Berwick dancer Jess Solomon is off to Tokyo Disneyland next year to perform the title role in Alice in Wonderland.By Rebecca Fraser
MOST girls dream of being a beautiful princess one day, but Berwick dancer Jess Solomon is more than happy just to play a well-known children’s character instead.
The talented 19-year-old has been awarded a six-month contract with Tokyo Disneyland and will play the part of Alice in Wonderland from March next year.
Ms Solomon said she was looking forward to playing the part of Alice, a character made famous in the classic Lewis Carroll novel.
She was awarded the part after taking part in an open audition in Melbourne recently conducted by Disney.
“I thought it was too good to be true when I found out as this is something I have always wanted to do.
“The Disney princesses are really beautiful but Alice is a kid and a real fun character and I am happy that I got that part,” she said.
Ms Solomon has been competing in dance eisteddfods and competitions since she was six and has more than 100 trophies and medals as well as countless ribbons.
She completed her VCE in 2004 at Berwick Secondary College and is now studying full-time at the Dance Factory in Richmond.
Ms Solomon also teaches dance classes at the Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre and as part of this course has taken classes in ballet, jazz, tap and funk as well as singing, acrobatics and drama. She said she was looking forward to her first trip overseas.
“I will work five days a week in the park and will perform in the day and night parade. I will also greet tourists and be in photos,” she said.
Ms Solomon said she might even try to extend her contract or audition for another Disney character when her six-month agreement runs out.
But she has also set her sights on dancing on a cruise ship.
“Dancing on a cruise is my next big goal. But at the moment I am looking forward to having summer here and then summer there (Tokyo) and then coming back for summer,” she said.
