Local Star Faith Taylor Secures Third Year in Elite Theatre Program

By Jacob Casha

Burdekin talent Faith Taylor has taken another step toward her acting dreams, securing her place for a third consecutive year in TheatreiNQ’s Bridge Project—a program known for nurturing nationally recognised performers.

A budding star whose talent was nurtured since young in the Burdekin, Faith says she's excited to continue in the program.

"The program showed me there’s a real pathway up here," she said.

"My technical skill has just improved so much… and my confidence in myself… and now acting is something that I feel like I can back myself on."

The Bridge Project, based in Townsville, provides intensive training and real-world experience for a handful of selected young actors from North Queensland, helping bridge the gap between high school and professional theatre.

Faith's own pathway to the program began with the North Queensland Theatre Residency Week, where she was introduced to professional-level performance and the Bridge Project.

“Seeing their Shakespeare Under the Stars production blew me away,” Faith said.

“I didn’t realise this kind of theatre was happening so close to home. That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of it.”

After successfully auditioning, Faith made the tough decision to move north permanently.

“It was my first year out of home and definitely really difficult,” she said.

“I’m just really grateful I had a good support system, because I had to juggle paying rent, working part-time, and completing my studies while training with the Bridge Project.”

The program demands a high level of commitment, with Faith attending evening sessions during the week and full-day intensive training on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. She also takes part in all aspects of production, from scene work to props and costumes, giving her hands-on experience in professional theatre.

Program coordinator Terri Brabon, also originally from the Burdekin, said seeing Faith develop has been a point of pride.

“Faith is very talented and committed, and it’s been really lovely having another Burdekin kid with us,” she said.

Brabon said the pair's Burdekin chemistry has been pivotal in certain productions.

"We did a play last year that I wrote called The Assignment, written about my experiences growing up in the Burdekin. So having a real, bonafide Burdekin girl in Faith helped bring it all together."

When asked whether Faith had what it took to take the next step in the industry, Brabon replied "without question."

"She has it," Brabon added.

"We see it in her, absolutely."

For Faith, that next step is acceptance into a formal acting program at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) or the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), with plans to move to a bigger city, secure an agent, and start booking acting jobs should her plan A not materialise.

Although well on her way to achieving her dreams, she credited the Burdekin as the launchpad of the success she has been able to attain.

"I don't think I would be where I am today without school programs like Theatre Residency Week and Mulkadee [Youth Arts Festival]," she said.

"I really want Burdekin kids to know that it [reaching your dream] is a possibility, and there are always ways to achieve that."

Brabon pointed to Faith's story as a testament to the notion that regional status doesn’t have to mean nullified aspirations.

"I think it's great to have examples like Faith to prove that idea that it's never out of reach for kids in regions like the Burdekin."

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Burdekin talent Faith Taylor has taken another step toward her acting dreams, securing her place for a third consecutive year in TheatreiNQ’s Bridge Project.
Faith Taylor performing in The Assignment, a Bridge Project production inspired by experiences growing up in the Burdekin.

Photo credit: Chris Maguire

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