Summary: Casey Donovan is one of Australia's most versatile Entertainers. After a meteoric rise to fame at the age of sixteen, Casey became the youngest ever winner of Australian Idol in 2004. Since then, she has made her mark not only as a musician, but also in the areas of stage, screen, presenting and writing. Casey is a multi-Award winner and nominee, including an ARIA No #1 Award for Listen with Your Heart and Deadly Awards for Best Album, Best Single and Most Promising New Talent. After taking a break from music, in 2009 under the direction of Rhoda Roberts, Casey made her theatrical debut in Miracle In Brisbane for Brisbane Festival. This was to be the first of many acclaimed theatrical performances thus far in Casey's career, including The Sapphires, As You Like It, Opera Yarrabah, The Flowerchildren, Rent, We Will Rock You as Killer Queen, and Chicago as Matron "Mama" Morton. Casey's stage credits have earned her respect from the industry, which has seen her receive a nomination for Best Newcomer and Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical in the Sydney Theatre Awards. In 2010 Casey also returned to music with the release of the single Big, Beautiful & Sexy, along with a sell-out tour and major festival performances plus opening for the legendary Cyndi Lauper on her 2011 Australian tour. Musically, Casey then released her highly anticipated EP Off The Grid & Somewhere in Between hitting the Top 30 chart and in 2019 was invited to participate in Eurovision - Australia Decides, performing and releasing the original song Proud in the national final, placing second. Over the span of her illustrious career, Casey has appeared on all major daily and weekly Network television programs and has presented her own indigenous music themed show Fusion on SBS/NITV during 2012 and 2013. In 2017 Casey was crowned Queen of the Jungle by public vote in the third season of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. Casey made her scripted television debut in 2018 on Network Ten's comedy series Streetsmart as Tia the probationary parking inspector and then was cast in the hit TV show How To Stay Married, alongside Peter Helliar and Lisa McCune. Following this was a hosting role alongside Noni Hazlehurst and Kurt Fearnley on SBS's TV's What Does Australian Really Think? Casey is currently playing the role of Judy Bernly in Dolly Parton's stage musical '9 to 5'. Her enthusiasm for what she does is palpable; evidenced here in a joyous conversation. '9 to 5' plays the Capitol Theatre in Sydney before moving on to Brisbane in May at The Lyric Theatre, QPAC. Seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide will folow. The show features Marina Prior, Eddie Perfect, Caroline O'Connor, Erin Clare and the fabulous, Casey Donovan. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Whooshkaa, Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au
