Blue Lake city born performer Halle Anderson has clawed out the competition to earn the role of Victoria in the musical ‘Cats’ at the prestigious National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Queensland.

Anderson, 17, had only been at NAPA for four weeks pursuing her passion for performing arts before she secured the lead dancer position.

During her time in Mount Gambier she was coached by Linda Ellis Singing and her daughter’s company Lucy Ellis Dance Coaching.

Linda Ellis said in Anderson’s first week after moving to the Gold Coast she prepared an audition and a call back.

“She worked so hard and did everything she could to leave nothing on the table,” she said.

“I loved how she threw everything she had at it.

“Halle will be a fabulous Victoria.”

Anderson said she had to prepare several auditions to earn the role.

“I moved up here and the National Academy of Performing Arts was having auditions, they do a musical every year,” she said.

“So, the first week we had an audition where we had to prepare a song and we also attended a dance workshop.

“Then from there I got a call back for the specific role of Victoria where they sort of wanted to see me perform as her and see if I was capable to suit the role.

“I did another dance for them and it was after that I found out I got the role.”

For her second performance, Anderson executed a dance to the opening song of the Cats musical ‘The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball’.

Anderson said it was “super exciting” to get her desired role in the production.

“I was very happy and I’m glad that I could have that opportunity from moving up here so soon to get into that straight away,” she said.

“It is going to be a big year, there’s lots to learn but it’ll be a really good experience so I’m excited to have that.

“This is my first proper musical.”

Miss Anderson said she felt like she connected to the character of Victoria.

“She’s a very elegant and classy cat,” she said.

“I was really excited.

“I have always wanted to play that role in the musical, so I was very lucky that’s the first one I get to do.

“I feel like it does suit me the way that her character is portrayed and when I’m dancing it sort of feels just feels right, like it works.”

Anderson said she enjoyed both singing and dancing.

“I have danced my whole life,” she said.

“I think I started when I was about three, so I have been dancing for probably around 13 years now.

“I just started out with dancing but then I really found a love for performing for an audience and entertaining an audience.

“That sort of brought me into the musical theatre world where I had the opportunity to play a character and then that was when singing and acting came into play with it all.

“Pursuing musical theatre has always been my goal in life.”

Miss Anderson said the Mount Gambier community had shown her a lot of hometown support.

“I have a great support system back home with my friends and especially my family,” she said.

“I’m very lucky to have them, so that’s made the transition easier.

‘“They were very excited. I think that definitely my mum, my nan and my sister will come and watch.”

The show will take place during July at the National Academy of Performing Arts over the course of at least a week.