 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jessica began vocal training with Marilyn Smith at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music in 2003 and performed in Euphonic Temples, the IHOS Laboratory collaboration with the Conservatorium. A dedicated member of the Southern Gospel Choir, she sang on its ARIA-nominated CD Great Day. Her work with the G & S Society includes Trial by Jury in 2005 and 2007 and South Pacific, and she has also appeared in productions of Weird Romance and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Most recently Jessica performed the role of Mercedes in excerpts from Bizet's Carmen, a joint production between the Derwent Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian University Musical Society.
Brian has been interested in musical theatre since experiencing the early Australian productions of Hair and Godspell in his early teens. Encouraged by his daughter, he became a member of the choir for Cats and was bitten by the bug. He has since performed in Trial by Jury and is a member of the Sing Australia Hobart Choir, participating in River Traffic, the Festival of Voices and other community singing events. Brian was a little apprehensive about performing alongside such talent in this production but he has enjoyed every minute. Although he is a latecomer to the theatre he is looking forward to future performing opportunities.
Kristian is very excited to be re-embarking on his musical career with Allan, Leiz and a most wonderful and talented group that is creating this production of Beauty and the Beast – particularly as this is his first on-stage role since year 12 of school. Although Kristian has many years of experience in singing performances behind him, he has discovered numerous new challenges in singing the great songs in this musical. He is especially enjoying the teamwork that is involved in creating the many magical scenes that bring the story to life, and hopes the audiences enjoy the show as much as he has.
Having started his career in theatre in grade 2 as the lead in Peter Pan, Brody has always had an interest in performing. One of his favourite experiences was touring the state with TasDance as part of their school show Fresh. He followed this with appearances in Pippin for Elizabeth College, playing Pippin’s self-obsessed half brother Lewis, and the Hobart Summer Theatre School production of Back to the 80s in the role of Lionel Astley, one of the 'cool guys'. After a few years’ break from the stage, Brody started a new job just to be part of this fantastic show.
Growing up, Helen's second home was the Playhouse Theatre. Her mother was either in or directing plays and her father was constructing sets and setting lights. It was only natural then that she should go on stage herself. After acting in many pantomimes she turned her hand to writing and directing pantos with her sister. With a few plays, a couple of Uni Revues and some music hall theatre restaurant work under her belt, she turned mainly to being ‘Mum’ to her three boys. Helen has been involved in ExitLeft's productions of Les Misérables in 2000 and, more recently, Cats.
Tamika started performing at eisteddfods and in Friends’ School productions before joining the Australian Rosny Children’s Choir. At age sixteen she was selected to be in Australia Youth Music's first chorale program in Victoria, where she was guided by esteemed conductors Richard Gill and Nicolette Fraillon, and she participated again in 1999 in Western Australia. Tamika began her vocal studies at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music with Marilyn Smith. She subsequently graduated at Melbourne University before going on to complete a Bachelor of Teaching. Her musical credits include Suor Angelica, Carmen and Mozart’s Requiem with the Melbourne Chorale.
Rebecca has, over the years, taken an active interest in theatre as a hobby and a profession. Her debut as an orphan in the G&S Society’s Oliver! in 2000 kick-started a passion for the arts and an appreciation for the process of bringing a show to the stage. She has performed in Beauty is a Beast for Hobart Rep, Back to the 80s for the Hobart Summer Theatre School and Leader of the Pack and High School Musical for Hobart College. Rebecca has also appeared with Peter Richman’s Class Act Juniors at numerous events including Carols by Candlelight, the Centenary of Federation Concert and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. Rebecca is thrilled to be a part of Beauty and the Beast.
Andrew has previously sung Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Tasmanian University Musical Society and the Conservatorium Chorale. For seven years Andrew was involved in teaching, singing and choreography for the ABC Giving Tree Choir. This is his first stage role since Blood Brothers for Mainstage in 1997. Andrew’s enthusiasm for singing and musical theatre comes from his early experiences watching his parents perform in amateur theatre productions in Launceston. He hopes this production will provide the same magic and wonder for his own children and other children seeing live theatre for the first time.
Lizzy has been performing since the age of six and enjoying every moment of it. She has danced at Body Language dance school, participating in eisteddfods at Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Ballarat, Wagga Wagga and in Queensland. She has had singing lessons for the last few years and is currently under the tuition of Sharon Prero. She also attends classes at React Drama School, which she joined last year. Lizzy was in the ensemble for ExitLeft’s RENT in 2005, played Liz in Rosny College's production of Chicago in 2007 and performed the role of Charity in Sweet Charity for Rosny College this year.
Now ten years old, Chloe has studied dance at Jenina's Dance Workshop in Glenorchy since she was four. She performs tap, song and dance, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and neo, participating in solos, duos and groups, and competes in the Launceston Festival of Dance every year. Chloe has had singing lessons with ExitLeft Productions for the past four years and has performed with the ExitLeft Choir at Carols by the Bay. She also studies piano at Clare Janes Music Agency and regularly competes in singing and dancing eisteddfods. Her dream is to have a lead role in a well-known musical.
Melanie was involved in numerous musicals, theatre productions, and concerts throughout high school. Her passion for the stage has recently returned, and she performed in her first show as an ensemble member in the Tasmanian Theatre Unit Trust’s production of Les Misérables at the Theatre Royal in March this year. Mel is currently undertaking her research PhD at the University of Tasmania and is a fitness instructor. She loves road cycling and falls off her bike often! Mel has really enjoyed being a part of the Beauty and the Beast cast for 2008 and looks forward to future productions.
Bailey is the eldest of three children and has always had a love of the limelight. His first appearance on stage was in March this year, playing the role of Gavroche in the Tasmanian Theatre Unit Trust’s season of Les Misérables, a memorable experience. Bailey attends the React Drama School and sings with ExitLeft and Craig Irons. He has just started his first term at the House of Dance and is finding that most challenging! Bailey is very excited about performing in Beauty and the Beast as it is one of his favourite Disney stories.
This is Rob’s second production of Beauty and the Beast, having played Chip in the 2001 Christmas pantomime. He has also appeared in Peter Pan and The Wind in the Willows for Hobart Rep as well as the Christmas Pantomime Rumplestiltskin. Rob has been studying dance at S&AJ for six years and has performed dance roles in RENT and Cats for ExitLeft and Oklahoma! for the Hobart Summer Theatre School. He has been in several television commercials and the short film Promising, and has sung alongside Matthew Heywood at Carols by Candlelight. Rob has been studying voice with Sharon Prero for two years and is very excited about being involved with this ‘tale as old as time…’.
Mary is delighted to work alongside husband Jeff Michel and to finally have the chance to fulfil a lifelong dream of performing in a musical. Prior to this all her theatre credits have been "behind the scenes". In the late 1990s she used her Fine Arts training to dabble in set design, construction and painting as well as production assistant roles. Productions included Godspell for Hobart Rep, Zoe Loves Ferret for the Hobart Estia Festival, Hard Swallow and The Information for Downstairs Belvoir Street and The Anniversary and The Matchmaker for Cronulla Arts Theatre. She currently studies classical voice with Helena Bury.
Hailing from Western Australia, Roz has continued her professional jazz career since moving to Hobart in late 2003, singing with her band at various events and performing crazy latin songs as her alter ego Juanita Banana. After graduating from WAAPA in 1995 Roz received a grant to record her first CD Passion, which contained some original compositions, and a track from the follow-up album Mondo Kitsch – Music for a Troubled World found its way onto the ABC radio playlist. Over the years Roz has appeared in various Perth shows such as Oliver!, Godspell and HMS Pinafore and she is looking forward to performing at the Theatre Royal in Beauty and the Beast.
Originally from Melbourne, Billy-Jo has danced, taught and choreographed professionally for over twenty years, managing and consulting with some of the best dance studios in Melbourne. She also owned the very popular Viva La Dance studio in Hobart and has danced and choreographed for many successful floorshows for corporate events. Billy-Jo has extensive film, television and music video experience and has worked in musical theatre, contemporary dance, and cabaret. She is very excited to be involved in Beauty and the Beast, her first Tasmanian theatre production. Billy-Jo loves Tasmania and hopes to become a regular participant in many future productions
After the high of performing in Company for The Show Company in July last year, Emesha is very pleased to be back in the musical theatre fold. Emesha’s credits in Tasmanian theatre include Love’s Labour’s Lost for Directions Theatre at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the locally produced musical Singles at the Backspace Theatre, the ridiculously fun Body Snatchers and Nzambi Nzambi for Deep End Theatre last year and various one-act plays. Beauty and the Beast being one of her favourite films, she is embracing the chance to delight people with the memorable songs and characters that exist within the Disney mastery.
Originally from Melbourne, Patrick moved to Tasmania four years ago to attend University. His previous theatrical experience includes productions of Oliver!, Little Shop of Horrors and Man of Steel and he recently appeared in the PLoT productions of Treasure Island and the Shakespeare classic The Taming of the Shrew. After completing his Arts degree in November he hopes to audition for various performing arts schools, notably in Western Australia and Victoria, with the aim of pursuing a career in musical theatre. Beauty and the Beast is the first large-scale production Patrick has been involved in. The skills, experiences and friendships gained from this experience have been invaluable.
Phebe is eleven years old and is a student at The Friends’ School. This is her first major theatre show, although she has been involved in numerous productions and eisteddfods with her school and the various other performing groups she participates in. Phebe has been dancing since she was nearly four years of age with Rompers/Stomp Dance Revolution. She also attends React Drama School and studies singing with Ian Williams at ExitLeft. Phebe is very passionate about her love of performing and is excited to have the opportunity to be a cast member of Beauty and the Beast.
This is Erik's second major musical production since finishing college and he is really enjoying being part of the Beauty and the Beast cast. He has previously played leading roles in Hobart College productions, performing as Nick Piazza in Fame and as the dentist Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors. Erik is a natural entertainer and, like all actors, enjoys the spotlight and the attention of an audience. His last big show was The Venetian Twins in 2006, which was a fantastic production, and he is thrilled to be working with Leiz again on this classic and wonderful show.
Rainor has been in the industry for about seven years, performing with most Hobart theatre companies. His most recent productions include Troilus and Cressida and Mate for the Old Nick Company, Nzambi Nzambi for Deep End Theatre and Much Ado About Nothing for Directions Theatre at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. He has also worked technically on numerous productions and made his directorial debut last year with Alex Broun's You for the Deloraine One-Act Play Festival. He is so happy to be working with such an amazingly talented and diverse cast, crew, and production team. What an eye-opening experience!
Belinda has sung with The Australian Rosny Children’s Choir, Ogilvie High Concert Choir, ATV 16/26 Youth Choir and in many eisteddfods. Having previously appeared in productions of West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Copacabana and Trial by Jury – seemingly many years ago – she is happy to be performing on stage once more, albeit with her mother and her little sister!
Samantha first started performing at a young age with dancing, and as she grew, so did her love for the stage. Samantha’s involvement in theatre has included three of the Hobart Summer Theatre School’s productions – Back to the 80s, Jesus Christ Superstar and Oklahoma!. Having attended Guilford Young College, she was also a cast member for the school’s productions of The Scarlet Pimpernel and 42nd Street. Sam dances at Jenina’s Dance Workshop and attends singing lessons at ExitLeft. She is very excited to be a part of the cast of her favourite Disney story, Beauty and the Beast.
Benjamin’s involvement in theatre began in year 4 of primary school and soon afterwards he was encouraged to participate in extra-curricular theatrical activities. He has performed in tragedies, children’s theatre, murder mysteries, pantomimes, musicals, abstract theatre, psychological thrillers and several local competitions. While he enjoys throwing himself into his theatrical work, his leisure time consists of appreciating fine art, sipping cocktails on a Saturday night and musing to the sounds of swing.
This page is published by The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Tasmania and JHR Productions Pty Ltd and was last updated on 12 September 2008.