At just 14 years old, Cannington’s Emily Sweeney is about to take the biggest leap of her young performing arts career—and it all started with a Facebook post.
Three years ago, Emily was a nervous first-timer auditioning for a local production of The Wizard of Oz. She landed an ensemble role, caught the performance bug, and has been chasing the spotlight ever since. Now, she’s been selected for the Aussie All-Stars, a group of elite young performers chosen to represent Australia at the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) in Atlanta, USA—and she’s the youngest from Perth to make the cut.
Only five performers from Perth were selected this year. Emily is the only one under 17, a fact she holds with pride. “I still can’t believe it,” she says. “This is my first time ever leaving Australia—and I’ll be performing in New York, Hollywood, and even Disneyland!”
The road to Atlanta wasn’t easy. Emily had to audition during the JTF Australia in Sydney while performing in Legally Blonde Jr. With hundreds of hopefuls from across the country, the competition was intense. Her audition involved singing and choreography on the spot—but she embraced the challenge with the same passion she’s shown in every production since that first leap in 2021.
“I didn’t think I got in,” Emily admits. “Weeks went by and I hadn’t heard anything. Then one night after rehearsal, my dad gave me the news. I just cried; I was overwhelmed with joy.”
Since discovering theatre, Emily has performed in 13 Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., and Frozen Jr., and will soon appear in the WA premiere of Dot and the Kangaroo Jr. Her weekends are spent at the Perth Academy of Performing Arts and Breakthrough Studios in Byford, where she trains with vocal coach Nicole George. It’s a full schedule for a teen juggling rehearsal, school, and now, fundraising.
The opportunity to perform in America comes with a hefty price tag: $12,000. To help cover the cost, Emily has launched a GoFundMe campaign and is also creating and selling custom-designed hairbrushes. Every dollar goes toward flights, accommodation, food, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences awaiting her across the U.S.
“This means everything to me,” she says. “I’ll be surrounded by performers from all over America, learning from Broadway professionals. It’s a dream come true, and maybe even the start of something big.”
Her parents, Louise and Noel Sweeney, say the experience has already transformed their daughter. “She’s grown so much; she’s more confident, determined, and expressive,” says Louise. “Performing has brought out the best in her.”
But it hasn’t come without challenges. Balancing school, rehearsals, and fundraising has stretched the family, especially as they work to raise the necessary funds in time. “It’s been emotional,” they admit. “But the support from our community has kept us going.”
Nicole George, Emily’s singing coach, has watched her blossom as a vocalist and performer.
“Emily is a dedicated performer who is always willing to try a new role. She has an incredible voice, powerfully belting difficult repertoire with ease. I know she will go far,” she says.
On supporting young talent, Nicole adds, “Many young performers are told it’s too hard, there’s no future in performing arts, you’ll never make enough money and a slew of other negative and unhelpful messages. It’s simply not true. The performing arts industry is a vibrant industry with so many employment opportunities, and you can make a living working in the field you love.”
Emily’s theatre mentors, Ian Toyne and Imogen Blackwell of Perth Academy of Performing Arts, say her success is no accident. “Emily is fearless. She works incredibly hard and brings intelligence and dedication to every role. She truly deserves this opportunity.”
For Emily, the goal is bigger than a stage or a spotlight. “This is about representing Australia, connecting with other young performers, and showing what’s possible when you follow your passion,” she says. “I’m so grateful to everyone who’s helped me get this far.”
As she prepares to head to the U.S., Emily hopes her story will inspire others, and maybe even earn a few more supporters. “If you believe in young people chasing big dreams, I’d be so thankful for your support. Every share, every donation brings me closer to Broadway.”
Emily’s GoFundMe (Fundraiser for Louise Sweeney by Emily Sweeney : Help Emily Represent Australia In JTF America) is now live, and with her talent, determination, and a little help from her community, the stage is set for something extraordinary.
