West End debut for Chichester's Jayme-Lee

Chichester's Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli has made her West End debut in Motown the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Jayme-Lee ZanoncelliJayme-Lee Zanoncelli
Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli

Jayme-Lee trained at the Performing Arts Academy D&B in London on their three-year full-time course and graduated in 2010.

Before that, she lived in Chichester where she studied at Chichester High School for Girls and Chichester College of Science, Technology and Arts.

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The hit musical follows the career of Berry Gordy and the creation of his musical empire, Motown Records. It features classic hits including I Heard it Through the Grapevine and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

30-year-old Jayme-Lee said, “Opening night for me was all a bit of a blur but wonderful. It’s a privilege to be working with such a talented and dedicated team, cast and creatives. To know I’ll be spending a whole year doing what I love just makes me feel very lucky.

“I have been fortunate to work with a wealth of talent during my career; in West Side Story (The Royal Shakespeare Company), Kiss Me Quickstep (New Vic Productions) and with Headliners Theatre Company-P&O Cruises where I really grew creatively and socially. In fact, I loved travelling so much I went to work for Entertainment Connect-Voyages of Discovery a few years later as a vocalist/dance captain.”

Jayme-Lee is joined on stage by fellow D&B Academy performer, Rio Myers who is playing the younger versions of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and the creator of Motown – the legendary Berry Gordy.

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Jayme is based in London now but comes back to Chichester as often as she can to visit her family.

She added: “The industry can be tough: working jobs in between castings, maintaining fitness and vocal health and trying to live a happy normal life! I sincerely hope to inspire others to follow their dream even when the rejections can be heart breaking.

“I am hugely proud of my training at D&B Academy and to have finally made it to the West End, for me personally is a testament to my perseverance and love for my craft.”

D&B Academy’s three-year full-time College whose alumni include 2016 X-Factor winner, Matt Terry, is now recruiting for its September 2017 intake.

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The next set of auditions for D&B’s full-time post-16 college are taking place at the beginning of May. To apply or attend an open day, call 020 8698 8880.

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