In the schoolyards of the Hunter School of Performing Arts (HSPA), local youngster Callan Purcell dreamed of making it big.
And, now, decades later, the spotlight is on him.
Purcell’s currently starring in one of the most iconic musicals of the 21st century Hamilton.
At a young age, he developed his passion for musical theatre after watching videos of his late Nan singing at parties and events.
Inspired, Purcell started auditioning and playing in local productions across the region, including Young People’s Theatre, Hunter Drama, Tantrum and Upstage Youth Theatre.
Then, after graduating from HSPA, he launched into his professional career, working in a profit-share show titled The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged.
Shortly after, Purcell decided to continue his studies, hopping on a plane to the UK and enrolling in the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Specialising in theatre making, his thirst for autobiographical storytelling grew.
“It was less about how to become an actor in the industry and more about what stories do people want to tell and how to share them with others,” he said.
But, his journey hasn’t always been seamless.
“I asked my agent to not put me forward for the role in Hamilton because I knew they were looking for people from a range of backgrounds,” Purcell told the Newcastle Weekly.
“Even though I am a Wiradjuri man, at the school in London the head of drama said to me that I wouldn’t get roles in Aboriginal theatre because of how I look.
“So, I was grappling with that coming back to Australia… but I guess my agent didn’t listen and put me forward anyway.”
Purcell has been performing in the musical for the past four years, with his first role as a standby for five of the seven 7 key characters.
He was given the permanent position of one of the main antagonists, Aaron Burr, in the Brisbane and Auckland shows.
Since then, he’s travelled across the world, singing, dancing and acting with the production, performing in countries like Abu Dahbi, Singapore and The Philippines.
Despite Hamilton being focused on the history of the United States, Purcell said the story transcended its historical context.
“It’s been a huge learning curve for me over these four years, with me realising it’s about culture, not colour and being an Aboriginal man, how that influences my interpretation of the play as well,” he explained.
“We’re not just here to be another branch of the Hamilton agenda or the American agenda.
“We are here to tell the story through an American lens but also touching on how it acts as an allegory for what’s happening in Australia.”
Purcell’s Aaron Burr was the third Vice-President of the United States and main character Alexander Hamilton’s main political rival.
“It’s the biggest privilege to play the role of a guy failing again and again in front of 2,000 people each night,” he said.
“He never wins and the only time he does, he ends up shooting his best friend.”
As school holidays approach, Purcell and the rest of the cast are amping up for two weeks of sold-out shows.
At the midpoint of its run time, musical lovers can see Hamilton at the Lyric Theatre in Pyrmont, Sydney, until 5 January.
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- ‘Romeo & Juliet: a Reimagining’ to ‘smack’ Upstage audiences
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