Disney’s High School Musical – Live on Stage announced their Australian cast this morning. Say hello to the Aussie cast!
CHRIS DURLING (Troy Bolton) graduated from the University of Ballarat (BA in Music Theatre) in 2004. Since then he has been a lead vocalist for Walt Disney Special Events touring throughout Asia. He has also performed in Malaysia with the furry friends of Sesame Street. He played the title role in the national tour of Pinocchio – The Greatest “Little” Show on Earth with Garry Ginivan Attractions and the role of Freddy in the Melbourne season of My Fair Lady for Arts Events. As a member of The Crocmen since 2006, appearing with Bindi Irwin, Chris has performed as part of the 2007 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and live in New York on the NBC’s Today Show. The Crocmen have also appeared on ET, Access Hollywood and E! News and performed alongside The Wiggles on Broadway, in LA and in Toronto for Tourism Australia / G-Day USA Week. The Crocmen have toured nationally and experienced hugely successful runs on ABC Kids and The Discovery Kids Channel with Bindi The Jungle Girl. The ARIA nominated Bindi KidFitness CD/ DVD, featuring The Crocmen and the late Steve Irwin, reached Platinum status. Chris’ most recent appearances have been in Follies and Damn Yankees part of the The Production Company’s 2008 season at The Arts Centre in Melbourne.
REBECCA TAPIA (Gabriella Montez) studied at the Brent Street Studios in Sydney. She has appeared in musicals such as Shout! The Legend of the Wild One and The Boy from Oz (starring Hugh Jackman). She was a back-up vocalist (one of ‘The Naturelles’) for Human Nature on their Dancing In The Street national tour, as well as for artists such as Jade Macrae, Tamara and Israel. Most recently she has toured the world as lead female vocalist for Burn The Floor’s spectacular dance production Floorplay. Rebecca was also a semi-finalist on Australian Idol in 2003.
LIAM MCILWAIN (Ryan Evans) studied at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music and at the Dance Factory in Melbourne. He has appeared for the Production Company in Bye Bye, Birdie and Sunset Boulevard, in the Australian tour of Grease – The Arena Spectacular, as an original cast member of Dusty – the Original Pop Diva, as Skimbleshanks in the international tour of Cats and, most recently, in the Sydney and Melbourne revival seasons of Shout – The Legend of the Wild One!
TEAGAN WOUTERS (Sharpay Evans) is a recent graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts (Music theatre). She then studied dance for two years at Robert Sturrocks Industry Dance school. In 2008 she performed in Red Room Theatre’s The Threepenny Opera as Dolly/Dance Captain. Teagan made her professional music theatre début in the ensemble of The Production Company’s Follies at The Arts Centre in Melbourne. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Live on Stage! is her first professional lead role.
TURANGA MERITO (Chad Danforth) studied Performing Arts at the University of Auckland. Upon graduating he made his music theatre début in the ensemble, later performing the principal role of Simba, in Disney’s The Lion King in Australia and Shanghai. Following the two and a half year tour he was awarded a scholarship to study further at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Turanga was selected for Network Ten’s 2008 Australian Idol, reaching the top 50. Turanga is also a teacher of voice and dance (hip hop and contemporary).
ELENOA ROKOBARO (Taylor McKessie) trained at the Australian International Performing Arts High School. She has performed with Rhonda Burchmore in her national tour of Respect, appeared on ABC’s Spicks and Specks and taken part in the Sydney Theatre Company fundraisers, Hats Off and Light The Night. Elenoa was the winner of the 2006 Sydney cabaret showcase. She has most recently appeared in Soul Fusion at Will and Toby’s in Darlinghurst and will present her own one-woman show Chanteusse at Slide in September 2008.
Look out for DanceLife’s interviews with the cast members! Coming your way soon!
