Hours of rehearsals, vocal warm-ups, physical training and DIY costume work are required, often just to face an audition panel.

Jobs are mostly temporary and when the time is up, it’s back to square one.

But it’s a job like no other, and Michaela Davis and Heidi Carolan both took firm hold of a chance to work in their home town. 

Andy Carolan’s Happy as Gary, presented by Dubbo Theatre Company, will see Davis, 27, return to the local theatre scene in a leading voice-over role, playing Rachel Tucker, Gary’s high-maintenance daughter.

The actress has scheduled a break in studies and work as Captain Starlight in the Northern Territory to feature in the dramatic comedy.

Based in Darwin since 2015, Davis has starred in numerous theatre productions at the iconic Brown’s Mart Theatre with the Darwin Theatre Company and has recently received rave reviews for her performance in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

Carolan said he was thrilled to be working with Davis again.

“I think we were about 13 or 14 the first time we shared the stage. I admire her talent as a performer and theatre maker, and always jump at the chance to collaborate with her,” he said.

Similarly, Heidi Carolan is also taking a break from capital city life to support the premiere production.

Currently studying audio engineering and sound production in Melbourne, Heidi has accepted the offer of stage manager for her brother’s new show at Dubbo Regional Theatre on July 26.

Carolan describes his sister as an improved version of himself.

“After two years of putting up with me, our parents had baby 2.0,” he said. 

“Everything I could do, but bigger and better.

“I might be the eldest, but I really look up to my younger sister.

“She’s a thinker and a do-er, it’s a rare combo these days.

“Stage managing is a stressful job; what people might think is a cruisy, one-man show, is actually non-stop hard yakka for the folks behind the curtains.

“I’m thrilled to have her home and on board as skipper of the stage.” 

Davis and Carolan join a creative team of more than 30 people working on the production, all of whom are proud to call Dubbo home.