Judy Morris named 'fellow' of the Empire Theatre'
- Maree Butterworth
- 9th October 2008
Actress, writer and director Judy Morris receiving her “Fellow of the Empire Theatre” award.
JUDY Morris' love of performing arts began when she was a child watching movies at the Empire Theatre.
The actor, director and writer was back in town yesterday and was named the first female “Fellow of the Empire Theatre” at the Empire Theatres Foundation Bursaries presentation.
“To come back to the Empire Theatre is thrilling for me because it is where I started to realise my dream,” she said.
With many claims to fame including a role in television show Mother and Son, the film Phar Lap and co-writing the Academy Award winning Happy Feet with George Miller, Ms Morris believes her youth in Toowoomba paved her way for her successful career.
“I remember the freedom. I thought I was very privileged because I got to learn a lot of different skills in Toowoomba,” she said.
Ms Morris was schooled at Fairholme College and boarded from the age of seven.
Aged 17, she was accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Arts and on completion she gained work straight away and has been busy in theatre, film and television ever since.
The advice Ms Morris gave the award winners yesterday was very direct.
“Be prepared to be incredibly persevering and relentless in pursuit of what you want.”
