February Session: Performer’s Choice

Ben is currently studying music theatre at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and  previously completed his Diploma of Music Theatre at Queensland College of Dance under the direction of Jacqui Devereux. Some of Ben’s previous credits include Pig (Sticks), Shrek (U/S) and Donkey (U/S) in the ECMT production of Shrek the Musical (dir. Erin James) and a featured soloist and ensemble member in the music theatre showcase Treading the Boards (QCD, dir. Tim Hill).

Bethany trained in musical theatre at Associated Studios London in 2020, Gertrude Opera (now Australian Contemporary Opera Co.) and the Elder Conservatorium of Music in classical voice performance. She was a guest artist for Cunard Cruise Line on the Queen Elizabeth World Voyage. Her opera credits include Suor Angelica (Cordelia's Potted Opera), La Voix Humaine (BK Opera) and La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi (Co-Opera). In 2022, Bethany performed her comedy cabaret, Broadway Baby, at both the Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Cabaret Fringe. She has now debuted her cabaret, JUDY & LIZA, and featured her favourite Liza Minnelli numbers at CabLive and with Dr. Trevor Jones at the Piano Bar for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

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.

Chloe found her love for performing when she joined Pelican Productions at just nine years old. Her favourite camp roles have included Jasmine in Aladdin, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, and Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, along with participating in their mid-year musicals including Seussical Jr, The Little Mermaid Jr, School of Rock and most recently Legally Blonde as Serena. Chloe recently made her professional debut in the 2023 Adelaide Festival with Windmill Theatre in their production of Hans and Gret as the role of Clone Girl. Other roles have included Louisa in The Sound of Music by Emma Knights Productions and her most recent (and favourite) role has been Dawn in Waitress for Pelican Production's 2024 Music Theatre Camp.

Darcy is currently in his third year of studying Music Theatre at Elder Conservatorium. He just recently finished a season at the Sydney Opera House performing in the Australian Ballets production of Swan Lake. He is currently in rehearsals for ECMT’s production of Little Women where he’s playing the role of Theodore ‘Laurie’ Lawrence. His first production at ECMT was the first-year showcase Magic, Myths and Monsters (dir. Joesph Simons). At the end of last year Darcy played Lord Farquaad in ECMT’s Shrek The Musical, and earlier in the year he understudied the roles of Anthony Hope and Adolfo Perelli in the ECMT’s third year production of Sweeney Todd. Other performances include, Adelaide Festival Centre’s Piano Bar performing with Trevor Jones (Adelaide Cabaret Festival), and Don Quixote in Oh What a Knight! (Track Youth Theatre, dir. Sophie Jevons). Darcy recently starred in a short film, directed by Christopher Jordan, that was nominated for the 2022 VCAA Top Arts Awards and subsequently featured in the NGV Top Arts Exhibit.

Holly Abbott is 18 years old. Holly has been dancing and singing at TIDC Performing Arts Studio for the past 13 years under the direction of Kerreane Sarti, and is a voice student of Emma Riggs, and The Studio and Star Factory.

Holly has been in over 40 Musicals with various companies ... with some of her favourite roles being Patrice in 13 The Musical, Jemima Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with NLTC, Olaf in Frozen Jr, Young Fiona in Shrek Jr, Tracey Turnblad in Hairspray Jr all with Adelaide Youth Theatre. She was also cast in Matt Byrne Media’s 2019 production of Strictly Ballroom where she played Kylie Hastings. Holly has also played the title role in NLTC's 2017 production of Annie - where she was also honoured to receive the Theatre Association of South Australia award for Best Youth Female Actor for this role.

Holly has recently come back from a month overseas performing with the Australian Youth Performing Arts Team - She was lucky enough to have the opportunity to perform in Disneyworld and Universal Studios as a featured singer and dancer - She also had the opportunity to participate in the Junior Theatre Festival In Atlanta and Take Workshops and Masterclasses from Broadway professionals such as Natalie Weiss, Dan Micchice, and Derek Klena whilst in New York.

Holly is taking a gap year this year as she prepares to enter the audition circuit for Musical Theatre courses around the country and world - She is excited to go back to America in July to participate in Musical Theatre summer college courses and immerse herself in the life of a New York performer.

Inkie has worked in musical theatre for many years as a hobby, starting in Stagecoach in England and performed in many Adelaide Hills-based productions through Inkpot Arts Inc. In more recent years, they performed as part of the chorus in Adelaide Youth Theatre's production of Les Miserables, played the singing role of Ceres in University of Adelaide Theatre Guild's The Tempest, and performed in the 2024 Adelaide Fringe with improv show Chronically-Ill Prepared.

Jelena is a current third year of the Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Elder Conservatorium and will be playing the role of Beth March in ECMT's upcoming production of Little Women (dir. Erin James). Other previous credits include ensemble/Dragon cover in Shrek (dir. Erin James) and as a booth singer in Sweeney Todd (dir. James Millar). Additional performances include Musical Mania with Adelaide Fringe Festival, Piano Man alongside Trevor Jones as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and she workshopped Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for iTheatrics in New York (dir. Marty Johnson).

Jenna has loved musical theatre ever since she first listened to Spamalot at 5 years old (an interesting choice for a first favourite musical). She made her theatre debut in the Adelaide Fringe 2023 as a soloist in Viva Performing Arts' An Evening on Broadway. She performed again in An Evening on Broadway in the 2024 Fringe, most notably playing the parts of Fantine (Les Misérables), Elsa (Frozen), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Cady (Mean Girls), and Katherine Howard (Six). She is always looking for opportunities to perform and can’t wait for her first Broadway Sessions.

Jess has been involved in Adelaide's theatre scene since 2015, from Guys and Dolls to The Addams Family, to (most recently) A New Brain with Davine Productions. Working as a Stage Manager and general backstage all-rounder, for companies such as Adelaide Festival Centre, State Opera, and Slingsby; they still love to perform – though it's mostly in the car on the way to and from work!

Jessie is a 19-year-old performer who has enjoyed singing her whole life. Ever since her first musical in 2019 she has had a love for performing and has since achieved some minor and major roles such as Pepper in the musical Annie and her personal favourite, Jasmine in Aladdin Jr. Most recently she played Kelsi in Now Productions' High School Musical in February, and is looking forward to performing so much more!

Matilda sang her first musical solo in Grade 2 when she was selected as the youngest and only Primary School Student in the State to perform as a support act for the Catholic Schools Festival Choir's online performance during Covid.  She went on to perform as a Support Act in addition with her school choir where she debuted her first live solo performance on the iconic Festival Theatre Stage.  For the past 2 years Matilda has performed with Pelican Productions, in their Music Theatre Camp "Spotlight" where she has sung the role of Matilda (Matilda) and Evie (Descendants) as well as ensemble and minor solo roles in Frozen Jr, 2023 and as part of the ensemble for the Junior Theatre Music Festival in Newcastle representing Pelican Productions, 2023. Matilda looks forward to sharing her love of musical theatre.

Michelle has been involved with the performing arts since the age of eight. Some of her favourite shows and roles include Rosie in Mamma Mia!, a Laker Girl in Spamalot, Ellie Greenwich in Leader of the Pack and Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain with NLTC, a rebel in Urinetown, Kate/Chutney in Legally Blonde with the Hills Musical Company, Little Red in Into the Woods, Urleen in Footloose, Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray with Matt Byrne Media, and an Alabama Lamb in Big Fish, and Helen in The Hello Girls with Therry. Michelle has taught Musical Theatre for years and directs youth musicals for companies across Adelaide. Currently she is rehearsal with the Hills Musical Company for their production of Urinetown and feels very lucky to be a part of such an amazing cast and team!

Monique Monti is a local music theatre lover and performer. She is currently working in retail and enjoys singing and writing songs in her spare time. Monique previously studied music and drama in high school, she performed in the Wedding Singer and was given the lead role in Mary Poppins throughout her highschool career. Monique is hoping to write and release music in the near future.

Pilates Instructor by day, Performer by night! A passion for Music Theatre, Oriana has been performing from age 8, undertaking Singing, Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Acting with The Johnny Young Talent School under the tuition of renowned mentors Malcolm Harslett, Bec Schembri, Gwen Mackey (OAM), Sue Scott, Rachel Symons, Tina Pollard (nee Casper), Debra Krizak and Kim Spargo. Oriana has completed her Ballet, Tap and Student Teachers' Examinations under the Commonwealth Society of Dancing.

At age 10, saw her first professional performance with Mighty Good Productions Pty Ltd in Humphrey B. Bear and his Magic Lamp with many other pantomimes following. Theatre credits include the roles of July (Annie, The Met), Brigitta (The Sound of Music, The Met). Helene (Sweet Charity, Mayfair Theatre Company) along with holiday entertainment as numerous Warner Bros. Suit Character roles for Conrad & Co Pty Ltd.

Part of The Three Chillies Cabaret group, this act has performed for numerous events around SA, including the Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2010, 2011 & 2012 receiving a 5 Star review for Hot Chillie Box accompanied by renowned pianist, Matthew Carey.  They performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2009) & Out of the Square as well as a fortnightly residency at Tongue Thai'd Restaurant from 2006-2010. Other Adelaide Fringe credits include lead Female Vocalist alongside Darren Mullen (founder of Hindley Street Country Club) in But I Won't Do That, Swamp Fairy under the direction of Jo Casson (DING Productions) and Sharon Angove.

Swamp Fairy performances include A Night on Broadway, Destination Broadway and Encore. Roles include Hunyak (Chicago), Carmen (Fame), Rumpleteazer (Cats). Oriana is currently a Backing Vocalist with Australia's Elvis Tribute Artist, Mark Anthony as well as International Elvis Tribute Artists at the Parkes Elvis Festival 2018/2019, American Trilogy 2018, Cooly Rocks On Festival, 2023 and Royal Carribean, Blue Suede Cruise 2023.

Tahlia Hope is a local musician, and playwright. She is currently working for AJZ Productions where she has written and released her first two plays I Am... and When the Curtains are Closed. She has also composed the music for the company's past eight productions. Currently, Tahlia is working with AJZ productions as a Creative Arts Tutor and she is also working on recording and preparing to release her debut album Dream-Like State.

Tegan has appeared in amateur and professional shows since the age of nine, her favourite roles include Lois/Bianca in Kiss Me Kate (MCMT- 2006 and Co Opera SA - 2007), Ariel in Footloose (Matt Byrne Media – 2006), Lucy T Slut in Avenue Q (Matt Byrne Media – 2011), Rizzo in Grease (The Met – 2013), Calamity Jane in Calamity Jane (MCMT- 2014), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Hills Musical Company – 2014) and Julia in The Wedding Singer (MCMT- 2015).

For five years Tegan worked at the Night Train as a lead performer in their Adult, Kids and touring show, The Rockaholics, and has been the lead singer for Adelaide corporate and Party Band Jungle Jooce for the past 16 years. She also co-wrote, choreographed and performed in the sold out season of Villain-Ville: A Musical Exploration of Villainy and Evil in the 2015 Adelaide Fringe Festival.

More recently Tegan played Princess Fiona in AYT's Shrek, Tracy Samantha Lord in the METs High Society, Mayzie La Bird in NLTC’s Seussical in 2018 and Eva Peron in G&S' production of Evita in 2021. In April this year, Tegan will be playing Holly in Northern Light Theatre CO’s production of The Wedding Singer.

This is Zoe’s fourth time performing at a Broadway Sessions over the years, and she loves gaining the experience of performing in front of a live audience, having missed the stage since appearing in the ensemble of Strictly Ballroom in 2019. Zoe now works as a Speech Pathologist but is always keen get back on the stage and immerse herself into the world of performing arts and musical theatre whenever possible.

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.