Hollywood is calling Geraldine teenager Annie Theewis.

Annie will travel to Los Angeles in July after she was selected by a talent scout to attend the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood.

She will compete as a solo jazz dancer at the championships, but will be part of a team from New Zealand called the Black Stars.

It was a lipsync competition at the Caroline Bay Hall that got the ball rolling, she said of her selection.

A talent scout was at the event, searching for people to send to the championships. There were two groups selected, a total of 13 performers. However, it is understood that due to other commitments everyone pulled out, except for Annie.

She said news of her selection came as a shock.

"We didn't believe it to start with. We rang the talent scout and realised it was all real."

Now she is trying to raise $15,000 to finance the trip. The money she raises will go towards her own expenses, as well as those of her long-time tutor Annette Adams, who Annie has selected as her chaperone.

"She's been dancing for many, many years so she's . . . the perfect person to take along to support me."

Annie has a range of fundraising events planned, including a variety concert at Geraldine High School on May 5 and a Hollywood-themed masquerade ball and auction on May 25.

Because the ball will be R18, Annie has also decided to run a ‘Create a Mask' competition so that people under the age of 18 can still get involved.

Annie's mum, Kim, said she was proud of her daughter's success.

Annie, who is Geraldine High School's head girl, said her success was proof that people from remote towns can make it big.

"The WCOPA competition is a great opportunity to show not only my talent, but also the achievement [that is] possible in the small rural town of Geraldine and the South Canterbury region, as well as New Zealand."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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