PERFORMING PASSION:
2012 Richard Morris Scholarship recipient Grace O’donnell-clancy is excited to return to her roots and perform at the RM Showcase at Horsham Town Hall on Saturday. The Horsham singer, whose most recent role was as a cruise ship singer for company Royal Caribbean International, said she was looking forward to being part of the 2019 performing arts event alongside fellow Horsham export Alex Rathgeber. “It’s a very special event for me. I can’t wait,” she said. “It will be great to see Alex perform as well. He’s really set the benchmark.”
Wimmera performing artists will have a chance to develop their talents under an expanded scholarship program.
The RM Showcase, previously the Richard Morris Memorial Concert, celebrates Wimmera talent in a two-hour display of performances from the past year.
From musicals and dance concerts to the Wimmera Eisteddfod, the Horsham Town Hall theatre showcase, starting at 7.30pm on Saturday, focuses on encouraging people’s performing arts passions, particularly through its Richard Morris Memorial Scholarship.
This year’s event will also be the launching pad of a second scholarship: The Alex Rathgeber Performing Artist Scholarship.
Horsham born and raised, Rathgeber started performing in Horsham productions and has gone on to enjoy an award-winning international career.
Event spokeswoman Jan Morris said it was exciting to see the scholarship program grow this year.
“We are pretty excited. Alex is out there, he’s a professional, and for him to be performing on the night and presenting his scholarship is amazing,” she said.
“We have a healthy number of people who have applied for both scholarships, and we always have very healthy performance numbers, especially with the growth of theatre and performing arts in Horsham.
“Grace O’donnell-clancy will also be home and will be at the event to perform. Both she and Alex have a very good name, so I think the few tickets left will be quickly sold out.”
Mrs Morris said the $2000 Richard Morris Memorial Scholarship was awarded to passionate individuals in any area of performing arts, with previous recipients including singers, dancers, costume designers and theatre technicians.
She said the newly introduced Alex Rathgeber Scholarship, $1000, focused more on rewarding a performer’s professionalism on stage.
She said Mr Rathgeber would judge entrants and award a winning individual who demonstrated ‘unique promise’ as an artist.
Mr Rathgeber said he wanted to acknowledge a dedicated Horsham and Wimmera performing arts community that fostered young people’s development in theatre, music and arts through his scholarship. “Horsham will always be home to me,” he said.
“I’m so thankful for the guidance and encouragement I received from so many incredible people when I was young.
“It’s such a special community, and there’s no way I’d have done any of what I’ve been lucky enough to do without all those early opportunities.
“I hope this scholarship helps more Wimmera performers to develop and share their skills and passion.”
People can buy tickets to the showcase online at www. horshamtownhall.com.au.