Jenny AluningThere are some who are blessed with natural talent and that is exactly the case with Dana Musil, StarCentral Magazine’s Unsigned Female Artist of the Month for July 2013. She may only be 19 with just a few short years’ experience in the spotlight of the theatrical stage, but she has already garnered the attention and acclaim of critics as well as her peers.
Dana’s first foray onto the stage was way back in kindergarten where “…I played Mother Duck in the Five Little Ducks Nursery Rhyme at the end of year show. I still have a video of that performance and I can’t help myself from laughing every time I see it.” Few would have thought that those humble beginnings would launch a career. This multi-talented young woman, described as a ‘Triple Threat’ (“…I love to sing, act and dance! So musical theatre is a wonderful place for me to be…”), recently finished an internship with the Harvest Rain Theatre Company. Her time there has cemented her passion for the art form and her talent was immediately recognized. She was cast in numerous of the company’s productions including ‘Grease’, ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘The Neverending Story’, ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Bye Bye Birdie’. Most notably, she won the lead role of Dorothy Gale in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ which was performed at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre – “…It was such a dream and I am so grateful for the experience. I never would have thought one year out of high school I would play such an iconic role in such a large scale production…” Dana was a hit and the show itself enjoyed a successful run.
To this young woman, the thrill of her chosen profession goes beyond the opportunity to don a character and work with a talented cast and crew, the chance to reach an audience also fuels her ambition. “…I find it so special that in performing you create and give a unique experience for each and every person in the audience. That inspires me to keep doing what I do and I couldn’t imagine it any other way…”
Poised on the edge of further success – “…my friend and I have written a Cabaret together, and I am super excited that it will be playing later this year in Brisbane…”, as well as a turn in ‘The Boy From Oz’ – Dana knows that she wouldn’t have reached this point without the support and inspiration of her singing teacher, Susanna O’Leary (“…she is a friend, a mentor and has given me the courage to keep going even when it feels too tough…”), and that of her family, “…especially my mum! She is always the one I go to for advice and always knows what to say…I love her and all my family and know that they will support me in my career because it’s what I love to do…”
With her amazing talent and drive, Australian musical theatre certainly has a new star to watch for in Dana Musil.
‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:
1. Last good movie I’ve seen: The Great Gatsby.
2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Friends, Family and every single person you meet in life because no matter what, they will influence you and your decisions in life. That’s pretty cool! Also, I just love this quote! “Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave” – Mary Tyler Moore
3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? Travelled to New York. Also, I would love to record an album.
4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…”
Swim with sharks, random I know! 🙂
5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself?
I am what I am; we are all individuals, that’s what makes life interesting!
Photos by: Amelia at AJD Photography
Harvest Rain Theatre Company’s ‘Wizard of Oz’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75oWUBzBqJg
StarNow profile: www.starnow.com.au/danamusil
Official website: http://danamusil.wix.com/danamusilperformer
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DanaMusilPerformer
Jenny Aluning
Jason Harris
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