Jessica Aubrey plays Elphaba

Since winning the competition in 2018, Jessica Aubrey has gone on to have an incredibly successful career in Musical Theatre. Jessica studied at The Royal Academy of Music and has starred in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, But I'm a Cheerleader, Wicked as both Cover Nessa Rose and Elphaba and most recently Titanique. We caught up with Jessica who shared her with us her career highlights and her best advice for young performers wanting to enter the Musical Theatre industry.

How was your experience with West Calling and how did it feel winning the competition?

It was such a cool experience, every round we were looked after so well. We got

thoughtful specific feedback and the atmosphere felt so safe to try out new things or to make mistakes and try again. Having the rehearsal time also helped reduce nerves which is so appreciated in a competition environment. My favourite part was meeting all the other performers and having such camaraderie back stage. You could feel that we were all excited and rooting for each other. Unlike what I thought competitions would be like, this wasn't competitive - it was more just an opportunity to be around likeminded people. I'm actually still friends with some people I met during WEC!

It was also really cool performing in front of a live audience - it felt like a first stepping stone to the West End. I loved it so much that after I didn't get through the rounds the first time I applied the next year to try again. I think it was such an essential growth in confidence, a great place to watch fellow performers and learn from their talents and also to hear wonderful rep from all different genres and musicals.

Plus, the judges being actual West End stars was just such a fan-girl moment for me!

Winning the competition was just amazing! I felt very proud and lucky to have won. My mom rushed to London to then watch me perform in a West End theatre that evening! It was such an honour to represent the competition in it's early years and to look at how far l've come since then.

Since winning West End Calling you have gone on to work on some amazing jobs including But I'm a Cheerleader, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Titanique and Wicked. What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I have worked with some incredible people on some incredible material and made friends for life in each job! I think career wise, it's got to be going on for Elphaba - something my voice teacher at RAM said I wasn't suited for - and living out a dream of little Jess. Wicked is such a special show to me and I'm endlessly grateful for time I spent there. Performing in Titanique in Paris was also just a "pinch me" moment. What is also so cool is that I was performing as Rose at the same time that Hiba Elchikhe was playing Rose in the West End, and fun fact - she was one of my judges in WEC!

How did feel getting to play Elphaba, one of the most iconic roles in the West End?

A total blur and everything I could've ever wanted. My friends in the cast and crew literally carried me through that day - cheering, smiling and supporting me in every moment. It was incredible - and what a team I had around me, it's something I will never ever forget.

Since working in so many greats contracts, what has been the biggest lesson you have learnt?

Kindness is paramount. I remember a teacher once told me "it's show business, not show friends" and l've never disagreed more. Shine the light and clap for your friends. Big up people around you - share their talents with yours. Being nice is not hard and the industry will reward you for being kind and generous.

What is the best piece of advice you'd give to any young performers hoping to achieve a career in the Musical Theatre industry?

You will fail, you will not get the role you wanted, you will get rejected, but you can't stop believing in yourself. I know that's easier said than done and rejection feels so personal but it isn't. It's just not right for now, but it will come! Show up for yourself- practice, go to class, be brave and enter competitions like this or go to workshops and show off your talent. By just being here in this very competitive world, you are believing in that talent and drive inside of you.

Believing in yourself is not something you should shy away from. Be confident and know that you deserve to be where you are, and when you do achieve something super cool, don't forget to look back at how far you've come and be proud of it. Trust in the drive that brought you here instead of putting energy into things out of your control. Also - remember this is fun - this is play, enjoy the silly lovely thing of theatre we all get to be a part of.