For most teenagers, the highlight of turning 16 is when they get their Learner licence and hit the road, blasting their favourite tunes through the car stereo.
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But Goulburn’s Eleesha Harvey spent her 16th birthday this week sharing the stage with some of Australia’s brightest up and coming performers, readying themselves for Friday night’s Sydney premiere of Grease – The Arena Experience.
Eleesha has spent the past weeks working with 450 other aspiring performers who make up the ensemble, which has been touted as the largest production of the iconic musical ever staged.
They’ll join Aria-award winning singer Christine Anu, X-Factor winner and Eurovision entrant Isaiah Firebrace, and former NRL player Beau Ryan, as well as Meghan O’Shea as Sandy and Damon Wade as Danny.
“It’s been tough, definitely been a bit of a challenge, but I know that it’s going to better me as a performer in the end,” Eleesha said.
“(During rehearsals) you’ve got to be really, really focused on what you’re doing. Lots of new things are pointed out every day (by the director), but especially because we’re working in an arena, you need to be aware of what your movements and poses look like from all angles, because the audience is on all angles.
“Because of the arena set up, you need to make your movements extenuated and big, to make sure everyone can see what you’re up to.”
Eleesha plays “just your typical high schooler, who likes to catch up on all the goss of Danny and Sandy”. It’s a role which sees her spend a considerable amount of time on stage, taking part in such hits as Grease is the Word, Greased Lightning, Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee, The Hand Jive, Hopelessly Devoted to You and the Grease Finale.
“I’ll be working with some of Australia’s finest, and it’s an amazing chance. I’m very, very lucky to be sharing the stage with people like that,” she said.
Grease isn’t the first time Eleesha has trod the boards of a musical. She took part in Trinity Catholic College’s Back to the 80s production, played multiple roles in the Rocky Hill Musical Theatre Company’s 2016 production of Seussical the Musical, and starred in one of the lead roles as Sharpay Evans in Trinity’s 2017 production of High School Musical.
She credits these experiences, along with four years studying drama at Trinity, with preparing her for the step up into the professional production.
“I’m very glad Grease isn’t my first production. I think my previous experiences in Goulburn productions have given me a taste of what it’s like to work in this industry, learning the language they use and how to follow stage instructions, because I found that when I got to Grease I was expected to know all that,” she said.
“The (Grease) director and the director choreographer’s attitudes towards us in the ensemble is completely different, is very exact and precise in what they want you to do. They get to the point very quickly and I think it’s really good.
“I think that all the things I’ve learnt working in with a professional production will definitely help with any future productions I take part in.”
It may not be Eleesha’s last stint with Grease. She has been invited to join the ensemble of the Canberra production when the show moves to the Capital in October this year. It’s a chance for her to join two close friends and fellow Trinity students Caitlyn Vassallo and Hollie Denny, who have also been selected for the ensemble.
“Grease was one of those movies I watched a lot as a kid, and I’ve seen it in theatre productions on stage as well, which helped. I just wanted to be in it. I’d sing along, I just wanted to be there and be a part of it all,” she said.
While she’s not ruling out a future career in the spotlight, Eleesha knows there’s a lot of hard work ahead if she’s to follow that dream.
“I would absolutely love to go professional as a performer, it’s definitely the dream,” she said.
“But I’m realistic, I’ve got a bit of a back up plan. But I think even if I wasn’t to make it professionally, as I know it’s a very tough industry to crack and to support yourself in, I would definitely keep performing as a hobby on the side.
“I enjoy it way too much.”
Eleesha may have to wait a few days to get her Learner licence, but it’s a safe bet the Grease soundtrack will be making an appearance at some stage.
Grease – The Arena Experience is a Harvest Rain production, and plays at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for three shows only on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 January.
Visit www.greasearenashow.com for more information and tickets.
