Grace McDonald

Originally from Rockhampton, Queensland, I’ve had a passion for performing since I was very little. Singing, acting and dancing, I took every opportunity to perform around my little town growing up. However, instead of taking the traditional route with competition dance, I chose to compete in baton twirling as a young girl. While I had a major obsession with musical theatre, baton twirling took over my teen years. I became a National Champion for three years in a row and was selected to represent Australia overseas at the WBTF International Cup three times, placing 10th in the Junior Solo Division in 2015. Baton twirling gave me skills that I took into my professional career and training, giving me the discipline, resilience and determination I still embody to this day. After graduating with my Advanced Diploma of Musical Theatre & Commercial Dance in Brisbane in 2018, I moved to Sydney “with a suitcase and a dream” to pursue a career in anything I could perform in. After quite a successful first year performing in cabarets and teaching ballet, Covid then hit, reshaping my career and the industry. I took up a “muggle” job as Cabin Crew with QantasLink to help support my career, while building on other skills and experiences I never would have had otherwise and continuing to invest in my training through all kinds of classes and courses, including AMAW, Dream Show | Business, the AFTRS TV & Radio Presenting Course and Querencia. As a company member, I’m respectful, kind, hardworking and reliable. I love being part of a team, I bring energy and enthusiasm into the room and I’m always keen to learn, take on a challenge and throw myself into whatever is in front of me. I continue to train regularly across a range of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, commercial, contemporary and heels, and am currently developing my pointe work. I’m also continually developing my vocal technique and currently training in Melocchi, alongside my ongoing acting and screen training. Most importantly, I genuinely love performing and am always looking for the next opportunity to do what I love.

• @graceamcdonald
• @graceamcdonald