Samantha Dodemaide wins 2013 Rob Guest Endowment

Samantha Leigh Dodemaide has been announced as the winner of the 2013 Rob Guest Endowment.

Last night (and for the first time in Sydney), the Rob Guest Endowment Gala took place at the Lyric Theatre, The Star hosted by theatre veteran Bert Newtwon.

Featuring six finalists (Samantha Leigh Dodemaide, Elisa Colla, Angelique Cassimatis, Rob Mallet, Ed Grey and Euan Doidge) and a host of special guest artists including Tony Sheldon, Eddie Perfect, Rhoda Burchmore and Adam Garcia, the evening celebrated the Australian music theatre and arts industry in fine form, with a special nod to the late great Rob Guest.

The late Rob Guest, had a career that spanned over 40 years, making him a much loved Musical Theatre star and a household name to audiences throughout Australia New Zealand and overseas.  The ANZ Trustees Foundation: Rob Guest Endowment fund was set up as a tribute to this outstanding performer to continue his work in nurturing and progressing young developing talent in the Musical Theatre industry.

Each of the six finalists, selected from hundreds of applicants, were vying for the coveted scholarship valued at over $12000 as they performed two numbers each from the music theatre cannon.

Euan Doidge performed What is it about here and You and Me, Rob Mallett performed Streets of Dublin and Till I Hear You Sing, The Production Company Award winner Edward Grey performed Along the Way and Tell My Father, Angelique Cassimatis performed Don’t Rain on My Parade and I Can’t Do it Alone, Elisa Colla performed Home and On The Steps of the Palace, and WINNER Samantha- Leigh Dodemaide performed Gimme Gimme and Get Out and Stay Out.

As a proud supporter of the event, AussieTheatre’s digital team were at the Lyric Theatre to capture the action backstage. Check out some of coverage in the storify below!

http://storify.com/AussieTheatre/rob-guest-endowment-2013