Karla Bartholomeusz
‘We Will Rock You’ Ensemble Cast Interview
The worldwide smash hit musical WE WILL ROCK YOU is a futuristic musical adventure that will rock your world! Since 2002, over 16 million theatregoers in more than 28 countries have been rocked by this production. The talented cast brings to life the music of Queen in conjunction with Ben Elton’s screenplay that fashions this hilarious comedy around more than 24 of Queen’s biggest hits including We are the Champions, Killer Queen, Somebody to Love, Under Pressure and Radio Ga Ga. DanceLife is thrilled to speak with members of this epic cast.
Our third interview in this series is with Karla Bartholomeusz
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Tell me about your background …
I grew up in Geelong, Victoria, and I went to little dance schools there. One day my best friend convinced me to audition for Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance. At the time I never thought I’d get in as dancing wasn’t something I had taken seriously yet. I was only dancing two nights a week, I wasn’t a kid who grew up dancing a lot – plus I also played the saxophone. I was very torn at this stage about what I wanted to do. When I got into Ministry of Dance, I thought, “let’s do this!” I was going in with fresh eyes … not really knowing what I was getting into … and I had to work my butt off in full time and it was the best thing I’ve ever done!
It was amazing! As soon as you walked through the door there, you’d be surrounded by working dancers and choreographers. It was just the best!
What was your path after that … where did you go from full time?
I did Chitty Chitty Bang Bang just six months out of full time training. I was already working by my second year of full time with artists such as Ricki Lee Coulter, FloRida, at events like The Logies etc … which of course was all very exciting. I knew then, that later I wanted to get into musical theatre.
Ever since I can remember, seeing musicals was always a treat. Being from Geelong, going to Melbourne and seeing musicals was the most amazing thing ever!
I did amateur theatre as a kid in The King and I and from there I was just obsessed with musicals.
I then won a scholarship and went to New York and did the American Dream. That was the initial motivation and inspiration for my career. I got to dance at Broadway Dance Centre every day, see musicals daily and meet Broadway casts. I’m still friends with so many of the people I met over there. It was just an unbelievable experience!
Once I got back from America, I got into Dirty Dancing and did the Australian tour, and now I’m here in We Will Rock You.
How do you see yourself in this industry and what are your aspirations from here?
I love dance; it’s been my background since the beginning. I’ve learnt to love to sing as well, and I quickly found out how much you need to be able to sing as well as dance in this industry. To be in musical theatre you HAVE to be a singer! I learnt this in full time, so I got singing lessons from then-on.
After We Will Rock You, I would love to go to the States again. I feel it’s time to go back for me, to learn more and get new inspiration again.
#WWRYAU
www.wewillrockyou.com.au
WE WILL ROCK YOU is currently playing in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC. It will then travel to Melbourne from August 30, Perth from November 15, and Adelaide from December 31. Tickets, details and bookings are on the website.
KARLA BARTHOLOMEUSZ | BIO
Originally from Geelong, Kyla graduated as a scholarship student from Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance Full Time Course in 2012 and was most recently featured as Cathy in the musical Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage. Kyla recently came back from dancing and singing in New York City after winning a scholarship from JOIP on Broadway. Before this life changing experience, she has worked with Australia’s leading choreographers such as Jason Coleman, Squared Division, Jason Gilkison, Simon Lind, Yvette Lee, and Marko Panzic. In addition to performing in the ensemble of the most recent Australian tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Kyla’s credits include Australia’s Got Talent, TV Week Logie Awards and the AFL Grand Final. She has also performed alongside Australian and international artists such as Flo Rida, Olly Murs, Samantha Jade, Zoe Badwi, Prinnie Stevens, Bobby Fox, Baz Luhrmann, and Ricki-Lee. Kyla was recently featured as the star of the We Are Savages SS16 campaign. Kyla wouldn’t be where she is today without the love and support of The Ministry of Dance and her incredible family.
