If you’ve watched any community theatre productions in the Illawarra over the past decade it is quite likely you’ve seen Hannah Garbo shine on the stage.
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I’m just this random girl from Wollongong and I’m playing the lead in their show, it’s very daunting.
- Hannah Garbo
The 22-year-old was first “dragged” to a production of Oliver by her mum when she was eight, and now counts around 45 shows she has performed in since she was 14.
Most have been ensemble roles but Garbo’s passion for the stage has never waned. Finally she believes her skills are being noticed with her next project the lead of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast by a Sutherland theatre company in March.
“I love fitting into other people’s shoes, like, kind of experiencing other people’s stories and I feel like every show has some kind of message to get across,” said the Dance Affinity singing teacher.
“It’s really hard to even get cast in a better production if you’re not known, let alone land a lead role. I’m a nobody pretty much, I’m just this random girl from Wollongong and I’m playing the lead in their show, it’s very daunting but I’m not taking it lightly.”
Garbo has studied performing arts for many years, including gaining a scholarship to the McDonald College for musical theatre, but believes it was being cast as Glinda the Good Witch in The Arcadians’ 2017 production of Wicked which showed the world exactly what she is capable of.
“Glinda’s like my dream role - I’ve always wanted to be a Disney princess, that’s my long term dream - but for me I feel like that was my role I was totally meant to play, I was born to do that,” she said.
“If you were to have one role as like a show reel and to represent everything I was capable of as a performer it would be that role.”
Garbo’s family is also well immersed in community theatre with her mother, brother and uncle regulars on and behind the stage. In fact her brother, Samuel Hamilton, has been cast in the role as Lefou in the upcoming production of Beauty.
Her ultimate dream would be to one day soak up the limelight in front of hundreds at the Capitol or Lyric Theatres, but the young performer is also incredibly happy to pass on her knowledge to see others flourish.
“I really fell in love with teaching and I feel like that’s something I will do for the rest of my life,” she said.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Sutherland Entertainment Centre, March 21 to 25. Bookings (02) 8814 5827.
Desiree Savage
At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au
At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au
