Keeping the Dream Alive
With more steps than Astaire, more chutzpah than Streisand, and more sequins than Liberace — Ross Hutchison is the epitome of cabaret razzle-dazzle. Although, he’s way too humble to admit it himself.
With a sparkling lifetime spent on stage and in front of the camera, his bewitching enthusiasm is matched only by his vast industry knowledge and a keen eye for untapped natural showbiz flair.
And, this experience, combined with his overflowing desire to give back, is demonstrated by his ambitious Dream Team One vision.
A bold, hands-on project that identifies new talent, teaches crucial life skills, and develops the individual both in performance and attitude — Dream Team One acts as a stepping stone into the larger world of entertainment and to his own elite Ross Hutchison Performing Arts Academy.
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Making the Dream Real
The Challenge
Through both locally organised talent shows and Ross’ own Talent Quests, Dream Team One uncovers the cream of Sydney’s yet undiscovered performers — of any age, gender, or race.
Using his unmatched insight into what it takes to be successful in the sparkling world of show business — Ross helps to grow, nurture, and improve their inherent God-given skills.
Yet, this talent development is only half the process.
The allure of the bright lights, the hype of schmaltzy agents, and the false promises of overnight fame can be dangerous — especially for younger and impressionable performers. In a world where Insta-fame and TV shows such as Australia’s Got Talent seemingly demonstrate making it big is both instantaneous and effortless — Dream Team One keeps it real.
Being on stage from his infancy, Ross knows the pitfalls and what the younger entertainers need, and that is support, guidance, education, and grounding — all epitomised by Dream Team One.
Ross explains the risks:
“They fall in love with their own image and their fame — and then they get lost. They believe their own ego, and other people, and don’t realise that there are others that made it happen.”
The Methodology
The Dream Team One approach is straightforward yet effective. Working together as a powerful and supportive trifecta — the youngster, the parents, and Ross himself become a formidable team.
Providing not only the child with moral and emotional support and performance training, but also keeping their parents fully aware and involved at all times.
This effective vision and strategy are fuelled by Ross’ own experience — and his time spent with the biggest names in showbiz.
Finding that Sammy Davis Jr. was incredibly self-deprecating and grounded during their personal moments together — yet simultaneously the greatest all-round entertainer on the planet — he knew he was on the right track.
Fulfilling the Dream
Headhunted
Over the last 40 years, The Dream Team One approach has been phenomenally effective. Literally thousands of youngsters have gained the benefits of guidance, training, confidence, and humility — equally important whether they stayed within the entertainment industry or eventually pursued a different career.
This success is perhaps most tangibly demonstrated by the Penrith Panthers Show Group and Ross Hutchison Performing Arts Academy.
During the 1980s, as Australia’s no. 1 choreographer, Ross produced the grand opening of Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast and the opening of the State Sports Centre in Homebush.
These were grand events! The State Sports Centre involved over 1000 performers in the opening number — Ross was perhaps the only man in the country with the experience, pzazz, and vigour to take on this mighty responsibility.
Approached by the legendary Roger Cowan’s offsider — while he was working on the Gold Coast for the Jupiters Casino grand opening — Ross Hutchison was headhunted to open the new Panthers World of Entertainment.
A few months after the Panthers’ grand opening, Ross began what became the Penrith Panthers Show Group.
Building an Academy
Being based in Sydney, constantly taking his own home-grown talent out to Penrith for rehearsals and shows wasn’t going to be practical or easy for Ross. So local Penrith talent was sought, identified, and trained — eventually becoming the now-famed Penrith Panthers Show Group. And, out of which came the Ross Hutchison Performing Arts Academy.
This dazzling school — grown initially more out of necessity than ambition — developed into a dynamic academy that eventually ran for over thirteen years, and saw over 8,500 glittering performers pass through its ranks.
The vast majority of the students were there purely for the fun, experience, satisfaction, and camaraderie of working on stage — undoubtedly the best reasons to engage in entertainment. But for some elite individuals, it was their pathway to career success through the Ross Hutchison Performing Arts Academy.
The Ross Hutchison Performing Arts Academy
Over the years, the Ross Hutchison Performing Arts Academy has trained and nurtured some of the most exciting and inspirational entertainers in Australia. Working with elite performers, it’s tangible proof of the powerful ethos and success of Dream Team One.
When Ross found a young student with natural talent, potential, and star quality, he tirelessly encouraged, instructed, and guided them — irrespective of whether they or their parents could afford lessons or not.
These incalculable hours of free tuition and advice have led to many individual stories of success, fame, and personal growth — and as Ross says, it was worth every single minute!
An example of the incredible success of the Ross Hutchison Performing Arts Academy is they toured to >name?<. This was the first time ever that a performing arts team toured internationally for Australia — and they were all from Ross’ Academy.
Today, there are hundreds of dancers working within the performance industry who grew up in the inimitable Ross Hutchison style. Epitomised by their grace, exuberance, and physical interpretation — their professionalism, skill, and grounding are a testament to the success of Dream Team One.
Dream Team One Today
In 2023, Ross is still as excited as ever about finding and training talent in Sydney. Through Talent Quests in Blacktown and Penrith, Ross continues to be involved as an adjudicator, encouraging young performers and helping them star in local talent shows.