Jessica Jacobs’ career as an actress and musician provides the inspiration for our Drama School.
Although she died tragically in an accident at 17, her legacy as a talented, hard-working and much-loved performer, daughter and sister remains.
Many will know Jessica from her role as Melanie Atwood in the hit children's television series Saddle Club. However Jessica’s acting credits were extensive for someone of such a young age.
Jess made her professional theatrical debut in the role of Marta von Trapp in The Sound of Music with Bert Newton and Lisa McCune at the age of nine. Her other stage performances include Annie and The King and I for the Dandenong Theatre Company, Sunday in the Park and Children of Eden for Monash University Performing Arts and Tinkerbell for S.L.A.M.S. She loved performing and was also involved in many school plays the last being Bang Bang Your Dead at Sandringham Secondary College where she attended school.
Her television career included characters such as Molly in the television mini-series Worst Best Friends (channel 10) Jennifer McPhail in Fergus McPhail (channel 7) and Emily Walsh in Holly's Heroes (channel 9).
Jess also appeared in the Bob Downes Whiter Brighter Christmas Show at the Athenaeum Theatre.
She toured all over Australia singing, dancing and signing many autographs in shopping centres, horse race meetings and stadium performances such as Equitana (the Saddle Cub album).
During her career Jessica was nominated for a Guild Award – an accolade that reflected her outstanding contribution to amateur theatre.
Jessica loved music and was a talented bass guitar and accomplished classical violinist, having studied for six years. She played bass with her friends in the band The Volten Sins and was looking forward to studying music at the Victorian School of the Arts after completing VCE.
Her mother Joanna is proud to attach her name to a drama school that will nurture young theatrical talent in the city Jess loved.
