Talking to the Stars: Amelia Cormack

July 13: She's currently spending hours every night suspended high in the air in Priscilla, but it's her solo music that could direct her future. AussieTheatre.com's Troy Dodds catches up with rising star AMELIA CORMACK...

TD: How's the Priscilla experience going for you?
AC: The Priscilla experience is amazing! It's my first professional music theatre experience as an adult (I did Joseph when I was 14), and I have to say I feel incredibly lucky. To be doing so much in the show is a gift. We never have a dull moment - it's always go, go, go! It's great to be working with such a wonderfully warm and supportive cast as well. I feel completely at home.

TD: Who's the funniest cast member and why?
AC: I'd have to say Michael Griffiths, one of the ensemble members, makes me laugh the most. He is very witty and can say the most cutting and bitchy things but they're always hilarious.

TD: You're suspended quite high in the air for much of the show - has there been any scary moments?
AC: There have been two, and it's amazing that there haven't been more. Our crew are very protective of our safety, with good reason obviously, and we feel completely safe up there. It is actually physically imossible for us to fall because there are certain mechanisms in place. One time I was left hanging after Girls Just Wanna Have Fun into the Coober Pedy scene. I wasn't meant to be on stage anymore but there I was! I had no idea what was going on but I stayed frozen. Eventually I was taken out, and it was pretty funny looking at it afterwards but at the time it was pretty scary!

TD: At Up Close and Musical earlier this year we were able to experience some of your original work, where is that all heading?
AC: I'd love to record an album some day but it's not a priority. Writing is kind of like my diary - a way of getting my thoughts and emotions out. I really enjoy writing but unfortunately I'm not sure I have the time or the money to record anything at the moment. Maybe when I finish with Priscilla I'll look into it. The vocal demands of the show leave little room for anything else!

TD: Where does the inspiration for your originals come from?
AC: Usually from the people around me - I've written a song about or for each member of my immediate family. I've actually dreamed a chord progression once too. That was weird! The one I performed at Up Close and Musical was inspired by Tori Amos and Missy Higgins, two big influences for me. I saw both of them live and they both totally blew me away. I guess the song is an expression of my wish to be a better writer.

TD: Are you heading to Melbourne with Priscilla? What's on the cards after that?
AC: Certainly am. I'm looking forward to a change of scene. The thing about a long-running show is that you can get a little claustrophobic - I've been having a lot of travelling dreams lately. I'll audition for Wicked, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I'd love to do a play - some Shakespeare or something a little tragic - or some film and TV. I'm lucky because I've done a lot of acting as well, and I'm excited about exploring that side a little more.

TD: What's it like being a young performer in Australia in your view?
AC: It can be hard. I was lucky because I got accepted to drama school and so the agents came to me. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to start out without that advantage. I have a lot of respect for performers who do it on their own, without that drama school connection. The opportunities are there but it can be quite a closed shop sometimes. That's why I'm a big believer in creating your own work. I knew that when I graduated from WAAPA that there wasn't going to be any shows on so, with the assistance of my incredibly talented friend James Millar, I created my cabaret show Love for Sale - not to make money, but just to give myself something to do creatively. It was the best thing I could have done. If I could give young performers any advice it's that - if you're not getting any work, make it!

TD: I met your mum at a cabaret show a little while ago and she was proud as punch. You obviously get some great family support?
AC: Ah yes. My very proud mother. She's been to see the Priscilla 11 times and my Dad's been eight. He has a special wave now so that I can always see where he is in the audience. I'm very lucky that yes, my family are incredibly supportive. They've never been stage parents though which is also a blessing. My brother, sister and I all have very different careers but my parents have always told us to do what makes us happy. Even when we were each in year 12 they never pressured us to get top marks. They're attitude was and is that as long as we do our best they'll be proud of us. It's pretty cool.

TD: Where do you hope to be in five years?
AC: Well, the 5 year plan after graduating in 2004 was to be in New York in 2009. At the moment that's what I'm aiming for, however London is also quite appealing. At the same time I want to stay and work here for as long as I can, because I believe in our industry and the amazing work that we create as Australians. As long as I'm working I don't feel a reason to leave. However as we all know that can change in a flash, so I'm also open to whatever fate has in store for me. As long as I've got a way to keep myself busy I'm happy - be that creating something myself or making someone else's creation live.