Elenoa Rokobaro is an Aussie powerhouse performer and recent recipient of the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for her performance in the acclaimed Caroline, Or Change.

Rokobaro is currently playing the titular role in Send for Nellie at Sydney Festival, and took the time to answer a few questions on the role for Stage Sips.

What has been your journey into theatre ?

I’ve grown up in theatre. Went to a performing arts high school. Started performing professionally when I was 16. I’ve been in the industry for over half my life.

My favourite moment was playing Caroline in Caroline, or Change for which I won a Sydney Theatre Award.

This was a pivotal moment in my career.
I’ve been doing a lot of my own shows mainly in cabaret which is where I started.

Tell me about your experience of developing and performing Send for Nellie?

Nellie is a fabulous character to play. She was a real trail blazer for women and people of colour. The experience of making this show has been so collaborative from working with the writer, Alana Vallentine, our great director, Liesel Badorrek, my on-stage colleague Ele Stankiewicz, the musicians – Zara, Camilla and Jodie – and our producers Sue Donnelly and Stuart Davis. While it’s Alana’s creation the whole show is coming together because of everyone’s involvement. No one gets to rest!

What is the one message every person who sees your Send for Nellie performance should take with them out of the theatre?

That we’re not all so different. We’re all very similar as human beings. Doesn’t’ matter how we look. As Nellie says in in the show “I am a typical Australian, and I am a proud Australian and people can just get used to that this is how we look.”

I want people to remember Nellie Small and all that she achieved.

What do you enjoy about the Aussie theatre scene, and what needs to change?

I really enjoy being allowed to tell original stories that are part of our history and also about what’s going on today.

It’s great that this show has finally been produced. It is a positive story about survival and achievement. Something we can all be proud of.

Theatre is complicated. You need to take risks, Both individually and for companies. But many companies feel like they must play safe. I’d like it if people were able to take more chances on original pieces both on the mainstage and the independent theatre sector.

What type of wine would you pair with Send for Nellie, and why?

I wouldn’t recommend wine necessarily. I’d suggest having a whiskey with this show as it’s more in keeping with the show (not that I drink whiskey). Or you could have a beer like they did at Criterion Hotel when Nellie sang.

Send For Nellie performed at Sydney Festival 2024 from January 10–14, and is touring to Merrigong Theatre Company in Wollongong (February 14–17).