It’s make or break for Abigail Dixon. As a registered nurse working in Sydney/Warrane, she’s already got a great career. But she’s determined to take a chance on her childhood love – musical theatre. She’s already auditioned for Queensland Conservatorium’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Griffith University once and been turned down. Now, she’s trying one more time. Will she make it?
“We audition many, many hundreds. To get in is tough,” explains acclaimed educator and musical director Professor Paul Sabey, who has spent over 15 years leading Griffith’s renowned musical theatre program after an illustrious career in London. “But Abby showed her commitment and determination. We knew we had to take her.”
Today, she’s belting out show tunes eight times a week – currently as Molly Brown in the hit musical Titanique in Sydney/Warrane – and enjoying both her new career and an enduring mentorship with Paul.
Learning to harmonise
Abigail recalls getting off to a wobbly start in a test in first year music theory. “I couldn’t answer a single question, so I drew a little picture of me as a nurse with a speech bubble,” she says, laughing.
That didn’t bother Paul. “We’re not looking for perfect students,” he says. “We’re looking for people with talent who have a hunger in their heart and can grow. Abby was raw. The skills weren’t polished, they weren’t where they needed to be, but the passion and the talent was.”
While ensemble singing is Paul’s main teaching focus, as the head of the program, he nurtures students throughout their degree. “I want to be that shoulder to cry on,” he says. “Or the boot behind them when needed.”
It’s an honest, constructive approach – and it stuck with Abigail. “When I presented my showreel, Paul pulled me into the office, and I thought, ‘Oh no, he hates it. I’m going to have to fork out another A$1,000 for another showreel.’ But he loved it,” Abigail says. “And he gave me specific feedback, which was really helpful.”
Finding her stage
Since graduating, Abigail has built a vibrant career on stage and beyond, from Titanique to roles in Mamma Mia! and Legally Blonde, plus tours and voiceover work. Alongside performing, she co-founded a writing course for actors.
“I can’t sit still for the life of me,” she admits with a grin. But no matter where her path takes her, she knows Paul is in her corner. “The care he shows is beyond just teaching. It’s like total protection and pride.”
Their connection reflects the wider community spirit of Griffith’s musical theatre alumni. “We have an unofficial Facebook group where we all check in with each other,” says Abigail. “It’s like Paul’s everyone’s adopted dad, guiding us.” And Abigail has felt the strength of that network many times.
“People reach out all the time – whether that’s someone needing a couch for an audition or help settling in a new city,” she says. “It’s a real community.”
The feeling is mutual for Paul, who makes a concerted effort to remain connected to alumni. “I will travel wherever I can to support alumni and to see their shows,” he says. For Abigail, knowing her mentor is in the audience means everything. “As an immigrant in Australia, with my family back in the UK, it’s nice having someone like Paul. It feels like having those aunties and uncles protecting you. If you ever need anything, you can call and say, ‘I need advice,’ or just text, ‘Guess what?’”
Paul says that for him, graduation isn’t goodbye – it’s the start of a new working relationship. “I still have alumni contacting me, whether it’s for a reference or just to ask, ‘What do you think about this?’” he says.
A star is born
Looking back, both teacher and student see their relationship as one built on respect, humour and a shared love of their craft. “We’re all creatives,” Abigail says. “I just talked to him like another person. I didn’t put him on a pedestal.”
That works for Paul, too. “I love that Abby has kept her feet on the ground,” he says. “She is a star and she’s only going to shine brighter.”
Did you meet someone at Griffith who changed your life? Tell us your story.
Image captions (top to bottom):
- Abby and Paul.
- Abby as Paulette in Legally Blonde.
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