December Session: New Year’s Eve Eve

Alana is 19 years old and started singing with the school choir, then moved to Musical Theatre at age 10. Alana has enjoyed success with lead roles in productions by Adelaide Youth Theatre, Pelican Productions, March Productions and work with Promise Adelaide. Her highlights include Class of Cabaret and working with New York producers/directors. She is passionate about all genres of music and loves to sing, act and dance. She owes much of her success to working with many accomplished teachers and performers.

Barbra da Silva studied Creative Writing at Flinders University, but she has also been singing ever since she was a child and has performed in public many times. She took voice lessons at Flagstaff Hill Primary School, mainly focusing on jazz and R&B. She was also a soloist in the choir and auditioned for a solo for the Festival of Music in 2004. She continued taking voice lessons throughout high school, singing in the Aberfoyle Park High School choir and performing Broadway songs for music lessons. She hopes to get involved in local theatre productions in Adelaide, but her ultimate dream is to star in Hamilton and In The Heights.

Casmira is an experienced performer and teacher with a great passion for storytelling. Highlights have included performing the role of ‘Violet’ in Davine Productions’ Violet (for which she won the TASA award for Best Female Performance 2017) and 'Fantine' in the G&S Society's production of Les Misérables (for which she was nominated for a Curtain Call: Best Female Performance 2018).

In 2018 she performed in Edges with Irregular Productions for the Adelaide Fringe, ‘Shelby’ in Steel Magnolias with IpSkip,'The Lady of the Lake' in Spamalot with Marie Clark (winner of Best Ensemble Curtain Call 2018), and the ‘Sour Kangaroo’ in Seussical with Northern Light. In 2019 Casmira played nine characters in Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court with Davine Productions (which won Best Ensemble and Best Musical at the 2019 Curtain Call Awards, as well as the TASA for Best Musical) and Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromme in Assassins for Hills Musical Company.

Professionally, Casmira has acted and provided voices for several short films and children’s productions. She also spent many years directing and music directing musicals for Adelaide Theatre Academy, including Snow White and Alice in Wonderland for the Festival Centre’s ‘Something on Saturday’ program. Her fondest memories are working with Peter Combe in directing and choreographing his Adelaide Fringe shows from 2013-2015.

One of Chloe's earliest memories is twirling and singing in an Adelaide Crows football guernsey. Following this passion, she landed her first professional role in the touring production of Turandot in 2008, as well as starring as Ariel in the 2013 Australian premiere of The Little Mermaid. Chloe loved being part of Big Dreams – a 2019 Book Week show.

Throughout her time at WAAPA, Chloe has had the opportunity to play Cora in Atlantis (Matthew Robinson. Workshop) and Diane Lorimer in 42nd Street (dir. Jason Langley) as well as being a featured soloist in both Rent (dir. Adam Mitchell) and Chicago (dir. Crispin Taylor). Chloe filmed Vivid ‘magination, a music video with WASA where she played female lead Drew which was released in 2018.

Most recently Chloe returned from performing in Disney’s PJ Masks live show in Singapore with Marilla productions.

24-year-old Dylan Rufus has been part of the South Australian theatre community since 2011, assuming various roles onstage, offstage, and within production teams. Dylan’s onstage work has seen him in productions of Grease, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, and Spring Awakening, amongst other plays and pantomimes. Previous personal standout roles include Orin Scrivello D.D.S. in Little Shop of Horrors (2018, Adelaide Theatre Academy), Principal Gowan/Veronica’s Dad/Kurt’s Dad in Heathers (2019, Segue Productions), and John Hinkley, Jr. in Assassins (2019, Hills Musical Company). Lately, Dylan has been contributing to the musician side of musical theatre, playing guitar for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (2020/2021, Davine Productions) and Mamma Mia! (2021, Northern Light Theatre Company).

Outside of theatre, Dylan has recently completed his Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in English (University of Adelaide), as well as a Masters in Teaching (Secondary) (University of South Australia).

Ella Heywood-Smith is an actress, singer and script writer who has just completed an honours degree at the University of South Australia. In 2016 she performed in her self-written musical Arellond in the Adelaide Fringe. In 2016 - 2017 she travelled with the Australian Youth Performing Arts Team to America to perform in the Macy's parade and musical theatre shows in Disneyworld and Universal Studios. Ella's honours degree has given her the opportunity to write a script about her experiences as a child of same-sex parents and the script was first performed at the Feast Festival in 2017. Ella has just concluded her performance as Martha Dunnstock in Heathers The Musical (High School Edition) with CAPA (Adelaide Fringe Festival 2018).

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.

Eloise Quinn-Valentine loves to tell stories on stage, and has performed in a variety of musicals, plays, cabarets, and choirs from a young age. Recent highlights include Othello and Seagull (Independent Theatre, 2022), The Hello Girls (Therry Theatre, 2021), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Davine Productions, 2020), Jerusalem (University of Adelaide Theatre Guild, 2019), It’s Only Life (Davine Productions, 2018), Violet: a musical (Davine Productions, 2017), and The Crucible (Royal Holloway University of London Drama Society, 2017). Eloise works and volunteers as an educator across a variety of disciplines and contexts, and particularly loves teaching others about faith, storytelling, compassion, and justice.

Hailing from rural South Australia, Georgia is a 2017 graduate of the Bachelor of Musical Theatre program at the Queensland Conservatorium. Before discovering her passion for Musical Theatre, Georgia trained in classical violin, piano and contemporary voice. After performing in her first show in Adelaide she won the Adelaide Youth Theatre scholarship for 2013. During her time at the Conservatorium, Georgia has been fortunate enough to play the Narrator in Sweet Charity, Sonja in The Life, been Featured Performer in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Girl in West Side Story.

Georgia has also enjoyed being a featured soloist at multiple extracurricular performances, including Thank You For The Music: An ABBA Celebration at QPAC, Queensland Pops Orchestra with Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Rhonda Burchmore on Broadway, the Queensland Tourism Awards and the City Hall Concert Series as part of the Brisbane Festival. Georgia is proudly represented by Mollison Keightley Management.

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.

Jess first began performing at age seven and says that she has loved the rush and excitement since. Now 17, Jess involves herself in every musical opportunity she can find. Jess’ first professional show was with Pelican Productions’ - Music Theatre Camp; Believe. Every year since, Jess has performed in each of their Music Theatre Camps, 2018 MTC will be her ninth year with the company. Jess has been performing with companies such as; Pelican Productions, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Promise Adelaide and Shane Davidson Presents.

Some of her career highlights have been playing; Sandy Dumbrowski, Galinda the Good Witch, Cogsworth, The Wardrobe and a selected solo artist for various councils and Fundraising Foundations. Jess has now begun attending private lessons with her current vocal coach Kirsty Roberts, with whom she continues to produce her own music. Jess is also further developing her solo career by busking in many locations across Adelaide and is regularly performing in her band at various venues. Jess looks forward to her future career with her solo music and musical theatre.

Joseph has been doing theatre since childhood, though not properly hitting the Adelaide scene until Marie Clark's Jekyll and Hyde in 2017 as a member of the ensemble. Since then, he has played roles such as Mitch Mahoney in Spelling Bee, Marius in Les Misérables, Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, and is currently in Marie Clark's Anything Goes. When not singing, dancing, or delivering a dramatic monologue, he's usually pouring something alcoholic (whether for a customer or himself remains to be seen).

Melody has been training in contemporary music and musical theatre most of her life and has no intention of abandoning her love for the stage anytime soon. She performed in her first musical, Holiday Inn, in June 2018 and cherished every second. She is hoping to continue working in local theatre productions in the future but, for now, she's taking it one stage at a time...

Michelle Simper is living, working, running, yoga-ing and only just recently, singing in Sydney. She took some time since moving there and her sister's death to want to sing a note. However, small steps is sometimes enough. She is now backing up a lovely lady at the Castle Hill RSL and song writing again. Michelle has surveyed the Sydney theatre scene, which is extensive and extremely talented. The Adelaide amateur theatre regulars know her from coming back to theatre at 30 having been a dancer and acting in Sydney back then. She worked with Shane Davidson and G&S Society of SA for many years, enjoying the participation elements of performing – so ensemble roles where ever possible. Michelle updated her dance and acting training in the 90's by doing Vocal jazz in 2002 and ballroom/latin dancing levels. She has resumed piano lessons which he pianist & composer father is delighted about.

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.

Mitre Khammash is a South Australian Film & Theatre maker. Graduating from Adelaide College of the Arts studying Film and Television in 2014, Mitre has gone onto working in the SA theatrical and screen production industry. - Mitre’s credits include writing, producing and directing original a cappella jukebox musicals, Counting Bars 2015 and Pretty Boys 2017, as well as being involved in a number of theatrical productions for AJZ productions, Brink Productions and No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability. Mitre also has produced small creative screen works, such as web-series: The Munday Night Report and has produced multiple short films and music videos.

In 2018 Mitre worked in a crew position for Netflix / ABC Series Pine Gap, and has also been commissioned by Carclew to undergo creative project development on his original theatre work Counting Bars 2015. He worked with Adelaide based creatives and actors to devise a new South Australian musical theatre piece, and has since created THE ANNA PROJECT as an outcome of this development. Mitre is thoroughly working toward a career in the South Australian arts industry in Stage and Screen.

Omkar Nagesh has always been passionate about singing and performing on stage. He has enjoyed working with various amateur theatre companies in Adelaide over the past 10 years. Omkar is performing as Barry in the upcoming production of High Fidelity with The Hills Musical Company in opening in November. Omkar was nominated for Adelaide Theatre Guide Curtain Call Awards for Best Male Performance in both his performances as The Engineer in Miss Saigon (The Met 2019, MCMT 2011). Other favourite roles include Leo Bloom in The Producers (HMC 2015), Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast (Northern Light 2011), Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest (AUFC 2011), Historian/Prince Herbert/Minstrel/et al. in Spamalot (Northern Light 2010), Growltiger in Cats (The Met 2009), and Jake in the South Australian Premiere of Sideshow (HMC 2018).

Rachel Bruerville is a composer, arranger, cellist, singer, and writer, who is very proud to call Adelaide her home, and will not be moving away anytime soon! She has a cat named Larry, and when she’s not in a rehearsal, you might find her hanging out in the Hufflepuff common room. Rachel’s main performing activity is in her role as a core alto member of the Adelaide Chamber Singers, as well as playing the cello in various situations, including in Adelaide theatre pits.

Career highlights include being commissioned by The Hush Foundation for the 2018 album 'Collective Wisdom', writing music to reduce stress in children's hospital environments; a nomination for 'Vocal/Choral Work of the Year' in the APRA AMCOS / Australian Music Centre 2019 Art Music Awards for her piece In Due Season, commissioned by the Adelaide Chamber Singers; and singing solo with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Paul Rissmann, Festival of Learning 2017-18, as well as being contracted for the same in 2020!

Since moving (back and forth) to Melbourne, Rachel has completed a diploma at APO Arts Academy in Music Theatre. She worked with Magnormos in their Sondheim and Herman triptychs Anyone Can Whistle and Milk and Honey at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Other performances include the premiere of two original Australian musicals Housewarming (Apollo Productions) and Until Tomorrow (Kin Collaborative). Rachel has featured at corporate events including floor shows at the Crown Entertainment and back-up vocalist on network television shows Dancing With The Stars and Australia's Got Talent.

On the Adelaide theatre scene, she co-wrote and performed award-nominated cabaret comedy trilogy Tears On My Pillow and premiered the (award-nominated) musical song cycle Homemade Fusion with So What Media. In 2013 she played the role of Chelsea with The Follies Company and Auspicious Arts Projects in the workshop of upcoming Australian musical The New Black. Other roles include, Petra in A Little Night Music, Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Carmen Diaz in Fame and Eponine in Les Misérables (for which she won an ATG Award for Best Female Performer 2008).

Rachel made her Melbourne 'Am Dram' Theatre debut last year with the role of Sukie in Williamstown's Witches of Eastwick and will be returning this year to play the role of Brenda in the Victorian Premiere of Catch Me If You Can. Rachel is currently developing her one-woman cabaret Manxious (which won Judges and People's choice at The Short+Sweet Festival on the Gold Coast in 2015).

She misses you.

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.

Sophia is currently living in Queensland, where she has performed in a large variety of productions on stage. Sophia played Persephone in Eurobeat (NLTC, 2013), Adelaide Adams in Calamity Jane (MCMT, 2013), Keely in The First (BTG, 2015), Mrs Potts (BTG, 2015), The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (BTG, 2016) and most recently Evangeline Harcourt in Anything Goes (BTG, 2017).

Some of Sophia's favourite shows in the ensemble include Sweeney Todd (HMC, 2011), Hairspray (MBM, 2012), Into the Woods (NLTC, 2012) and Calamity Jane (BTG, 2013). Sophia was part of the Australian Girls Choir and was invited to perform in a tour of the USA for G’Day USA (2009), performing in Carnegie Hall with Olivia Newton-John and with Hugh Jackman in the Boy From Oz (2006) and with Andre Rieu in 2009.

Sophia is a regular performer with Footlights Theatrical Inc and has performed in their shows: Sirens, Classy Christmas 1 and 2, Best of the West End and On the Rocks shows.

Sophia is currently rehearsing for That 90s Time Travel Movie: A Back to the Future Parody with Brisbane Arts Theatre, as well as L.O.V.E with Footlights Theatrical Inc for early 2018.

Sophie has been taking singing lessons since she was seven and performed in her first community theatre productions since the age of 8. She was bitten by the bug, and countless musicals and plays followed in quick succession. Some highlights include playing Nancy in Oliver!, Annie Golden in The Leader of the Pack, as well as Saskia in Stalled, a play devised by her and some school friends. Now she is embarking on a new chapter in musical theatre, having moved to Sydney to study music theatre at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. As well as an obvious obsession with performing in Musical Theatre, Sophie enjoys playing piano, classical singing, as well as composing.

Sophie is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre) at the Victorian College of the Arts. Before moving to Melbourne, Sophie was heavily involved in the Adelaide theatre scene. She began dancing at the age of 6 which naturally progressed to discovering the allure of music theatre. She has been involved in a variety of cabarets, competitions and musicals including Rent (MCMT), The Little Mermaid as Ariel (AYT), Beauty and the Beast as Belle/Babette (AYT) and The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy (AYT and Gleeson College).

Tielah is a full-time History Honours student at the University of Adelaide who is working towards a Post-Grad degree and also pursues her passion for performing to keep her sane. Her deep-rooted passion for musical theatre has led to roles through many youth theatre productions, and several shows in more recent years. Tielah has featured as an ensemble member for shows such as Sweeney Todd, Cinderella and the Pirates (both 2017, South Coast Coral and Arts Society) and most recently, Assassins (2019, Hills Musical Company). She is currently in rehearsals for High Fidelity with Hills Musical company. Tielah is also involved in many different areas of Hills Musical Company, serving on the committee since 2019 and acting as Front of House Manager on multiple occasions.

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.

As a child, you could always find BJ screaming into his SingStar microphone and dancing to High School Musical. These habits evolved into BJ's love for singing and dancing.

BJ Has been floating around the Adelaide Theatre scene for a short while now, but in his short career he has had the opportunity to participate in several shows and portray a variety of characters such as Angry Man #1, Rich Man, And Scared Man #2 in Jekyll and Hyde, Male Ensemble Member in Hello Dolly!, Reverend Henry T Dobson in Anything Goes, and Prince Dauntless the Drab in Once Upon A Mattress.

In 2021 BJ completed his Bachelors of Music Education and Pedagogy at the Adelaide Conservatorium, and is currently putting his skills to use as Assistant Music Director for Marie Clarke Music Theatres upcoming show I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. 

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.