YOUNG performer Chloe Taylor aims to one day have her name in lights on Broadway.
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Ms Taylor plans to be in the United States within 18 months to use a part-scholarship she has secured with New York Film Academy's musical theatre program.
The Loreto student has returned to her classes this year with extra motivation and confidence after a big taste of showbiz in Los Angeles.
Ms Taylor had workshops in singing, acting, modelling and earned the chance to present in a showcase performances in ARTS International rising talent program, which aims to help performers navigate the entertainment industry in the United States.
Before going to LA, I was not sure if I wanted to do this for a career but now I have a big hunger to do this.
"I came back with confidence to pursue this after school...I would really like to pursue Broadway," Ms Taylor said.
Ms Taylor said her stomach dropped when she first received the call-up to the intense week-long experience - her brother had read straight to the part the family was invited to the US and started cheering.
The audition process started with a scout visiting Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts. The scout was also looking for student with an original look for the industry.
Ozlink Talent Agency offered about 25 places to performers in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Loreto's Bella Leech was also in the mix.
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Ms Taylor received 15 call-backs and placed top-five in dance, monologue, theme runway and top-10 in singing. It was modelling a creative dress made by Loreto student Grace Todd that helped Ms Taylor earn a life-time scholarship to ARTS International.
"The main thing I learnt was staying true to yourself is really important," Ms Taylor said. "It's about embracing the journey, not the end prize, but what you're going through to get there."
In a competitive world of agents, casting agents and performer managers, Ms Taylor said the vibe of the rising talent showcase was amazing. Participants and audience members would clap and encourage every performer. Ms Taylor said performers were supporting each other to do well.
After absorbing as much as she could from the experience, Ms Taylor could hardly wait to get back involved in the school choir, school productions, debating and Royal South Street Society festival.
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