Mandurah Dancer Catrin Lewis to Make Professional Debut in Phantom of the Opera
Mandurah local Catrin Lewis is poised to make her professional stage debut in a spectacular production of Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour. The 20-year-old dancer, who was born in Wales and raised in Mandurah, has been cast in the ballet ensemble for Handa Opera's upcoming season of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic.
From Perth Training to Sydney Stage
Lewis began her dance journey at the tender age of four, honing her skills in Perth at Vanguard Performing Arts and later at MatrixPro Academy, where she trained full-time. At 17, she made the bold move to Sydney to complete her training at Village Nation Performing Arts. Reflecting on her Perth upbringing, Lewis described it as the perfect foundation for her career leap.
"I was very excited to leave Mandurah," she said. "Being so small, I was excited to venture into a new city with more opportunity and more people who love the things I do. It really helped me get my skill level up, but it was my move to Sydney that put everything in place."
Audition Success and Family Celebration
Lewis auditioned for the role in Phantom of the Opera last September and received the thrilling news of her selection in November, coinciding with a visit from her parents. "I was lucky enough that my parents were in Sydney with me; I found out only hours before they flew home," she shared. "It was the best feeling. And even better that we all got to find out together."
Anticipation for the Outdoor Spectacle
With rehearsals set to begin in the coming weeks, Lewis is eagerly anticipating her first professional experience. She expressed excitement about collaborating with the cast and performing on the unique outdoor stage at Sydney Harbour. "I'm really excited to get to know the cast. There's some really incredible people involved in the show that I can't wait to work alongside," she said.
"Also getting to work on a stage that's not just a standard theatre but a massive, outdoor stage. The fact that I get to dance under the stars at Sydney Harbour every night is going to be incredible. I'm so excited for the whole experience."
The production will run from March 27 to May 3, offering audiences a breathtaking open-air rendition of the beloved musical. Lewis's journey from Mandurah to the Sydney stage highlights the dedication and talent emerging from regional Australia, promising a memorable debut in one of the world's most iconic theatrical works.
