October Session: Performer’s Choice

27 Sunday October 2019
When: 6:30pm Where: Norwood Live, Norwood Hotel Tickets: $15-20

About this Session

We’ve had a lot of theme nights lately! From Rock Night, Broadway Sessions Goes to the Tony’s, Female Composer Night, an Ol’ Fashioned Piano Party and Our 4th Birthday, we thought it was high time we held a theme-free month and allow those crazy performer types to let their imaginations run wild.

Come and spend an evening with us where anything can happen! New songs, old songs, borrowed songs, blue songs, they’re all going for the low low price of a ticket to Broadway Sessions.

This month’s Session includes a performance by the cast of Hills Musical Company’s upcoming production of Assassins!

Doors open at 5:45pm. Food and beverages are available from the bar.

Pre-purchase single tickets and tables today to secure your spot. Tickets remain available online until 15 minutes before doors. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Registrations are now open. For the opportunity to perform, visit our registration page and submit two song options (from a musical or by an established music theatre writer) to be part of the fun. Registrations are open until Sunday 13 October.

Session Setlist

Act 1
Dreamgirls (Dreamgirls) – Alisa James, Fiona DeLaine, Rebecca Raymond
Good Morning Baltimore (Hairspray) – Maddy Schroeter
A Part of That (The Last Five Years) – Kirsty Burch
Stars (Les Misérables) – Jay Mancuso
My House (Matilda) – Chloe Seabrook
I Know It’s Today (Shrek) – Caitlin Tyler, Mim Sarre, Samantha Keough
Hold On (The Secret Garden) – Wendy Rayner
Larger Than Life (My Favourite Year) – Cooper James
I’d Give It All For You (Songs For A New World) – Jared Frost, Jemma McCulloch
Your Daddy’s Son (Ragtime) – Mark Oates
Coloured Woman (Memphis) – Vaishnavi Rajaramanan
Barry Is Going To Prom (The Prom) – Mark DeLaine
Act 2
Ex-Wives (Six: The Musical) – Casmira Lorien, Danielle Greaves, Jemma Allen, Mim Sarre, Ruby Pinkerton, Serena Martino-Williams
I’d Rather Be Me (Mean Girls) – Lily-Mae Van Rhoda
You’ll Be Back (Hamilton: An American Musical) – Sarah Laing
I’d Order Love (First Date) – Aled Proeve
Live Out Loud (A Little Princess) – Sophie Brown
Never Neverland (Fly Away) (Scott Alan) – Alicia Hammond
The Ballad of Guiteau (Assassins)* – Robbie Mitchell, Robin Smacka Schmelzkopf
Hold Me In Your Heart (Kinky Boots) – Oscar Bridges
Run (Shane Warne: The Musical) – Brenton Edgecombe
So Big/So Small (Dear Evan Hansen) – Kristin Stefanoff
Anything Worth Holding On To (Scott Alan) – Scarlett Anthony
Dead Mom (Beetlejuice) – Mikari Zollo Semmler
* promoting an upcoming show

Session Host

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.

Session Performers

Aled Proeve

Aled has been performing in community theatre productions since 2013, predominantly musical productions but with ever increasing dips into less musical waters. He has been worked himself overtime this performance season, currently in A Man For All Seasons with IpSkip Productions which will be on stage mid January 2020, and he was just recently in the cast of Vintage Hitchcock with Tea Tree Players and was the Minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress with Marie Clark. Some of his production highlights include playing Inspector Kemp in Marie Clark's 2014 production of Young Frankenstein, Joe Vegas in Marie Clark's 2015 production of Fame, Sir Bors/Dancing Nun/Ensemble in Marie Clark's 2018 production of Spamalot, and William Featherstone in Galleon Theatre's 2018 production of How the Other Half Loves.

Outside of theatrical endeavours, Aled has completed Certificates II, III and IV in Music at TAFE SA and a BA in Music at Tabor College, is the current president of The Little Para Singers community choir which he has been in since 2011, and has just reached his 16 month moustache anniversary.

Alicia Hammond

Alicia is 13 years old and made her stage debut with the G&S Society playing the role of Marta in The Sound of Music in 2014. It was here that Alicia discovered her love for Musical Theatre and she has been actively involved since. Alicia made her professional debut in 2016 playing the role of Brigitta von Trapp in the Adelaide season of The Sound of Music with the Gordon Frost Organisation. Alicia has performed in several musicals with Pelican Productions, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Shane Davidson Presents, TB Arts and Emma Knights Productions. Alicia has also performed with the Adelaide Rep Theatre, Promise Adelaide, Spark of Inspiration and Peter Combe.

Apart from Brigitta, her favourite roles have been Mayzie in Seussical Jr, and Little Cosette in Les Misérables, and Elle Woods (her dream role) in Pelican Productions Music Theatre Camp. Alicia is a dance student at RSDS and a voice student of Kirsty Roberts and Amelie Peters, and previously Katrina Ryan. Alicia loves performing and is grateful for all of the friendships she has made through Music Theatre.

In her spare time, Alicia enjoys spending time at home with her family and two dogs, Benji & Tilly. She enjoys watching Musical Theatre, Movies, playing Netball, Cooking and spending time with her friends.

Alisa James

Alisa has been performing in musicals in Adelaide for over 10 years. Alisa's favourite roles include Gary Coleman in Avenue Q (MBM, 2011), Reno in Dusty (The Met, 2011) and Enid in Legally Blonde the Musical (Hills, 2014). Most recently Alisa performed in Violet (Davine Interventionz) for the Adelaide Fringe. Currently Alisa is rehearsing for Aida with the Hills Musical Company. Alisa has trained in jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop dance and has vocal tuition with Kirsty Roberts.

Brenton Edgecombe

Brenton Edgecombe has been a professional entertainer since 1997, working in theatres, clubs, function venues and onboard cruise ships as one half of a unique music and comedy double-act called String Fever. String Fever is the winner of five Australian entertainment industry MO Awards, including Variety Entertainers of the Year.

Brenton also pretends to be Elton John in a tribute show called Elton by Brenton and records string lines for various projects in his home studio. Before embarking on the path of entertainment Brenton played violin with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and many other groups in Adelaide and Sydney.

Career highlights include performing onboard the historic QEII, shaking hands with Ita Buttrose and appearing as an earnest coffee drinker on Neighbours. Brenton also wrote and appeared in the original comedy-cabaret DON'T SHOOT! I'm a Vegan (Adelaide Fringe Festival 2020) which was four-star rated by the Advertiser and five-star rated by several lesser known (but more discerning) publications.

Caitlin Tyler

This is Caitlin’s first time performing at Broadway sessions. She studies singing, dancing and acting with Theatre Bugs/Adelaide Theatre Academy and is in her 9th year. Her passion is hands down singing and she is taking singing lessons since 2015 with Mim Sarre.

From a young age, Caitlin has shown her acting talent in many school productions. Through Theatre Bugs and ATA she had the opportunity to perform in shows like Little Shop of Horrors, Xanadu, Oliver, Porridge, 13 the Musical, and soon in the upcoming show of Peter Pan.

Casmira Lorien (she/her)

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.

Chloe Seabrook

Chloe is 15 year old singer songwriter from the Barossa with a love for performing arts and musicals. She has performed in over 15 musicals at various theatre companies across Adelaide and studies at The Studio & Star Factory.

Her most recent and memorable shows include Les Misérables (Fantine), 13 The Musical (Cassie), Seussical the Musical (Bird Girl) with AYT; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Truly Scrumptious) and The Sound of Music (Liesl von Trapp) with NOW Productions; and The Little Mermaid (Sebastian) with Parks Theatre.

Cooper James (he/him)

Cooper is a singer, dancer, actor, musical theatre nerd, studying music theatre at VCA in 2024. He was part of the 2022 Class of Cabaret program. Cooper receives his vocal coaching from the fabulous Carolyn Ferrie and dances at Barbara Jayne Dance Centre. If he’s not at the piano playing and writing music, you will find him busking on Jetty Road Glenelg or playing vinyl.

Danielle Greaves (she/her)

Danielle started performing at age 5 within her school and also in the Australian Girls Choir. She landed her first lead role in a musical at age 6 starring as Henny Penny in the year 1 & 2 production of The Sky is Falling, where she was seen pulling actors into their correct spots and mouthing everyone's lines. Nothing much has changed... You may have seen Danielle recently, since returning to theatre after havinga child, in Northern Lights Les Misérables playing a crazy lady of the night who quite partial to a porcelan doll, asleep throughout G&S's Into the Woods as Sleeping Beauty, or in Northern Lights Catch Me If You Can in the Ensemble. You will next be able to see her belting out some pop bangers as a Diva in G&S's Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in September 2023.

Fiona DeLaine

Fiona has an Honours degree in performance from Flinders University Drama Centre. She has appeared on television and on stage both professionally, here and interstate and as part of the Adelaide Amateur Theatre community. She has worked in several aspects of theatre from performer to choreographer to director. Maureen from RENT is a dream role in a show she has loved since she was 14 and received the original Broadway album and was privileged enough to see the original Australian production.

Jared Frost

Jared is currently rehearsing the role of The Baker in G&S’s production of Into The Woods. Prior to that his he performed the role of Che in G&S’s Evita (2021), which won him an award nomination for Best Male in a Musical in the Theatre Association of SA’s 2020-21 Theatri-CAL Awards. Also in 2021, Jared played the role of Lt Wessen in Therry’s The Hello Girls (nominated as Best Musical in the same honours). His list of on-stage appearances since 2009 is extensive with roles with G&S, Therry Theatre, The Hills Musical Company, The Met and Davine Productions. Notable roles include Gilbert Chilvers in Betty Blue Eyes, Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, Chris Scott in Miss Saigon, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, Munkonstrap in CATS, Freddy in My Fair Lady, and Man One in John Bucchino’s It’s Only Life. Professionally, Jared has performed as part of the chorus in State Opera of South Australia’s productions of Madame Butterfly, The Merry Widow, and Carmen. 

Jay Mancuso

Jay has been performing since childhood, on stage in musical theatre and as a solo artist. He has performed in Grease, played the lead in Marie Clark’s The Music Man, the ‘club owner’ in The Met's production of Miss Saigon, “Professor Callahan” in Met's Legally Blonde, “Ian” in HMC’s High Fidelity, and is playing Shrek in the upcoming HMC production of Shrek.

Jemma Allen (She/her)

Jemma is chuffed that Broadway Sessions is finally back!! She is here for a good time and can't wait to jam with the band and see all of her lovely theatre friends again!! Yay!!!

Jemma McCulloch

Jemma is originally from the UK where she trained professionally in Musical Theatre at The Brit School, The Betty Wivell Academy and Bird College in London. Jemma has Advanced Diploma’s in both Musical Theatre and Music and was also selected by the BBC (in London) for a young performer's bursary for outstanding achievement in Musical Theatre whilst she was studying. Jemma has been fortunate enough to have performed in various Musical Theatre concerts and workshops in London’s West End and even one in Broadway!

Jemma is relatively new to Adelaide - only having moved here last year. She has just finished playing the role of Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical with Davine Productions for the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2020. This was the best experience she has ever had on stage - she loved every minute of it!! Jemma also performed in Kinky Boots with The G&S Society in which she played the role of Lauren. Jemma’s other roles in Theatre have included Ellen in Miss Saigon (The Met), Charity in Sweet Charity, Nancy in Oliver!, Mary in Mary Poppins and Ariel in Footloose.

Kirsty Burch (they/them)

Kirsty grew up in Mount Gambier where they were involved in multiple community choirs and theatre productions, including Little Shop of Horrors as Chiffon and Rizzo in Grease. After moving to Adelaide they played Martha in Segue Productions Heathers in 2019 as well as being involved in choral groups. They took a few years off before returning to the stage again in 2022 with HMC’s Shrek, playing the all so loveable ‘Egg’.

Kristin Stefanoff (she/her)

Kristin is a music teacher, musician, and performer based in the Adelaide Hills. Favourite musical theatre roles include: 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 will be playing Ms Gardner/Female Authority Voice in Carrie The Musical with Hills Musical Company in November 2023.

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.

Lily-Mae Van Rhoda

Lily-Mae Van Rhoda has been performing since age 6, achieving roles in several amateur productions such as Annie, Wicked, High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast and The Wizard of Oz. Her favourite role thus far has been portraying the bubbly and charming Galinda in Wicked back in 2018, which awarded her a nomination for ‘Emerging Artist of the Year Award’ from the Adelaide Critics Circle.

Lily is excited to be portraying Veronica in Zest Theatre Group's 2020 production of Heathers. As well as being involved in several musical productions, she has appeared as a guest artist on ABC Radio, undertaken formal classical vocal training and taken part in several NIDA workshops – having received a place in their 2018 Open Scholarship Program and placement in their Work Experience Program. In future Lily hopes to study either musical theatre or acting at NIDA.

Maddy Schroeter

After a busy 2023, Maddy is excited to be back on stage performing at Broadway Sessions. She has performed with Pelican Productions in their annual musical theatre camps for the past five years where she has had some wonderful roles including Mal from Descendants. In 2021 she played the role of Summer in School of Rock (Pelican Productions) alongside her wonderful vocal coach and mentor, Mim Sarre. Maddy has more recently played the role of Matilda in her schools production of Matilda, the loveable seagull Scuttle in the The Little Mermaid Jr (Shane Davidson Presents) and was fortunate to be selected as a soloist in the Public Primary Schools Festival of Music in September, 2022.

Mark DeLaine

Mark’s passion for Education has lead him to the role of Head of the Arts at St. Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School. His favourite onstage role was playing Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors where he met his wife Fiona. Mark also had the opportunity play his favourite character role Amos in Chicago for Emma Knights Productions. He is a well known Musical Director working with many musical companies across Adelaide. Favourites include Curtains, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sweeney Todd, Crazy For You, The Drowsy Chaperone and Company.

Mark produced the sold-out Adelaide premiere of The Musical of Musicals - the Musical! for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Adelaide Fringe Festivals (also playing Bill). Mark made his debut as guest conductor of the Norwood Symphony Orchestra presenting the Australasian premiere of The Trumpet of the Swan in the 2014 and 2015 Adelaide Fringe Festivals. Recently Mark musically directed the award-winning Big Fish for Therry, Spring Awakening and Side Show for Hills Musical Company. He was also the musical director for Oklahoma, performed outdoors on Four Oaks Farm for Emma Knights Productions. Mark performed the role of Brian in Avenue Q fulfilling all his muppet dreams.

Mark’s greatest production to date is his son Bryce who keeps his parents extremely busy.

Mikari Zollo Semmler

Mikari Zollo Semmler started vocal training at the age of 10 and commenced acting and dancing classes shortly after; training in Jazz, Tap, and Ballet.

Mikari has participated in many shows and productions; including musicals, solo performances, and cabarets. She has played leading roles such as Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan and ensemble roles in shows; 13 The Musical, Seussical the Musical, Pipi Long Stockings, Madagascar, Wicked, and many more. She has also been to NSW twice to compete in the Junior Theatre Celebration.

Mikari really came to love music in the Marryatville Special Music Interest Program, where she auditioned on voice as her primary instrument. Being in the Marryatville Music Program has provided Mikari with many opportunities such as learning several instruments and being involved with many co-curricular ensembles, which have consistently placed first in the Eisteddfods (Concert Choir) and Generations in Jazz (Pops Vocals). She also went on a jazz tour to America last year where she performed around New York and Los Angeles, as well as attending broadway and jazz workshops with well-renowned musicians.

Currently, Mikari is in the Class of Cabaret program working on her set which would've been featured in the 2020 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

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.

Oscar Bridges (he/him)

Oscar, 17 years old, has been performing since he was 7. He's performed in over 25 musical theatre productions, including the London Palladium's national tour of The Sound of Music, as Kurt at 10. Oscar's most recent musicals include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Wonka, Matilda as Miss Trunchbull and Mamma Mia as Sam. He also just performed as 'Jesus' in Jesus Christ Superstar with Pulteney Grammar School. Oscar sings at the Studio and Star Factory with Kirsty Roberts. Oscar has just been cast in the Australian national tour of Grease the Musical in the Ensemble and cover Roger, starting later this year. Oscar is looking forward to performing once more at Broadway Sessions.

Rebecca Raymond

Rebecca comes from a rich musical heritage and has been performing for most of her life. Versatile in her style she enjoys performing in all musical genres which has led to her performing as a soloist with many different groups and for varying audiences. She has been a leading soloist with Adelaide’s Soul Factor Gospel Choir for the past 16 years, performs regularly with her Sisters, The Raymond Sisters and for five years was the vocal soloist with the Melbourne Staff Band with whom she toured Australia, Korea and the UK where she had the privilege of singing in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Rebecca performs corporately as a Singer and Actor. Appearing as a soloist at varying events in Adelaide and Nationally and in Theatre. Memorable roles include the role of Violet Hilton in SideShow (2018) and Aida in Aida (2017) with Hills Musical Company, Sandra Bloom in Big Fish with Therry Dramatic Society (2016), Laurey in Oklahoma! The immersive farm experience with Emma Knights Productions (2016 & 2017), and Cosette in Les Misérables with the G&S Society (2008 & 2009).

When not performing Rebecca teaches singing, has her own Mary Kay Cosmetic business and is a makeup artist. She also teaches Skincare & Self Esteem classes in schools and groups in the community.

Robbie Mitchell

Originally hailing from Brisbane, Robbie has been involved in Musical Theatre since the age of 10. From roles in the chorus to leading roles at centre stage, Robbie’s passion for the theatre developed through his youth and inspired him to study for 2 years in Harvest Rain’s full-time Industry Course (2014-2015), where he had the chance to perform next to some of Australia's most prized theatre veterans as well as up and coming stars. 2017 saw Robbie in his South Australian Musical Theatre debut performing in Spring Awakening for HMC. Since then he has been involved in Assassins also for HMC, and will be appearing in Therry's Titanic in June 2020.

Robin Smacka Schmelzkopf

Robin (also known as Smacka) has been performing and singing for over 50 years and been involved in more than 50 Productions. Robin also performed at the Hotel Enfield theatre restaurant for 3 years and for a short time was even Mr Flim Flam the singing telegram man! His favourite musicals are Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum, Hello Dolly, Stop the world I want to get off, Chicago, A Little Night Music and Company. Away from theatre Smacka is an avid football follower (U Dogs) and loves the music of Sinatra, Elvis & Dean Martin... but if you ask him for a request he'll sing anyway!

Ruby Pinkerton (she/her)

Ruby’s passion for musical theatre began at a young age, receiving voice and acting training from industry professionals. Recently, Ruby played Rose in Dogfight with St Jude’s Players, Nicola in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's 2019 production of Kinky Boots and was the ‘Turn Back, O Man’ soloist in Godspell, produced by Irregular Productions and Lydian Productions. She also 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.

Samantha Keough

Sammi is an enthusiastic performer who is currently rehearsing for the upcoming stage-show Mary Poppins as Mary. She has trained in performing arts for the past 6 years with Theatre Bugs and Adelaide Theatre Academy. Her first big role was in the company’s 2019 production of Oliver! in which she played the commanding role of “Nancy” when she was 13. Later that year, she portrayed the role of “Patrice” in 13 The Musical. Sammi is also an involved music student, participating in choirs, concert band and other instrumental ensembles.

Sarah Laing

Sarah has been exposed to Broadway tunes since she was in utero. Her earliest memories are attending her mum's rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar and New York Attending to Leonard Bernstein. Since then, she has performed in numerous amateur musical theatre productions in South Australia, as well as numerous school productions, open mic nights, and even with the State Opera of South Australia.

Sarah has returned to Adelaide for a three-month stint whilst she finishes off her university studies. She hopes that when she graduates in December, she can swap her medical books for piano books and bring her musical passion to the community in Ballarat.

Scarlett Anthony

At 23, Scarlett has been passionate about performing since she was young. She began dancing at Barbara Jayne Dance Centre when she was 3 years old where she developed her singing and dancing skills for 13 years and has now begun focusing on her passion for musical theatre. Scarlett graduated Concordia College in 2017 as the Dux of Solo Vocal Performance where she was and will continue to be taught by her singing teacher Rosie Hosking.

With 18 years of combined performing experience, Scarlett's love for the stage has never ceased, with her previous roles including Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray, and Campbell Davis in Pelican Production's production of Bring It On the Musical's first season and its 2018 return season - for which she received a TASA nomination for 'Best Youth Female Actor'. Her most recent musical accreditation included a performance season of Godspell with Lydian Productions and Irregular Productions. In addition to this, she was also selected to perform as a featured soloist at the nationally televised 2018 Elder Park Carols By Candlelight. Her professional accolades in Adelaide have also included working with Ding Productions and Shane International each year for varying statewide productions. She has also been contracted with Royal Caribbean International (Miami) as a featured lead vocalist since January 2019 and has recently returned from a 10 month LA season with them. She’s set to resume her overseas work with them for another year, beginning in October 2022.

Serena Martino-Williams

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.

Sophie Brown

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.

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!

Wendy Rayner

Following training in classical voice at Elder Conservatorium, and many years as a soloist at weddings, parties and (almost) anything, Wendy’s involvement in theatre has seen her embrace a wide variety of character roles over the past 25 years. These have ranged from haughty Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music, fragile Old Sally in Oliver! and the delightfully dithery Mrs Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone ... to memorable characters created for the busy ensembles of The Goodbye Girl and Big Fish. She has appeared as Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance several times, and can't seem to stop performing in Les Misérables.

Wendy has appeared with Emma Knights Productions as Ruth in Pirates of Penzance (Adelaide Fringe Festival), Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! On A Farm, Mrs Rachel Lynde in Anne of Green Gables and Sister Berthe/Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music.

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.