by Lorna Gordon

At just 24, Austin Ulrich has already started to make a name for himself as a performer in an industry known for its intensity, unpredictability and fierce competition. Growing up in Rouse Hill, Austin’ s journey into dance and performing began almost by accident. He was a keen swimmer at eight years old, but when his mum who noticed him dancing around the house she suggested he give it a try.

From that moment, something clicked and he never looked back. Austin told me that his love for dance happened almost as soon as he started taking lessons. He quickly realised the stage was where he belonged, what began as a fun activity soon became something more serious with practice become as important as school.

“ I just kept pushing and refining myself. It’ s such a competitive industry, with a lot of ups and downs, but you have to stay in your own lane and go full force.”

After completing his HSC, Austin made the decision to pursue dance as a career. He auditioned for Brent Street and was awarded a scholarship to train full-time. It was a dream come true.

“ It was one of the best years

of my life. I loved the structure, dancing all day, and the connections I made.”

Training during COVID brought its own challenges with periods of learning from home, but Austin didn’ t care, even when singing and dancing in the family kitchen gave the rest of his family something to tease him about.

Like many performers, his early career came with setbacks. After initially securing an agent, he found himself without representation during the pandemic, working retail jobs while trying to stay afloat, but persistence paid off. Reaching out again led to a year’ s contract with Royal Caribbean, his first job as a performer.

“ It was the first time I was financially stable doing what I love,” he says.“ It was hard work, but I learned so much about discipline and work ethic.”

Returning home, Austin had to re-establishing himself in a fast-moving industry. Determined to focus on theatre and live performance, he threw himself back into auditions. That determination led to a breakthrough moment with Gatsby at The Green Light.

He landed the role in the Brisbane production, but the real test came later when he was called

in at the last moment to replace one of the Sydney performers who had injured himself. Austin had just landed back in Australia from New York and had two hours to learn the show. He was jet-lagged and unwell, but true to the age old saying,‘ the show must go on’ and he took to the stage that night.

“ It was intense, but it proved to me that I can work under pressure and I ended up working six days a week doing eight shows.”

Austin credits his versatility training across ballet, jazz, tap, acting and singing as key to his success, along with a strong work ethic and an understanding that perseverance is just as important in his industry. His advice to any young people in the community who want to have a career in dance, theatre or performing arts reflects this.

“ Don’ t limit yourself, you never know what opportunities will come up.”

As he prepares to head to Germany to work as a back-up dancer on a huge stadium tour and then on to Los Angeles, Austin remains grounded in what matters most and his final piece of advice sums up how he views his career choice.

“ You have to enjoy it. If you’ re not having fun, it’ s not going to work.”

Austin just finished performing in Gatsby at the Green Light at the Sydney Opera House