November Session: JRB Night

Bonnie Blacker is 16 years old and has enjoyed performing in past amateur musical productions such as Adelaide Youth Theater's Shrek the Musical. She has participated in three of Pelican Production's Music Theater Camps and the 2017 Balaklava Eisteddfod as well as other various singing competitions and Cabarets. She looks forward to becoming a more accomplished performer and aims to continue performing throughout 2018.

Cailene Kilcoyne came to Adelaide from San Diego, California. She has performed regionally around the United States as well as internationally. Cailene keeps busy singing these days with a wedding band as well as singing in the shower. She's super excited to be performing at Broadway Sessions :)

Carly started choral singing at a young age in the Adelaide Girls Choir. She performed with "Voiceworks Adelaide" during her tertiary studies and more recently has sung in the Adelaide Symphony Chorale. Her love of singing initially stemmed from performing with choirs, whilst her passion for performing in musicals started in 2005, when she was part of the MS Society's production of Les Misérables.

Since then, Carly has performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's productions of Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar and Oliver. She has also performed in Davine Productions' Violet, It's Only Life, Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Summer of 69 and A New Brain.

Carly is a High School Music Teacher by trade and is currently the arts coordinator of Gleeson College. Her favourite part of her job is allowing her students to have the experience of performing in musicals. Some of her students from Gleeson are still heavily involved in the Adelaide music theatre scene and some have sung in Broadway Sessions here. She loves the thought that her past students are continuing on with their love of music and musicals.

With a professional career spanning three decades and diverse music genres, Carolyn has been honoured to share the stage with many greats, including Anthony Warlow, Lou Diamond Philips, Bert Newton, Ruth Cracknel and Jubilant Sykes.

Carolyn has been in the original casts of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden and The Sound of Music. Other roles include Jelly/Griddlebone in CATS in Hamburg, Johanna in Sweeney Todd for Queensland Opera, Chava in Fiddler on the Roof and Flora in Turn of the Screw for Opera Australia.

Carolyn has performed in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival with Broadway legends Maltby and Shire in Closer than Ever and Take Flight, and in The Adelaide Festival’s production of Bernstein’s Mass.

Concert highlights include Shakespeare on Broadway with Margaret Urlich, “duetting” with Marina Prior and singing the National Anthem at the Opening Ceremony of The Ashes in Adelaide. Television credits include Here’s Humphrey, The Kingdom of Paramithi, Neighbours and Wiggle TV and for many years she was the original voice of Dorothy the Dinosaur. Carolyn has also taught performance in schools, workshops and privately and has coached many students towards successful auditions.

Recently Carolyn played the role of Rose Pickles in Gale Edward’s workshop performance of Cloudstreet with State Opera of SA and then toured Australia as the alternate Mrs. Anna in Opera Australia’s The King and I, performing the role opposite Lou Diamond Phillips and Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

Claire's love for music, singing and songwriting has seen her perform roles for The State Opera of SA, G&S Society, Swell Productions, Pelican Productions, and as pre-match entertainment for the Adelaide Crows. Claire performed as an Assisting Artist at the Adelaide Festival Theatre’s Festival of Music, and received the State Prize for her AMEB singing exam.

At the 2017 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Claire performed in Retrospective for the Class of Cabaret Graduates, as well as at the Backstage Club and the Closing Gala. Claire’s performance in Class of Cabaret in 2015 earnt her the Adelaide Festival Centre Arts Award. She also performed in the Cabaret Festival’s Wintergarden in 2016.

Claire began studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Adelaide University this year, but really looks forward to singing, and playing guitar, ukulele and piano whenever she can. She has composed and recorded several songs, and she hopes to continue writing and releasing her own music in the future.

Courtney is a classically trained vocalist holding a Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice) from the Elder Conservatorium of Music. Throughout her degree Courtney was a member of many choirs including the Adelaide Symphony Chorus where she most notably performed in Danny Elfman's The Music of Tim Burton and Andrea Bocceli's Australian tour.

After nearly a decade of classical training and performing, Courtney decided to broaden her style and began focusing on Musical Theatre. Courtney has just finished performing as Heather McNamara in HEATHERS: The Musical to a sold out season in the 2018 Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Courtney has recently returned from travelling to both London's West End and Broadway and is thrilled to perform, more inspired than ever.

Kodi has been on stage since the moment she knew what performing was – first on a makeshift couch/cushion stage at home, then as a member of her church choir, followed by training with the Australian Girls’ Choir for 12 years and Adelaide Theatre Academy for 10. Kodi has also worked as a performing arts and private singing teacher at Theatre Bugs/Adelaide Theatre Academy and Harvest Rain.

Her passion for performing has taken her around Australia, Europe, the USA and Singapore on tours with the Australian Girls’ Choir, and as part of the Qantas Choir. Kodi has also shared the stage with several well-known names, singing and dancing alongside the likes of Hugh Jackman, Jessica Mauboy, Andre Rieu, David Campbell and Leo Sayer, as well as South Australian favourite, Peter Combe.

Locally, musical theatre has always been Kodi's preferred genre, and her performance credits include Margot (Legally Blonde), Brigitta (The Sound of Music), Jovie (Elf Jr), Violet Moore (Footloose), Mrs Potts (Beauty and the Beast Jr), and The Cat in the Hat (Seussical Jr), as well as performing in numerous shows in the Adelaide Fringe.

In November, Kodi is performing as Anna in High Fidelity with the Hills Musical Company.

Em is a 24-year old teacher back down under on a break from Ye Olde Englande. She began performing at age five but didn't enter the magical land of musical theatre until the age of 12. She enjoys reading, history, piña coladas, getting caught in the rain, and obviously, musicals.

She has performed and crewed for many shows. The highlights of her time treading the boards include playing Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun (UHS), Bet in Oliver! (G&S), and possibly her favourite role at the tender age of 12 - the Pirate King (Pelican Productions). Other credits include Les Misérables (G&S), Thoroughly Modern Millie (G&S), Cinderfella the Pantomime (Royal Holloway), Young Frankenstein (MCMT), Calamity Jane (MCMT), Music Theatre Camp 2008 - 2013 (Pelican Productions).

Ethan, 14, is a passionate musician and musical theatre performer. He enjoys many music genres, with a particular interest in jazz. As a 10 year old, he played 'JoJo' in the school's production of Seussical Jnr. He went on to perform in Beauty and the Beast, Bugsy Malone, Into the Woods and really enjoyed his role as 'Evan' in 13 The Musical. Ethan has enjoyed performing in Pelican's musical theatre camps and as 'The Cat in the Hat' in Seussical Jnr. Ethan made his professional debut as Friedrich Von Trapp in The Sound of Music in 2016.

Ethan has performed with Promise Adelaide's cabarets #She, Out of the Blue and Rising Stars, and as a special guest performer in Rising Stars and Musical Moments. In between his musical theatre commitments, Ethan plays in four bands, sings in two mixed choirs and is a member of the Young Adelaide Voices’ male choir.

At 23, Georgia is still exploring Adelaide's theatre community with wide eyes. With a later start than some, Georgia began performing with Pelican Productions at 14, and continued to do so for six years. Her most recent feat with the company was in 2017 in Bring it On: The Musical, where she played the part of Bridget, earning her a nomination for best youth perfomer.

Georgia has spread her love of the performing arts overseas, by working as a drama instructor in a summer camp in Arizona. She has just completed her Bachelor of International Tourism at Flinders University and most recently starred in the MET's production of High Society as the precocious Dinah Lord. Up next, Georgia will be performing in Davine Productions Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in the 2020 Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Georgia Firth is 15 years old and is a student at Marryatville High School. In 2017 she played the role of Kendra in Adelaide Youth Theatre's Fringe Festival production of 13 The Musical, and later in the year played the part of Mayzie in Seussical Jnr with Pelican Productions. This year she performed in Promise Adelaide's Musical Moments and Diva Series concerts as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Ian is a teacher, performer, composer, pianist, musical director and lecturer often found at performing arts schools around Melbourne scowling at people for singing too quietly. He completed a Ph.D in Music Studies (Composition) at the Elder Conservatorium before moving to Melbourne and studying musical theatre at APO Arts Academy. Recent appearances include Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Babirra Music Theatre) Combeferre in Les Misérables and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (CLOC Musical Theatre.) Sometimes he forgets to stop studying so also holds an Advanced Diploma of Languages (majoring in French,) is a qualified pilot and moonlights as a software and app developer while he works toward a Masters in IT.

James Nicholson relocated to Adelaide in 2010 from his hometown of Mildura. James has been performing in various concerts and musical theatre productions since the age of 9 with highlights including a choral performance in Opera by the Loch and playing Randolph MacAfee (Bye Bye Birdie), Angel (RENT), and Tony (West Side Story). James also achieved several first places, prizes and honourable mentions in voice at Eisteddfods. Since moving to Adelaide, James has completed a music degree at Elder Conservatorium as well as performing in the ensemble of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for Opus Performing Arts and as Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Albert Lennox in Secret Garden, and knife grinder in Oliver, with the G&S Society. James played ‘Tony’ in Maria Callas Masterclass and ‘Box’ in Cox and Box for Elder Hall Lunch time concerts, sang in the Chorus of Otello for the State Opera. And most recently played 'Nanki poo' in Co Operas Mikado. James ultimately wishes to pursue an international career in opera and musical theatre.

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.

Maya’s love of musical theatre began at an early age, with her journey in performance beginning with Pelican Productions. Since then, Maya’s theatre credits include The Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s Thoroughly Modern Millie (2016) and Les Misérables (2017), Lydian Productions and Irregular Productions’ Godspell (2018) as the ‘By My Side’ soloist, Marie Clark Musical Theatre’s Anything Goes (2019) as Hope Harcourt, Segue Productions’ Heathers (2019) as Heather McNamara, and most recently Davine Productions' Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as Cynthia Weil (2020). Maya is a primary school Dance/Drama teacher, and she finds so much joy in being able to share her love of musical theatre with her students.

Megan is a graduate of the Music Theatre program at the University of Ballarat and has been performing in theatre and cabaret in Adelaide and beyond for over fifteen years, including a two-year stint in the U.K., where she performed her show The Girl Who Won't Grow Up and premiered a new, as yet untitled piece, at the Pheasantry in London.

She has written and produced several cabarets and concerts, and produced the South Australian and amateur premiere of Matthew Robinson's Sing on Through Tomorrow in 2014. Favourite roles in amateur theatre have included Laurey in Oklahoma!, Phoebe in The Yeomen of the Guard, and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.

In 2018 Megan premiered a new cabaret at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, climbed Rocky Mountains once more as a part of The Pirates of Penzance (on the Popeye!), directed the Australian Premiere of Buffy Kills Edward, a Musical Parody, and is playing Petra in A Little Night Music for the G&S Society and Carrie in Rules for Living with the Adelaide Repertory. And that's only the stuff that's confirmed!

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.

Mitchell is so excited to be back at Broadway Sessions for the first time since almost 3 years living in Melbourne. Favourite past roles include Melchior in Spring Awakening (HMC), Marius in Les Misérables (PLOS - Melbourne), Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (G&S), and Monty in Violet (Davine). He currently works as a paediatric podiatrist in the public sector in Victoria and is so grateful to be able to get across the border (and hopefully back) to sing tonight.

Ruby’s passion for musical theatre began at a young age, receiving voice and acting training from industry professionals. Ruby is currently directing Urinetown with Hills Musical Company. Recently, Ruby played Sue in Carrie the Musical with Hills Musical Company, and Rose in Dogfight with St Jude’s Players. She also played Nicola in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's production of Kinky Boots and was the ‘Turn Back, O Man’ soloist in Godspell, produced by Irregular Productions and Lydian Productions. She  performed as Hodel in the Therry Dramatic Society's production of Fiddler on the Roof, and understudied the title role and performed in the ensemble for Davine Productions’ Violet. Her performing credits also include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical witih Davine Productions, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Les Misérables produced by The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and in 2023 Kiss Me Kate with Hills Musical Company.

Sean is 19 years old and has loved music, performing and dance from a young age. Since training voice with David Gauci, Sean has taken every opportunity to perform on stage through school productions and Pelican Productions' Music Theatre Camp. Sean's first role in a musical was Hugo Peabody from Bye Bye Birdie. From there, Sean has also been involved with Star Theatres Teen Dream and has played the role of Ryder numerous times in Nick Jr's Paw Patrol. He has also performed in many theatrical plays including The Ham Funeral and Hedda Gabbler. Most recently, Sean played the role of La Cienega in Pelican Production's adaption of Bring It On The Musical for which he won the 'Best Young Performer' award at the 2017 ATG Curtain Call Awards.

Outside of theatre, Sean is currently studying a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of South Australia. He is also working as a children’s performer with the company Bop Till You Drop.

At 22, Stephanie has been singing, dancing and acting for most of her life. Her love for theatre began in The Fairies when she was 9 and she has since had the opportunity to play some amazing roles, such as 'Calamity' in Calamity Jane (Trinity College), 'Millie' in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Swell Productions) and 'Rizzo' in Grease, 'Ariel' in The Little Mermaid and 'Danielle' in Bring It On (Pelican Productions). Stephanie has been passionate about singing most of her life, performing at many events over the years, including the Elder Park Carols and SANFL grand finals. She now is in her 3rd year of vocal coaching with her certificate in Stage 1 & 2 of Estill Voice Training. Apart from musicals, she is also passionate about leading youth and music at her church. Stephanie is looking forward to getting more involved in musical theatre in the future.

Tom’s professional acting career began in 2008 when cast in Glendyn Ivin's feature film, Last Ride opposite Hugo Weaving. In 2009 Tom was honoured with an AFI nomination for Best Young Actor for his performance in the film. Tom went on to play the pivotal role of Young Fish in Screentime’s adaptation of Tim Winton’s best selling novel Cloudstreet.

Tom’s other feature film credits to date are Matching Jack, The Tree, Daniel, Deadline Gallipoli and Boys in the Trees.

Tom has performed in multiple shows across Adelaide, both professional and amateur. In 2008 and 2009 He played Gavroche in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society production, Les Misérables. He has also been apart of many of Scotch College's musicals, including Pirates of Penzance, West Side Story, Les Misérables and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Tom is currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts.

Vanessa holds an Advanced Diploma of Design for makeup, specializing in film, TV, theatre and SFX. She has been Head Makeup Artist for various feature and short films and theatre productions. Currently she is performing in G&S Les Misérables as Madame Thenadier and following this Vanessa is producing and performing the role of Claire in Ordinary Days. Her other performance credits include understudy to the role of Bec in Amity Dry’s musical Mother Wife and The Complicated Life with Popjam Productions, Co-Opera’s The Magic Flute throughout Australia and Europe and performing Frasquita in Carmen. Vanessa’s extensive musical theatre background includes Mrs Sowerberry in Oliver!, Ayah in The Secret Garden, Tessa in The Gondoliers, the Fairy Queen in Iolanthe, Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Edith in Pirates of Penzance, and Rapunzel in Into The Woods. Vanessa has recently directed and designed The Addams Family Musical for Walford School for Girls.

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 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.