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Semi-finalists announced for 2020 Rob Guest Endowment

After online auditions conducted over the past few weeks, the 30 Semi-Finalists for the 2020 Rob Guest Endowment Award were announced today. The Rob Guest Endowment committee is pleased to announce the following Semi-Finalists who will perform for a panel of judges to determine the six finalists for the 2020 Rob Guest Endowment Award:

Finn Alexander, Carly Bettinson, Kelsi Boyden, Molly Bugeja, Keiarn Chesebro, Austin Cornish, Sian Crowe, Mia Dabkowski-Chandler, Mackenzie Dunn, Darcey Eagle, Joshua Firman, Mitchell France, Lauren Goetz, Lachlan Greenland, Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Emma Kavanagh, Sarah Krndija, Jordan Malone, Owen McCredie, Paige McKay, Jessica Mills, Emily Monsma, Olivia Morison, Elise Muley, Tomas Parrish, Madeline Plum, Sara Reed, Samuel Richardson, Alec Steedman and Stephanie Wall.

Boasting the largest single Musical Theatre scholarship in Australia, a $50,000 prize along with the coveted RGE Trophy, the competition is now offered biennially, with the second place winner receiving $5,000 and four runners-up receiving $1,500 each.

Finalists and Judges of the 2018 Rob Guest Endowment
Photo by Brian Geach

The Rob Guest Endowment was created following the sudden death of one of Australia’s finest musical theatre performers, Rob Guest OBE, in October 2008. In recognition of his achievements in the musical theatre industry, the Rob Guest Endowment was established in his honour with the aim of building and maintaining a community for emerging musical theatre artists and to provide them with support.

Previous winners of the Rob Guest Endowment Award have since been launched into the industry, starring in lead roles in musical theatre around Australia. Past winners include Annie Aitken (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Daniel Assetta (West Side Story), Blake Bowden (The Book of Mormon), Francine Cain (Grease), Samantha Dodemaide (The Wizard of Oz), Glenn Hill (Jersey Boys), Georgina Hopson (Evita) and Joshua Robson (Shrek).

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. Perhaps best known for his role as The Phantom of the Opera, he appeared and starred in over 40 productions including Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Jolson, The Sound of Music and Wicked. Less well known to audiences was his role as mentor and adviser to many young performers he worked with over the years, helping them through rough spots and guiding them in their career development. Following his sudden and unexpected death in 2008 while performing the role of The Wizard of Oz in Wicked, the Rob Guest Endowment 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.

For more info, visit www.robguestendowment.com.au

Peter J Snee

Peter is a British born creative, working in the live entertainment industry. He holds an honours degree in Performing Arts and has over 12 years combined work experience in producing, directing and managing artistic programs & events. Peter has traversed the UK, Europe and Australia pursuing his interest in theatre. He is inspired by great stories and passionately driven by pursuing opportunities to tell them.