Bracken Ridge’s Jess Bowman has received a Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowship to support her performing arts dreams.
Jess, who recently starred in Legally Blonde Jr with ROAR Academy, will travel to New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles in January to participate in Broadway training as a member of the Aussie All-Stars team.
Jess said she would train with leading professional Broadway directors, vocal coaches and choreographers during her stay.
“We undertake several masterclasses in each discipline and are cast into a production and rehearse for an intense five straight days,” she said. “We then perform to 9000 people from theatre groups around the world.”
She will also take part in a Disney musical theatre masterclass at Disneyland.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world,” she said. “I’m really excited to collaborate with Broadway professionals, see a Broadway show and meet the cast after the show in a Q&A session forum to ask about their career path journey and challenges.”
Jess said being selected as one of 40 upcoming emerging stage artists nationally as part of the Aussie All-Stars was an incredible opportunity.
Bringing the Spotlight Back to Brisbane
“I am passionate about the performing arts and to be in the heart of what is considered the highest form of theatrical entertainment in the world is truly a dream come true,” she said. “This opportunity allows me to experience ‘real world’ life in professional performing arts and how to achieve my goals in this field.”
She said she would return to Brisbane with a deeper understanding of how to transition from junior to professional theatre, helping her secure roles locally.
“I’m so excited to represent Brisbane as a place where talent can be found and cultivated,” she said.
“I’m truly honoured to be selected for this fellowship as now I can concentrate on finishing my year 12 school year without financial stress.”
Jess, whose impressive performance history includes starring as Sandy in Grease Jr (FAME) and roles in Into the Woods Jr and Mary Poppins Jr (BJT), said she was excited about the possibility of a professional career in the performing arts.
“I am also aiming to use my knowledge and skills in the performing arts industry to inspire and guide younger years to fall in love with theatre the same way I did when I was their age, creating the next generation of talented and driven youth in Brisbane,” she said.
The Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships are an initiative of Brisbane City Council. Find more information here.
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