The McDonald College Students Shine in Annie the Musical
As Annie the Musical continues to captivate audiences in Sydney and Melbourne, three secondary and one junior school student from The McDonald College are proudly making their mark in this major professional production. With roles ranging from the beloved Annie herself to ensemble characters and orphans, these talented performers are embracing the moment with energy, commitment, and heart.
For Year 7 student Matilda, who shares the title role of Annie, the opportunity has been life-changing. “After the excitement of the audition, the wait to hear if I got the role was nerve-wracking,” she said. “When the email finally came, my mum kept encouraging me to read it. I did—several times! All I could say was, ‘I got Annie?’ It honestly didn’t feel real at first.”
Matilda’s experience reflects a theme shared by her fellow castmates—one of gratitude, growth, and joy. Skylah, who plays the orphan Kate, described the moment she learned she’d been cast as “the best feeling in the world. My brother, mum and I were all crying in happiness. We were so excited. It was something I’ll never forget.”
Working with a professional cast and crew has offered a rare and rewarding insight into the world of theatre-making. “It’s the best—nothing beats it,” Skylah added. “Being in the room surrounded by such an amazing team is such an honour. The whole cast and creative team have been so welcoming and supportive.”
For Bianca, who plays Duffy, the experience has been full of exciting challenges and memorable moments. “It felt like a dream… my mum woke me up with my agent on the phone, and I seriously thought I was still dreaming,” she recalled. “The most exciting part is learning to sing and dance at the same time. Especially when I get the broom and do choreography with it!”
Performing in large ensemble scenes like Hard Knock Life and Never Fully Dressed (Reprise) has been a highlight for all three girls. “I feel so at home in that scene,” said Matilda. “Almost like I’m back in my dance studio on competition day! It’s such an energetic moment; I love performing it.” Skylah added, “It’s such a high-energy scene, and I love how we all get to work together to make it exciting for the audience.”
Balancing schoolwork with rehearsals has been made possible through The McDonald College’s flexible academic model and ongoing support. “It’s easy because we use technology to upload our work and stay in touch, and the teachers answer emails super fast,” said Bianca. “Since I’m happy doing what I love, it makes keeping up with school so much easier!”
Skylah agreed: “My teacher has been so supportive, making sure I stay on top of everything while also reminding me to enjoy the experience and live in the moment.”
This production is a significant milestone in the journey of these young artists—and a testament to their early training, perseverance, and love of performing. As Matilda put it, “Take every opportunity to learn and grow as a performer. Listen to your teachers, perform whenever you can, and most importantly—have fun.”
With the curtain rising night after night, these McDonald College students continue to shine—embodying the spirit of Annie.
