Charles Busch has forged a unique place in the world of entertainment as playwright, actor, director, novelist, cabaret performer and drag icon. He is the author and star of over twenty-five plays including The Divine Sister, The Lady in Question, Red Scare on Sunset, The Tribute Artist, The Confession of Lily Dare and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom; one of the longest running plays in the history of Off-Broadway. His play The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife ran for 777 performances on Broadway, won the Outer Circle Critics’ John L. Gassner Award for playwriting, received a Tony nomination for Best Play and is the longest running Broadway comedy of the past twenty-five years.
He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie Die, the latter of which won him the Best Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
For two seasons, he appeared as Nat Ginzburg on the HBO series OZ and is the author of the auto-biographical novel Whores of Lost Atlantis. He has directed two films; the Showtime short subject, Personal Assistant, and a feature, A Very Serious Person, which won an honourable mention at the Tribeca Film Festival. His most recent film is the comedy caper The Sixth Reel starring Charles along with Julie Halston, Margaret Cho and Tim Daley. In 2003, Mr. Busch received a special Drama Desk Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright, and was given a star on the Playwright’s Walk outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre. He is also the subject of the documentary film The Lady in Question is Charles Busch.
He is a two-time MAC award winner, a Bistro Award Honouree and has performed his cabaret act in many cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, London, Paris, Barcelona and New York. In winter of 2016, his show The Lady at the Mic premiered at Jazz at Lincoln Centre’s American Songbook series.
His autobiography Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy was published by BenBella Books in 2023. Charles Busch was among the 2024 inductees in New York's Theatre Hall of Fame.
Photo: Eric Stephen Jacobs
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Charles Busch has forged a unique place in the world of entertainment as playwright, actor, director, novelist, cabaret performer and drag icon. He is the author and star of over twenty-five plays including The Divine Sister, The Lady in Question, Red Scare on Sunset, The Tribute Artist, The Confession of Lily Dare and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom; one of the longest running plays in the history of Off-Broadway. His play The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife ran for 777 performances on Broadway, won the Outer Circle Critics’ John L. Gassner Award for playwriting, received a Tony nomination for Best Play and is the longest running Broadway comedy of the past twenty-five years.
He wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays, Psycho Beach Party and Die Mommie Die, the latter of which won him the Best Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
For two seasons, he appeared as Nat Ginzburg on the HBO series OZ and is the author of the auto-biographical novel Whores of Lost Atlantis. He has directed two films; the Showtime short subject, Personal Assistant, and a feature, A Very Serious Person, which won an honourable mention at the Tribeca Film Festival. His most recent film is the comedy caper The Sixth Reel starring Charles along with Julie Halston, Margaret Cho and Tim Daley. In 2003, Mr. Busch received a special Drama Desk Award for career achievement as both performer and playwright, and was given a star on the Playwright’s Walk outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre. He is also the subject of the documentary film The Lady in Question is Charles Busch.
He is a two-time MAC award winner, a Bistro Award Honouree and has performed his cabaret act in many cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, London, Paris, Barcelona and New York. In winter of 2016, his show The Lady at the Mic premiered at Jazz at Lincoln Centre’s American Songbook series.
His autobiography Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy was published by BenBella Books in 2023. Charles Busch was among the 2024 inductees in New York's Theatre Hall of Fame.
Photo: Eric Stephen Jacobs
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Seann Miley Moore graduated from the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2013. They quickly established themself in the world of musical theatre in productions of Rent, Sweet Charity and the King & I.
"Seann Miley Moore stole the show," Cameron Mackintosh said of their pioneering performance as The EnginQueer in Opera Australia’s Miss Saigon. Awarded Best Actor at both the Sydney Theatre Awards and Naarm’s Green Room Awards - “They are a complete revelation."
A true embodiment of queer Asian excellence, Seann now brings unmatched charisma and fearless queer spirit to the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, playing stages across Australia.
Loved worldwide, Seann first captured our hearts on X Factor UK in 2015 and The Voice AU in 2021, where their powerful performances of Freddie Mercury’s "The Show Must Go On" and Andrea Bocelli's "The Prayer" led Simon Cowell to declare, "This kid's a star!" Since then, Seann has headlined major Pride events globally—from the UK to Amsterdam, New York, and most recently at Sydney World Pride 2023.
Their bold & unique style has caught the eye of brands like Lululemon, Camilla With Love, Fenty Beauty, and Jean Paul Gaultier, with Vogue Australia featuring them in the Get Used To It pride campaign supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
An advocate for love and equality, Seann’s disco-pop anthem My Lovers, a collaboration with St Croix, soared to #5 on the ARIA Charts. Support this Slayzian showgirl and stream it now on Spotify!
In October they return to the role of The Engineer in Miss Saigon for the UK tour.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch plays Carriageworks in Sydney from July 17th.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Wendy Harmer is one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers – broadcaster, author, journalist and stage performer.
As a stand-up comedian she performed her one-woman shows at the Melbourne, Edinburgh, Montreal and Glasgow Mayfest Comedy Festivals, in London’s West End and the Sydney Theatre Company. Wendy enjoyed huge popularity leading Sydney radio station 2Day FM’s top-rating Breakfast Show for 11 years. She was the co-host of ABC’s 702 Sydney morning show from 2016 -2021. She has hosted, written and appeared in a variety of TV shows including ABC’s The Big Gig.
A former political journalist, Wendy is the author of eight books for adults including her bestselling novel Farewell My Ovaries, Love and Punishment and Nagging For Beginners, a how-to guide for women. She has also written two teen novels, I Lost My Mobile at the Mall and I Made lattes For a Love God.
Wendy’s children’s book series about Pearlie the park fairy have sold more than 700,000 copies in Australia and internationally since the first title Pearlie in the Park was published in 2003. A stage show of the books adapted by Wendy played at the Seymour Centre in Sydney and toured regional NSW in 2005 and then nationally in 2007. The animated television series based on Wendy’s Pearlie books, co-produced by Sticky Pictures and Canadian broadcaster Nelvana, premiered on Network Ten in October 2009 and aired on Nickelodean Australia and in 11 other countries around the world. Wendy developed the series as Creative Producer and wrote multiple episodes.
Stuff, a four-part television documentary series which Wendy produced, wrote and presented, premiered on ABC TV in March 2008. In late 2008 Wendy and Angela Catterns recorded a 16 part podcasting series for ABC Radio Local called Is It Just Me? which returned for a second season in 2009.
Wendy teamed up again with Angela Catterns on ABC News Radio with a new show called It’s News to Me!, which recapped the week’s events.
Wendy has been a columnist on many publications including the Good Weekend and The Sunday Telegraph.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
James Smillie has captivated audiences over several decades. Commencing his career at the age of 10, as an in-demand boy soprano singing with symphony orchestras and on radio, he continues to charm with his velvet voice on countless commercials, documentary narrations, and audiobooks.
Smillie was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His parents emigrated to Australia in the early 1950s when Smillie was still a child. He has worked in both Britain and Australia in film, extensively on stage, on television, and with voice work.
Growing up in Perth, he quickly established himself as an actor of note performing with the university graduate company in productions of Hamlet and Mourning Becomes Electra before journeying to the East coast and diversifying work at Channel O as newsreader, booth announcer and host.
While his family remained in Perth, Smillie returned to the United Kingdom to appear in stage roles in London's West End and would divide his time between the UK and Australia for several decades.
In Australia his television work includes roles in Adventure Island, The Magic Circle Club, Homicide, Division 4, Prisoner and as suave Dr Dan Marshall in the 1980s drama series Return to Eden. And in the UK, Red Dwarf, Z-Cars and Highlander.
With J.C. Williamson’s he played the role of Edward Rutledge in 1776, alongside a stellar cast that included Lewis Fiander, Bruce Kerr, Rod McLennan, Bruce Barry and Geraldene Morrow.
On the London stage, his break-out role was as Tony in West Side Story. His presence in the role ensured that Arthur Laurents permitted the show to open in the West End.
The following years saw him playing leading men in a string of West End productions that included, Henry II in Thomas and The King with a score written by John Williams; Dr. Thomas Barnardo in Ernest Maxim’s Barnardo; Nicos in Kander & Ebb’s Zorba; Georges in Jerry Herman’s La Cage aux Folles at the London Palladium; and also as Fred Graham in Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
In 1996 he achieved a dream role as Mack Sennet in the London production of Mack & Mabel, opposite Caroline O’Connor as Mabel Normand. The following decade saw Smillie touring in the UK tour of 42nd Street, playing Julian Marsh, Pastor Manders in Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts for the Perth International Arts Festival, Charles in Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together at the Library Theatre in Manchester, Daddy Warbucks in a touring production of Annie with Su Pollard and as Caesar, in a Sadlers Wells Lost Musicals production of Fanny. He also has a Royal Variety Performance to his credit.
Now settled back in Glasgow, recent years have seen James appear in stage productions at the Traverse Theatre, Oran Mor, and the Pitlochry Festival Theatre; and extensive voice work and associated accolades.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
It’s TONY time once again and an opportunity to look at the ceremony and shows up for awards in our annual Tony episode.
STAGES is joined by publicist Ian Phipps and reviewer Simon Parris, to dissect the nominations and offer some predictions for the awards which will be presented on June 8th in New York City at radio City Musica Hall, hosted by Cynthia Erivo.
The three of us have all recently been in New York and enjoyed the delights of the Broadway stage, taking in quite a few of the nominated shows and performances, giving us a familiar insight to where the awards might land.
Australians are an ever growing presence on the Broadway stage and this year were are cheering for the Sydney Theatre Company and Michael Cassel’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray; a play that has taken the world by storm and garnered a host of nominations for the Australian creatives and performer Sarah Snook.
Ainsley Melham is co-leading the company in the musical Boop! which has also earned nominations and Sarah Bowden is in the ensemble of SMASH, also up for some awards. John Frost is also one of the producers who has brought the Bobby Darrin story, Just in Time, to the Broadway stage - another show in a fierce competition.
It has been a sensational season on Broadway, and I’m thrilled to join by 2 fellow travellers who are able to offer some insight to what has been playing - in this 2025 TONY edition of the STAGES podcast.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Ainsley Melham began his Music Theatre Career in 2016, skating into the Hayes Theatre as Sonny Malone in Mathew Managements' Xanadu.
Soon after he traded skates for a magic carpet and opened Disney's Hit Broadway Musical ALADDIN, in the title role. He toured Australia with the production playing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
In February 2019 he made his Broadway Debut at the New Amsterdam Theatre reprising his role as Aladdin in the broadway company, before travelling to London to film the production at The Prince Edward Theatre.
Upon his return to Australia he played Molina in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Kiss of the Spider Woman, as well as the title role of Pippin in the Tony Award winning production at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, Charley Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along at the Hayes Theatre, and Prince Topher in Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Ainsley has also guest starred as Fiyero in the Australian National Tour of Wicked The Musical.
Preceding his MainStage theatre debut he trained at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) and was a cast member of the International Children's Pop Group Hi-5, having appeared in its Australasian tours, and its televised Hi-5 House Series .
Ainsley originated the role of Dwayne, alongside the cast of Boop! The Musical, which enjoyed a pre-Broadway run at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago. The musical is directed by 3 time Tony winner Jerry Mitchell, with a book by Tony winner Bob Martin, music by 16 time Grammy winner David Foster, and lyrics by Tony nominee Susan Birkenhead.
Boop! The Musical is presently playing at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway with Ainsley Melham starring. He joins STAGES to reflect on his stellar career thus far and the exciting venture that is BOOP!
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Charles Kirsch is the producer and host of the Broadway focused podcast, Broadway Babble. The show has seen Charles conduct in-depth interviews with some of Broadway’s best, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carol Burnett, Harvey Fierstein, Chita Rivera, and Kelli O’Hara. Broadway Babble is now entering its sixth year, and most impressive is that the show’s 18 year old host commenced the venture when he was 12.
An accomplished and avid reader by the age of 3, Charles’ parents and grandparents provided access to music and theatre, with early productions of Annie and On the Town leaving a major impression and beginning a passion for musical theatre.
Charles has extended his celebration of the Broadway theatre with a series of concerts at the iconic New York cabaret venue, 54 Below. Gathering an ensemble of Broadway luminaries and established performers in the presentation of lost musicals and celebrations of legendary theatre-makers. Last month featured a visit to the musical Coco; the Katherine Hepburn lead musical about Coco Chanel, and next month he hosts a tribute to composer Charles Strouse.
He is a regular contributor to Cast Album Reviews, and has also written articles for Encore Magazine and a chapter on the musical Annie for the book 50 Key Stage Musicals (Routledge Press, 2022). He is also a contributor to BroadwayWorld's Teen Critics series.
Charles has produced a series of virtual game night benefits for the non-profit organization Dancers Over 40, and his Zoom reunions of Follies, Applause, On the Twentieth Century, and Titanic have gained thousands of viewers.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
With a career spanning four decades, Leigh’s credits are as diverse as they are extensive. An accomplished singer, dancer and actress, her stage roles include Marty in Grease – The Arena Spectacular, Demeter in Cats (Australia and Asia) and Consuelo in West Side Story. She also appeared in the Australian tour of The Wizard of Oz as an ensemble member and understudy for Glinda/Aunt Em, played Mrs Zebulan in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Australian tour), and earned critical acclaim as Dana and Marilyn Monroe in Get Happy at Sydney’s Star City.
Leigh was part of the world premiere of Moonshadow, the Cat Stevens musical, performing in the ensemble and understudying the roles of Zena and Layla. In Baz Luhrmann’s World Premiere production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, she showcased her versatility by understudying four principal roles, ranging from a young girl to a Spanish grandmother. In 2022, she played the role of Professional Woman in the Australian regional tour of Menopause The Musical. Most recently, Leigh captivated a sold-out audience with her one-woman show, Not Just A Showgirl, at Claire’s Kitchen.
Beyond the stage, Leigh has been the face and voice of numerous commercials and has appeared on television programs such as The Midday Show, GMA, Three Men & A Baby Grand, Hits and Memories and Carols in the Domain. She was also featured in the TV movie remake of The Three Stooges.
Renowned for her natural humour and engaging presence, Leigh has been a staple in the cabaret scene, performing extensively at corporate functions, in clubs and on cruise ships with her one-woman show. Now, after a 30-year “catnap,” Leigh is absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Jellicle Ball and stepping back into the world of Cats!
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Stephen Anderson is an actor who has navigated a thrilling career in musical theatre. Presently he can be seen in Titanique as Ruth Dewitt-Bukater, a role which earned him a Sydney Theatre Award.
His extensive theatre work encompasses the Park Keeper/Northbrook in Mary Poppins, Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Father Alex in Mamma Mia!, Sergei in Matilda the Musical, Mendel in Falsettos, The Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha, Giuseppe in The Light in the Piazza, Frog in A Year with Frog and Toad, Florindo in The Venetian Twins, Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors and Mark in DNA.
Stephen has worked extensively with Tall Stories and CDP Theatre Producers, including the original Australian productions of The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom.
Stephen wrote and directed My Vagabond Boat (Adelaide Cabaret Festival) and Don’t Hate Us Because We're Good (Melbourne Fringe Festival).
Titanique is about to set sail with a final boarding call for the Céline Dion parody. The record-breaking run at Sydney’s Grand Electric will conclude on June 22nd.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Vaughan Edwards trained in theatre, film and television design at London's prestigious Wimbledon College of Art.
After graduating, he worked in theatre design in London's West End before moving to New York. Here, he was an associate to celebrated Oscar and Tony Award winner Tony Walton, working with him on such films as All That Jazz, Deathtrap, Prince of the City and Equus before moving on to solo production design.
As production designer, he has worked in all parts of the United States, in Europe, Canada and Mexico on feature films, long form and episodic television, music videos and commercials.
Edwards' continued interest in fine art, history and architecture has been sustained by regular visits to world capitals to experience diverse cultures at first hand. The wealth of knowledge gained has enabled him to design settings of detailed accuracy covering periods from the Shakespeare of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead to post civil war American west in Last Stand at Saber River, and America during the depression in Arthur Miller's The American Clock, 1950s and 1960s WASP society in Stealing Home, to the technology of an imagined future of Seaquest DSV, and the contemporary urban grittiness of CSI: NEW YORK.
Now based in Los Angeles, Vaughan is a long-standing member of both the Art Directors' Guild, Local 800, and United Scenic Artists, local 829 in New York.
He joins STAGES to offer a unique perspective on designing for the screen, and to reflect on a dynamic areer working in the theatre design departments of the West End and Broadway.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Following her performance as Cassie in ‘A Chorus Line’ at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Sarah Bowden moved her life to New York City.
For 12 years Sarah had been a vital contributor to the theatre of Berlin, Germany. She played major solo roles in the Wintergarten Variety Theatre, including Emily in the ‘Seifenoper’ (The Soap Opera), Sally in ‘Sally und Fred’ and Somalso in ‘Der Helle Wahnsinn’ (Absolute Madness). She shared the stage with icons of the theatre scene such as Helmut Baumann whom she met as a young performer at the Komische Oper in Berlin.
She appeared in several productions in repertoire at the Komische, playing Marylou in the concert version of Paul Abrahams 'Märchen im Grand Hotel', she covered the role of Anita in ‘West Side Story’ and Daisy Darlington in ‘Ball im Savoy’. She also proved herself as a dancer in the production of ‘Orpheus’. Alongside her role in ‘Kiss me Kate’ she covered Bianca and was Dance Captain responsible for ‘Clivia’. Sarah is particularly grateful for the collaborations with theatre director Barrie Kosky.
In other venues Sarah has performed many roles in major productions. She enjoyed a highly successful run as Esmeralda in Disney's production of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', playing sold out houses in both in Berlin and Munich.
She was celebrated by the critics for the performance in her favourite role as Cassie in ‘A Chorus Line’ in Klagenfurt, and as Anita in ‘West Side Story’ in Wuppertal. She played ‘Cabaret’ as Sally Bowles not only in Plauen-Zwickau but also in the Zeltpalast in Merzig. She also dazzled in en suite productions for Stage Entertainment such as ‘Tanz der Vampire’, as cover Ozzy in ‘We Will Rock You’ and as Cindy in ‘Catch Me if You Can’ in the Vienna Kammerspiele. Before Sarah’s first productions in Germany, ‘Der Schuh des Manitu’ in Berlin and ‘Soap’ in the Chameleon Theatre, Berlin, she toured Europe with the show ‘Miami Nights’ where she played cover Sarah and Jessica and also had the responsibility of being assistant Dance Captain.
Beyond the borders of Germany and Austria Sarah has also made a name for herself on the international stage. She was a member of the cast on a world tour of ‘Dirty Dancing’ where she also covered the roles of Baby and Lisa Houseman. On this tour she was trusted with the responsibility of Associate Choreographer and Dance Captain.
In Asia Sarah also spent time in Tokyo, playing Rumpleteaser in ‘Cats’ at the Disney Resort. Directly after completing her studies in Australia, Sarah played Sillabub in ‘Cats’ and performed in ‘The Wizard of Oz’.
Following a stint as Nina in the Broadway production of ‘Moulin Rouge - the Musical’, Sarah joined the original Broadway Company of the musical ‘Smash’, now thrilling audiences at the Imperial Theatre on W 45th Street.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Hayden Tee hails from Maungaturoto in Northland but has made a name for himself globally as an acclaimed performer, makeup artist, director and recording artist in theatre, concert and cabaret throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the U.K and U.S.A.
His extensive musical theatre portfolio has seen him play Javert in Les Misérables on Broadway, London’s West End, Australia, Dubai and New Zealand; Marius in Les Misérables on London’s West End and Miss Trunchbull in Matilda on London’s West End and in the International tour.
Hayden has performed throughout Australia as Cable in South Pacific; Professor Bhaer in Little Women, Thomas Andrews in Titanic, and Father Grenville in Dead Man Walking.
On the international stage, Hayden has taken on the roles of Jack in Being Earnest, Rutledge in 1776, Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Arthur in Camelot, Hook/Mr. Darling in Peter Pan, Mason in Take Me Out, Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger in Cats and Stride/Jekyll/Hyde Alternate in Jekyll and Hyde.
Hayden has released three studio albums, ‘Hayden Tee’, ‘Generation whY’ and ‘Face to face” which are all available on all digital platforms.
Hayden is the chair person of the Te Manu Tioriori Trust dedicated to the development of original Musical Theatre in Aotearoa. He is also a member of the equity diversity committees in Australia and New Zealand.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Kurt Sneddon is an in demand photographer. He photographs actors, dancers, models and performers in the streets of New York City.
Originally from Sydney, where he founded Blueprint Studios and became one of Australia's most-trusted photographers for the entertainment industry for 15 years, he now proudly calls himself a New Yorker!
His own experience as an actor is inherent to his work, with an innate understanding of what actors need, he knows how to make performers look like the best version of themselves.
Kurt also manages a community for photographers called The Humble Togs Club. It's an online space for photographers (who are emotionally mature excellent humans) to support each other, no matter what the experience level.
If you enjoy practising the art of photography, check out the online community at www.humbletogsclub.com
STAGES caught up with Kurt in a happening foyer in a New York hotel, riffing on the art of photography and the trajectory that has lead him to a career behind the camera in the Big Apple.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
A multi-award winner, Alinta Chidzey most recently originated the role of Satine in Moulin Rouge! The Musical for Australia's national tour, with her work receiving outstanding reviews.
She has played Velma Kelly in Chicago for the Gordon Frost Organisation, and Anita in West Side Story, which saw her nominated for several awards, including a Helpmann, Green Room and Sydney Theatre Award. In 2011 she won the Australian Dance Award for Most Outstanding Performance.
Alinta is an acclaimed jazz vocalist, songwriter and recording artist. She released her debut album with Hook Turn Orchestra, titled Jazz and the Silver Screen, a collection of beautifully rearranged cinematic soundtracks. She also released her original music with Alinta and the Jazz Emperors, titled I Got You. Both albums are available through her website and iTunes.
With her burgeoning profile, Alinta is is frequently asked to perform at special events and concerts across the country both as a soloist and with her bands. These include iconic events such as Melbourne Fashion Week, the Australian Open, State of Origin and the NRL grand Final, to name a few.
Alinta performed alongside Hugh Jackman in his Broadway to Oz tour and played Petra for the Victorian Opera season of A Little Night Music. She became a fixture on The Production Company stage, playing Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Magnolia in Show Boat, Kathy Selden in Singin' In the Rain, Svetlana in Chess, Niki Harris in Curtains and Sibella Hallward in the unforgettable A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder. For Chess, Alinta was honoured with a Green Room Award for Best Female Artist in a Supporting Role.
Screen credits include Wentworth, Winners & Losers, U.S. telemovie The Frontier, The Dr Blake Mysteries and Neighbours. Other stage credits include the Australasian Tour of Mamma Mia!; Mickey in Leader of the Pack, for which she received yet another Green Room Award (Best Featured Ensemble in a Musical); Dusty: The Original Pop Diva; Demeter in Cats; Mary Poppins for Free Rain Theatre; the Netherlands season of Dirty Dancing; a tour of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alice in the play Closer.
From May 21-25 Alinta joins the cast of the acclaimed Music Theatre Festival taking place in Launceston Tasmania for its 6th year.
The festival has earned a cherished place for fans of the genre, featuring a host of activities - masterclasses, concerts, staged readings, cabaret, a musical presentation, food … and wine.
Alinta joins STAGES to elaborate on what we can experience and her own stellar turns on the musical theatre stage in an extensive repertoire of roles.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
London-based Australian producer Garry is the GM in RGM. With over 25 years experience developing, producing and managing ground-breaking productions around the world, he is an impresario of great vision and passion.
RGM Productions is an independent, Olivier Award nominated theatre production company with an objective is to discover, develop and introduce new and compelling productions to new audiences around the world. Established in 2012 by husband and wife team Garry McQuinn and Rina Gill, the company has an impressive portfolio of productions ranging from drama, music, dance and cabaret to children’s theatre and comedy.
Garry is the lead producer and managing partner of Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, the Broadway and West End hit show that is now Australia’s most successful theatrical export. For the past decade Garry has been responsible for driving Priscilla’s international success; to date the show has played to almost 6 million people in 135 cities in 30 countries around the world.
After working as stage manager for Melbourne Theatre Company, Garry headed to London where he worked as stage manager for Noises Off around the world. He returned to Australia and a life as company manager, production manager and sometimes even director for several big shows.
Garry’s list of credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Steaming, Sweet Bird of Youth, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Boy From Oz, Blood Brothers and Showboat, and (while joint Managing Director of Back Row Productions) he toured many international shows including Tap Dogs, Slava’s Snowshow, Mums the Word, Gumboots, Fosse, Shaolin Monks of China, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Jerry Seinfeld, Cats and Circus OZ.
Like Priscilla and Tap Dogs, Garry’s story is quintessentially Australian. Before winning a scholarship to NIDA (Australia’s national drama school), he spent his youth playing semi-professional football and surf-lifesaving on Wollongong’s beaches. After leaving school he worked on the blast furnace floor at the Port Kembla steelworks where he fell in with a gang of immigrant labourers who nurtured his interest in theatre and encouraged him to apply for NIDA.
Garry not only won a scholarship and graduated, but returned some years later to teach – and then head NIDA’s Production Course for over a decade. He has enjoyed an unbroken relationship with the school for over four decades including two terms as a member of the Board of Directors. He is currently serving as a member of the NIDA Foundation Trust board.
Garry joined the STAGES podcast from London to reflect on a celebrated career …. making and presenting impactful theatre.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Tim Jones has led the Seymour Centre theatre venues in Sydney since 2009. Last month announced that he is stepping down from the role.
Together with a talented and passionate team, he has worked to position Seymour Centre as vital to the creative life of both the City and the University of Sydney.
To achieve this he has initiated a range of curated artistic programs, focused on the presentation of outstanding contemporary performance and the exploration of big ideas, and driven by the principles of risk-taking, diversity, and inclusion.
His leadership has resulted in collaboration with pre-eminent independent theatre companies to present the best new work from local and international writers and artists; the provision of quality performing arts experiences for primary and secondary students to enhance syllabus learning; and partnerships with major cultural organisations such as the Sydney Festival, Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride.
Supporting emerging and independent companies has also been a feature of Tim’s term with SIMA Jazz, Siren Theatre Company, Shaun Parker and Company, Squabbalogic and Sport for Jove all, at various times, in residence at Seymour.
Tim Jones began his career as an actor, performing for St Martin's Youth Arts and Playbox in Melbourne before moving to Sydney and graduating from NIDA with a BFA in Acting. He performed for theatre companies including Belvoir and Sydney Theatre Company before taking up a full-time role as Artistic Associate at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP), where he developed his commitment to delivering quality performing arts experiences for young people, a commitment that still informs his ongoing professional arts practice.
In 2005 he became the Artistic Director of ATYP, and went on to develop and direct over 14 new theatre works for young performers, including productions by leading Australian writers such as Louis Nowra, Michael Gow, Patricia Cornelius, and Debra Oswald (directing the premiere of her works, Stories in the Dark, in 2007, and Skate, which toured to the Belfast Festival in 2005). International collaborations included two partnerships with Cirque du Soleil and directing the world premiere of Patrick Marber's The Musicians for Sydney Festival.
At the Seymour he has developed and directed a range of premiere theatre productions including Transparency by Suzie Miller; two versions of The Hansard Monologues by Katie Pollock and Paul Daley; 2071, an adaptation of a work about climate change by Duncan Macmillan; Made to Measure by Alana Valentine, developed in partnership with the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney; and, in 2022, the premiere theatrical adaptation of Heather Rose’s Stella Prize-winning novel, The Museum of Modern Love presented as part of Sydney Festival.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
Matt West is the Director / Choreographer for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. Matt received the L.A. Drama-Logue Award, the L.A. Ovation Award, New York’s Drama Desk Award and London’s Olivier Award, for the much celebrated show, which is in the Top 10 longest running shows in Broadway history - with 5461 performances.
The classic story of Belle and her Beast has become an audience favourite around the globe. Matt recently returned to Beauty and the Beast, 30 years on, to review the show and bring it into a new era - taking full advantage of developments in technology, cultural shifts, choreographic influence and the abundance of magic, readily available from the Disney brand.
Matt West has worked for the Disney Corporation a life-time, first joining the team as a Friend of Peter Pan, and graduating to creating productions for Disney Parks in Tokyo, Paris and California.
On Broadway he has staged or choreographed productions of Lestat with music and lyrics by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and Mimi le Duck starring Eartha Kitt.
His work as a creative is informed from extensive credits as a performer in theatre and on the Broadway stage including Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly and A Chorus Line. Matt also played the role of Bobby in Sir Richard Attenborough’s film adaptation of A Chorus Line.
International Theatre includes Little Shop of Horrors (Buenos Aires), The Wanderer (Tokyo’s Parko Theatre) The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Peter Pan for Disney Home Video, The Nutcracker for the Disney Channel. And more than 30 productions of Beauty and the Beast Worldwide.
Matt Directed and Choreographed Fantasmic for Tokyo Disney Sea. Current Projects Include the Broadway bound Productions of Smackdown and Click.
Matt was recently in Melbourne to visit the brilliant company of Beauty and the Beast, now in it’s final weeks at Her Majesty’s theatre, before it sets of on a national tour.
It truly is a glorious production, and I’m thrilled that STAGES had an opportunity to feature Matt in this episode to reflect on his own celebrated career … and to describe the vast journey of the juggernaut, that is, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
John O’May has worked in all areas of the entertainment industry encompassing music theatre, cabaret, drama, opera, concerts, comedy, radio, writing and directing.
His music theatre credits include Godspell, The 20’s And All That Jazz, Seven Little Australians (which he also directed), HMS Pinafore, Crazy For You, The Merry Widow, A Little Night Music (for which he won his first Green Room Award for Leading Male Performer), The Phantom Of The Opera (in the roles of both M. Firmin and M. Andre both in Australia and internationally), Mamma Mia! and The Light In The Piazza (produced, directed and starred in this award winning show’s only Australian production).
John played the lead role of Georges in La Cage aux Folles, Captain Bracket in the acclaimed Opera Australia production of South Pacific, Doctor Tambourri in Passion, Cardinal Felici in the international tour of The Last Confession with David Suchet, Herr Schultz in the musical Cabaret and Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
John has worked extensively with the Melbourne and Sydney Theatre Companies. For The Production Company John has played Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Peale in Grey Gardens, Elijah Whitney in Anything Goes, General Harrison Howell/Harry Trevor in Kiss Me Kate, and Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl.His film and TV credits include A Heartbeat Away, City Homicide, The Games, Carson’s Law, Between Wars, Starstruck and the ABC series The Divorce opposite Lisa McCune and Marina Prior. He can currently be seen in the Robbie Williams bio-pic, Better Man.
John played the role of Cinderella’s Father/Mysterious Man in Into the Woods for which he was nominated for a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Artist.
John recently played the role of Roland in Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Bloom and joins the show once again for its present season at the Sydney Theatre Company.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
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W.C Fields famously advised “Never work with animals or children”.
His advice would fall on ‘deaf ears’ for the creatives working on a new production of Annie, premiering at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in March.
One of the creatives contributing to the show, in a very unique way is Luke Hura. Renowned as one of Australia’s leading Animal Trainers, Luke has been working intently with the canine actors playing Annie’s best friend Sandy in the iconic musical.
Dogs are essential co-stars in a host of stage musicals whether that be Mama Rose’s Chowsie in Gypsy, Bill Sykes’ mongrel in Oliver, Paulette’s Rufus and Elle Woods’ Bruiser in Legally Blonde, Dorothy’s Toto in The Wizard of Oz or Eden Brent’s prized Pomeranian pooch in Bullets Over Broadway.
Perhaps best known, as a canine co-star is Sandy in the musical ANNIE, who frequently steals the show.
Luke Hura’s unique career began over 35 years ago and throughout his journey, has worked on some of Australia’s most well-known films, television shows and stage productions.
Luke’s love for animals began at a very early age where he began to connect with them energetically and intuitively, with this ability allowing him to read and recognise their behaviours and thus he began to work with the animals on a more intimate level. This incredible gift steered him in the direction of training all types of animals for performance, including dogs, cats and a variety of birds.
Luke is well respected in the industry and is an obvious choice for any Producer to have as part of their production team. Some of Luke’s career highlights include – Red Dog & Oddball (the highest grossing Australian Dog Films), Paws, Ned Kelly, Rogue, Neighbours, Blue Heelers, Rove Live, The Flying Doctors, Dingo, A Country Practice, Thunderstone, Halifax f.p, Sea Change, The Wizard Of Oz, The Saddle Club, Kath & Kim, Rush and McClouds Daughters.
So how are the canine actors prepared for such starring roles? Sure they may not have much dialogue, but they have to hit their marks and establish a rapport with their co-stars. To answer all, STAGES spoke with Luke Hura, backstage at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, as Annie (and Sandy) readied for the debut of this new Australian production.
Annie plays the Capitol Theatre in Sydney through to early June before a season at The Princess Theatre in Melbourne from July.
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).
