The vibrant melodies of “Tomorrow” and “Hard Knock Life” fill Carriageworks, where Sydney’s highly anticipated production of Annie is taking shape. Amidst the bustling rehearsals, two young actresses, Beatrix Alder, 11, and Dakota Chanel, 12, are living their dream, embodying the iconic Annie with their unique talent and dedication.
Their journey began with a rigorous audition process, a true test of their resilience. “It was intense, but also so much fun,” recalls Beatrix. “We did a lot of singing, like ‘Never Fully Dressed’ and ‘Hard Knock Life,’ and some acting scenes, and we danced a lot, which included a dance break to ‘Hard Knock Life.’ But I made lots of friends in the auditions.”
Dakota, sporting a red hair bow and t-shirt – a clear nod to Annie’s signature look –, echoes the sentiment. “It was a long process, but it was so fun cause you didn’t know what you were going to do next,” she explains. “It was basically like, they gave you stuff to learn, and then they say, okay, now just sing it and then they moved on. It was long- there were five cuts in one day, I think. It was so fun. We met so many new people. I really loved it.”
The audition, a series of cuts and callbacks, tested their resilience and talent. “Definitely singing the really high songs can be challenging,” Beatrix admits. “I got in there, it was like- this is it!” But their years of dedicated training, including extensive dance experience, provided a strong foundation. For Beatrix, a student at ED5 International, the discipline of rigorous dance training, including RAD classical ballet, jazz, and contemporary, has been a constant. Dakota, with her roots in the Gold Coast’s National Academy of Performing Arts and Dance Prescription online training, also has a diverse dance background, including RAD ballet, that has prepared her for the physical demands of the role. “We did big groups and then went down the line singing,” Beatrix recounts, “and then there was a really, really big group for dancing and we’d all be in this huge room doing the dances.”
Erin Mortimer Wells, the children’s director, observes, “What’s so remarkable about these girls is their innate discipline. They understand the importance of precision, musicality, and stage presence.” Erin also emphasises the importance of a solid foundation: “I would encourage young ones as they set out to begin the audition circuit to have a basic understanding and skill set ready to go. You might be a dancer that doesn’t sing or act much, and that’s ok. You don’t need to be the best singer, or actor to go along with the dance component, and don’t ever let that hold you back. Just having an understanding and base line skill set is key. With experience from audition to audition, you can fine tune those skills wherever they require in the years to come.”
Karen Johnson Mortimer, the director, reinforces this, noting, “Obviously be prepared in understanding the style and purpose for the audition - be it Theatre, Screen or Commercial, as well as personal presentation. And be true to yourself - trust your training and technique.” Karen could be seen at rehearsals, working closely with the young performers, offering encouragement and guidance, ensuring they understood the nuances of their roles.
Now, amidst the hot Sydney days of rehearsals, they find themselves working alongside Australian stage legends like Anthony Warlow and Greg Page, as well as a cast of seasoned professionals. The experience is both thrilling and educational. “It’s incredible. Everyone is so kind and supportive,” Dakota says. This collaboration, a meeting of youthful exuberance and seasoned artistry, underscores the timeless appeal of Annie, a narrative that bridges generations.
Despite the demands of the role, both Beatrix and Dakota radiate enthusiasm. They laugh and pet the dogs playing Sandy, their furry co-stars, demonstrating a genuine love for the work. “I mean, I didn’t know I worked that well with dogs, but I do love them,” says Beatrix. This connection with their canine co-stars speaks to the heart of Annie: a story of found family, loyalty, and unwavering affection.
The camaraderie among the young cast is palpable. “I get nervous, but it’s really fun,” Beatrix shares. “Once I get in there, I’m not really nervous anymore and it feels good when there are also other people who are singing and dancing and you know that they’re going through the same things.” This shared experience, the collective energy of young performers, adds a layer of authenticity to the portrayal of the orphan’s life.
When asked about advice for aspiring performers, Beatrix offers a simple yet powerful message: “I think to never give up and also, even if you don’t get a call back or you don’t make it this time, that doesn’t mean you should just give up. You can always keep trying and you just gotta try your best because you might think you are not the best, but you actually might surprise yourself.” Dakota adds, “I definitely say just always dream big thing. You never know when it’s be your time to be on stage.”
On whether she knew she was auditioning for the lead, Dakota said of her casting “Oh no,” she replies, “I just went in and we just sang the songs and then on the second day they said we’d like to see these people for Annie! I just was like, what- me?” Beatrix agreed, adding “I couldn’t believe I got it. It was very early in the morning and my mum came down to show me, then we started jumping up and down and then we woke up my whole family and then they ran out and then they were like, well, what happened? And then I told them and we were all so excited.”
“I’m thrilled to bring Annie back to Sydney with this outstanding cast,” said producer John Frost. “With new choreography and updated sets, this is going to be a marvellous fresh production of Annie for a whole new generation.” This sentiment speaks to the enduring relevance of Annie, a story that continues to resonate with audiences across time.
As they prepare to step onto the Capitol Theatre stage, Beatrix and Dakota are poised to contribute their own unique chapter to the legacy of Annie. Their journey, a testament to hard work, diverse training, and unwavering passion, not only fulfills their own dreams but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring performers everywhere, proving that with talent and perseverance, dreams, indeed, can come true.
Find out more about Annie the Musical here.