Victoria Robillard, a Grade 9 Elmer S. Gish Elementary/Junior High student, is still baffled as to how the scouting agency, Nova Talent, came across her name.
“They called me to audition. Somewhere along the line somebody saw me at a competition and passed my name on,” Robillard guesses.
“At first I didn’t know much about it but it is quite a big deal. The opportunities that can come of it are quite amazing. One of the guys in Team U.S. last year got a Disney contract. There are crazy opportunities that I would love to be exposed to.”
Robillard auditioned Saturday, March 13 at Edmonton’s Westin Hotel. Of the 100 hopefuls, 12 were handpicked for Team Canada and she is the only St. Albert representative that will compete July 17 to 25.
“I initially went in for singing. But because of my acting background, they made me do a monologue — a commercial about peanut butter.”
But when Robillard returned for a call-back, she discovered she was booked to compete in a total of 12 acting, singing and modelling categories.
Her mother, Pam Williams believes, “She has great presence, great personality and great talent. Growing up with St. Albert Children’s Theatre she has a lot of experience. She is a girl that can go places.”
But the price tag to participate is quite hefty — $9,000. Competition fees alone are about $5,000 with advance training, airfare, hotel, meals and photography making up the reminder. The team plans to fundraise to offset costs, and already ideas are being tossed around — possibly a bowl-a-thon or renting a golf course for a day. If anyone would like to provide fundraising opportunities, please call Pam at 780-244-8457.
In addition to the grand prize, WCOPA offers $10,000 scholarships and $1,500 summer program scholarships. Robillard adds, “With all the opportunities, there is so much that can happen. The training and the experience overall will teach me a lot about myself and that’s worth it in the end.”
