RACHEL Davies is a Port Stephens local who has loved performing for many years.

Playing roles such as Elphaba in Wicked and Maria in The Sound of Music, Rachel is now stepping up as a dancer in the STARS of Newcastle show on Saturday 10 March.

After being postponed almost a year due to COVID-19, the show is back in 2021 raising funds for the Cancer Council.

With a goal of raising at least $5000 per performer for the charity, Rachel has had to think outside of the box for fundraising due to the restrictions.

Taking to social media and COVID-19 safe Zumba, Rachel has already raised almost $4000 for the Cancer Council.

Chatting about her journey with the STARS of Newcastle, Rachel told News Of The Area,
“The coordinator of the show approached me one day to ask if I would be interested. I’m a theatre person but never put myself as a dancer first so I thought that it might be a challenge, and although it’s quite nerve-wracking I’m super excited.”

Each star in the show is given a different style of dance, and Rachel is excited to be representing the musical theatre style.

Rachel grew up performing, and spoke about the importance of supporting the arts in Newcastle and Port Stephens.

“Theatre is all about coming together, sharing an experience and telling a story.

It’s not about being in a clique or feeling isolated, which I think is why COVID-19 really affected a lot of us performers and workers.

“We weren’t spending around the people we’ve grown up performing with for the first time in years,” Rachel said.

Rachel will be performing around Newcastle in a variety of shows this year including the STARS of Newcastle showcase on 10 March, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical (Metropolitan Players) in August and The Laramie Project (Newcastle Theatre Company) in September.

Best of luck.

For more information about Rachel’s role in the STARS of Newcastle, or to donate, head to
https://stars.cancercouncil.com.au/fundraisers/racheldavies/stars-of-newcastle.

 

By Tara CAMPBELL