For Noosa District State High School student Max Martin, receiving his acceptance letter into the Queensland College of Dance’s Diploma of Musical Theatre program felt like stepping into the spotlight of a lifelong dream. “It was absolutely fantastic to find out that I’d been accepted,” Max said. “All of the time and effort I’ve put into musical theatre is really starting to pay off. It was all worth it and I feel immensely privileged.”
At just 17, Max already has a list of performances behind him and an even longer list of ambitions ahead. His journey began at age 11 when he landed his first role as the dentist in Creepytown, Cooran State School’s end-of-year production. “It was really fun getting to experience my first ever role,” he said. “I remember dancing on stage and making everyone laugh when I pretended to fix people’s teeth.” That experience, he said, sparked his love for performance and planted the seed for his future in
musical theatre.
Since then, Max has spent years refining his craft through classes at the Sunshine Coast Youth Theatre, where he trains daily in acting, dancing and singing. He also works with his vocal coach Cheryl MacDonald and receives invaluable mentoring from his mother, a professional singer and vocal coach. “I’ve been working on my voice for seven years,” Max said. “Cheryl has really helped me hone my skills, and my mum has guided me through every step.”
One of his most memorable roles to date has been playing Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory under the direction of NDSHS teacher Ms Lyle. “Playing Willy Wonka was an absolute delight,” Max said. “It was great to play such a large role and a character as well-known. Getting to put my own spin on Wonka and completely let loose on stage was a great learning experience.”
His teachers and classmates at NDSHS also played a major role in helping him achieve his latest milestone, particularly as he recovered from a serious knee injury. “Everyone was very supportive,” Max said. “They kept me focused and helped me stay positive. When I was on crutches for months, people carried my bag, helped me on and off the stage, and brought me chairs to sit on. That support meant a lot.” Max draws inspiration from a range of performers across the globe. “My favourite musical must be Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell because of its passionate music,” he said. “Performers who inspire me include Aaron Tveit, Jonathan Groff, Christian Borle, Jordan Fisher, Cynthia Erivo, and Jason Arrow who played Hamilton in Australia. I was lucky enough to do a workshop with Jason Arrow; he’s really inspired me. And the actor who got me into performing in the first place was Jim Carrey. He showed me how someone can just go crazy and weird and have fun.” Balancing his schoolwork and his creative pursuits has not been easy, but Max approaches it with determination. “The biggest challenge has been finding the right amount of energy to give to both,” he said. “It’s about keeping an even keel in both areas of my life.”
As he looks ahead to life at the Queensland College of Dance, Max is eager to continue developing his craft. “I hope to learn how to further improve myself in professionalism and my skills in singing, dancing and acting,” he said. “I want to grow closer to my full potential or even reach it in musical theatre. My big plan is to be performing professionally on stage and in every other facet of performance including film, teaching and choreography,” Max said. “I’d love to get into direction for both theatre and screen at some point later in life. I know how difficult it is to get into the industry, but I’m prepared to go through every aspect of the creative arts in any form.”
For young performers dreaming of a similar path, Max’s advice is simple. “Follow your dreams,” he said. “Do what you love – whether that’s dancing at home or auditioning for a production. The effort you put in will come back to you. Plant seeds in a garden, and one day you’ll reap the fruit of your labour.” Max has lived on the Sunshine Coast for eight years and says the local arts community, along with his family, has played a huge role in his journey. “My mum and dad have always been there to guide me,” he said. “My grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins come to every performance, and my teachers have been incredible. I’ve had so much support.”
With his acceptance into the Queensland College of Dance, Max Martin is ready to take the next big step toward the professional stage. “I’m really excited to start the next part of my journey in musical theatre,” he said. “It’s just the beginning.”