The odds of two friends from Port Stephens being accepted from hundreds of international applicants into the prestigious American Dramatic and Musical Academy (AMDA) in the heart of New York City's Arts precinct in Manhattan would be astronomical.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Yet that is exactly what 17-year-olds Bayley Elliott, from Soldiers Point, and Isabella "Bella" Mcgavin, from Wallalong, were able to achieve when they were two of four Australians to be chosen into the faculty.
In addition to being accepted into the academy, the girls were also awarded four-year scholarships which will see them leave for the US in 2020.
"I was totally shocked ... I just couldn't believe it at first," said Bailey on receiving the news. "I only decided to go for the auditions to get some experience, I wasn't expecting to be selected.
"But this is my dream, this is what I have been working towards for the past two years."
For Bella, winning a scholarship to the USA was everything she ever wanted.
"This is a dream come true, but it has come sooner than I ever anticipated. This is whole new chapter in my life ... acting, singing and dancing is all I've ever wanted to do," she said.
The girls have developed a close friendship since becoming music and drama classmates at Hunter Valley Grammar four years ago, and attended the AMDA auditions together a fortnight ago at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney.
AMDA is a difficult facility to get into, with an acceptance rate of just 21.9 per cent.
The academy scours the world, holding auditions in more than 40 other countries, of which just 120 international students are accepted at campuses in New York and Los Angeles.
Famous graduates include multi-platinum recording artist Jason Derulo, singer Jason Mraz, actress and Broadway star Tyne Daly - most famous for playing Lacey in Cagney and Lacey, and winner of six Emmys and one Tony Award.
At her audition Bayley performed a monologue from Streetcar Named Desire, and sang Funny Honey from Chicago.
Bella also performed a monologue, and sang Here's Where I Stand, from the musical comedy Camp.
Bayley started as a dancer with Nelson Bay-based Robyn Yvette dance academy, and studies HAC music and drama at Hunter Valley Grammar.
Most recently she landed the lead role of Agent 99 in the stage production of Get Smart, and she has also played the roles of Mulan, and Marty Marashino in Grease.
As a dancer, she toured the USA with the Robyn Yvette studio in 2017, performing at theatres in Branson, Missouri, at Disney in Florida, Universal Studios, and on board a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas.
Bella is a working singer/guitarist and travels the state performing at gigs and private functions. She is an extraordinary vocalist with her own feature-page on the Triple J Unearthed website.
She recently played Sandy in the production of Grease.
