It takes a certain type of person to captivate a room. And for performer Anna Larson, it comes naturally. The singer and dancer, who is currently performing at North Melbourne cabaret show, VIVA, is the embodiment of a power house so many of us look at in awe and aspire to be like. Her vocal prowess has the audience hooked on every word she sings, and alongside the rest of the talented cast, makes you wish the performance would never end.
We sat down with the performer to find out what makes her come alive after dark, and how it led her to the VIVA stage.
Alyssa: So tell me a little bit about yourself and how you ended up as a dancer and singer at VIVA.
Anna: Gosh! I actually started at VIVA years ago as a cover for one of the singers. I came in for what I think was about a two-week stint, and I absolutely loved it. Not long after, another performer was leaving, so I auditioned for a permanent role and came back. I initially covered for them, and then ended up staying because I loved it so much.
Alyssa: What led you down this path? Were you laser-focused on becoming a performer, or did you have a backup plan? Or did you kind of stumble into it?
Anna: I would say I definitely stumbled into cabaret, but performing has always been part of my life. I started ballet when I was really young and was fortunate enough to attend ballet school while keeping up with regular schooling. Then I got an injury, so I started exploring other styles and began singing when I was about 17.
I went on to study a Diploma of Performing Arts, and along the way I’ve definitely had moments where I questioned everything. But performing has always pulled me back in. It always hooks me back. Since finishing my diploma, I’ve been lucky enough to work consistently, which I’m really grateful for.
As for cabaret, I came home from working on a cruise ship, took on a cover contract, absolutely loved it, and that’s how I ended up here.
Alyssa: You mentioned coming off a ship. Were you performing on cruises?
Anna: Yes! In total I’ve worked on three ships with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. I’ve done both singer-dancer contracts and vocalist contracts. It was incredible — you get to see the world while getting paid to perform. It’s kind of insane. We had plenty of opportunities to get off the ship and explore places you probably never would have visited otherwise.
Alyssa: That’s amazing. Were you ever worried you wouldn’t be able to make it in the industry?
Anna: Always. I think that’s one of the biggest struggles with being a performer. That uncertainty is always sitting in the back of your mind. You never really reach a point where you think, “I’ve made it — everything’s stable now.”
Most work is contract-based, and anything can happen. Injuries happen. Contracts end. That uncertainty is something performers constantly live with.
Alyssa: You sing and you dance, but is there one that makes you feel most alive?
Anna: I always joke that I love singing and I love dancing — I just don’t love doing them both at the same time.
But singing definitely has my heart. It’s taken me a long time to build confidence with it because it always felt so precious to me. I was scared that maybe I wasn’t good enough or that people wouldn’t want to hear me.
With dancing, I’ve always preferred dancing alongside other people. I don’t really enjoy dancing solo. But singing? I’m very happy to stand on stage by myself.
Alyssa: That’s really interesting considering you came to singing later than dancing. Is there a reason you feel more connected to singing?
Anna: I think it’s because I always loved singing but never believed I was good enough to pursue it professionally. My mum sings, so music was always around our house growing up. It was something I loved privately.
When I got injured and couldn’t dance the same way anymore, singing became something I had to lean into. That’s when I realised it could actually become part of my career.
Alyssa: You’ve performed across musical theatre, cruise ships and now cabaret. What drew you to VIVA?
Anna: What made me stay was that it’s such a performer’s playground.
You get to use every skill you have. At VIVA, performers can come in with an idea for an act and actually create it. That’s something you don’t often get in musical theatre or on cruise ships, where you’re performing someone else’s vision.
There was even a time when I was injured and created a jazz set that performed before the main shows. It pushed me to sing continuously for 30 minutes, interact with the audience and really hold a room.
There are so many opportunities here to grow, hone your skills and explore who you are as a performer.
Alyssa: What’s the most vulnerable part of performing, especially somewhere like VIVA where you’re performing in such glamorous yet minimal costumes?
Anna: It can definitely feel vulnerable, but what really helps is the relationships you build with the women around you. There’s such a strong sense that we’re celebrating femininity, and that’s something VIVA is very intentional about.
We always want the performers to feel powerful. It never crosses the line into feeling uncomfortable or objectified.
When we’re training — especially with aerial work — we always say you need to feel safe, sexy and strong. Feeling in control is really important.
Having the support of the other women makes such a difference because you realise you’re all celebrating each other.
Alyssa: What does a typical performance day look like?
Anna: At the moment it’s a little different because a few girls are on holidays, so we’ve been coming in earlier.
We’re currently reblocking shows because we’ve got a cover performer from America who learned the show in two days, which is incredible.
Some of us are also covering different acts, so we’ll rehearse those, do sound checks, aerial checks, set up the Society stage, have dinner together around six o’clock, warm up, get into costume and then perform until about 1am.
Alyssa: Wow. Since you mentioned she learned everything in two days, how long does it normally take to learn a full show?
Anna: It really depends.
When I first covered shows, I learned them in about two days as well. But when we’re creating entirely new productions, I think we usually allow around six weeks.
That’s while still performing regular shows, so it becomes quite intense. It also depends on whether you’re learning vocals, aerial work or choreography.
Alyssa: Confidence seems like such an important part of performing at VIVA. Do you feel like your daytime self and your nighttime performer self are the same person, or is it more of an alter ego?
Anna: That’s funny because I was just talking about this with one of the other girls. For her, she actually feels more like herself on stage. For me, it’s definitely an alter ego.
I’m naturally quite shy and reserved, but my performer self knows it needs to become something bigger at night. That separation actually feels freeing because it allows me to become whatever the performance needs.
Sometimes I’ll even create an entirely different character for a number. Other times I’m much more vulnerable and it’s just Anna sharing something with the audience.
It really changes from act to act.
Alyssa: How do you actually embody that confidence?
Anna: That’s a good question. The environment helps; being on stage, wearing the costumes, having your hair and makeup done. When you look in the mirror and see this elevated version of yourself, it really does change how you carry yourself.
Body language is a huge part of it too. As soon as you stand differently or put the heels on, something shifts mentally.
Alyssa: I recently started taking heels classes and it’s so funny because I barely recognise myself when I’m dancing.
Anna: Exactly! One thing I really notice at VIVA is that, although it’s very female-focused, most of our audience is women too. There are these lovely moments where you’re appreciating them and they’re appreciating you back. It’s a really special feeling.
Alyssa: What’s your favourite thing about being a performer?
Anna: Honestly, it’s being part of creating something that’s bigger than yourself. People sometimes think performing is very individual, but it’s actually incredibly collaborative. Every performer contributes a piece to something much larger.
At VIVA, getting to be involved creatively is really special. Watching Jackie and Felix build shows like Society and seeing how invested they are because it’s their creative vision is inspiring. Being part of that process and creating art with other people is probably my favourite part.
Alyssa: And what advice would you give to anyone who wants to become more confident?
Anna: Honestly, I’m still figuring it out too. I think it’s about recognising the little things you genuinely love about yourself and what you uniquely offer other people.
I was talking to a friend recently about how every friendship brings out a different side of you. You don’t have to be everything for everyone. What you bring is already unique.
It sounds cliché, but as you get older you realise every single person has something different to offer.
On a practical level, wearing clothes that genuinely make you feel like yourself can make a huge psychological difference too. When you put something on that feels authentic, it really does boost your confidence.
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