CGA Rising Star Maggie (Max) McKenna Talks Perseverance, Diverse Roles and Putting Australia on the Map
Each year, the Casting Guild of Australia crowns emerging talent across Aussie screens and stages as Rising Stars—performers with the potential to “break out on the world stage”.
If you saw Elvis this year, you’d recognise past recipient Olivia DeJonge in a show-stealing performance as Priscilla Presley. You might also be familiar with Katherine Langford, who played Hannah Baker in 13 Reasons Why, or more recently, Thomas Weatherall as Australia’s favourite high school love interest, Malakai, in Heartbreak High. The CGA Rising Star awards clearly have an eye for talent.
This year, among a host of other talented performers, Maggie (Max) McKenna has been touted as a Rising Star and one to watch following a budding theatre and television career.
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They made their professional debut in 2017 as Muriel Heslop in Sydney Theatre Company’s “Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical”, and have gone on to appear in television series Open Slather and The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
They’ve travelled around America in the Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” and recently finished up their role as Jo in the Alanis Morrisette-inspired musical, “Jagged Little Pill”.
We sat down with Max to chat all about their career so far and what’s ahead. Watch our interview with them below!
Be sure to keep an eye out for Max and their fellow Rising Star award recipients Christopher Bunton, Hattie Hook, James Majoos, Mabel Li, Michelle Lim Davidson, Sana’a Shaik, Shaka Cook, Steph Tisdell and Tuuli Narkle.
