By Casey Neill
Zane Blumeris first picked up a guitar just two years ago.
From 31 October he’ll star as Zach in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock at Her Majesty’s theatre in Melbourne.
The Mooroolbark 11-year-old said his dad was a drummer who played a bit of guitar.
“He played this song that I really liked and I asked him to teach me,” Zane said.
“It really encouraged me to learn guitar.
“After I learnt the chords and stuff me and dad still jammed, but I went on YouTube and found videos on how to play different songs.”
Zane’s dad is also an actor.
“When I was really little, just before Prep, I used to film myself on the iPod and used to make up these little movies and stuff,” he said.
School of Rock is his first role, aside from “tiny school productions”.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” he said.
“The fact that it’s actually happening is amazing.”
When asked whether this was just the start of a career in the biz, Zane said he’d “gone through phases throughout my life” contemplating his path.
“It was always to do with being in front of an audience, or entertaining,” he said.
“I even went through a phase when I got into stand-up comedy.
“As long as I’m on a stage in front of people…”
And he certainly will be, as one of three kids who’ll play Zach.
He’s among 36 young performers from around the country who’ll share the key roles in the tale of wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher and turns straight-A students into a rock band.
“Zach starts off in the show as a fairly quiet kid but Mr Schneebly, or Dewey Finn, helps him become pretty extroverted and out there,” he said.
“It all started when my uncle sent me an advertisement for School of Rock auditioning.
“We sent in a video and we got a call back.
“One thing led to another.”
He said that rehearsing for the show was “the best fun ever”.
“We’ve been listening to all the songs.
“It had been a massive family movie for us.
“Ever since I can remember we always watched School of Rock.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber watched the audition tapes for the Melbourne production.
“We’ve got great kids in a show that is all about how music can empower children,” he said.
Visit SchoolofRock.com.au for more information.
