World awaits talented teenagers

Two talented young performers from Moreton Bay have been selected to represent Australia on the world stage.

Ruby Marriott, 15, from Mango Hill, and Redcliffe’s Zahlee Brackstone, 17, are in the Aussie All Stars flying to the US in January.

The duo, with a passion for musical theatre, are in an elite group chosen to perform at the prestigious Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta.

From January 7-24 they will perform, compete and train alongside top young performers from around the world.

Ruby and Zahlee will also travel to New York for exclusive workshops and masterclasses led by Broadway theatre professionals.

To help fund the trip, Ruby and Zahlee are hosting a Talent Quest at Mousetrap Theatre, Sutton St, Redcliffe on April 11, with singing, dancing and dramatic performance categories.

"Being selected to represent Australia in musical theatre at the World JTF Festival is a dream come true,” Ruby said.

“You hear so much about sportspeople representing our country, not musical theatre. This makes my selection so unique. I feel so honoured and proud."

Zahlee said: "When I found out I had been given this opportunity I was overwhelmed with emotion. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“The realisation that I had finally found something that I was truly passionate about."

Ruby and Zahlee were selected at the annual Junior Theatre Festival in Newcastle last October. They auditioned with 150 other performers from around Australia.

Both are long-time members of the Roar Academy and Redcliffe Musical Theatre.

Ruby has appeared as Maria in Sound of Music, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, Newsies, variety concerts, Christmas shows and Madagascar.

She is studying musical theatre, learns vocal performance at JS Vocal and Performance, North Lakes and been with Mousetrap Theatre, notably as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

"I have no back-up plan. Musical theatre and performing is what I am going to do,” Ruby said.

“I am currently studying a Certificate IV in Musical Theatre and hopefully one day you will see me on stage on Broadway or the West End."

Zahlee's roles include Mother Abess in Sound of Music and has also been in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, Puffs, Newsies, variety concerts and Christmas shows.

She also teaches the younger students at Roar Academy and taken on production team roles. Zahlee is currently Assistant Director of Jesus Christ Superstar.

"I hope to one day pursue a career in theatre,” Zahlee said.

“But more importantly, I want to help young performers discover their own confidence, embrace who they are and fall in love with performing without fear.”