Who is Gretel Scarlett?
Best known as starring as the current Sandy in GFO’s Grease The Musical. A 2008 WAAPA graduate, has also played the roles and understudied in Breast Wishes, the 10th Anniversary tour of Mamma Mia! and the 2010-2012 Australian and Asian productions of Wicked the Musical.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Before auditioning for WAAPA, I was studying Nuclear Medicine at The University of Sydney. I wish I had finished my degree, but I wouldn’t be where I am today if I did. However, working pracs at Hospitals, I saw a lot of life and death situations, and it completely put this all into perspective to be grateful for life, being able to perform, and to be so lucky in this industry.
Who inspires you and why?
Performers like Ann Reinking, Shirley MacLaine, Ruthie Henshall, Bebe Neuwirth, have always been my go to theatre actresses. They are the epitome of true triple threats, and where the word triple threat really originated. The new concept of triple threat doesn’t come close to what these ladies delivered. However, I am truly inspired by intelligent actresses like Toni Collette, who really put Australia on the map and has worked incredibly hard for her successes.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would like to eradicate ‘hate’ in every sense of the word. There is too much dislike for one another in this world. From religion, race, poverty, inequality and war, to the smaller scheme of bullying, comparison, fashion and body image. If I could make a difference, it would be to remove that word from the dictionary and to encourage the world to love and be kind. We all have a place.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
For a beach destination, I love Koh Samui. It’s luxury Thailand. But for a more well rounded experience, I loved my time in San Francisco. The cable cars, the piers, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Union Square. It’s an amazing city with so much culture and tourist spots.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
In Melbourne, it’s all about the coffee and cafes for me! I would take them to the shopping and cafe precincts; to Chapel Street, High Street, St Kilda and Toorak Road.
What are you currently reading?
I’m actually reading the Hunger Games trilogy. I’ve only ever seen the movies, and the books are fantastic so far.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m really loving Echosmith’s Cool Kids at the moment and have their album on pre-order. I cannot wait.
Happiness is?
Love, family, friends, work, downtime, but most importantly, not having to set an alarm for the next day.
What does the future hold for you?
There’s a lot of goals at the moment for the future. I have just released my solo album titled Hopelessly Devoted which is available online through iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify etc and soon to be in store. I want to perform that around Australia, so that’s in talks. November to January 2015, I am continuing starring as Sandy with Grease in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre. There’s a few other things in the pipeline, and more info will be available soon via my instagram/twitter @gretelscarlett and website www.gretelscarlett.com
Gretel Scarlett graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2008 after being awarded the prestigious ‘Leslie Anderson Award’ for the best overall Showcase Performance, The Hal Leonard Award and the 2007 Finley Award. Upon graduation, Gretel was cast in the 2009 Australian Tour of Breast Wishes making her professional debut in the role of Sal.
Gretel was then cast in the 10th Anniversary tour of Mamma Mia! understudying and performing the main juvenile roles of Sophie Sheridan, Ali, and Lisa. After a year on the Greek island, Gretel moved to the land of Oz, playing the Witch’s Mother in the 2010-2012 Australian and Asian productions of Wicked the Musical, as well as understudying and performing the roles of Elphaba and Nessarose.
In 2013, Gretel was cast in the starring role as Sandy (opposite Rob Mills), in GFO’s Grease the Musical; in which she can also be heard on the Australian Cast Recording. She will also be continuing in the principal role of Sandy for the return season of Grease the Musical in December 2014 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.
Gretel can be seen performing the role of Sally in Matthew Lee Robinson’s Happy People in Concert at Chapel Off Chapel – 18 & 19 October 2014. For more information, visit: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au for details.
Image: Gretel Scarlett