Sandton resident shines in New York

The Morningside resident, a former King David Marist Inanda pupil, decided to take the leap and leave the country at the tender age of 18, to pursue her dream of being a musical theatre singer and actress in the United Stated of America.

Rozanne Unterslak, Crawford’s mother, explained her daughter’s meteoritic rise to international stardom, saying it all began at a young age when Crawford discovered her talent for singing and acting.

“[She used to] spend nearly all her hours outside of class perfecting her operatic, acting and basic dance techniques before beginning her classical vocal training at the June Kraus Academy at the age of 16. This is a prestigious singing academy dedicated to perfecting both classical and non-classical singers,” she said.

Unterslak further explained that following this, the ambitious Crawford decided to buy a one-way ticket to New York to follow her dreams.

She began her career there by studying musical theatre and acting at the New York Film Academy before going on to receive a maximum talent scholarship at the Applause Rising Talent Showcase.

The showcase is a convention dedicated to giving artists the opportunity to perform in front of both American and international agents, managers and casting directors.

Crawford then went on to audition for the New York Film Academy, where she completed a two-year musical theatre programme and a one-year acting for film programme. Her impressive credits include being selected as a lead actress in the acclaimed short film Opening Doors and starring in the thriller short film 112.

With her star continuing to rise, the ever-humble Crawford remained grateful for the opportunities and the support of her family on her journey to stardom. “I’m incredibly thankful to my hard-working mother, my teachers June Kraus and Jenny Rahme, and my South African agent Elsubie De Lange,” she concluded.

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