August Session: Our 7th Birthday

April is thrilled to be playing Elle Woods in the 2022 ECMT production of Legally Blonde. Prior performance credits include: L’Hôtel (Adelaide Cabaret Festival, dir. Craig Hott), Chess: the Musical (Storeyboard Entertainment, dir. Tyran Parke), Annie the Musical (The Gordan Frost Organization, dir. Karen Johnson Mortimer), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the Musical (TML Enterprises, dir. Rodger Hodgman) and Hans: A Night At The Symph-Honey (Hans Official, dir. Matt Gilbertson). April is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead ECMT’s graduating musical and to be able to share this amazing journey with her fellow peers.

Originally from Brisbane, Barbra completed both a Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Music Theatre with the Australian Dance Performance Institute. Recent credits include Factory Girl and U/S Cosette in Les Misérables (ECMT, dir. Erin James), Hope Cladwell in Urinetown (ECMT, dir. George Torbay), featured vocalist for the Australian Premiere of In Pieces: A New Musical (ECMT, dir. George Torbay), soloist in Songs for a New World (ECMT, dir. Mitre Khammash) and soloist in Prison Blues (ECMT, dir. George Torbay). Barbra has performed with ROCKIT Productions for corporate events, such as the Seven News Young Achiever Awards and Christmas by Starlight. Barbra also has training in aerial silks and tumbling, with experience in TV and commercial work.

Cassidy is a 19-year old psychology student, who has been an avid lover of musical theatre throughout her life. She has been employed at TheatreBugs as a teacher for the past 2 years and had previously been a student there throughout her childhood and teen years. She absolutely loves TheatreBugs and the work they do in making theatre more accessible and inclusive to young people.

Her most recent performances include ensemble in Dogfight with St Jude's Players in 2022, ensemble in AYT's Les Misérables in 2020, and her role as "Maui" in Adelaide Theatre Academy's production of Moana in 2019. Each of these productions have improved her skills as a performer, and she is most grateful for each opportunity to be on stage.

Catherine established a passion for performing arts in Adelaide, appearing in multiple amateur productions including Jo March in Little Women (Therry Dramatic Society 2013), Eponine in Les Misérables (Shane Davidson Presents 2012), Tammy in Hairspray (Matt Byrne Media 2012) and Pegeen in The Playboy of the Western World (Independent Theatre Inc 2013). Catherine then moved to Melbourne in 2014 to pursue musical theatre full time at APO Arts Academy.

During her 2 year training, she landed her first professional gig in Spiegelicious and in 2015 was a semi-finalist in the Rob Guest Endowment. Since graduating Catherine appeared in numerous TVCs and local musical theatre productions in Melbourne. In 2017 she performed the role of Maureen in WMTC’s production of RENT and in October 2018 she performed the role of Emma Carew in CLOC’s production of Jekyll and Hyde.

Catherine joined the corporate trio The Cover Girls in 2017 and regularly performed with them on various cruise ships around Australia. Since moving back to Adelaide in 2020 Catherine has become a mother to her daughter Charlotte and returned to local theatre. She played the role of the Baker’s Wife in G&S’s Into the Woods (2022), Sarah in Therry Theatre’s Company (2023) and will be performing the role of Julia in NLTC’s upcoming 2024 production of The Wedding Singer.

While you're most used to seeing Cathy welcome you at the door of Broadway Sessions and other musical events around Adelaide, she's actually been singing in choirs, at church, and in shows since she was four. While work commitments don't allow much time to perform, she has sung in the Tea Tree Gully Civic Park Carols choir for the past few years and is looking forward to futures show opportunities. After seven years doing front of house as part of the Broadway Sessions team, it's finally time to get up and sing!

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.

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!

After graduating from Excelsia College Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts, Music Performance, Dee went on to study musical theatre in London, completing her Masters in Musical Theatre Performance at Mountview Academy.

Her list of credits include: Pennywise in Urinetown for Heart Strings Theatre Co., Sylvia St Croix in Ruthless! at The Q for Echo Productions, Elphaba in Don Hillam’s production of Wicked, Mrs Potts in Beauty and the Beast for the same company, Joanne in RENT! for Catchy Title Productions, Peggy Sue, Mary Lou and Candy in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical for The Gatehouse Theatre (London) and Ensemble in Crazy for You at The Palladium (London).

Dee’s mosaic-like career has included collaborating and performing in original bands, jazz duos, with orchestras, as a recording session singer, leading community projects, choir directing, vocal direction of individuals and ensembles as well as songwriting.

Dee wrote and performed in her own full-length show, Dee and Friends, a raw, witty and touching cabaret taking the audience through the journey of her five unexpected years “living amongst the bogans”.

Eve Green is 18 years old and has loved performing from a young age, developing her passion for music theatre as a company member of Pelican Productions. Eve trained as a gymnast for 10 years and followed this with training in acrobatics and Aerial Arts. Eve is currently studying a Bachelor of Business (design and marketing) at the University of South Australia. Her favourite musical theatre roles include Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical (2017), Eva in Bring it On: The Musical (2017, 2018), Miss Hannigan in Annie (2018), Ruby Gills in Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (2018) and Wednesday in The Addams Family (2019). In 2018, she was selected by Oz Theatrics to join the Pilot cast for Newsies Broadway Junior. Her performance highlight to date was the 2018 USA Performing Arts Tour (New York, a Carnival cruise and Disney world) with Pelican Productions and Itheatrics.

Harley Dasey is an up-and-coming musical theatre performer originally from Perth. After completing a Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2019, he moved to Adelaide in 2020 begin a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium of Music. Harley's love for Musicals came at the age of 13 when he performed the role of Mr Mayor in everyone's favourite musical, Seussical. He is currently rehearsing for ECMT's production of Les Misérables.

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. 

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.

Originally from a small seaside town in the South of Australia, Joe is a true triple threat who consistently works on broadening his craft and, accordingly, his horizons. He most recently covered Billy Flynn in both the US National and International tours of CHICAGO. Prior to this, he understudied and performed the lead role of Henri Baurel in Christopher Wheeldon’s An American in Paris (GWB & The Australian Ballet). After making history as one of the youngest graduates from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts' Music Theatre BA, his professional career was launched by following the famous footsteps of Fred Astaire as the leading man in A Fine Romance: The Magic of Fred Astaire (Australian Tour, JTM Productions).

Additional theatre credits include Snowboy in Opera Australia’s West Side Story on Sydney Harbour, Trick in the 20th Anniversary production of The Boy From Oz (The Production Company), Cagelle Clo-Clo in La Cage Aux Folles (Showtune Productions), Player/Understudy Lewis in PIPPIN (GFO), leading man in the premiere season of Just A Couple of Song and Dance Men (JTM Productions), Lad in THE WHO’s Tommy (Victorian Opera), CHICAGO (GFO), Singin’ In The Rain (Prospero Arts), Oklahoma! (The Production Company), Rhonda Burchmore and Rachel Beck’s The Long and Short Of It (Ding Productions) and Curtains (The Production Company). On screen, he features in Dream Deep for Museums Victoria, feature film Beautiful for KOJO Pictures, and in the Superfine music video for band Boys Boys Boys

Kate is an established performer and a regular with NLTC having played roles such as Liesl in The Sound of Music, The title role in Cinderella, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and most recently Fantine in this year's production of Les Miserables to name a few. Kate loves the Adelaide theatre community and has performed with a number of other companies across SA including MBM, The MET, Marie Clarke, Therry, The Hills Musical Theatre Company and G&S Society. Highlights for Kate include playing the puppet Kate Monster for The Hills Musical Theatre Company's production of Avenue Q in 2018 and the roller-skating Goddess Kira/Clio in Davine Interventionz' production of Xanadu in 2014.

Kate was first nominated for an Adelaide Theatre Guide Awards for "Best Female Performance" at 15 for her role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz with NLTC. Ten years later Kate was nominated again and won ATG's "Best Female Performance"  for her role in or Kira/Clio in Xanadu. In the real world Kate is a Speech Pathologist, Voice Therapist, Vocal Coach and Mum to two young children.

Katia is thrilled to be a part of the amazingly talented ECMT cast of Legally Blonde. Katia made her professional debut as Greta in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Tim Lawson Productions, dir. Roger Hodgman) at the Capitol Theatre in 2012. Earlier this year she joined Elder Conservatorium’s cast of Les Misérables in the role of Eponine and the cast of In Pieces. Last year she played the role of Soupy Sue in Elder’s production of Urinetown. In 2018 Katia graduated from the Talent Development Project directed by Peter Cousens, and in 2019 she completed a Diploma of Musical Theatre with honours at Brent Street. Katia would like to thank her family for their constant love and support and hopes you enjoy the show.

21-year-old, Liliana Carletti, has been singing, acting, and dancing since she was five. Audiences last saw her as a multitude of characters in NLTC's Catch Me If You Can (2023), most notable being a "sexy singing nurse"... Eponine in Les Misérables with Northern Light Theatre Company (2022), and Little Red Ridinghood in Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA's production of Into The Woods (2022).

Liliana has performed theatre roles with G&S, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Northern Light Theatre Company, and Pedare Christian College. Other recent credits include: Mersister ‘Andrina’ and Flounder understudy in The Little Mermaid (2021), Frenchy in Grease (2020) and Kendra in 13: The Musical (2019).

Off-stage, Liliana studies a Bachelor of Creative Industries at UniSA, majoring in Digital Media and Communications. She runs her own freelance business, ‘Lily Rose Media’, offering services of photography, videography, and graphic design in Adelaide.

At 17 years old, Lucy is an accomplished performer who has been singing, dancing and treading the boards for as long as she can remember. Lucy is currently in year 11 at Walford Anglican School for Girls where she is Choir Leader and a key member of their principal performing choir, Chanterelle. This year, she has completed year 12 Drama and a Certificate 3 in Dance (Music Theatre) and has most recently played the roles of Annas/Queen Herod/Soul Girl in the Walford Anglican School for Girls x St Peters College production of Jesus Christ Superstar,  the lead role of Laura Black in Angela Betzien's Girl Who Cried Wolf, and as Tangled's Rapunzel in Pelican Productions Music Theatre Camp.

Her previous performing highlights include Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr (Shane Davidson Presents), Margot in Legally Blonde Jr (Shane Davidson Presents), Cinderella in Into the Woods Jr (Shane Davidson Presents), Rafiki in Lion King Jr (Shane Davidson Presents), Mary Poppins (Pelican Productions' MTC), as well as being a part of OzTheatrics Junior Theatre Festival Australia showcase of Guys and Dolls Jr and the pilot of Mean Girls Jr.

Lucy receives vocal coaching from the glorious Millicent Sarre and dances at GWB Studios.

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.

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.

Before commencing a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide, Megan Wills completed a Diploma of Acting and a Bachelor of Music in Classical Vocal Performance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. She has performed as a featured soloist and ensemble in Les Misérables a featured soloist in the Australian Premiere of In Pieces (ECMT, George Torbay), in the choir for Chess: the Musical (Storeyboard Entertainment, dir. Tyran Parke), ensemble and swing in Urinetown (ECMT, George Torbay) and Cis in Albert Herring (WAAPA, Tomas de Mallet Burgess).

Nikki Snelson is a director, choreographer and actress working on Broadway and beyond for the last 25 years. As an actress, Ms Snelson is most recognized for her performance of Brooke Wyndham in the original Broadway and MTV cast of Legally Blonde. Snelson originated the role of Winnie Tate in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun (starring Bernadette Peters). She was also seen on Broadway in Sweet Charity (starring Christina Applegate). Nikki played Cassie in the National Tour of A Chorus Line and also performed in the Broadway National Tours of Beauty And The Beast, Show Boat, Hello Dolly, and Jonathan Larson's tick tick…BOOM! as Susan. Snelson originated the role of The Mad Hatter in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland. Nikki played Velma in Chicago at Maine State Theater and Sally Bowles in Cabaret at The Napa Valley Opera House.

Snelson was featured in the ground-breaking documentary Every Little Step as well in the major motion pictures Reefer Madness and Accross The Universe. On the small screen, Nikki has been seen on Desperate Housewives and All My Children. Nikki plays Janelle Kincaid in the upcoming web series Ms Guidance on Broadway World.

She received her training in Musical Theatre from Boston Conservatory. Nikki grew up in the St Louis area and made her professional debut at the St Louis Muny. Ms Snelson has directed, choreographed, and taught in Argentina, Chile, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Ireland, Scotland, Paris, London and many more. She is an artist in residence at Singapore’s famed theatre school, Lasalle College of the Arts. Nicole is the Artist Director of Rochester Broadway Theatre League’s Summer Star program.

Her directing credits include: Ain’t Misbehavin’, And The World Goes Round, Gypsy, The Wedding Singer, Pajama Game, Cabaret, Legally Blonde, and A Chorus Line. Nikki has choreographed for Elton John's Life Ball in Vienna, The Young and the Restless, The Miss America Pageant and the upcoming The Funny Dance Show on E!

Nikki recently created, wrote, choreographed and directed the critically acclaimed A Not So Silent Night for Southern California’s Vanguard University. In 2020, Ms Snelson directed and choreographed Chicago in Singapore. During the pandemic, Nikki wrote, directed, choreographed and edited an original film entitled Ready, Set, GO. Most recently, Ms Snelson directed Mamma Mia in Costa Mesa, CA and choreographed Joseph in Garden Grove, CA.

Nikki resides in Orange County, California with her husband and four year old son. Nikki is the CEO of Musical Theatre Mayhem.

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.

Phoebe, aged 18, is currently in her first year of a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium, University of Adelaide. Over the past ten years she has performed in many shows with Pelican Productions, including nine Music Theatre Camps, The Little Mermaid, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Seussical, Annie Jr, Pelican’s USA performing arts tour, Bring it On (Return Season), and In the Heights. Phoebe has also enjoyed playing the roles of Kendra in 13! the musical, and Medda in Newsies Jr with Adelaide Youth Theatre. Last year, Phoebe enjoyed playing the role of Donna in her final school musical, Mamma Mia!

Sophie is currently a second year student at the Elder Conservatorium, studying a Bachelor of Music Theatre.  She will be performing in their upcoming November production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as the Comfort Counsellor, Mitch Mahoney. Most recently, Sophie performed in StoreyBoard’s Chess The Musical (dir. Tyran Parke), and as Lola in Damn Yankees (Brent Street dir. Lisa Callingham). Originally from Sydney, Sophie also holds a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Brent Street and is grateful to be continuing her study here in Adelaide.

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.