About this Session
Our November Session sees in our second themed night, It Takes Two (or More). Duets and trios, this is your calling! All of our songs this month will be performed by more than one person – the number is up to you, but we’d recommend two or three as a safe bet. This could be a fun occasion to get some friends involved, or just to sing something that simply can’t be achieved with only one voice. Pick a great song, choose your friends wisely, and jump in to Broadway Sessions (supersized)!
Ticket sales and registrations for the November Session are now open! Get your tickets organised today so that you don’t miss out!
Session Host
David Gauci (he/him)
David Gauci, proudly from Adelaide’s western suburbs, wouldn’t stop singing from an early age – so much so that the Sisters of St Joseph at primary school wished he’d just shut up and do maths.
At Woodville High, teachers and parents suggested – after David showed interest in acting or journalism – a career in accounting. He did study accountancy but also theology and music (Elder Conservatorium). David was introduced to opera and classical singing but went down the dark path of corporate functions, cabaret and music theatre. He worked in piano bars for 20 years in Adelaide, Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney and Townsville.
David wrote cabaret shows New York According to Bernstein, The Sinatra Show and The Broadway Show, performed with co-writer and accompanist Matthew Carey in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville and Darwin.
He performed at the inaugural Adelaide Cabaret Festival and again in 2016 when he returned with the award-winning It was Worth the Weight. David also wrote and performed in The Big Book of Broadway, Cole’s Girls, Leading Men I’ll Never Play and Wireless.
He was equal winner in the 2015 Australian Cabaret Competition Adelaide final and most recently performed in the Australian Touring production of Hairspray as understudy to the role of Edna Turnblad – adding to professional stage roles in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney
David’s also appeared in TV commercials and films, e.g. The Brush Off, directed by Sam Neill.
This led to forming his own Davine Interventionz Productions in 2013 with a string of shows he’s produced, directed and/or designed to glowing reviews and a welter of awards. And David’s still singing!
Session Performers
Andrew James Crispe
Andrew is an established freelance performer and vocal coach who has performed professionally in and around Adelaide. He has been a member of the State Opera of SA’s Chorus since 2009. Andrew‘s first foray into the world of Music Theatre was in 2000, when he was encouraged to audition for the Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s back-to-back production of HMS Pinafore and Trial By Jury, and since then he has not looked back!
Andrew won his first leading role in 2006, and has gone on to play a large number of leading and supporting roles throughout Adelaide’s community theatre. Andrew has been nominated for Best Male Performance by the Critics Circle Awards for his role as Don Lockwood in Singin’ In The Rain, and by the Adelaide Theatre Guide for the same role, as well as his portrayal of The Beast in Disney's Beauty And The Beast. For one of his most recent productions Andrew won the TASA Best Male Performance Award for his portrayal of Edward Bloom in BIG FISH – a show which also won the TASA MusiCal Award. Andrew co-wrote and performed in the sold-out season of Villain-Ville: A Musical Exploration of Villainy and Evil in the 2015 Fringe Festival. His most recent appearances this year include a return to the role of Curly McLain (for the third time) in an outdoor production of Oklahoma (On A Farm) with Emma Knights Productions, The Preacher in Davine Interventionz production of Violet, a return to the role of the Major General in Emma Knights Productions’ fourth season of Pirates On The Popeye, and lastly as Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Andrew played the role of Marius in both seasons of Les Misérables with the Gilbert & Sullivan’s Society in 2008 and 2009, and he is overjoyed to be coming back for yet another season with them only this time as the infamous Javert – a role he has coveted since he was little!
Anjali Sarma
Having recently left the serene shores of her native New Zealand, Anjali wasted no time before diving straight into the Adelaide arts scene. When she is not substantiating claims about the origins of the pavlova, or being asked to pronounce the number "six", Anjali enjoys a variety of creative pursuits including singing, guitar and – most recently – acting. When she is not performing Anjali moonlights as a commercial lawyer.
Benjamin Maio Mackay
Benjamin Maio Mackay is an actor, singer, director, podcaster, writer and producer.
Benjamin has been performing for many years, has hosted programs for ABC Radio and toured his own stage shows around Australia. His most recent stage show, Matthew Reilly's Ice Station Live, based of the best selling Australian novel was performed at the Adelaide Fringe to critical and audience acclaim. He directed, adapted, produced and performed in the show.
He has attended vocal and acting training through numerous institutions since he was 7 years of age. He has completed the AMEB Speech and Drama course with honours and is currently studying for a diploma from Trinity College in drama and speech.
He currently runs the production company Preachrs Podcast OnLine & OnStage. His podcast Benjamin Maio Mackay's Talk 2 Me, is released twice a month and features interviews with entertainment celebrities. It attracts an average of 5 million listeners from around the world.
Benjamin’s upcoming project is the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Live 9-City National Tour. Benjamin is directing, producing and adapting the project, in addition to performing in it. It will play Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Canberra, Hobart, Brisbane and the Gold Coast over 2016 and 2017.
Benjamin has been interested in performing for as long as he can remember and he loves working in this space!
Benji Riggs
Currently studying at Paul McCartney's The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in the UK, Benji Riggs has a passion for songwriting and composition. He had the privileged upbringing as a performer, which has led him to audiences around the world – previously performing at the Royal Albert Hall, The Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the 50th year anniversary celebration of Uganda’s independence.
His first lead role was as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat with Shane Davidson Presents age 10. Since then, he has performed with many local theatre companies, including Swell Productions, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Scotch College and Independent Theatre, as well as professionally for Heaps Good Productions, and SINGular Productions. Adding to his credits are performances with the State Opera of South Australia, Windmill and the Australian Ballet Company.
Riggs has more recently found himself in the world of theatrical composition, having worked on Tony Harrison’s The Mysteries Part III: Doomsday (dir. Nick Bagnall), Blackbird by David Harrower (dir. Nick Bagnall) and with UK-based touring company Peepolykus.
However, beneath all the romance of adventure, Riggs is an Adelaide boy with a gentle heart, a warm spirit and a desperate need to create.
Billie Turner
Billie Turner is twenty-one years old, and has been acting and singing since she was seven. She has been involved in several choirs and acting troupes throughout her life, as well as drama classes throughout high school. She began her career in musical theatre since 2014, when she made her debut playing Chef Louis in Pelican Productions’ The Little Mermaid Jr.
Since then, she has been involved in several music theatre productions, playing characters such as Boris the Spy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Witch in Into the Woods, Madame Thenadier in Les Misérables, and Bridget in Bring It On which makes its return season in August 2018.
She is also the lead vocalist in Adelaide alternative rock band, The 4 Star Heroes.
Buddy Dawson
Buddy is a high school drama teacher who loves to perform. He has worked with a number of amateur theatre companies in Adelaide and has played many over-the-top characters (whilst breaking many bones in the process).
Carolyn Ferrie
Carolyn’s professional career began with a leading role in The Australian Opera production of The Turn of the Screw, followed by roles in Albert Herring and Fiddler on the Roof (Australian Opera). She has been in the original casts of Australian touring productions of Phantom of the Opera (Cameron Mackintosh), Secret Garden (GFO), The Sound of Music (GFO), and The King and I (Opera Australia), performing her own role and as the alternate for the starring roles. She has played Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Qld Theatre Company), Jellylorum/Griddlebone in Cats (in Germany), Emma in Tell Me On A Sunday (Jansson Productions) and Rose Pickle in Cloudstreet (State Opera SA workshop). Carolyn has sung the National Anthem at opening ceremonies of international cricket matches and Tour Down Under. For the screen, Carolyn has been seen in Neighbours, Here’s Humphrey, Kingdom of Paramithi, as well as corporate videos and is the original voice of Dorothy the Dinosaur in The Wiggles.
Carolyn Curtis
Carolyn is a new mum, CEO and Labrador lover who will be returning to the stage for the first time since having her baby girl, Ella. Her theatrical journey started at age 4 with tap dancing and jazz ballet lessons. She then went on to study a range of dance styles, music and drama both through school and with some wonderful private teachers and mentors.
Some of Carolyn's performance highlights include performing at The Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Roulin Mouge and Chic-ago (Catchy Title Productions) and producing and performing in The Rules of Love as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Carolyn has enjoyed many roles in musicals but two of her standouts include Millie, Thoroughly Modern Millie (The MET) and Hope Cladwell, Urinetown (The Hills Musical Theatre Company).
Carolyn is both excited and incredibly grateful to be sharing the stage with both a friend and wonderful performer, Mark Oates.
Damien Quick
Damien is no stranger to the stage, and has been regularly performing, singing and playing music since childhood. His introduction to musical theatre came when he was dragged along to an audition for The Wedding Singer by his older sister at the age of 13. This inspired a new passion, and Damien looked to maximise performing opportunities throughout high school, where he played Bugsy in Bugsy Malone and was involved in various solo and ensemble music performances.
After finishing high school in 2012, Damien re-entered the theatre with gusto, and has been a frequent performer ever since. Damien is part of the five-star award-nominated cabaret group 'The Bailey Beaus' created by Vintage Vendetta Productions, and has been fortunate to perform many interesting roles in well-known shows, including Mark in RENT, Doody in Grease, George in The Wedding Singer, and The Historian in Spamalot, as well as roles in Les Misérables, Oliver, The Sound of Music, Calamity Jane, and Catch Me If You Can.
Daniel Knowles
Since his first taste of performing on stage when he was 11 in a Primary School production of 'A Kidsummer Night's Dream', Daniel has thoroughly enjoyed being in the spotlight. His first appearance on the ammeter theatre scene was in NLTC's The Pirates of Penzance as a Pirate/Police in 2012. This was followed by 3 more NLTC shows: Little Shop of Horrors (Ensemble, 2013), Euröbeat: Almost Eurovision (Estonia/Russia/Sweden, 2013) and Happy Days (Bully/Ensemble, 2015). Daniel recently appeared in MBM's Mary Poppins as Punch/Tap Ensemble and also in MBM's Alfie as Perc; both in 2015. Daniel is currently studying Web Technologies and is a massive Survivor fan. He also loves Beyoncé and just happens to have the same last name as her (Knowles). He is looking forward to his first Broadway Sessions performance!
Dharini Rajaramanan (she/her)
Dharini Rajaramanan developed her passion for performing and musical theatre at a young age which grew stronger after showcasing in a number of school productions and performing in various vocal ensemble groups. Since completing school Dharini worked as a studio assistant at the Studio and Star Factory, a world class vocal coaching and artist development studio and has appeared in a few community theatre productions. In 2016, she performed in Marie Clark Musical Theatre’s production of Rent, where she understudied the role of Mimi and performed in the ensemble. Dharini also appeared in a musical theatre showcase at the University of Birmingham as a lead soloist. Dharini played the character Pat in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Kinky Boots in 2019 and most recently appeared as Lucinda in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Into the Woods in 2022. After spending the last few years focusing on her career in Clinical Psychology, Dharini is very excited to be back on stage. Dharini is excited to perform in the 2023 Adelaide Fringe production of Bimbo and is honoured to be a part of a show that challenges harmful stereotypes.
Ellis Dolan (he/him)
Ellis Dolan toured as Eddie/Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Show, and with the company of School of Rock as an Understudy for Dewey Finn and as a Swing – travelling all over Australia, China, and New Zealand.
He spent 2017 studying Musical Theatre at NIDA; appearing in the Sydney Theatre Company production of Chimerica as part of the NIDA Ensemble.
He has appeared in several productions around Adelaide, including Evita (The Met) in which he portrayed Che; The Producers (HMC) as the Stormtrooper; Oliver! (Shane Davidson Presents) as Bill Sykes; as well as ensemble roles in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (HMC) and Jesus Christ Superstar (G&S Society). Off-stage, he acted as Assistant Director for You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Smokey Joe's Cafe (HMC).
He also toured across Australia, portraying the role of Peter Dutton, as part of Abbott: The Musical (George Glass Productions), performing as part of the Canberra Comedy Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, as well as a sell-out run in the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Outside of performing, Ellis is a writer – having completed his Honours in Creative Arts: Creative Writing at Flinders University. He’s currently struggling through the third draft of a novel and is constantly side-tracked by wanting to write reviews and film analysis; because of this, nothing seems to get done, but he has a lot of fun doing it.
He made his directorial debut with Edges as part of the 2018 Adelaide Fringe Festival and loved every second of working with such fine people.
Georgia Slater
Georgia Slater has never strayed from her artistic passions. It has been all she has ever wanted to do, and knows confidently that she'll always continue to do this in future. Currently in year 12, she is studying music, drama and art. She enjoys singing opera, jazz, classical, and (her personal favourite) musical theatre. Georgia is currently rehearsing for the role of Ariel in her school's musical, as well as taking on the role of Musical Director. She also enjoys playing the piano, the guitar, and writing her own music.
In the future, Georgia knows she will be happy so long as she continues in her artistic pursuits. Her dream role is Fantine from her most adored musical, Les Misérables.
Georgie Raft
Georgie Raft is a 16 year old contemporary/pop singer-songwriter from Adelaide. She currently studies jazz and classical voice as well as audio production at The Studio And Star Factory.
Georgie has performed a number of lead roles in musicals including Fantine in Scotch College's Les Misérables, Rosemary in March Productions How to Succeed in Business Without really Trying and Jenny Lind in Barnum, She was a lead vocalist with the Australian Youth Performing Arts Team travelling to the US and gained a solo role in iTheatrics Broadway workshops in 2019. A highly versatile performer, in 2019 Georgie was awarded the Joan Lyons Scholarship for State Opera SA's Winter School, and performed in State Opera SA's season of Boojum!
Georgie has been songwriting since she was young and has a number of professionally produced songs In 2016 and 2017, three of her songs made the semi-finalist category of the International Songwriting Competition and in 2018, four of her songs were selected for the finals of the Australian Songwriting Awards with her latest single Better Off featuring in a number of Spotify's international playlists.
Her debut EP of original songs Breathing To Prove That I Can has received fabulous reviews and is currently receiving airplay on a number of Australian radio stations.
Harry Nguyen
Harry Nguyen is usually known as the ‘Krispy Kreme’ guy, mainly because he brings donuts to any shows that he is apart of. Falling in love with theatre from his first show in 2013 (High School Musical, AYT), Harry has immersed himself in shows including Hairspray (AYT), Fame (Marie Clark), Into the Woods (AYT), Rent (Marie Clark), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (G&S). Harry is currently working towards getting into theatre schools, but in the meantime you can catch him working at Krispy Kreme and giving free glazed donuts to anyone he knows.
Iman Saleh
Iman has been a musician for 10 years playing bass in several local bands throughout that time and also having completed a diploma in music. Always having a natural knack for the arts he always wanted to explore the side of acting and dancing, and was given the opportunity in 2015 when he first entered the Adelaide musical theatre scene in JamaeRaws adaptation of the musical Grease, portraying the role of Danny Zuko. He has since been in Wicked (Matt Byrne Media) and Anything Goes (JamaeRaw) playing Moonface Martin and most recently MBM's Saturday Night Fever as Bobby C. Iman has been enjoying his experiences and developing his stage skills and is excited to see where it will take him.
Jack Raft
Jack has studied piano, guitar, dance and voice for many years and has been performing in musicals and operas since the age of 9, enjoying such roles as Colin in G&S Society’s The Secret Garden, Oliver Twist in both seasons of the G&S Society’s Oliver!, JoJo in Shane Davidson’s Suessical, Kurt in G&S' The Sound of Music, LeFou in AYT’s Beauty and the Beast, Flounder in Swell Productions' The Little Mermaid, Young Josh in Northern Light Society’s Big and Aladdin in AYT’s Aladdin Jr. Jack also played Prince Eric in Pelican Productions The Little Mermaid Jnr for which they won two ATG Awards including best ensemble, and Cinderella’s Prince in the ATG nominated Fringe production of Into The Woods. More recently Jack has performed as Prince Chululongkorn with the Metropolitan Theatre Company's The King and I, Eddie in 13 The Musical for AYT's Adelaide Fringe Festival season, and Lucas in Scotch College's The Addams Family.
Professional credits include the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, State Opera SA's La Boheme; the Singular/State Opera workshop of Innocence and State Opera SA's Tosca (Shepherd Boy solosit) (2016). This year Jack played the role of Gilbert Blythe in Emma Knights Productions' Anne of Green Gables and was also lucky enough to be selected to perform as part of the 'Class of Cabaret' at the 2019 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, mentored by Michael Griffiths and Amelia Ryan.
Jack performs with his sister Georgie as duo 'Ignite' and has featured in several music videos including Parra for Cuva's world-wide hit 'Wicked Games'. A highlight for Ignite! was winning the People's Choice award for 'Talent On Show' at the Royal Adelaide Show. Jack is currently rehearsing for Ignite's upcoming Cabaret at the Star Theatre and the role of Enjolras in Scotch College's Les Misérables while trying to hold down a career as a school boy.
Jego Loreto
Jego is a local performer and is up and coming in Adelaide's cabaret scene. He was involved in the recent Adelaide Cabaret Festival's production called Under the Influence as one of the main performers. He was also involved with the Voice of Transition choir in the highlight show of the Festival called Peter and Jack.
His current dream role is to play Javert in Les Misérables.
Jerome Javier
Jerome is a 2019 graduate from Patrick School of the Arts from Melbourne, under the mentorship of Andrew Hallsworth. Upon graduating, he worked with Dean Bryant and Matthew Frank on their new musical cast recording of My Brilliant Career, now available on Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes. He is also a top 30 Semi-Finalist of the AOC Initiative. Jerome is a proud BIPOC performer, represented by Hansen Management.
Kate Hodges (She/Her)
Kate is an established performer and a regular with NLTC having played roles such as Liesl in The Sound of Music, The title role in Cinderella, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and most recently Fantine in this year's production of Les Miserables to name a few. Kate loves the Adelaide theatre community and has performed with a number of other companies across SA including MBM, The MET, Marie Clarke, Therry, The Hills Musical Theatre Company and G&S Society. Highlights for Kate include playing the puppet Kate Monster for The Hills Musical Theatre Company's production of Avenue Q in 2018 and the roller-skating Goddess Kira/Clio in Davine Interventionz' production of Xanadu in 2014.
Kate was first nominated for an Adelaide Theatre Guide Awards for "Best Female Performance" at 15 for her role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz with NLTC. Ten years later Kate was nominated again and won ATG's "Best Female Performance" for her role in or Kira/Clio in Xanadu. In the real world Kate is a Speech Pathologist, Voice Therapist, Vocal Coach and Mum to two young children.
Kathryn Driver
Kathryn was born in England and has had a rich upbringing in the world of the arts. She has been in various characters such as tweedledum in Alice in wonderland, Betty Rizzo in Grease and is currently playing Erma in JamaeRaws adaptation of Anything Goes. Kathryn has been singing in Soul Factor Gospel Choir for many years and is currently receiving vocal training by David Gauci.
Recently out of uni with a degree in teaching and the arts, Kathryn has been in musical theatre since a young age. She is currently in the Hills production of Aida and also teaches musical theatre, acting and singing at Starlets SA.
Kiera Turner
Kiera Turner has been a part of the musical theatre scene since 2015 after graduating with meritorious achievement from Brighton Secondary School's Special Interest Music program. Since then she has participated in Forbidden Broadway (Blackwood Players, 2015), The Little Mermaid (AYT, 2016), Into the Woods (AYT, 2016).
She played her first supporting role as Johanna in Sweeney Todd (SCCAS, 2017) and then as Cosette in Les Misérables (SCCAS, 2018). She has since done Phantom of the Opera (G&S Society, 2018), Miss Saigon (The Met, 2019), as well as playing violin in the orchestra for a number of other shows. Kiera is extremely excited to be playing Princess Ida as her first lead role as she particularly connected to the character. Ida is a kickass young lady who truly believes in the power and intelligence of women and Kiera hopes to bring this to the stage.
Kristin Stefanoff (she/her)
Kristin is a music teacher, musician, and performer based in the Adelaide Hills. Favourite musical theatre roles include: Ms Gardner/Female Authority Voice (Carrie The Musical - Hills Musical Company 2023); Muriel (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Hills Musical Company 2022); Laura (High Fidelity - Hills Musical Company 2021); Vivienne (Legally Blonde - The MET 2021); Simone (Shane Warne The Musical - Segue Productions 2020); Elizabeth (If/Then - Segue Productions 2018); Cathy (The Last Five Years - Segue Productions 2017); Clara (The Light In The Piazza - Davine Productions 2016); Inga (Young Frankenstein - Marie Clark Musical Theatre 2014); Smitty (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying - Marie Clark Musical Theatre 2013); and Ensemble/Lady of The Lake Understudy (Spamalot - Marie Clark Musical Theatre 2018).
Kristin holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the Elder Conservatorium, majoring in Classical Piano, and has extensive accompanying and pit experience. Music Direction credits include: Heathers: The Musical (Segue Productions 2019); Calamity Jane (Marie Clark Musical Theatre 2014); Poor Expectations (Investigator College 2014); Mulan Jr (Investigator College 2013); and Honk! (Investigator College 2011).
Kristin teaches piano, voice, violin and music theory, and loves seeing students grow in confidence as they develop their skills in music.
Lindsay Prodea (he/him)
Lindsay has performed over the past decade in both musical theatre and cabaret, having enjoyed success in various genres: classical roles such as John Brooke in Little Women (The Musical) (Therry Dramatic Society 2013) and Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods (Northern Light Theatre Company 2012); to contemporary roles such as Abraham in the Adelaide premiere of Altar Boyz (Davine Interventionz 2013), Sonny Malone in Xanadu (The Musical) (Davine Interventionz 2014), George in The Drowsy Chaperone (Hills Musical Company 2013), Kyle the UPS Delivery guy in Legally Blonde (HMC 2014) and most recently Elliott Garfield in The Goodbye Girl (Therry 2015). Lindsay has also appeared in countless other shows, favourites including Urinetown, 42nd Street, Crazy for You & Les Misérables. Most recently he premiered in Adelaide the role of Fabrizio for Davine Interventionz's 2016 Adelaide Fringe Show, The Light In The Piazza.
Aside from musical theatre, Lindsay has a keen passion for cabaret, having written, co-produced and performed at numerous cabaret events over the years. Stepping out side his usual genre, Lindsay played the role of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby (old sport), produced by Independent Theatre.
Mark Oates (he/him)
Mark is an award winning South Australian performer whose credits include the Adelaide and Brisbane Festivals, State Opera South Australia, SINGular Productions, Co Opera, Various People, Aerial Artists Australia, and MOatesArt Productions.
In 2022 Mark was nominated for an Adelaide Critic's Circle Award for his body of work. He premiered the dual roles of Ian Duncan and Don Dunstan in Neil Armfield's Ruby Award-winning Watershed: The Death Of Dr Duncan for the Adelaide Festival – while for State Opera South Australia he performed Lt Tom in Voss and Gastone in La Traviata, as well as embarking on a national tour of Love Burns, completing the first orchestration workshop of When The Rain Stops Falling and appearing in Bright Lights, Big Dreams.
Previous Adelaide Festival appearances are Mozart Requiem (2020), Bernstein Mass – featured Street Singer (2012) and Le Grande Macabre - Ruffiak (2010).
In State Opera of South Australia's 2023 season Mark will be appearing as the Defendant in Trial by Jury and in Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, as well as hosting the Tra La La Bar for the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, with further exciting projects to be announced. In 2021, Mark appeared as Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd and Jack in Love Burns, and opened the year in Carousel. Further highlights with the company include Njegus in The Merry Widow, Arjuna in Satyagraha, John Styx in Orpheus in the Underworld, The Cantor in Maria de Buenos Aires (co production with Leigh Warren Dancers – Adelaide Festival Centre Playhouse and Brisbane Festival). Mark is a proud and long-standing State Opera South Australia artist, both as a chorister and a principal performer.
Well known and regarded on the concert stage, Mark also mentors Class of Cabaret for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, works extensively with Primary Schools Music Festival and regularly tours with Aerial Artists Australia in Le Aerial, including Perth Fringeworld, Adelaide Fringe, Auckland Fringe, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Arts Centre and Port Douglas. Mark is Associate Producer and regular host of Broadway Sessions, Adelaide's long running monthly music theatre focussed, curated open mic night.
Mark Stefanoff (he/they)
Mark has trained throughout Australia and New York studying Musical Theatre at Schools including The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA Bachelor of Musical Theatre), APO Arts Academy (Advanced Diploma Musical Theatre), and Broadway Dance Centre (Scholarship Program). Mark is most well known from his appearances on The Voice, most recently in this years series making his way on to Team Ricky!
This ignited that theatre bug which led Mark to tour Australia, Asia, America and Europe with multiple musicals/productions including Kinky Boots (Australian Tour), Godspell (Australian Revival), Hello, Dolly! (Australian Revival), Hairspray Arena Spectacular (Tour), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (NCL European Tour), and Magic to do – Stephen Schwartz (USA/Euro Princess tour 3.0).
Previously, Mark has worked with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as the vocal captain for Disco Wonderland for the Brisbane Festival. Currently, is the lead vocalist for the world tours of Burn The Floor!
Mim Sarre (she/her)
Millicent Sarre (Mim) is a cabaret artist, singer-songwriter, vocal coach, and musical theatre performer, brought up and working on Kaurna Land. She has toured her original cabaret works Australia-wide; her most recent show Millicent Sarre is Opinionated won ‘Best Cabaret’ of the Adelaide Fringe 2023, and the album of the original songs from the show was released in February 2023. Previous musical theatre roles include Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (ECMT, dir. James Millar), Hildy in On the Town (ECMT, dir. Erin James), Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (ECMT, dir. Joseph Simons), and Ivy in the Australian premiere of Ivy + Bean: The Musical (The Gemini Collective, dir. Sarah Williams). Mim will graduate with a Bachelor of Music Theatre from the Elder Conservatorium in 2023.
Nadine Wood
Nadine has loved performing from a young age – whether thats on stage, screen or in person. She has been involved in amateur theatre in Adelaide for many years now either on stage or behind the scenes. However, she also enjoys filming and being an extra in screen work. Nadine is a mum of 3 children and has a very supportive husband. Her favorite shows to date have been The Addams Family with Matt Byrne Media, Xanadu with Davine Interventionz and Mary Poppins, also with Matt Byrne Media.
Rebecca Symonds
Performing has been a huge part of Rebecca's life from the very young age of four. Whether singing, dancing, acting or playing one of her instruments. Rebecca loves being on stage, which has enabled her to share that love for the performing arts with people around her.
Rebecca's first lead role was the Lion in The Wizard of Oz, followed by Gabriella Montez in High School Musical, along with many other youth productions. She has also travelled all around Australia throughout her schooling, performing in competitions with Voice, Flute, Drama & Dance. She is currently studying classical studies at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at Adelaide University. Rebecca hopes to pursue Music Theatre as a career and travel interstate to audition for numerous theatre schools.
Rosanne Hosking
Rosanne's performance career spans over 20 years and has taken her all around Australia (and overseas). She has enjoyed exploring her natural versatility on the operatic, musical theatre, cabaret and contemporary stage. Her professional theatrical debut was in the Australian cast of The Phantom of the Opera with which she toured Australia and New Zealand.
Most recently, Rosanne played the role of Miriam in the World Premier of new Australian musical, The Front at the 2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival and in 2013 she toured Australia with Amity Dry's musical, Mother Wife and the Complicated Life in the role of Lily. In 2012, she was awarded the Adelaide Theatre Guide Curtain Call Award - Best Professional Female Performance, for her portrayal of Diana Goodman in Adelaide's premiere of the musical, Next to Normal (Six Foot Something Productions & The Factory).
Her other professional theatre credits include The Venetian Twins (Beatrice) for the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival, South Pacific (Dinah) for Seabiscuit Productions/Festival Centre and Sunday in the Park with George (Frieda). She has also performed in State Opera of South Australia seasons of Don Giovanni, A Masked Ball and Turandot.
Rosanne has made appearances both nationally and internationally as a concert artist. Highlights have included Off the Air with ABC ClassicFM presenter, Guy Noble and performing Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate with the Austral Sinfonietta in London. In addition, she is a well-respected vocal coach based in Adelaide. Rosanne lectures in singing and music at the Adelaide College of Arts, works regularly with Pelican Productions as a Vocal & Musical Director, runs workshops for the Primary Schools Festival of Music and also runs her own private studio assisting professional and emerging artists.
Roxie Giovannucci
Roxie began singing at age seven, performing in numerous concerts with Voicestyle Studios. Since 2006, she has embarked on solo performances, performing at such venues as: The Intercontinental Hotel, The Governor Hindmarsh and Adelaide Festival Centre.
Some of her theatre credits include: The Sour Kangaroo (Seussical – Shane Davidson Presents), Brenda (Hairspray – Matt Byrne Media), Erato (Xanadu – Davine Interventionz), Flight by Night Addams (The Addams Family – Matt Byrne Media), Hot Box Dancer (Guys and Dolls – G&S Society) and ensemble for Catch Me If You Can with Marie Clark Theatre Company.
Roxie is also a graduate of AC Arts, where she studied a Diploma of Costume for Performance.
Sandy Wandel
Sandy knew from a young age that she was destined to be in the theatre, and as it turns out she was correct. Sandy is an Operating Theatre Nurse, and yes, she does sing at work! Sandy's first experience of music theatre was at age 11 when she understudied the role of Jane in a Come Out Festival performance of Tarzan's Narrow Escape. Not long after this she was introduced to the world of country music, and won a number of talent quests across Australia, including two amateur Golden Guitars at Tamworth, and her episode of Bert Newton's New Faces at age 15.
Since then Sandy has sung across a number of genres, studied AMEB Classical Voice to Grade 5, and worked as a Primary School Choir Trainer for the Festival Of Music. Her passion remains with Music Theatre and some of her favourite things have been playing the role of Nancy in Oliver!, Miss Hannigan in Annie (Balaklava Community Arts 2001/2005), Mrs Baskin in Big ( Northern Light 2015), and most recently being privileged to be in the ensemble of G&S Society's extremely well received production of Les Misérables.
Scott Lorien (he/him)
Scott has always had a love of the theatre, but his real obsession began in high school, with performances as the Foreman, Pimp and a Student in Les Misérables, Priam in Paris and Action in West Side Story. Since completing high school he performed non-stop for a number of years, starting with Gerald Bolingbroke in Me and My Girl, an Apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar and Ugly in Honk! (Marie Clark Musical Theatre). After playing Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! and Asher and the Butler in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of SA), Scott joined Northern Light Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as Monsieur D’Arque to round out 2011. The following year started with an incredible experience: Scott won the role of Henry in Six Foot Something’s pro-am Production of Next to Normal. After a mild performance hiatus in more recent times, Scott starred as Hunter in Irregular Productions sell out 2015 Adelaide Fringe season of [title of show].
If there’s one thing he regrets, it’s not starting singing and performing (publicly of course) at an earlier age. Off-stage (but in the theatre) Scott enjoys both sound and lighting design, and the challenges each of these areas brings to his knowledge of design in the digital world. Broadway Sessions is certainly the start of a new chapter, bringing together many ongoing stories and plot lines, but allowing the love of theatre (musical theatre in particular) to continue in new and exciting ways.
When not strutting his stuff on stage, or manically helping out backstage or in the roof of a theatre, Scott is a web designer & developer, creating sites like this one! You can see more of his work at www.scottreynolds.com.au.
Sebastian Cooper
Sebastian’s talent and passion for performing has stood out since he was knee high to a drama block and he shone in his breakout performance as ‘Oompa Loompa 1’ in the Red Cliffs Players production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Since then he has performed leading and supporting roles in amateur productions all around the country. He’s played a knight of The Round Table, two princes, an in-the-closet investment banker/puppet and been shot dead… twice.
He scored his first leading role as the Cat in the Hat in Suessical! (Adelaide Youth Theatre -2013), charmed as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (MMAC-2014), and performed in his first fringe as the Comfort Councillor in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (AYT- 2014). Most recently he performed as Sammy in The Wedding Singer (Marie Clarke -2015). Sebastian would like to thank his mother for not encouraging him to play sport.
Serena Cann
Serena began performing with the Adelaide Youth Theatre in 2011 and since, has played many roles for the youth theatre such as Tracy in Hairspray, Mrs Potts in Beauty and the Beast, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Dragon in Shrek the Musical and most recently as Elphaba in their production of Wicked. Serena has also performed in many shows for Emma Knights Productions, including as Ado Annie in Oklahoma: On a Farm!, Buffy in Buffy Kills Edward and as New York Woman in I Love You Because.
Recently, Serena performed the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera for the G&S Society of SA, and has played Elphaba in Wicked and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Serena has also performed many roles professionally for companies such as The Entertainment Store and Heaps Good Productions, most recently in the successful season of Snowmageddon at the South Australian Maritime Museum. In addition to musical theatre, Serena performs regularly with The Three Little Sisters, an Andrews Sisters tribute show, and performs in and directs The Honey-Bees, a 60s-tribute show.
Tegan Gully-Crispe (She/Her)
Tegan has appeared in amateur and professional shows since the age of nine, her favourite roles include Lois/Bianca in Kiss Me Kate (MCMT- 2006 and Co Opera SA - 2007), Ariel in Footloose (Matt Byrne Media – 2006), Lucy T Slut in Avenue Q (Matt Byrne Media – 2011), Rizzo in Grease (The Met – 2013), Calamity Jane in Calamity Jane (MCMT- 2014), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Hills Musical Company – 2014) and Julia in The Wedding Singer (MCMT- 2015).
For five years Tegan worked at the Night Train as a lead performer in their Adult, Kids and touring show, The Rockaholics, and has been the lead singer for Adelaide corporate and Party Band Jungle Jooce for the past 16 years. She also co-wrote, choreographed and performed in the sold out season of Villain-Ville: A Musical Exploration of Villainy and Evil in the 2015 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
More recently Tegan played Princess Fiona in AYT's Shrek, Tracy Samantha Lord in the METs High Society, Mayzie La Bird in NLTC’s Seussical in 2018 and Eva Peron in G&S' production of Evita in 2021. In April this year, Tegan will be playing Holly in Northern Light Theatre CO’s production of The Wedding Singer.
TLA Quartet
TLA Quartet is an a cappella quartet specializing in the barbershop style. Originally hailing from Perth, TLA is now spread across the country with a member in QLD as well as one here in Adelaide. After forming in 2012 for a bit of fun, they won the national Barbershop competition in 2013 and traveled to Las Vegas in 2014 to represent Australia at the International contest. No longer in the contest scene, TLA enjoys performing at private and corporate functions and festivals.
They try not to take themselves or their hobby too seriously, but TLA thinks there is nothing quite like some quality harmony with some good mates.
Vaishnavi Rajaramanan
Vaishnavi is a lawyer with a passion for music theatre. This is now her fifth time being a part of the Broadway Sessions line-up, and her first time since coming back from a long hiatus! She was in the Met's production of Bye Bye Birdie and hopes to be part of another show soon!
Zak Vasiliou
Zak is currently in his third year at the Victorian College of the Arts studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre). He has been passionate about theatre for as long as he can remember, undertaking both on and offstage roles for a variety of productions. He has completed a Certificate IV in Commercial Dance at Gravity Dance, specialising in tap, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, ballroom and ballet.
Zak’s choreography credits include Singin’ in the Rain JR (2017, TB Arts, Fringe Festival), A Peter Combe Extravaganza! (2017, Something on Saturday) and A Night on Broadway (2014, Glenunga High School). Zak made his professional debut with State Opera of South Australia’s production of Hansel and Gretel. Since then, he has played many memorable roles such as Boq in Wicked the Musical (2016, Matt Byrne Media), Mary Sunshine in Chicago (2017, Emma Knights Productions), The Tinman in The Wiz (2013, GIHS), Danny in Grease (2014, GIHS), Bert in Mary Poppins (2014, GIHS) and also appeared as a featured dancer in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2016, G&S Society of SA).
An avid performer, he has entertained at many events around Adelaide, such as the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the Royal Adelaide Show and Adelaide's Clipsal 500, as well as at private functions, weddings and parties. Zak also works as an entertainer for Nickelodeon and Showtime Attractions and has performed in many children’s shows with them.
Session Band
Peter Johns (Piano/Musical Director)
Peter is a music director, accompanist, repertoire coach, and the founder of Irregular Productions - one half of the brains behind Broadway Sessions.
He has been a theatre music director since 2005, with a number of his shows winning local awards. Theatre Credits include: (as Music Director) Beautiful, Mamma Mia, Les Misérables, Next to Normal, Violet, The Story Of My Life, Songs For A New World, The Light In The Piazza, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Into the Woods, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, [title of show], Edges, Avenue Q, Bring It On, Singing In The Rain, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver!, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, The Sound of Music, Urinetown the Musical, Scrooge, The Witches of Eastwick, Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical the Musical, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress; (as Associate Music Director) Kinky Boots; (as Conductor) City of Angels, The Addams Family; (as Associate Conductor) Rent; (as Assistant Music Director) Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, South Pacific, Copacabana; as well as playing keyboard in over 25 other productions.
Besides co-producing Broadway Sessions, Irregular Productions has also staged the South Australian premieres of Songs for a New World, [title of show] and Edges, as well as a new production of Godspell (with Lydian Productions).
Peter is also the music director for Civic Park Carols, Australia's second-largest candlelight carols event, working with some of Adelaide’s finest musician’s and performers, as well as artists such as Justine Clarke, Guy Sebastian, Rachel Beck, and Jimmy Giggle.
Louis Cann (Bass)
Louis has been playing both double bass and bass guitar as long as he can remember. Beginning with lessons at the age of 7, he quickly developed his skills and decided that music was the career for him. Louis began playing for Musical Theatre shows in 2011, with the Northern Lights Theatre Company’s production of Beauty and the Beast, which coincidentally, was the beginning of a long-standing working relationship with Musical Director, Peter Johns! Since, Louis has played for many theatre companies around Adelaide, including Adelaide Youth Theatre, Lydian Productions, Pelican Productions, Davine Productions, Irregular Productions, Marie Clarke Musical Theatre, The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia, and Hills Musical Company. Some of his favourite shows to play for have been In the Heights, for Pelican Productions in 2019, and Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, for Davine Productions in 2020. In 2018, Louis had the privilege of playing in the pit for the Gordon Frost Organisation’s touring production of The Wizard of Oz. Louis graduated from the Elder Conservatorium of Music in 2016, with a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance.) That same year, he began performing as a casual member of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra - some of his favourite performances include Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, and Last Night of the Proms at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
Max Ziliotto (Drums/Percussion)
Max Ziliotto has been performing since 2004, from concert bands, drumline and big band, to orchestral works and musical theatre. Prior to his acceptance as a Casual Percussionist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, he completed his Bachelor of Music in 2013 at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Amanda Grigg.
Born in Adelaide, Max began his musical journey under the guidance of Peter Matzick. Attending Marryatville High School, Max gained a wealth of performance opportunities including the Generations in Jazz festival in Mount Gambier. During his Undergraduate studies, Max won first place in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Snare Drum Award in 2011.
Max has been performing with the Elder Conservatorium's Music Theatre students' productions since 2021, most notably playing the drum score for Legally Blonde, directed by Broadway's Nikki Snelson in 2022.
Max was also an active member of the Raiders Drum Corps from 2006-2019, performing numerous times in the city's Christmas Pageant, and on stage with them at Australian Ultimate Drummers Weekend in Melbourne 2015. He has tutored at South Australian Music Camp multiple times, and has been in the house band of Broadway Sessions since its inception in 2015.