Jemma grew up on the Central Coast of NSW, and it was here during her early childhood that her love for performing and entertaining was developed. Throughout her teenage years, Jemma was involved in various amateur musical theatre productions and at the age of 18 became the lead singer of a pop band, playing gigs all over Sydney. At 21 she moved to Melbourne to enhance and develop her skills and opportunities as a Musical Theatre performer.
After a number of commercial engagements, Jemma left Australia and headed to Universal Studios Japan where she was initially cast as the Bride of Frankenstein in the Monster Rock and Roll Show. She was then cast as Elphaba in a world first staged adaptation of WICKED, where she was privileged to meet and perform for the creative team of WICKED; Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman and Mark Platt. This role was especially unique since Jemma was required to perform parts of the show in Japanese.
Jemma was thrilled to be a part of the Australian premiere of WICKED in Melbourne. This led to numerous opportunities including performing at the 2008 Carols by Candlelight, WICKED cast performances at Melbourne’s Federation Square and Town Hall, Special Guest Performer at the 2009 Australian Ethnic Business Awards and the 2009 QANTAS Business Awards, AFL pre-match entertainment performances, Singing at the ANZ Rob Guest Endowment Fund Concert and appearing on Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s morning TV show.
Jemma is very excited to be in Sydney and performing Elphaba. She would like to take this opportunity to thank her family, friends and husband Josh for their continued support and love.
Patrice played the role of Nala in Disney’s The Lion King at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne and she has toured Australia and Japan in We Will Rock You, often understudying and performing the lead roles of Killer Queen and Scaramouche. Patrice’s music theatre debut was in 1991 as one the Royal Children in the Gordon/Frost production of The King and I.
Patrice is one of the youngest graduates of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts BA in Music Theatre. WAAPA stage credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Spurboard (Amy), The Pajama Game, Up, Pacific Overtures, Perfectly Frank and The Wild Party (Reno). Other stage credits include West Side Story (Maria), Sweet Charity (Charity), and Prodigal (Maddy).
Of Maori heritage, Patrice was raised performing Polynesian shows with her family throughout Australia. She toured the U.S.A. and QLD with The Starz Production Team and throughout Europe and New Zealand with the Matthew Flinders Anglican College Chorale. Her studies included the piano, violin, saxophone, ballet, jazz, tap, acting and singing. Patrice’s whole life has seen her performing with different bands and groups whether singing, playing instruments or both! Patrice signed a recording contract with Sony BMG and recently spent time writing, recording, filming and touring.
Patrice was very excited to be part of the Wicked Australian Premiere and after welcoming her daughter into the world is thrilled to be back to play the coveted role of Elphaba.
