From school to the stage: Elenoa's rise


Elenoa Rokobaro as Taylor McKessie and Turanga Merito as Chad Danforth. Photo: James Morgan.

When Elenoa Rokobaro first burst onto the musical theatre scene in 2006 with breathtaking performances at events such as Light The Night, Hats Off and the Cabaret Showcase, she was still in high school and mixing homework with live performance.

She was discovered by the theatrical agent Les Solomon, and over the past few years has shaken off nerves and inexperience to become one of the rising stars of the industry, making her major musical debut last year in Respect, which toured the country and saw her star alongside established talents Rhonda Burchmore, Lucy Durack and Belinda Wollaston.

But performing in a four-hander show to moderately appreciative audiences is nothing compared to the phenomenon the 19-year-old is about to experience. The starlet has won the role of Taylor in the forthcoming Australian production of High School Musical, which opens next month at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre before heading interstate.

"It’s so exciting and full on," Rokobaro said during a break from rehearsals this week.

"It has been a blessing to be part of such a young and fresh triple threat cast and the show is coming together so well."

While musical theatre often screams "look at me", Rokobaro is happy to take a back seat in many ways, watching the industry thrive around her.

"I’m still a baby and I’m still learning so much," she said.

"It’s been a wonderful journey so far and I’ve learned a lot. I’m shocked that I am 19 and a working singer and dancer – it’s all quite amazing."

While Rokobaro has been accepted into the musical theatre camp and indeed the cabaret world, she has also expressed desire to look at other forms of entertainment.

"I think it’s something you have to do," she said.

"My ultimate goal is to write and release my own music. But I love working in theatre too, and cabaret is something I adore and never really knew about until I started."

The quietly spoken teenager knows that she and her fellow cast members have plenty to live up to given the worldwide success of the High School Musical film franchise, but believes audiences will be thrilled when the show opens next month.

High School Musical follows the plight of basketball captain Troy (Chris Durling) and the brainy but shy Gabriella (Rebecca Tapia) who discover they have a secret passion for singing. When they decide to audition for the student musical, it sends shockwaves through the High School’s rigid social cliques.

Troy’s basketball team, Gabriella’s fellow science clubbers, even the drama regulars, do all they can to keep the pair apart and off-stage. When Troy and Gabriella defy their friends and family they inadvertently inspire the other students to go public with their own secret talents and dreams.

The new Australian production is targeted at the family market, and is tipped to do particularly well in Sydney given it plays across the summer school holidays.

Bookings: www.showbiz.com.au.

- Troy Dodds