July Session: Lights, Camera, Broadway!

Born and raised on the south coast, Abby spent most of her time in drama classes, singing or performing for her friends and family. Abby has partaken in her local theatre groups and school productions. In 2018 Abby took a break from performing but is now back ready to make her Broadway Sessions debut and perform once more.

Most recently, Bethany performed Gertie Cummings in Oklahoma! (G&S Society of SA) and Pocket Mozart (Adelaide Hills Chamber Players/Co-Opera). She 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. Bethany 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 since debuted her cabaret, JUDY & LIZA, and is in the development of a new work for 2025.

Carolina started her musical theatre career at the ripe old age of ten, playing Sergeant Sarah Brown in their primary school's production of Guys and Dolls Jr. In 2016 she became a founding member of amateur theatre company Briggs and Heaysman Co. where she made her debut in theatre outside of school which she is still and will be forever grateful for. Since 2015 she has been in over 20 shows, and is constantly planning her next move! Their favourite shows include In The Heights with Pelican Productions in 2019, Grease with AYT in 2020 (where they played Marty), Little Shop of Horrors (where they played Ronette) and The Producers with Marie Clark (where they played a showgirl covered in sausages). She's excited to join Hills Musical Company under the guidance of the Stefanoff family for the first time in their upcoming production of Jekyll & Hyde.

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.

Claire is proud to have been a part of Adelaide's musical theatre and cabaret scene for almost 20 years. She's had the chance to play some fantastic roles in shows such as Kiss Me, Kate, The Sound of Music, [title of show], The Wedding Singer, and Homemade Fusion. Over the years Claire has been a part of a number of Adelaide Fringe and Cabaret Fringe festival shows, and has also tapped into the local theatre scene in London and Rotterdam during her time living overseas.

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!

Ivy is a 10 year old performer who trains in all aspects of performing arts. She loves to be on stage portraying fun, bold characters!

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. Most recently, Jaxon performed in the Fringe-award winning Show Fountain Lakes: A Very Foxy Parody Musical, where he played the role of Kel Knight.

Currently Jaxon is preparing for his role of Dr. Butridge/Jabberwock/King of Hearts in the South Australian Premiere production of Alice by Heart as part of his Bachelor of Music Theatre.

Jazz is an Adelaide-based performer that holds a Bachelor of Speech Pathology. Jazz has an extensive background in musical theatre with professional credits including Candide (State Opera of South Australia, State Theatre Company South Australia, dir. Mitchell Butel), Granpa (Windmill Productions, dir. Andy Packer), Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (Windmill productions, dir. Neil Armfield), Candyman (Kermond Creative, dir. Wayne Scott Kermond), Kia Ora Khalid (Capital E, dir. Sara Brodie), Turandot (State Opera SA, dir. Kim Walker) and Ode to Nonsense (Slingsby Theatre Company, dir. Andy Packer). Jazz has also appeared in television commercials for brands such as Woolworths, Farmers Union Iced Coffee and YNA Nursing Agency. Jazz also completed her certificate II and III in Australian Sign Language in 2018 whilst working in the Deaf community.

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!

Kirstie is from the UK but is currently in Australia for a year to work and travel! Kirstie trained in professional musical theatre back home and has gone on to perform around the UK and Europe with various companies since graduating. Whilst she can’t pursue her performing career here in Oz, she has joined Adelaide’s Musical Theatre Choir to keep her voice warm and meet some amazing, like minded people!

Kristin is a music teacher, musician, and performer based in the Adelaide Hills. Favourite musical theatre roles include: Ms Gardner/Female Authority Voice (Carrie The Musical - Hills Musical Company 2023); 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 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.

Lindsay has performed over the past decade in both musical theatre and cabaret, having enjoyed success in various genres: classical roles such as John Brooke in Little Women (The Musical) (Therry Dramatic Society 2013) and Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods (Northern Light Theatre Company 2012); to contemporary roles such as Abraham in the Adelaide premiere of Altar Boyz (Davine Interventionz 2013), Sonny Malone in Xanadu (The Musical) (Davine Interventionz 2014), George in The Drowsy Chaperone (Hills Musical Company 2013), Kyle the UPS Delivery guy in Legally Blonde (HMC 2014) and most recently Elliott Garfield in The Goodbye Girl (Therry 2015). Lindsay has also appeared in countless other shows, favourites including Urinetown, 42nd Street, Crazy for You & Les Misérables. Most recently he premiered in Adelaide the role of Fabrizio for Davine Interventionz's 2016 Adelaide Fringe Show, The Light In The Piazza.

Aside from musical theatre, Lindsay has a keen passion for cabaret, having written, co-produced and performed at numerous cabaret events over the years. Stepping out side his usual genre, Lindsay played the role of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby (old sport), produced by Independent Theatre.

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 12 at Walford Anglican School for Girls where she is Choir Leader and a key member of their principal performing choir, Chanterelle. In 2023, she completed a Certificate 3 in Dance (Music Theatre) and has most recently played the roles of Descendant's Maleficient in Pelican Productions Music Theatre Camp, Annas/Queen Herod/Soul Girl in the Walford Anglican School for Girls x St Peters College production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and the lead role of Laura Black in Angela Betzien's Girl Who Cried Wolf.

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), Tangled's Rapunzel and 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. In May, Lucy performed at the Australian Music Theatre Festival in Tasmania, where she was selected to present her work in a Masterclass with Kerrie Anne Greenland.

Lucy receives vocal coaching from Millicent Sarre and is studying Music Theatre as part of GWB Studios Pre-Professional program.

Mark has trained throughout Australia and New York studying Musical Theatre at Schools including The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA Bachelor of Musical Theatre), APO Arts Academy (Advanced Diploma Musical Theatre), and Broadway Dance Centre (Scholarship Program). Mark is most well known from his appearances on The Voice, most recently in this years series making his way on to Team Ricky!

This ignited that theatre bug which led Mark to tour Australia, Asia, America and Europe with multiple musicals/productions including Kinky Boots (Australian Tour), Godspell (Australian Revival), Hello, Dolly! (Australian Revival), Hairspray Arena Spectacular (Tour), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (NCL European Tour), and Magic to do – Stephen Schwartz (USA/Euro Princess tour 3.0). Mark is proudly represented by Emma Raciti Management, and is excited by the opportunities that are popping up within South Australia in the Arts!

Most recently Mark has been working with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as the vocal captain for Disco Wonderland for the Brisbane Festival. Mark is about to head out on tour for the Japanese and Australian tour of Burn The Floor as their lead vocalist.

Matt Hawke is a singer-songwriter and music theatre performer currently studying at the Elder Conservatorium for a Bachelor of Music Theatre. He hopes to find a career where performs at a high level in the music theatre industry while also finding time to write and perform his own music with his band Sally Navara or on his own solo journey.

Nam is currently a 2nd Year student at the Elder Conservatorium studying Musical Theatre. Originally from Melbourne, before moving to Adelaide Nam studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium majoring in Saxophone.

Natalia Sóares is a South American performer, currently studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music Theatre. Some previous credits include: Jane (Tarzan, LHP), Crystal (Little Shop of Horrors MTC), Belle (Beauty and the Beast, PCA), Cosette (Les Miserables, PCA) and The Witch (Into the Woods, PCA). Natalia is set to play the role of Simon Zealots in ECMT’s graduation musical Jesus Christ Superstar in September this year.

Philippe Quaziz is a versatile performer with a passion for performance cultivated since high school, hoining his craft through years of acting and singing training. Philippe’s vocal talents have taken him to stages around the world, from corporate functions to community events and concerts. A career highlight includes performing and recording with renowned jazz trumpeter James Morrison. Philippe's experience extends beyond the stage. He served as a creative director in the USA, where he successfully led a team through the challenges of COVID-19. Currently, he applies his creative vision as the full-time Creative Director at Futures Church Australia. Notable stage roles include the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar with Futures Productions in 2017. He also appeared as a disciple in G&S’s 2010 production of the same show, demonstrating his adaptability across different interpretations.

Sam is very excited for his upcoming production of Jersey Boys, where he has the opportunity to reprise the role of Nick Massi, after performing the role in Northern Light Theatre Company’s production in 2022. He has most recently performed as Officer Barrel in Urinetown (2024, Hills Musical Company) and Max Bialystock in The Producers (2021/22, Marie Clark Musical Theatre). Other roles include: Patsy (Spamalot - 24 Hour Show, 2023), Skip Snip (Little Shop of Horrors - 2013, Northern Light Theatre Company), Papa Ogre/Papa Bear (Shrek The Musical - 2018, Adelaide Youth Theatre), The Witch’s Father (Wicked - 2016, Matt Byrne Media), Sketch (Hairspray - 2012, Matt Byrne Media), Newcomer & Ricky (Avenue Q - 2011, Matt Byrne Media) and Peter (Jesus Christ Superstar - 2009, Marie Clark Musical Theatre), as well as ensemble in shows such as Les Miserables and Legally Blonde.

Sam has also enjoyed being ‘behind the curtain’, designing and operating video and projections for a number of productions, most recently being nominated twice for a Theatre Association of South Australia Techni-CAL award for videography for both Catch Me If You Can and Singin’ In The Rain (both 2023, Northern Light Theatre Company), in which Catch Me If You Can won the TASA award for Best MusiCAL, directed by Sam’s wife, Michelle.

Tahlia Hope is a well-rounded performer with a diverse skill set. an accomplished musician, actor, playwright, Tahlia continues to expand her creative horizons, with two plays already under her belt, and two singles released on all streaming platforms as she is currently in the creation process for her debut album Dream-Like State, showcasing her talents from another medium.

Trevor hasn't been particularly active in the theatre community of late, having only performed in Pretty Boys in the 2017 Adelaide Fringe Festival since returning from interstate a few years ago. In the meantime, he has been busying himself with the Festival Statesmen Chorus, performing a variety of a cappella music. Highlights have included singing back-up for Adele, performing with Rob Mills and headlining the National Choral Festival in the past 12 months.

Trevor's theatre credits include Avenue Q (Matt Byrne Media), Curtains and Anything Goes (Therry), Orpheus in the Underworld and HMS Pinnafore (G&S SA), and Gypsy and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (MS Society). Trevor's most recent theatre engagement was working on Promise Adelaide's 2017 production of All Is Calm which will be his musical directing debut; where he is excited to be combining his love of musical theatre and acapella together.

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.