2013 Rob Guest Endowment Finalists Revealed

Currently in its fifth year running, The ANZ Trustees Foundation: Rob Guest Endowment is excited to announce the finalists for 2013, are Euan Doidge, Rob Mallett, Edward Grey, Angelique Cassimatis, Elisa Colla and Samantha- Leigh Dodemaide.

After a gruelling audition process, these six finalists will be lucky enough to perform at the Rob Guest Endowment Gala Concert, presented by ANZ Privateon November 25 at the Lyric Theatre.

"Through our audition process and in the good faith of the endowment itself we auditioned the best of the best! We covered Australian performers working here and abroad. We tested their triple threat ability, singing, dancing, and their ability to tell a story. Over two rounds we managed wean it down to six incredible, young performers! Who knows, one of the six performers, with the assistance of the endowment itself, will hopefully reach the heights of success that Rob Guest did himself. Possibly even beyond. It is an honour and a privilege to be involved, said Judge Jason Coleman.

The ANZ Trustees Foundation: Rob Guest Endowment has established itself over the past five years as a wonderful scholarship for young artists to develop as performers through experience, travel and tuition. A competitive selection process culminates in a highly anticipated annual showcase, the Rob Guest Endowment Gala Concert presented by ANZ Private, which showcases both Australia's finest upcoming talent and stellar performances from established stars of musical theatre.

"If the talent on offer for this year's Rob Guest Endowment Gala Concert is anything to go by, Music Theatre in Australia has a very exciting future. And the six finalists ooze talent from every pore. It'll be a very exciting Finals concert," said judge, Stuart Maunder.

The Six finalists for the 2013 Rob Guest Endowment are:

Rob Mallet
A recent graduate from Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Rob Malletis a true 'triple threat' with a long history of performing, starting at age six as an Irish dancer. Whilst at WAAPA, Rob played major roles in a number of their productions including: Violet's Father in Violet; Danny in Xanadu; Mr Biggley in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; and Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods.

Edward Grey
Also a fellow graduate from WAAPA, Edward Grey, is renowned as a very experienced performer in the industry. Previous theatre credits include Legally Blonde The Musical, Lisa (on and E) and John and Jen. Edward has been cast as Georg in Spring Awakening (Sydney Theatre Company) along with playing Luke in the Australian Musical Prodigal by Mathew Frank and Dean Bryant. Most recently, Edward has been cast as Boq in WICKED Australia.

Euan Doidge
Originally from South Australia, Euan Doidge landed his first major role, Paul San Marco, in the Australian Production of A Chorus Line, for which he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at the 2012 Helpmann Awards. His recent professional stage credits include The Production Company's Anything Goes and The Producers, the Australian Production of Legally Blonde, and is now currently performing in GREASE The Musical.

Elisa Colla
Graduating from the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) in 2009, Elisa Colla made her professional debut as Nessarose in the Sydney season of Wicked in 2010. Following the successful Australian Tour with Wicked in 2011, Elisa went on to perform her role of Nessarose to international audiences in Singapore and Seoul in 2012. Most recently she can be seen as 'Coffee Girl' in the winning eHarmony commercial campaign, 'What is Compatibility?' and will soon appear in the up-coming short film 'PENELOPE' in the title role.

Angelique Cassimatis
Graduating from the Australian Dance Performance Institute in 2005, Angelique Cassimatismade her musical theatre debut as "Pepper" in the hit musical Annie. She has since gone on to perform in shows throughout Asia, the Philippines, and as a Singer/ Dancer on board The Pacific Princess. Angelique has also starred in High School Musical (understudy to Kelsi),Mary Poppins touring Australia & New Zealand and is currently performing (and understudy to Ann) in the world premiere of King Kong The Musical.

Samantha-Leigh Dodemaide
After spending four years studying at Patrick Studios Australia, Samantha-Leigh Dodemaidewas ready to make her dreams a reality. Since then Sam has appeared in Wicked (USJ), Anything Goes (TPC), The Producers (TPC), and A Chorus Line (TML) in which she understudied and performed the role of Cassie, as well as understudying the roles of Shelia, Diana, Maggie and Judy. Sam has most recently finished performing alongside some of the world's finest actors in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (GFO). Most recently, Sam was involved In the world premiere of King Kong The Musical.

This year, The Rob Guest Endowment takes great pleasure in announcing a new award sponsored by Showbiz International. Showbiz International is the leading premium ticket packaging provider in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, renowned for its market leading position as official packages and hospitality partner for major theatre productions, concerts and live events.

The Showbiz International Future Prospect Award of $1500 is bestowed upon a semifinalist who didn't make the finals but is of sufficient interest to the judges

The winner of the Showbiz International Future Prospect award for 2013 has been presented to:

Ben Bennett
Ben has studied at NIDA's Young Actors Studio throughout 2011 and Screen Acting in 2013, since he has appeared in 13 The Musical, Godspell, Hotel Sorrento, A Vampire Story and Romeo & Juliet. As a diverse performer Ben has also appeared on Pyramid TV show, became a top five Finalist in the Neighbours remix search, a TVC and a lead role in the short film Regret by Marine Productions and in 2012 Ben made it into Delta Goodrem's top 6 on The Voice. Ben will be playing the lead role in The Star-Child Musical at the Genesian Theatre, Sydney in November and December.