stage productions:  The Making of Sasha Fein for Moira Blumenthal Productions, Irene at Hayes Theatre for Neglected Musicals.  Whist at WAAPA Rose starred in a number of student productions, playing Fran in Strictly Ballroom, Kathy in Company, and Bernarda Alba in The House of Bernarda Alba.  She was also the Dance Captain for Sweet Charity.  For her contribution to fostering “a great sense of ensemble” Rose received WAAPA’s Finley Award for Music Theatre in 2018.

Shontaya Smedley grew up in Sydney and at the age of 16 moved to New York to continue her training at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (JKO). While there she performed with American Ballet Theatre in their productions of Whipped Cream and Swan Lake as well as with The Australian Ballet production of Nutcracker. Upon graduating from JKO she has come back home and performed an independent work Against All Logic by Birgitta Dance Projects, and she has just completed an Australian tour with Amy Campbell’s production Leap.

Annie’s career began in New Zealand, with regular performances for Television New Zealand. After appearing in the Royal Variety Command Performance and The Mercury Theatre, she joined the television series Shortland Street, playing the notorious Dr Claire Lloyd. In Australia, Annie has worked extensively in all aspects of the industry. Stage highlights include the roles of Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (Australian and NZ tours), Tzeitel in the Melbourne production of Fiddler on the Roof, starring Topol, Susan in The Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Sondheim’s Company, Maria Elena Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, Madame de Tourvel in Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Angie in Wrung Out with Glynn Nicholas. As well as tapping her way around Australia in David Atkins’ Hot Shoe Shuffle, Annie also starred in The Wizard of Oz, Pirates of Penzance, The Dusty Springfield Story, Dame Edna’s Australian Walkabout Tour, My Fair Lady, and the World Premiere of Dr Zhivago. Annie has appeared in many television dramas over the last 30 years including The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Winner & Losers, Neighbours and the television movie Dangerous Remedy. Recent film credits include Lucy Cannon in The Sunset Six and A Journey, Through Time, With Anthony.

Born into a family of seven in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Flynn began dancing at the age of 3 at Ringwood Ballet group training in all styles. He performed in his Secondary College’s productions of Oliver! as The Artful Dodger and in Anything Goes as a featured dancer. In 2017 Flynn began his Full-Time training at The Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, graduating at the end of 2021 and worked with the likes of David McAllister AC, Stephen Baynes and Lucas Jervies.

Rachael is an accomplished international stage and screen performer. Recent screen credits include the role of Lauren Freeman in ABC’s TV series Troppo and Baz Luhrmann’s film Elvis. Musical credits include Go-To-Hell Kitty in the Australian National Tour of Chicago, Margarita (Tango feature) in Opera Australia’s Evita, Bombalurina in Cats at the Théâtre Mogador in Paris, Blue Girl in Shout! The Mod Musical, Mona cover Roxie Hart in Chicago, U/S Lina Lamont in the Australian tour and Tokyo season of Singin’ In the Rain, GFO’s Australian tour of the London Palladium Production Wizard of Oz, the Production Company’s Hello, Dolly! and Jesus Christ Superstar, and Ulla in The Producers at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

Olivia started training at Attitudes Dance Studio under the direction of Tania Attard-O’Dwyer. She furthered her studies at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where she was appointed Dance Captain, received the Anne Wooliams Dance Award and gained her Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal. She won the Premier’s Award for VCE VET Dance and completed her tertiary studies at the New Zealand School of Dance. Olivia has performed in the World of Wearable Arts Show (WOW), Colossus by Stephanie Lake as well as works by Damien Jalet, Ross McCormack, Huang Yi, Raewyn Hill, Tim Harbour, Tanya Mitford and Jonathon Taylor.

Growing up in Brisbane in a family of musicians, Emily discovered her love of performing at a young age. She began her full-time ballet training at age 14, and then went on to graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. Emily was also the inaugural recipient of the Audition Award in 2018. Most recently Emily performed the role of Daphne in Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company). Other credits include Frenchy/Dance Captain in Sweet Charity (Understudy Productions), Kathy in Company, Carmen/Dance Captain in Fame the Musical, and Minnie in West Side Story (QCGU). Emily has danced with Expressions Dance Company in Carmen Sweet and R&J, and she also performed with the Royal Ballet as a supernumerary in Christopher Wheeldon’s Winter’s Tale at QPAC. In 2020, Emily became a bookkeeper in her spare time, and is currently studying a Masters of Professional Accounting. Emily is represented by Active Artists Management, and is a proud member of MEAA.

Thomas began dancing at the age of 5 and quickly expanded his repertoire, studying acting and singing. He went on to complete The Next Step Performing Arts Professional Training Program after studying full-time for a year at age 18. So far in his career Thomas has performed on stage with Cher for the Sydney Mardi Gras, in shows for various corporate events and has also travelled throughout the Caribbean as a performer with Norwegian Cruise Lines. On screen Thomas has appeared as a dancer on television programs such as X-Factor, The Voice and The Masked Singer. Thomas is ecstatic to be making his musical theatre debut in this production of An American In Paris.

Benjamin was born in Adelaide and started with football and tennis while working at the family bakery. He first pursued acting, piano, singing and guitar before moving into musical theatre then finally into dance – namely, ballet. Beginning full time training at 15, he then left home at 16 to train at The New Zealand School of Dance including a scholarship to Canada’s National Ballet School. Then began working and dancing for The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Queensland Ballet, before spending two years at West Australian Ballet, then three years at The Australian Ballet and most recently performing lead roles around Australia for Victorian State Ballet.

Sydney began his training in rural Victoria at Lisa Pellin Dancers. He moved to Melbourne to complete his high school studies at The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, where he was fortunate enough to work with Australian creatives Tanya Mitford and Tim Harbour. In 2020, Sydney graduated with a Diploma in Musical Theatre from Patrick School of the Arts (PSA) under the direction of Andrew Hallsworth. In his time at PSA, he was fortunate enough to perform in both Heathers the Musical and Guys and Dolls, where he performed the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson. Sydney couldn’t be more thrilled to be making his professional musical theatre debut in An American in Paris. He would like to thank his family, mentors, teachers and agents Todd and Emma at T&E Management for their continued support and belief.

Emma has been training in all facets of dance and musical theatre since she could walk, predominately at Premier Dance Academy in Brisbane, and then on to Davidia Lind Dance Centre for full time studies during her senior years of high school, obtaining a Diploma (Musical Theatre) and Advanced Diploma (Elite Dance Performance). As soon as she turned 18, Emma began working aboard some of Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ships as a dancer and vocalist. Since returning home early 2020 due to COVID she has made herself known in the Brisbane musical theatre scene, singing and dancing her way through multiple cabarets; Yours Sincerely Banana Brains (Queensland Cabaret Festival) and The Underground Hour (Mad Dance House). For the past two years Emma has been lucky enough to be heavily involved in Brisbane Festival (Oscar Pro Co), and most recently in The Producers (Altitude Theatre Company). Emma is thrilled to be making her professional musical theatre debut and cannot wait to get back to her ballet roots.