BATEMANS Bay’s Kirby Burgess has landed the lead role in the stage production of Dirty Dancing, another feather in the cap for the theatrical nursery she was raised in.
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The Bay Theatre Players’ graduate will play Frances “Baby” Houseman in the musical Dirty Dancing, which opens in Sydney on November 28.
Meanwhile, fellow graduate, her sister Ashley, has been playing a second lead role in Strictly Ballroom and is about to go on tour.
Their success, and that of Anzac Girls star Brandon McClelland, shows just what a punch community theatre can carry.
Bay Players has proved to be not only a local theatre but also a training ground for rising stars.
Ashley, 28, and Kirby, 26, are the children of Matt and Candy Burgess, who respectively starred in and directed the recent sell-out production of Annie.
A proud Candy was lost for words at the news of her daughters’ success.
“It’s beyond words,” Candy said.
“It’s outstanding to make it in such a difficult industry.
“There is a huge amount of talent in Australia and just to crack into it and get work is amazing, let alone get a lead role.”
The young women have been living and breathing theatre since they were young.
They first appeared on stage as a fairy and a mouse in Bay Players’ Cinderella.
“Kirby was two and Ashley was four when they performed in their first play,” Candy said.
Until they left the Bay after completing their HSC, the only training Kirby and Ashley had was with the Bay Players.
“They grew up watching us (mum and dad) on stage and they were dancing from a young age,” Candy said.
“Both girls had local singing and dancing teachers until they left.”
Candy said that being from a small country town made her daughters appreciate everything so much more.
“The opportunities aren’t just on your doorstep,” she said.
“To get any work or experience out of the Bay, we had to do a lot of driving and short courses.
“When they left they were appreciative of everything that came their way.”
Candy said theatre was more than fun; it gave confidence and life skills.
“I am passionate about allowing young people to be able to experience theatre, not necessarily to make a life from it, but to learn the life skills it gives you,” she said.
“It gives children so much confidence.”
Although she has a passion for acting, Candy does not believe her daughters got it from her.
“I think it was a combination of being involved in theatre and being immersed in the kind of thing that created the interest,” she said.
“But they had the talent and the love for it.”
Even though Kirby knew she wanted to be a theatre professional from the age of six, the same cannot be said for older sister Ashley.
Ashley attended Brent Street Performing Arts School for a year and then studied for four years at university to qualify as a drama and dance teacher.
Then she realised she was made for the stage and not the classroom and auditioned for Legally Blonde.
Kirby attended Sydney’s Urban Dance Centre, where she signed with an agent and got a role in High School Musical at the age of 19.
Candy said neither have looked back.
“They love it,” she said.
A self-confessed “groupie”, Candy attends their shows more than once.
“I love seeing the show progress and watching them settle into their roles,” she said.
“If they tour, I go to all the different states because, when you see them in different theatres and spaces, it makes the show different again.
“I never get bored.”
Candy said she was proud to see them give it a go, regardless of the outcome.
