ON SONG

Q&A

“I’d only ever really sung to myself and never in front of anyone else.”

Lauren Finger

Lauren Finger (RGS 2014)

Why let yourself follow only one passion in life? Lauren Finger (RGS 2014), also now known as Lauren Shae in the music business, released her debut single “Strawberry Sunset” on 14 May. It is just one of the many hats the Taroom district property owner enjoys wearing.

CQ: You have just turned 24 years of age, how does it feel being a recording artist?

LF: “I keep thinking that’s not me. It’s still a nice feeling knowing that other people like listening to your music.”

CQ: How did this opportunity come about?

LF: “I was new in the Taroom district and invited some people over for dinner one night. I was making pizza in the kitchen and just singing away. I didn’t realise they could hear me outside through the window. I was so embarrassed, but they said to keep going. After that I would just post a few songs on social media. A friend of mine heard one of my songs and got one of his friends, who is a music producer in Nashville, to listen to the song. It just went from there.”

CQ: Did anyone know you could sing?

LF: “My family didn’t even know I was doing this. Mum knew I could sing but no one else in the family did. I’d only ever really sung to myself and never in front of anyone else. The debut single attracted 700 streams on its first day released. This means the world that I have the opportunity to make music.”

CQ: Recording a song isn’t your main business interest?

LF: “In 2019 I purchased my own cattle property in the Taroom district and I’m now running 1200 head of Droughtmaster. I also have my own Droughtmaster stud, “La Shae Droughtmasters”. I wanted to be a vet after school but didn’t get the grades so I worked as a vet nurse in Moranbah for two years and then returned home to the family property near Dysart. It was different moving away from the Dysart district when the family sold the property, but this (my own property) was always something I wanted to do. I always had breeders when I was a little kid.”

CQ: You were one of five siblings growing up on “Meadowbrook”, how different has it been running your own place?

LF: “Not knowing many people from around the district was hard and having to figure out things for myself. Previously I was always around my parents and siblings who I could ask for help. I’ve had to figure out how this property works. I still love the freedom and the peace of living on the land.”

CQ: Do you have spare time for anything else?

LF: “I also do a bit of modelling for Roma business Dusty Creek. I’ve done a bit of modelling previously but that’s all just a bit of fun.”

Follow Lauren’s music journey at www.facebook.com/lauren.shaemusic/

MEET THE CAST

The RGS Secondary School musical hits the Pilbeam Theatre stage from 20 – 22 August. Here is a look behind-the-scenes at some of the production’s lead characters.

“To me, musicals are a place where I can escape and be in my true element”

Benedict Wright Nick Smith (Don Lockwood) welcomes the opportunity to sing and dance himself into a different world.

“My name’s Nick Smith (Year 12) and I play Don Lockwood. Don is a famous music star, Hollywood actor, and he realises his movies are no longer a success since talking pictures are becoming popular. His pals, Cosmo Brown and Kathy Selden, decide they are going to do a musical movie and it’s a blast. Don is very laid back, very cool, your typical Hollywood star. Cruisy, suave but a bit of a cheeky side when he gets his tap shoes on. It’s fun to research the old classic tap movies to get the style. RGS is my third musical. It’s an escape from the real world, just for a little bit. You get to do something you wouldn’t usually do on the streets and pretend it is something you would do on the street. You wouldn’t see a crazy person singing and tap dancing with a live band everywhere you go. It’s pretty cool.”

Much like her character, Peyton Cordell (Kathy Selden) is breaking new ground entering the world of musical theatre.

“I’m Peyton Cordell (Year 12) and I play Kathy Selden. Kathy is the dancer, an unknown character, and is a romantic interest to Don. She’s all about the dancing and performing on stage, which is exactly like me. This is basically my first musical. I come from a dancing background. I’m trying to bring my talents into a different light. It’s a bit stressful but I still love it. Everyone is welcoming and everyone is a family. Being involved in a musical, you get to see the stage from a different perspective, instead of just watching the show.”

Comedic roles and Benedict Wright (Cosmo Brown) go hand-in-hand when it comes to musical theatre. Charlotte Hart embodies the energy that her character (Lina Lamont) captures in the world of entertainment.

“Hi, my name is Benedict Wright (Year 11) and I’m playing Cosmo Brown, the best friend of Don Lockwood. Cosmo is very bubbly, an extrovert, and always wants to be involved with the people even though he is sometimes overshadowed by Don. He just wants to be known equally with Don. I’ve been fortunate to receive a lead role in all five musicals at RGS Secondary School. Comedic roles seem to be a recurrence. To me, musicals are a place where I can escape and be in my true element, and not really worry about anyone who judges me. In musicals everyone has different skill levels and has started at different times with acting, singing, dancing. We all have different attributes and something we all need to work on. RGS musicals are so inclusive of everyone. I’m so grateful for everyone who has joined and come along on the ride, even if it’s for a short time, which is so important for the culture of RGS.” “I’m Charlotte Hart (Year 12) and I play Lina Lamont. Lina is starlet and the star of the Lockwood and Lamont pictures. She’s desperately in love with Don (Lockwood) and absolutely hates Kathy (Selden) for coming in and trying to steal her role away. She is loud, she is boisterous, and she is fantastic. I have performed in school musicals since I arrived at RGS in Year 8. I love the environment that’s created (at musicals). We all come together and bond over something we, as a team, have created. Production week is always amazing because you just get that thrill and that exhilaration when you get on stage and the adrenalin kicks in. You get to show everyone how hard you’ve worked.”

The Rockhampton Grammar School presents

The Rockhampton Grammar School presents SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN 20 – 22 August at the Pilbeam Theatre Tickets available at www.seeitlive.com.au