If you don’t know the name Alana Tranter, chances are you soon will. 

The local woman is a star on the rise, currently playing the principal role of Madame in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. 

The production, based on the 1991 animated film, is one of the top 10 longest running shows in Broadway history, touring 37 countries worldwide. 

For Maitland-born Alana, it has been an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream. 

From her humble beginnings performing on stages across Newcastle, the former St Phillip’s Christian College (SPCC) student is putting her skills to the test, performing eight shows a week at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. 

“Beauty and The Beast has always been a dream show for me,” says the 34-year-old. 

“I’ve always loved the show and of course I loved the movie growing up.” 

This is Alana’s first principal role in a major commercial musical. 

“I wasn’t sure there was anything in it for me, but obviously went in for the audition because you go in for everything you can, and I got super lucky,” she said. 

“It does feel a bit surreal that I’m performing in a Disney musical.” 

Alana plays the role of Madame, a matchmaking wardrobe. 

“She gets these feelings about things and she’s always right when she gets these feelings,” she explained. 

“She’s very funny and she has a lot of heart and is a little bit sassy as well. Which is great. 

“I don’t think we’re anything alike but that’s the joy about being an actor, you can imagine being someone else for a bit.” 

Formed in 1994, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has been seen by more than 200 million theatregoers worldwide. 

Its Sydney production, says Alana, has been beautifully revised and reimagined, with its nostalgic appeal remaining intact. 

“It’s quite spectacular. The costumes, the set, it’s lavish and amazing, everything you’d expect in a Disney musical,” she said. 

“There’s been a little bit of rewriting here and there to bring it into the modern world but at its heart it is the story that we all know and love.”  

Ironically, Beauty and the Beast was Alana’s final school production. 

In 2007, when she was in Year 12, she played the part of lead female Belle before audiences of 4,000 seated in St Phillip’s $7 million onsite theatre. 

“I do credit a lot of my success to growing up in Newcastle and being in such a supportive environment,” she said 

“There’s so much great theatre there, even more now so than when I was there.” 

For the school’s director of performing arts Michael Cooper, Alana’s success is reward for a remarkable work ethic. 

“We are so proud of her,” he says. 

“She always had a very strong work ethic, an incredibly positive attitude and was never someone who would see herself as a diva but certainly was very humble in her approach. 

“She continues today to be a kind and caring performer who genuinely wants the best for others and wants to inspire others to be their best as well.” 

In his “almost-23 years” in the role, Mr Cooper admits he’s rarely seen a student with Alana’s skillset. 

“It was always Alana’s hope and dream to pursue musical theatre as her future and she was always motivated to work hard and to give herself the best opportunity to excel, which she did,” he told the Newcastle Weekly. 

“What she did was she trained in dance, she trained extensively in singing and she also did a lot of drama. 

“She made sure that the three areas required in musical theatre were covered. 

“We call that a triple threat in musical theatre world.” 

Alana’s latest role follows a lengthy stint in the Broadway smash hit Come From Away, which was performed at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre earlier this year. 

The opportunity allowed her to perform before a home crowd. 

“It was amazing, a really good experience,” she said. 

“I mean we have such an amazing arts community in Newcastle and the training there is really top notch.” 

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