Her studies included hands-on experience with cancer patients at St George Hospital in Kogarah.

And then ...

"I just found myself being drawn back to the performing arts,'' said Gretel, whose first professional role is in the world premiere of a new Australian musical Breast Wishes, opening at the Seymour Centre next Thursday, April 16.

Leaving nuclear medicine, Gretel found herself having to choose between the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (known as WAAPA) and the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore.

Gretel chose WAAPA and graduated last year, winning two major student awards.

At WAAPA, Gretel appeared in many student productions as choreographer and performer, and now faces a major move from amateur student productions to a major stage musical.

And, yes, she is nervous.

"Just turning up for the first time for the first rehearsal was very, very daunting,'' she said.

"There were people there like Anne Looby and Valerie Bader who I had always admired,'' she said. "It was overwhelming to meet these women I had seen so often on stage and television.''

Described as "an uplifting musical'', Breast Wishes, with music and lyrics by Bruce Brown, is based on an original concept by Anne Looby.

It's a musical about "life, love, loss and silicon'' focussing on four women and a heart-warming journey of courage and determination through laughter to triumph.

"It touches a lot of subjects,'' Gretel said.

"It's quite dark but there is also plenty of humour.

"In Breast Wishes, my character's cousin is diagnosed with breast cancer and the story follows her trials and tribulations as it shows what women have to do to survive.''

Breast Wishes Details:

The Everest Theatre, The Seymour Centre, at the corner of Cleveland Street and City Road, Chippendale.

Performances from April 16 to May 3.

Bookings: seymourcentre.com.au or 93517940.