Alum | Zoe Gertz

Zoe Gertz – award-winning musical theatre performer

Zoe Gertz was awarded a scholarship for dance and acting at The McDonald College. During her high school years, she danced in both the opening and closing ceremonies for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She later attended the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre).

After graduating from WAAPA, she was a co-writer and performer in the cabaret show Emotional Baggage at the El Rocco Room in Sydney. In 2005, she was cast in Kiss me Kate for The Production Company, as well as the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seasons of Fiddler on the Roof. The following year, she was cast in all three of The Production Company’s shows for the 2006 season: The Pyjama Game, Camelot and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Soon after, she joined the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical.

In 2008, Gertz joined the international cast of Wicked, a show that she toured extensively with for four years. Upon returning to Australia, she performed in numerous productions, including Legally Blonde the Musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Les Misérables, Georgy Girl and High Fidelity.

Most recently, Gertz was nominated for Best Performance in a Lead Role at the Sydney Theatre Awards and the Green Room Awards for her role as ‘Beverley and others’ in Come from Away.

Speaking to Broadway World, Zoe reflected on her journey to the role of pilot Beverley: “I first saw it on the Tony Awards. I was incredibly curious about a show with a group of actors standing on chairs and stomping around. My parents got the opportunity to see it before I did, and they couldn’t stop raving about it. My parents have seen a lot of theatre. Once I knew they loved it, I was sure I would love it too.” Gertz jumped at the chance to audition as soon as it arose. “I really enjoyed the whole process because the show needs a certain versatility; it’s a real challenge and not the sort of thing we as performers get to do too often.”