From student to star

Paris grew up in a household that is the definition of a cultural melting pot. Her Mauritian father introduced her to rap music – sparking her love for lyrical poetry. Meanwhile, her Russian mother took her to their Russian Orthodox church on Sundays, where she was captivated by the beauty of the choral singing. At school she listened to Destiny’s Child and Jennifer Lopez, danced in a hip-hop troupe at lunchtime and obsessed with her friends over the film High School Musical.

These early influences planted the seed that performing could be something magical. But for a long time it was just a hobby for Paris, she never believed that a career could be made out of acting, singing or dancing.

However, in year 11, Paris played the title role of Mary Poppins in the school musical and her passion for musical theatre was reignited. Recognising the young student’s talent, her teacher encouraged her to apply for the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Youth Ambassador program – something no one from her school had done before. She applied, and two weeks later, she was accepted.

Melbourne Theatre Company’s Youth Ambassador program offers year 11 Drama students a unique insight into the world of professional theatre and the opportunity to share their experience with like-minded peers, free of charge – thanks to philanthropic support. Ambassadors enjoy a broad and extensive range of workshops, Q&As, behind the scenes experiences and theatre excursions, providing a fully rounded understanding of the production process and future career possibilities in the arts.

Paris with her dad.

Paris reflects on the Youth Ambassador program being a transformative experience.

‘Attending every production that year and being immersed in the industry helped me believe that my childhood dreams could be turned into a reality. The program also introduced us to the idea of further study in the arts, which was something I never thought could be possible,’ she said.

‘I had only ever known kids who wanted to be actors but then all of a sudden, I was surrounded by young people passionate about other areas within the arts – lighting, stage management, set design. It made me realise that theatre was more than just acting, it was about teamwork and it took so many people involved to make it happen. Seeing the excitement of my fellow ambassadors as they explored behind the scenes is a memory I will forever cherish.’

The impact of the program carried Paris through year 12 and the challenges of COVID-19. The knowledge bestowed by the program gave her a stronger technical foundation to tackle her final Drama exams.

In the last year of her studies, Paris and her peers took a trip to London to train at Trinity Laban and she secured a ticket to see The Book of Mormon on the West End. The production was a revelation. In that moment, she knew she needed to play the lead female role.

When The Book of Mormon put out a call for performers for their 2025 season, Paris leapt at the opportunity. After multiple intense auditions and callbacks Paris received the news she never believed would be possible: she had landed the lead female role of Nabulungi.

Paris is ready to bring everything she has learned to the stage – her unique flair, her strong cultural identity, the knowledge and skills from her education and her deep passion for storytelling. She is lucky enough to have fellow Mauritian, family friend and Melbourne Theatre Company favourite Bert LaBonté as a mentor – offering Paris valuable advice on how to approach the role, as he starred as Mafala Hatimbi in The Book of Mormon’s first Australian run.

Paris’s dream has become a reality, but this is just the beginning. With the support and guidance she received in her early years, we foresee a long and fruitful career for Paris and a lasting legacy in the arts.

Please donate today to invest in the creatives of tomorrow – you can provide young artists like Paris with the opportunities they need to thrive in the arts and turn their passions into successful careers.