ELIZABETH Hall has received consecutive David White Memorial Encouragement Awards from Taree Arts Council.
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It is the first time in the theatre organisation's history the award has been received by the same person twice.
"I didn't think I was going to get it. I was ready to congratulate somebody else and then they said my name," explains Liz.
"I went up to Bruce (Wiseman, president) and asked, 'Is this allowed?'. He said 'yes'."
The presentation took place at the Mary Poppins wrap party, following the highly successful production for which Liz played the title role.
The award is given to a young person in recognition of their 'ongoing dedication to live theatre, enthusiasm and a genuine abundance of talent'.
All of which, Liz has in spades.
She dedicated more than 12 months of her life towards preparing for Mary Poppins, with a long audition process, then three rehearsals a week on top of her own choice to take on extra singing tuition and other activities to ensure she was physically and mentally ready for what the role would demand.
Liz last received the award in 2013 following Taree Arts Council's Cabaret, in which she played a Kit Kat Klub girl and was also the production's co-choreographer.
The following year she spent six months in the United States where she had a part-scholarship to attend the Hybrid Conservatory Course at the TVI Actors Studio in Los Angeles.
Earning the role of Mary Poppins came next and she got straight to work.
Liz said she is honoured to have received the award.
"It is an encouragement award and it also means I have amazing support from Taree Arts Council to go forth to succeed in what I'd like to do," she says.
"I'm thankful for the support and generosity.
"I'm constantly learning and they know it takes more experience and it's going to be expensive.
"They are helping me in my endeavour to keep learning and be better."
The presentation was the second time Liz has met with David White's mother Noelle. "She's just lovely."
At their previous meeting in 2013, Noelle had spoken to Liz about the magic of acting and the important role performers have to ensure their audience is entertained and to help them forget what is going on in their own lives, at least for a few hours.
"I saw her again and I said 'I haven't forgotten that'. Acting is like magic.
"Mary Poppins was all magic, glitter, hat stands and a spoonful of sugar!"
She acknowledges that performing isn't for everyone.
"You obviously need to have some form of raw talent and you've got to have the courage to go for it.
"I haven't been afraid. I have a job to do."
With her sights set firmly on a career in the performing arts, she said often the choice to be an entertainer can be overlooked as a genuine career path.
"I'm constantly being asked, 'What is your plan B?', 'Where do you see yourself going', 'When are you going to settle down', 'When are you going to have children?'.
"When someone turns around and validates what you do and what they see in you... it's lovely."
Her awards take pride of place in her kitchen where she can see them every day.
The David White award is funded by an anonymous donor.
"I just want whoever it is to know that it has gone to a good cause."
Some of the $500 prize will go towards continued tuition, but she will also put some away to fund auditions with NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art), WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts), AIM (Australian Institute of Music) and the Victorian College of the Arts at the end of the year.
"It can be costly.
"I would love to thank the person face-to-face.
"It's the first time I've been recognised for what I want to do for the rest of my life.
"It's lovely that the hard work doesn't go unrecognised."
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