Currently studying at UNDA and formerly majoring in Theatre Studies & English Literature, Jessica has deepened her love for the performing arts. Studying drama and music in high school provided inspiration to further her studies in acting, theatre-making and other facets of the arts. Her theatrical involvement has not only been one of a performer but also as part of technical production. Jessica also works as a backing vocalist for local R&B artist Roger Jaber. Recent productions include Seasons (Stagetek), Rent (Penny Presents and Anderson & Burdon Productions), Grease (CTG), Proof (UNDA), The Cagebirds (UNDA), The Real Inspector Hound and Property Of The Clan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the early age of four David was introduced to acting to improve his confidence and it is here that his passion for the arts was discovered. Recently completing a scholarship at the PACT Theatre, David also holds a Diploma of Performance and Practice from the Actor's College of Theatre & Television. His recent theatre credits include Lotophagi (PACT Theatre, 2007), Blue Print (Deborah Pollard, 2007), The Crucible (ACTT, 2005) Grease (CTG, 2007) and The Full Monty (CTG, 2007).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke has recently returned from the U.K. after a two-year residency writing and performing with his band Marcia Road. Luke’s love for performing was evident from a young age, showing interest in piano and vocals and in 2004 Luke received a Certificate II in Screen (film and television production). Performing every chance he gets, Luke has won several singing competitions and was a member of Stagetek’s ensemble in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2006).

www.myspace.com/marciaroad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane is currently studying Arts Media and Communications at Sydney University, with a triple major including music and cultural studies. An accomplished violinist Jane has studied under the Suzuki Method and after completing the final level in 2002 she went on to achieve an A.Mus.A Diploma. She currently performs in a variety of entertainment groups including: VAMP- Electric string trio, with whom she has toured such places as Kuala Lumpur, Brisbane as well as her home town of Sydney. She is also a member of MIMESIS a unique cover band featuring violin, cello, guitar and vocals who are renowned for their ability to sing and play their instruments simultaneously. As a Violinist Jane’s credits include, Sydney Youth Orchestra 1st Violins (2003-2004, 2006), Carols in the Domain, Broken Hill Tour (2003), Canberra tour (2004) International Spain/Portugal Tour (2006). Her theatrical credits include, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof (The Wesley Institute, 2007); Bonnie in Anything Goes (Meriden School, 2005); Eponine in Les Miserables (Trinity Grammar School, 2004); Peep Bo in The Mikado (Grammar School, 2003).

www.myspace.com/bandmimesis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hailing from Central Queensland, Tessa’s role in Rent will be her debut to the Sydney performing scene. In 2006, she graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Central Queensland University. While studying, she performed in a variety of University dance, drama and musical productions, some of these include, Guys & Dolls (CQU), Cassie in A Chorus Line (CQU), Anita in West Side Story (Rocky Venues & Events) and Velma in Chicago. She has had extensive experience in children’s theatre, involved in regional touring school performances and also being involved in workshops to develop the script for children’s play, Kingswood Kids. In 2006 she was part of stage management for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing ceremony. Tessa’s diversity also extends from theatre to screen, appearing in a short film for Bush TV and featuring in False Reflections, the 2007 winner of the Rocky Fringe Short Film Festival. Currently a part time student at Screenwise, Tessa looks forward to creating a profile for herself here in Sydney while taking on new and challenging performances.

 

 

 

 

 

A born singer, Brad has trained extensively with Tenor Australis’ Gerry Sword since the age of seventeen. He has trained as an actor for many years and has grown in technique through teaching pre-teen acting classes at a local performing arts studio. Brad is also an avid dancer and regularly attends Jazz classes at Sydney Dance Company. Brad’s most recent theatre credits include two vastly different roles, namely: The title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stagetek, 2006); Hyde, a giant singing phallus in the piece Henry and Hyde in Short Sweet + Song (2008) in which he was nominated for Best Actor of the festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lloyd is currently studying for a Bachelor degree in Communication Media Arts at the University of Technology Sydney. Lloyd’s experience extends past the stage to many aspects of the performing arts. Working as a backing vocalist for artists such as Skii Harvey, Lloyd is also the director of Harvey House Productions with whom he has just completed directing the new Make Poverty History TV Commercial featuring Missy Higgins. His other credits include, Cabaret (Clifford Bradshaw) – NUTS, Heartland – Mackenzie Thorpe in Mparntwe Country Documentary (Director) – Harvey House Productions, Rex Short Feature (1st Assistant Director) – Fishy Productions, Glam Reaper ACON Commercial (Art Director) – Aids Council of NSW and Bye Bye Birdie (Albert Peterson) – OFGS. www.harveyhouseproductions.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penny’s theatrical debut was at the tender age of nine in the Her Majesties Theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In 2005 Penny graduated from NIDA’s renowned Singer, Dancer, Actor course. On graduating Penny founded ‘Penny Presents’, a production company dedicated to providing fellow performers with an opportunity to practice their skills and raise money for charity. Penny currently works as a producer for Penny Presents, vocal teacher and performer and was recently appointed the Performing Arts Director at St Ives High School, teaching both drama and musical theatre. In 2006 she was appointed 3rd place in Sydney’s Open Mic Idol an some of her many theatrical credits include Nelly Forebush in South Pacific, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Charity in Sweet Charity.

www.pennypresents.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently studying a combined degree of Arts and Science, Marni has spent much of her years traveling and gaining experience all over the world. With her credits mainly as a vocalist in Australian and the U.S. She has performed under the direction of Dr. MacElfresh in the Southwood Miami Dade County Choir and trained with tutors such as Liz Connelly. A resident vocalist at ‘Switch’ Marni has also worked as a backing vocalist for singer/songwriter Jessica Cabtree and vocalist and bassist Jamie Warner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward started performing at an early age. By his late teens he had toured Australia and internationally and was showcasing his talents on P&O Cruise lines travelling to Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Currently he is you can see him as the support act for Aloha Down Under Productions around the club circuit. Edward's voyage into musical theatre is quite a new and recent journey for him. His theatrical credits include the role of Hud in Hair (Shire Musical Theatre, 2006), Leader of the Pack (Shire Musical Theatre, 2007) and The Wedding Singer (Rockdale Musical Society, 2008).  Edward has previously played the role of Collins in Rent with Penny Presents (2007). Friday evenings you will catch him hosting karaoke at the Sly Fox Hotel in Enmore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sydney born Nick Pes has been performing all his life. Nick studied drama for six years at Campbelltown Performing Arts High School, before graduating from NIDA's Young Actors Studio program in 2007. Aside from acting, Nick is also an accomplished writer, filmmaker and musician. In 2007 and 2008 Nick appeared as XERO on TVS' ScoutTv performing his original music. His theatrical credits include, Butterflies of the Mughal Gardens, Orestes – The Greeks, Guys & Dolls, Bye Bye Birdy, Fossils and Peter Pan. Nick is currently working on the next episode of the web series Frame by Frame.

www.myspace.com/xeroaus

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie-Leigh Russell is currently studying Music Therapy and Audio Engineering at the University of Western Sydney as well as an Opera Diploma at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as a vocal major. Jamie-Leigh has been singing for over 17 years and is one of Stagetek’s original cast members performing in musicals such as Annie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Fame: The Musical. Jamie-Leigh also featured at the opening and closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games as a backing vocalist.

 

 

 

 

 

Jonny’s love for drama was discovered in high school where he took acting classes and realised his passion to tell a story and affect an audience. He has since gone on to study voice with acclaimed tenor Gerry Sword and develop his skills as a triple threat. Jonny’s theatrical debut was in Journey (CTG 2007) and he later went on to perform as Nick in Stagetek’s production of Fame: The Musical (2007).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca’s passion for the theatre comes from a childhood of watching her parents perform. Heavily involved in high school plays and musicals, Rebecca has since honed her skills by taking a series of short courses at NIDA and the Australian Theatre for Young People. In 2006-2007 she studied at the Actors Centre in Surry Hills, then moved to New York to attend the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Rebecca is currently studying a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Public Communication at the University of Technology. Rebecca also studies at Sydney Dance Company and the Actors Pulse in Redfern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rent is Carmen’s theatrical debut. A Sydney based artist who’s talent has been turning many a head supporting internationals Roachford, Rahsaan Patterson and Australian acts Diesel, Wendy Matthews, Jon Stevens, and Casey Donovan. She has also toured the country with Guy Sebastian (2004 Beautiful Life tour), The Young Divas (2006- currently) Deni Hines and featured on hip hop artist FiggKidd’s debut release “This Is FiggKidd”. You may know Carmen’s voice from the catchy Channel 10 promotion “What I Like About You” that was played year round in 2006. Yet, it is in the song-writing realm that Carmen has gained much respect with many of her songs landing on “Idol” albums such as Casey Donovan (2004 Australian Idol winner), Kate DeArougo (2005 Australian Idol Winner), Ricki Lee (top 12 finalist) Rosita Vai (2005 New Zealand Idol winner) whose debut single “All I Ask” (which Carmen co-wrote) received the honour of the highest selling single of 2005 in New Zealand.

www.myspace.com/carmensmithmusic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel is a born dancer, having studied all forms of dance and with his love for acting and singing he found it a natural progression to move to theatre. Recently he completed a Bollywood Course with Mango Studios under the direction of Farah Shah and performed in such shows as Grease (CTG), Fame: The Musical (Stagetek), Reach (SWIPE), Jesus Christ Superstar (STS) and Seasons (Stagetek).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew has worked extensively in all facets of the performing arts on and off stage. Starting as a high school student Matthew has gone on to perform in over ten productions. A self taught guitarist, Matthew has a passion for arranging music in which he has had the opportunity to display during the collaboration of a new musical review Seasons with Stagetek in 2007.  Matthew’s experience also extends to the small screen appearing in Home and Away and in various television commercials. His recent theatrical credits include Mark in Rent (Anderson & Burdon Productions, 2005), Doody in Grease (Canterbury Theatre Guild, 2007) and Schlomo in Fame: The Musical (Stagetek, 2007).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosanna’s experience extends on and off stage.  Rosanna has worked as a singing teacher and vocal coach, musical theatre teacher, director, producer, choreographer and actor. In 2004 Rosanna completed the Musical Theatre intensive course at NIDA and In 2005 she was apart of the conceptual production of Godspell: Prepare Ye (Dir. Hayden Tee, Lambert House Productions) in which went on to perform at the Oz Showbiz Cares: Hats Off 2005 at Star City. Other performance credits include, Rosalia in West Side Story (MHS), Claire in High Rollers (Stagecraft) The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stagetek), Mabel in Fame: The Musical (Stagetek, Joshua Atha Productions).