Spotlight on The McDonald College’s Rising Stars
Published in Print May 2025 order now!
By Danielle Brown
As Annie continues to captivate audiences across Australia, three standout students from The McDonald College—Bianca Papa, Skylah McMah, and Matilda Casey—are making waves with their heartfelt performances. These young talents offer an intimate look into their experiences, aspirations, and the journey that led them to the grand stages of Sydney’s Capitol Theatre and Melbourne’s Princess Theatre.
Matilda Casey: Embracing the Role of Annie with Passion and Dedication
At just 12 years old, Matilda Casey has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the lead role in the beloved musical “Annie.” Sharing the spotlight with three other talented young actresses—Beatrix Alder, Dakota Chanel, and Stephanie McNamara—Matilda’s journey to embodying the iconic character is a testament to her dedication and passion for the performing arts.
Reflecting on the moment she received the news, Matilda recalls, “After the excitement of the audition, the wait to hear if I got the role was nerve-wracking. When the email finally came, my mum kept encouraging me to read it. I did—several times! All I could say was, ‘I got Annie?’ It honestly didn’t feel real at first.” The weight of the role was not lost on her, as she felt “shocked, excited, relieved, incredibly grateful, and a little nervous too, because playing Annie is such a big responsibility!”
Understanding the significance of portraying such an iconic character, Matilda immersed herself in preparation. “Leading up to rehearsals, I made sure to keep my training consistent. Normally, I don’t train as much during the holidays, but this time I kept up with classes to stay fit and keep my vocals strong,” she explains. Her commitment extended beyond physical preparation; she delved into the character by watching various productions and reading extensively. “Of course, I also watched the movie hundreds of times—that was the best part!”
The rehearsal process has been a series of memorable experiences for Matilda. She fondly remembers the first full cast rehearsal: “The energy in the room felt so good. We got to do a read-through with the full cast, who are some real-life musical theatre legends, and it made everything feel even more special.” This collaborative environment has been both inspiring and educational for the young actress.
When asked about her favourite scenes, Matilda finds it challenging to choose just one. However, she highlights performing “Hard Knock Life” alongside the other orphans as a standout moment. “I feel so at home in that scene, almost like I’m back in my dance studio on competition day! It’s such an energetic moment; I love performing it.” Another cherished scene is the Cabinet scene, where Annie meets President Roosevelt, played by Greg Page. “We sing a reprise of ‘Tomorrow.’ It’s such a heartwarming and uplifting part of the show. The whole scene is filled with hope, and I love that feeling.”
The experience of working with seasoned professionals has been invaluable for Matilda. “The cast and crew are incredibly kind and supportive; they all make it a fun place to be. Watching them is one of my favorite things to do,” she shares. She is particularly fascinated by the intricacies of a large-scale production, noting, “It’s fascinating to see everyone’s role and how important everyone’s jobs are in a big production, especially the crew.” The camaraderie among the young cast members adds to the positive atmosphere. “The orphans and the Annies have all become close, and we have so much fun together during breaks. The best part is being able to support each other every step of the way.”
Starting Year 7 at The McDonald College just before rehearsals began presented a unique challenge for Matilda. “It was a lot to take in—new school, new friends, new teachers, figuring out my high school timetable, the train schedule, the ‘Annie’ rehearsal times, and ‘Annie school’ tutoring!” she admits. However, with organisation and support from her teachers and peers, she has managed to balance her academic responsibilities with her demanding rehearsal schedule. “I get so excited for every rehearsal day and love learning and working on the production.”
Matilda speaks highly of her educational environment, emphasising the benefits of integrating performance training with academics. “My favorite thing about studying at The McDonald College is that I get to work on my performance training every day, along with my schoolwork!” The Musical Theatre program allows her to train in singing, dancing, and acting, providing a comprehensive foundation for her burgeoning career.
Matilda’s love for musical theatre and live performances has been evident from a young age. She reminisces about attending various shows, stating, “My first musical was ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ at the Capitol Theatre, and I remember just thinking how beautiful the theatre was!” Her first dance concert at the age of four solidified her desire to perform. “I loved being on stage with my family and friends cheering me on—it felt amazing. That moment really made me want to keep performing!”
Looking ahead, Matilda has her sights set on roles that challenge and inspire her. “This is a hard question to answer, but ‘Matilda’ has to be up there!” she says with enthusiasm.
For those dreaming of gracing the stage, Matilda offers heartfelt advice: “Take every opportunity to learn and grow as a performer. Whether it’s classes, workshops, solo performances, comps—every experience helps you improve. In class, listen to your teachers and mentors! Also, perform whenever you can to build your confidence—it can be scary at first, but that’s how you get better! And most importantly, make sure you enjoy what you’re doing and have fun. Like Annie, dream big, keep pushing, and never give up.”
Bianca Papa: Stepping Into the Spotlight as Duffy
“It felt like a dream… my mum woke me up with my agent on the phone, and I seriously thought I was still dreaming,” says Bianca Papa, reflecting on the moment she found out she’d been cast in Annie the Musical. Her excitement set the tone for what has become a thrilling experience playing Duffy, the oldest orphan in the show.
“The most exciting part is learning to sing and dance at the same time. Especially when I get the broom and do choreography with it,” Bianca shares, highlighting her love of the rehearsal process.
As Duffy, Bianca plays a strong but caring leader among the group of orphans. “She’s tough but has a big heart and really looks out for the little ones,” she explains. “I get to be in scenes like Hard Knock Life and Never Fully Dressed (Reprise), which is such a fun moment where we all sing together. I’m also in Little Girls and a few other numbers that make the show super exciting!”
Among all the moments on stage, one stands out as her favourite. “My favourite part is Hard Knock Life, the dance and when Molly jumps in the basket and we spin her around.”
The cast and crew have made a lasting impression on Bianca. “So inspiring, everyone are so talented and fun. It already feels like one big family, and the energy in rehearsals is amazing. I’m learning so much and loving every moment of it.”
Managing school alongside rehearsals can be tricky, but Bianca is thriving thanks to her school, The McDonald College. “It’s easy because we use a computer software to upload our work and stay in touch, and the teachers answer emails super fast. Plus, teachers are really supportive, and since I’m happy doing what I love, it makes keeping up with school so much easier!”
The college has played a major role in Bianca’s growth as a performer. “My school supports me every step of the way. Whether it’s singing, dancing, acting, or even learning an instrument, everything is there. I can also use a practice room during performing arts time.”
Bianca’s journey began with a transformative early experience. “I think it was my first audition, that was three days long, and making it to the finals was such an amazing experience. That’s when I knew I wanted to keep doing it again and again. Being on stage is the best feeling, I get to put my heart into every performance, and I love the excitement right before I step into the spotlight.”
Looking to the future, she has her dream role already picked out. “If I could play any role in a musical, I’d choose Eliza from Hamilton. Ever since I first saw the show, I’ve wanted to play her. She’s kind and has her own attitude, and I just love how her story plays out. I also think Hamilton wouldn’t be Hamilton without her so it’s actually Eliza’s story. Haha”
To other young performers dreaming of the stage, Bianca offers heartfelt advice: “Keep practicing, be kind, don’t be scared to stand out and always believe in yourself and remember to HAVE FUN. And also to never worry about what others are doing, just be you, be yourself and you’ll be amazing.”
Skylah McMah: Lighting Up the Stage as Kate
“Waiting to find out felt like the longest few weeks, I enjoyed the audition process so much and I really wanted to be a part of the production so I kept everything crossed,” says Skylah McMah, who brings her boundless energy and passion to the role of Kate in Annie the Musical. “When I found out it was early in the morning and we were getting ready for school and mum got a call from my agent Emma saying, ‘Nikki, your daughter’s in Annie’ all I remember is mum screaming with excitement and running over to me putting the phone on speaker. My brother, mum and I were all crying in happiness we were so excited. It was the best feeling in the world, something I’ll never forget.”
For Skylah, the rehearsal room is pure magic. “The most exciting part of rehearsals is getting to be a part of the production coming to life. Watching the incredible creative team—The Director, Choreographer & Musical Director—bring the script and score to life. I am loving being around people that love musical theatre as much as me, and learning from all the adult ensemble every day. I really wish it would never end.”
Playing Kate has brought many special moments for Skylah, especially in the high-energy ensemble numbers. “One of my favourite scenes is Hard Knock Life because all the orphans get to bring their characters to life through singing and dancing. It’s such a high-energy moment, and I love how we all get to work together to make it exciting for the audience. I also love sharing the stage with such amazing talent—getting to work alongside the other orphans has been so much fun. Each orphan has their own backstory and connection to the group, and it’s been really exciting to develop those relationships with my teammates.”
But one scene stands out the most: “It has to be the dead mouse scene that my character Kate gets to be a part of. Scaring Miss Hannigan with a dead mouse. The entire scene is so much fun and I love getting to work alongside Deborah.”
“It’s the best, nothing beats it, being in the room surrounded by such an amazing team is such an honour. The whole team cast and creative team have been so welcoming and supportive.”
Balancing rehearsals with school has been made easier thanks to the flexibility and support of The McDonald College. “We’ve been lucky enough to go to Annie school during rehearsals, which has been amazing! We have tutoring before rehearsals, and it’s been such a fun way to keep up with our schoolwork. My teacher has been so supportive making sure I stay on top of everything while also reminding me to enjoy the experience and live in the moment — so I don’t stress too much!”
That training has paid off. “I think for all of us orphans, the training we’ve had from a young age through our dance studios, our choreographers, Mentors has been so important in preparing us for Annie. Having as much on-stage experience as possible through things like eisteddfods, and local performances has really helped us feel confident and ready.”
Skylah’s passion for performing began early. “I’ve always loved performing because it gives me the chance to entertain an audience and bring stories to life. There’s nothing like the feeling of being on stage—it’s so exciting! I also love being surrounded by my teammates; we support and lift each other up, which makes every performance even more special.”
Her dream role? “I would love the chance to play any lead character in a production, but I would love to play Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, my mum was lucky enough to play her and said it was one of the most magical times in her life, being a part of such an incredible production so I would love the chance to wear the ruby slippers and fly in the sky.”
And for those dreaming of their own stage debut, Skylah offers heartfelt advice: “My advice would be to always follow your dreams. Even if you get knock backs and have bad days, remember that feeling you get when you’re up on stage, or get cast in a role. Keep training hard and keep practicing and also having a great time doing what you love.”