GAWLER & District College’s Anastasia Harrald has sung her heart out to win a position in the 2021 Adelaide Festival Centre Class of Cabaret.

The experience will see the 17-year-old, year 11 student, receive vocal tuition, expert guidance from an experienced accompanist, and mentorship in the art of cabaret performance.

The program is SACE-accredited and will culminate in performances during the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, under artistic director Alan Cumming.

Anastasia said she is looking forward to learning more about something she loves, and broadening her opportunities post-school.

“I have wanted to do acting since I was quite little, so theatre is something I’ve always strived towards,” she said.

“I’ve always loved storytelling and love acting and performing.

Meeting Scottish entertainment legend Alan Cumming will also be a highlight.

“He is an amazing actor and I’d really love to learn a lot from him if I possibly can,” Anastasia said.

“That would be brilliant. I’m still quite shocked about it and I’m very very excited.”

To win the position, Anastasia’s teachers encouraged her to submit a video of her performing, before she was invited to perform in person in front of a panel at the Festival Centre.

Her two song choices were ‘I'm Breaking Down’ from the musical Falsettos, and ‘Show Stoppin Number’ from The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals.

“Those two songs were opposing in themes, so I was able to showcase different aspects of my singing, and both songs mean a lot to me personally,” Anastasia said.

“Luckily the character I play is quite nervous in the song, so I could reflect that quite well.

“But I think the performance was less nerve wracking when I actually started singing the songs as well, because I really do enjoy performing; it’s something I love doing and it’s so much fun.”

Anastasia is currently involved in local theatre and has aspirations of applying to the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney in 2022.