October Session: Writer’s Month – Tesori & Ahrens

25 Sunday October 2020
When: 6:30pm Where: Norwood Live, Norwood Hotel Tickets: $20

About this Session

Each year we dedicate a Session to exploring the songs of one or more theatre writers.

This month we will be taking you deep into the catalogues of two prolific Broadway writers, Jeanine Tesori and Lynn Ahrens. Between these two incredible ladies they have written and contributed to over 20 shows. You can expect to hear songs from shows such as A Man of No Importance, Anastasia, Caroline, or Change, Fun Home, Lucky Stiff, My Favourite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime, Rocky the Musical, Seussical, Shrek, and Violet.

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

Tickets to be in the audience will go on sale on Friday 16 October. Unfortunately, you are unable to book a whole table – however the Broadway Sessions team will be allocating seats so you can sit with your family and friends. Tickets bought under the same name will automatically be seated together. If you have any other seating requests, please email them to [email protected] by 5pm on Tuesday 20 October. We may not be able to accommodate any requests after this time.

For the opportunity to perform, visit our registration page and submit two song options written by Jeanine Tesori or Lynn Ahrens. Performer registrations will close on Sunday 11 October.

Session Setlist

Act 1
Let It Sing (Violet) – David Gauci
What Do I Need With Love? (Thoroughly Modern Millie) – Jemma Allen
Ring of Keys (Fun Home) – Emma Good
Changing My Major (Fun Home) – Mim Sarre
Until Now (God Bless Us, Everyone)* – Andrew James Crispe, Rebecca Raymond
The Girl In 14G (Jeanine Tesori) – Kristin Stefanoff
I Hate The Bus (Caroline, Or Change) – Alisa James
Build A Wall (Shrek) – Nick Mitchell
What’s Up, Duloc? (Shrek) – Jaxon Joy
Who I’d Be (Shrek) – Ellis Dolan, Mark Oates, Mim Sarre
Act 2
Agony (Into The Woods)* – Blake Ascione, Simon Barnett
How Lucky You Are (Seussical) – Mark Oates
Forever Yours (Once On This Island) – AJ Patel, Nicole Rammesh
The Streets of Dublin (A Man of No Importance) – John Mondelo
Rita’s Confession (Lucky Stiff) – Claire Birbeck, Gus Smith
Back To Before (Ragtime) – Chloe Bremner
Fight From The Heart (Rocky the Musical) – Ben Francis
We’ll Go From There (Anastasia) – Jeremy Thomas, Oliver John, Sienna Bertram
In My Dreams (Anastasia) – Maya Miller
Larger Than Life (My Favourite Year) – Cooper James
* promoting an upcoming show

Session Hosts

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!!!

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

AJ Patel (He/Him)

AJ Patel is ecstatic to be performing at Broadway Sessions once again! AJ was born and raised in Maryland, USA, where he performed in several musicals since the age of 8. When he's not in class studying musical theatre at The University of Adelaide, he likes to spend his time eating. AJ would like to thank his friends and family back home who helped have him throughout his journey in the theatre.

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.

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!

Ben Francis (He/Him)

Ben has many years of musical experience. His training has taken him around Australia, to Hong Kong, Paris and to London where has performed in the West End and The Royal Albert Hall. He has a number of musical theatre credits including The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus) and Barnum (P.T Barnum). Opera credits with the State Opera of South Australia include Cloudstreet! (Lon Lamb), Carmen and La Bohemé. Drama credits with Independent Theatre include Peter and Alice (Peter Pan), Amadeus (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), Brideshead Revisited (Sebastien Flyte) and Old Wicked Songs (Stephan Hoffman).

In 2017 and 2018, Ben produced and starred in Private Peaceful, which won the Theatre Association of South Australia’s ‘DramatiCAL’ award for Best Drama. Ben was also awarded Best Youth Actor for his performance. Off stage, Ben’s accolades include director, musical director, orchestral conductor, producer and writer. Ben has musically directed and conducted several local productions, including Bugsy Malone and 13! with Adelaide Youth Theatre, and Beauty and the Beast with Shane Davidson Presents. He is currently working as Musical Director of Chicago with Pelican Productions.

As co-founder of the highly successful youth performing arts company, Promise Adelaide, Ben has provided opportunities for over 100 young performers while raising over $20,000 for charity organisations. Ben is also the lead vocalist and musical arranger of The 60 Four, where he scales the vocal heights of Frankie Valli in venues around Australia in Adelaide’s first-class ‘60s tribute act.

Blake Ascione

Blake has been performing in the South Australian musical theatre scene since his debut in Therry society's production of Big Fish in 2016. Since then he has worked with HMC on the two productions and three State Opera of South Australia and Elder Conservatorium collaborations being Die Fledermaus, Don Pasquale and Dido and Aeneas. In 2020 Blake took part in Shane Warne the Musical, presented by Segue Productions at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Recently Blake performed as Cinderella's Prince and the Wolf in Into the Woods.

Blake has just completed his debut cabaret season in the 2021 Adelaide Fringe Festival with great success.

Chloe Bremner

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.

Claire Birbeck

Claire is a child sized adult who likes hats, op shops and short walks along the beach. You might remember her for her classic work as the face of KFC Zinger Burgers back in 1993.

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.

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!

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.

Emma Good

12 year old Emma Good has had a busy 2021 doing shows with Peter Combe at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Marion Cultural Centre and Capri Theatre as well as various performances with the South Australian Public Primary Schools (SAPPS) Choir. She is excited to be playing Maddison in School of Rock with Pelican Productions in August and Gertie Blossom in Dr Dolittle Jr with Adelaide Theatre Academy in October.

Gus Smith

Gus has been performing theatre in Adelaide with several companies continually since 2003, but did his first show in 2001. That one took him two years to recover !!! During these crazy current Covid times we have been so fortunate to have Broadway Sessions for both performers & audience alike. Whilst he loves performing onstage, cabaret performance is not as common for him so performing at Broadway Sessions will be an enjoyable experience...hopefully for everyone 😉

Jaxon Joy (he/him)

Jaxon is an avid 19 year old musical theatre performer and fan in Adelaide. Since he began performing regularly in 2017, Jaxon has explored various outlets of Adelaide theatre, performing in major shows, original musicals, and even his own cabaret. Jaxon’s love of Music Theatre has only grown since finding his niche, a challenge for him as a performer on the spectrum. Some notable roles include Captain Hook in Adelaide Theatre Academy’s Peter Pan (2020), Grantaire and Courfreyac in two productions of Les Misérables; the first with Adelaide Youth Theatre (2021), the latter with Northern Light Theatre Company (2022), and Joe Pesci in Northern Light Theatre Company’s Jersey Boys (2022). Jaxon is also keen within the background of theatre as the youngest MD in the history of Scouts SA's Performing Arts Branch for Adelaide Gang Show, where he initiated the return of a full youth band. Jaxon is also a keen Theatre Technician, working casually in a northern adelaide theatre. Jaxon is currently studying the Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium, with an aim to finish at the end of 2025.

Next year, Jaxon will be performing in the Fringe Show Fountain Lakes: A Very Foxy Parody, a Kath and Kim Musical, where he will be playing the role of Kel Knight.

Jeremy Thomas (he/him)

Jeremy Thomas is a fresh graduate from the Elder Conservatorium’s Bachelor of Music Theatre. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there, especially with the roles of Marius in Les Misérables and Aaron Schultz in Legally Blonde. He is excited to join the wider community and establish a name for himself.

John Mondelo (he/him)

John is a graduate of the Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium, and has previously completed a BA in Classical Voice at the University of Western Australia, the Certificate course at WAAPA in Musical Theatre, and the Music Theatre Intensive at the Stella Adler Studio NYC. John is also executive producer and co-founder of the theatrical collective EXEUNT (Pursued By A Bear) Productions which most recently performed Rodgers & Hammerstein's: A Grand Night for Singing at the Adelaide Fringe.

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.

Maya Miller

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.

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.

Nick Mitchell

Since diving into his passion for drama and musical theatre in high school, Nick hasn't stopped! He's performed in a number of plays and through he enjoys traditional theatre, his heart rests with singing. He will never forget his first musical Legally Blonde and has since performed twice at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. He never lets his studies get in the way of strengthening his skills and he enjoys pushing his limits. His 2019 highlights include a radio play of It's a Wonderful Life with Wings2Fly Theatre where he performed several roles, and Heathers The Musical with Segue Productions in the ensemble role of Preppy Stud.

Nicole Rammesh

Nicole is no stranger to the stage. Her passion began in Singapore; as President and Production Manager in the Drama Club, lead roles in her school's productions and involvement in the Literature Festival and Singapore Youth Festival. Moving to Australia, her love for musical theatre grew with lead roles and as Choreographer (Seussical, The Lion King Jr). She also joined Harvest Rain's Adelaide arena tours (Hairspray, Grease). Recently, Nicole achieved a spot in the semi-finals in the AOC Initiative. Currently, Nicole studies with the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium, studying Music Theatre, as seen in their debut production of Spring Awakening. Nicole is thrilled to perform at Broadway Sessions!

Oliver John (he/him)

Oliver is 22 years old and a current second year student at the Elder Conservatorium’s Bachelor of Music Theatre. He has been performing in musical theatre since 2008 and has worked as a music director, performing arts teacher and private singing teacher. At ECMT, Oliver has performed as Ensemble/Beadle Bamford (U/S) in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (dir. James Millar), a featured soloist in the first year showcase Magic, Myths and Monsters (dir. Joseph Simons), and will perform in November as Pig (Bricks)/Lord Farquaad (U/S) in Shrek The Musical (dir. Erin James). Before university, he played Dewey Finn in School of Rock (Pelican Productions, dir. Jen Frith), Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors in the Adelaide Fringe Festival (Adelaide Theatre Academy, dir. Michelle Davy) and performed as Marty the Zebra in Madagascar: A Musical Adventure in the U.S. Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta (Adelaide Youth Theatre). Earlier this year, Oliver travelled interstate to perform as a backing vocalist in HELLO: Erin Jae’s Tribute to Adele as a part of the Under The Stars Festival (Australian Shakespeare Company).

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.

Sienna Bertram

Sienna has been performing since a young age and is currently undertaking voice lessons with Millicent Sarre. She's performed as Mrs Potts in Beauty and the Beast Jr (Adelaide Theatre Academy) and Ronnett in Adelaide Theatre Academy's ATG nominated Little Shop of Horrors. Sienna was nominated for TASA's Best Female Youth Performer for her portrayal of Kira in Xanadu Jr and performed as Amy Beecher in March Productions'sold-outt season of Barnum.

Simon Barnett (he/him)

Simon has been a regular on Adelaide amateur stages since appearing in the ensemble of HMC's Sideshow (2018), appearing in both plays and musicals. Highlights include Kurt in Heathers (Segue Productions, 2019), Charlie Marlow in She Stoops to Conquer (Blue Sky Theatre, 2020), Warner in Legally Blonde (The Met, 2021) and Boland in Dogfight (St Judes Players, 2022). Simon will next be appearing as Tommy in Carrie with HMC. Simon tries to balance theatre with his other hobbies of cycling and running, usually without success.

Session Band

Martin Cheney (Piano/Musical Director)

Martin is an accompanist, repertoire coach and music director for the Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium and a secondary school music teacher, accompanist and repetiteur at Concordia College. He is currently undertaking a PhD in Composition and is a co-founder of the Adelaide Wind Orchestra.
As the founder and director of Lydian Productions, Martin has produced and music-directed critically-acclaimed seasons of john & jen and Godspell (with Irregular Productions) since its debut in 2016, as well as curating a new music theatre song cycle, Bitter. Sweet., in 2019. Professionally, Martin has performed with Il Divo, Marina Prior and John Foreman, as well as being keyboard deputy for the touring Australian productions of The Wizard of Oz, Mamma Mia! and Aladdin. He has had the good fortune to work with the best of Australia’s theatre music directors, including Laura Tipoki, Michael Azzopardi, Chris King and Kohan van Sambeeck.
Martin has also worked as a rehearsal pianist for the State Opera Company of South Australia and is regularly engaged as an audition pianist for many of Adelaide’s theatre companies (when there is not an ongoing global pandemic).

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.