Recently the Newcastle Herald featured a story on St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlestown student Wilhemina “Billie” Umeh-Nicholas. She is making her professional musical theatre debut as Young Nala in the Sydney production of The Lion King. The link to the article, syndicated on the Gloucester Advocate is here.
The article profiles 11-year-old Billie’s journey from beginning dance at three and performing in her first community production with Hunter Drama to securing a role in one of the world’s biggest musicals. Billie and her family temporarily relocated to Sydney in February for the eight-month production, with Billie continuing her schoolwork online while performing at the Capitol Theatre.
Around 80 of Billie’s St Joseph’s Charlestown schoolmates travelled from Newcastle to Sydney to watch her perform in the matinee. Billie described them as “the biggest audience I’ve had just for me”.
The article also explores Billie’s remarkable performing family. Her mother is a former Canadian Olympic gymnast and Cirque du Soleil performer. The family plans to return to the Hunter after The Lion King season, while continuing to support Billie wherever her performing career takes her.
