Podcast appearances and mentions of sydney theatre awards

In this colourful episode, Regina Botros is joined by the talented Alexander Berlage, the award-winning director and lighting designer, to dive into his dazzling new production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at the Hayes Theatre. How do you take a cult Almodóvar classic and reimagine it for the stage? Alex shares the creative journey behind bringing this bold, emotional, and hilariously chaotic story to life. From navigating the musical's tone to crafting a visual world that captures the spirit of 1980s Madrid, this conversation is a must-listen.

Genevieve Hegney is an actor, writer and performer. She has performed extensively in theatre, film and television. You probably recognise her from her role as Chiara in the groundbreaking and award-winning comedy ‘Colin From Accounts'. Her other television credits include All Her Fault (Peacock), Sunny Nights (Stan), In Our Blood (ABC), Pieces of Her (Netflix), Young Rock (CBS) Diary of an Uber Driver (ABC), Tim Minchin's Upright (Foxtel) Kinne Tonight (Ten), The Commons (STAN), Doctor Doctor (Series 2-3), Janet King (Series 2), The Kettering Incident, Here Come the Habibs! (Series 1-2), The Moodys (ABC), Camp (NBC), Bedhead, Devil's Dust, Rake, Spirited, All Saints, Home and Away, The Alice, and Out There (Series 1 & 2). Her film roles include Rip Tide, The Little Death, Burning Man, Preservation, and Happy Feet. Short films include Red Ink, Outbreak Generation, and Desirable for which she won Best Actress at the Kaleidoscope Film Festival. Genevieve's theatre credits include credits include; Tot Mum (dir by Steven Soderbergh) and Influence, Parramatta Girls for Belvoir, Twelfth Night, Antony & Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Much Ado About Nothing for the Bell Shakespeare Company, Some Explicit Polaroids for Darlinghurst Theatre and Love for Downstairs Belvoir, both nominated for ‘Best Independent Production' at the Sydney Theatre Awards. She is currently in the Troy Kinne show, ‘Full House', which is available on Youtube. As a writer Genevieve and co-writer Catherine Moore wrote the plays, Unqualified and Still Unqualified for the Ensemble Theatre. They have recently received funding from Screen West and Screen Australia to adapt Unqualified for television. Genevieve also co-wrote, produced and acted in the short film The Amber Amulet. This adaptation of the Craig Silvey novella won numerous awards worldwide, including the 2013 Crystal Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival & won her an AWGIE for ‘Best Screenplay in a Short Film'. We chat about Colin from Accounts, the industry (tell all), her brand-new show (tickets in episode notes), being still, her latest comedy nomination, Unqualified, drama vs comedies, getting into NIDA and competitiveness, accidentally manifesting, pilot season + so much more! Gen also has some shows coming out in October called ‘Fly Girl' (tickets below). Check Genevieve out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegenevievehegney/ Fly Girl (tickets):  https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/fly-girl/?utm_source=NEWSLETTER&utm_campaign=f235295500-email_2025+single+tickets+gp_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_58621e4cf6-f235295500-50023043&mc_cid=f235295500&mc_eid=bbc5f0e1b2 ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/ and @Michael_Kahan on Insta & Twitter to keep up to date with the latest info. https://www.instagram.com/michael_kahan/ https://twitter.com/Michael_Kahan

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Andrè de Vanny (War Horse, Swansong, Wicked Science) was awarded, ‘Best Performance In A Leading Role In An Independent Production', starring as Valene Connor in Martin McDonagh's play,  The Lonesome West [Empress Theatre] at the Old Fitz Theatre. I was thrilled to catch up with him afterwards to talk about the show in depth and its challenges, as well as discussing his exciting plans moving to New York later in the year! Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2025 Sydney Theatre Awards. Laura Murphy (Zombie!, The Lovers) penned the book, music and lyrics to ZOMBIE! the musical which garnered three awards tonight- Best Choreography (Chiara Assetta), Best Direction (Darren Yap) and Best Musical. Following on from previous interviews, including at last year's awards, I was thrilled to catch up with Laura. As I wrote in my review I would love to see the Zombie! musical developed into a film, will there be a cast recording? will this new Australian musical tour? Let's find out more! Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Ryan Gonzalez (Moulin Rouge, In The Heights) performed ‘Ride You', from a new Australian production: Phar Lap the Electro-swing musical (book, music and lyrics by Steven Kramer), which will have its premiere at the Hayes Theatre in 2025. Ryan currently stars in the Australian production of Peter And The Starcatcher that is touring Australia, opening at Sydney's Capitol Theatre from February 2025. I was thrilled to catch up afterwards to chat about characters (Santiago, Usnavi) and career, including his own cabaret show (Hispanic Attack, about Ricky Martin's arch nemesis "Ryan Gonzalez"), with a sneak peak of song ‘Ride You' that Ryan performed on the night! Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Darren Yap was awarded ‘Best Director' for ZOMBIE! The Musical [Hayes Theatre]. I was thrilled to talk with him afterwards to find out more about his approach in bringing this new Australian musical from the ‘page to the stage' for the first time. Also, as I had put in my review, his approach and hurdles in directing a predominately ‘chase and pace' musical on a static stage.  Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2024 Sydney Theatre Awards. Karla Grant, a proud Arrernte woman, is Presenter, Producer and Journalist of NITV current affairs program Living Black, which this year will celebrate its 22nd year on air. I was thrilled to catch up with Karla after the awards for a quick chat to celebrate the First Nations productions that were nominated and had won awards and our indigenous culture within the arts.  Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

In a special series direct from the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) Omar Musa chats with Irma about how growing up in an artistic family set his course, why he stopped reading and writing during a dark period and how a new form of expression saved him, the ways in which earning a living from the thing you love can be deeply problematic, why winning the Australian Poetry Slam took him to UWRF and was a gateway into the literary world, why he wants to challenge his own assumptions and biases through his work, why he found it so difficult to go from poetry to writing his first novel, what it's like collaborating with his cellist wife, and how he deals with deep fear and self-doubt.About OmarOmar Musa is a Bornean-Australian author, visual artist and poet. He has released four poetry books, four hip-hop records, and a novel, Here Come the Dogs, which was long-listed for the International Dublin Literary Award and Miles Franklin Award. In 2015, he was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Young Novelists of the Year. His one-man play, Since Ali Died, won Best Cabaret Show at the Sydney Theatre Awards in 2018. He has had several solo exhibitions of his woodcut prints, and his most recent book, Killernova, combines prints and poetry. His next novel Fierceland is out 2025, and here at the Ubud Writers and Readers festival he is performing The Offering with cellist Mariel Roberts.

Diana McLean has had a long career in TV, Film and Theatre and is best known by the public for her role of  Vivienne Jeffries in the iconic TV Soap,  The Young Doctors.On her return to Australia, after 16 years in UK and France, she appeared in many TV shows including, Water Rats, Murder Call, All Saints, Backberner, Number 96, Wonderland, and is still remembered for playing Bess O'Brien in Neighbours. Her miniseries credits include Ben Hall, The Norman Lindsay Series, Winner Takes All, and A Model Daughter. Theatre work has included; The Cold Child for Anthony Skuse at Griffin, Colder for Lachlan Philpot at Griffin, Love & Money at The Old Fitz, Three Sisters for Kate Retz, & Cry Havoc at ATYP, Julius Caesar for Anthony Skuse at The New, Other Desert Cities at The Ensemble Theatre (2015) and a national tour playing Florence Foster Jenkins in the play Glorious.Diana reprised her role of  Vera in 4000 miles, twice in 2014 for which she was nominated as Best Leading Actress at the Sydney Theatre Awards. Most recently Diana has appeared in the World Premiere of Joanna Erskine's new Australian play, Air (Old 505) and was part of the ensemble cast of The Humans at the Old Fitz.She joins STAGES for a long over-due catch up, and to reflect on a life-time telling stories.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).www.stagespodcast.com.au

From the 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards, I was thrilled to speak to Ben Gerrard (2019 Best Lead actor in an independent musical) for his starring role as Patrick Bateman in 'An American Psycho' and previous podcast guest. Ben collected the 'Best Lead Actor in an Independent production' on behalf of Sheridan Harbinger, starring as Blanche (A Streetcar Named Desire, Redline Productions). Hear more about Ben's career since our last chat and more. Enjoy! Follow: Ben Gerrard Sheridan Harbinger Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the '2023 Sydney Theatre Awards', I was thrilled to speak to Catherine Van-Davies, who was awarded 'Best Performance in a Supporting Role in an Independent Production', starring as Stella ('A Streetcar Named Desire', Redline Productions) and 'Best Performance in a Mainstream Production' starring as Marianne ('Constellations', Sydney Theatre Company). Catherine becomes a first-time mum, performing in both productions pregnant, hear more about work and these two award-winning shows. Enjoy! Follow: Catherine Van-Davies Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the '2023 Sydney Theatre Awards', I was thrilled to speak to Vidya Makan. Her debut musical, 'The Lucky Country' was nominated for 'Best Ensemble', Makan composed the music and lyrics. We discuss further plans of the musical and the Australian production of 'SIX the musical', where she will return to star as Catherine Parr. Enjoy! Follow: Vidya Makan Let Me Entertain You- Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Chatting With Sherri welcomes actor, singer, director, writer and artistic director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia; Mitchell Butel! Mitchell holds four Helpmann Awards, four Sydney Theatre Awards and two Victorian Green Room Awards for his work as a director, actor and writer in Australian theatre over three decades. He has also worked in New York, London, Hong Kong and New Zealand. He has worked extensively for Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre, State Theatre Company South Australia, Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare, Griffin, Malthouse, Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Pinchgut Opera,  Most recently, Mitchell directed Giovanni Busenello's The Loves of Apollo and Dafne for Pinchgut Opera and the sold-out season of Dennis Kelly's Girls & Boys for State Theatre Company South Australia during the Adelaide Festival (and its tour to Sydney Festival and Theatre Royal, Hobart). For the Company, Mitchell has also directed Edward Albee's The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?, David Lindsay-Abaire's Ripcord,  His performing highlights in theatre, music theatre and opera include A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, The Merchant of Venice (as Shylock for which he won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Actor), Mr Burns (Helpmann Award Best Supporting Actor), South Pacific,Angels in America. His film and TV highlights include A Sunburnt Christmas, Stateless, Dance Academy, Holding the Man, Gettin' Square (AFI nomination), The Bank, Strange Fits of Passion (AFI nomination),

Hello Cuties! The podcast is back with short snappy episodes with queer artists in celebration of Sydney World Pride!! First episode of season five is with Laneikka Denne and Ziggy Resnick where we chatted all things Feminazi, why queer stories are important, experiences being a queer creative and some fun rapid fire questions! So, grab a coffee and enjoy!! BIOS: Laneikka is a queer writer and actor from Western Sydney. At seventeen, Laneikka wrote DEAD SKIN which premiered at KXT to a sold-out season, published by Australian Plays and the winner of SA State Theatre Company's Young Playwrights Award. Laneikka's second play FEMINAZI premieres as part of Belvoir Theatre's Sydney World Pride Programming in 2023. Laneikka was the recipient of the Diversity Entertainment Creative Mentorship 2022, her play DEAD SKIN was performed in LA, to be developed into a feature film adaption of the play. Laneikka's short screenplay Oi was awarded Open Screenplay's Best Short Drama Award and is in pre-production in Sydney. Laneikka acted in the national tour of FOLLOW ME HOME with ATYP and is currently Sally in Netflix's ‘Wellmania'. Laneikka created THE MONOLOGUE COLLECTIVE where teenagers write monologues for teenagers to perform for the HSC to sold-out seasons and was nominated for Best Production for Young People at the Sydney Theatre Awards 2023. Young, queer humans are at the heart of all of Laneikka's work.A queer, Jewish, Greek, first generation “Australian” clown, Ziggy graduated from NIDA with a BFA (Acting) in 2020. During this time she worked with Leticia Caceres on SIX, Priscilla Jackman on Ibsen's Ghosts and Jim Sharman on Twelfth Night, and debuted the role of Amélie in the first Australian stage adaptation of the film Amélie (dir. Miranda Middleton). After graduating from NIDA, Ziggy debuted the role of Shoshana in A is for Apple by Jessica Bellamy at Griffin Theatre Company, worked as a clown on Opera Australia's Ernani, starred in a new Australian show Trash Pop Butterflies Dance Dance Paradise as part of Midsumma Festival and directed Much Stuff at Kings Cross Theatre. She will perform her new play Pear-Shaped in 2023 at TheatreWorks Melbourne. Ziggy is proud to be a member of the 2022/23 SheWrites Collective at TheatreWorks and the RIPE Development Program at Fruit Box Theatre.

From the 2022 Sydney Theatre Awards, I speak to Laura Murphy (actor, singer, writer, lyricist and composer). Her debut musical, 'The Lovers' (book, lyrics, music), produced by Bell Shakespeare was nominated for two awards. In August this year, she will debut another new Australian musical, 'The Dismissal' (lyrics, music) by Squabalogic. We chat about her career, her writing process and more learn more about both of these new musicals. Including, the special performance of 'Crash Through, or Crash' from The Dismissal, performed at the awards. Tickets: https://www.thedismissal.com Watch performances ~ 'I'm A Fairy' Laura Murphy starring as Sparkles The Fairy, from 'William and Sparkles Magical Tales' television show ~ About the Dismissal musical and Gough Whitlam's legacy filmed podcast ~ 'Crash Through Or Crash' introduced by Laura Murphy (music/lyrics) from the Sydney Theatre Awards ~ 'Crash Through Or Crash' (full performance), from 'The Dismissal' musical, performed by Brittanie Shipway at the Sydney Theatre Awards ~ 'The Lovers' musical Follow: Laura Murphy Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Deborah Galanos is an Australian actress of Greek heritage and a National Institute of Dramatic Art acting degree graduate. Before NIDA, Galanos attended Sydney University and UNSW studying Arts & Law. She has appeared in many theatre, television and film roles and is best known for her role as Dr Meredith George in ABC's Children's Hospital. However, since 1990, most of her work has been in the theatre, and through years of touring has performed on most stages all over Australia. Deborah recently completed a season of the stage adaptation of Anne Deveson's Tell Me I'm Here. The adaptation by Veronica Nadine Gleeson, was presented as part of Belvoir theatre's 2022 season. Other work on the Belvoir stage includes Stop Girl, The Boomkak Panto and 25A's Son of Byblos. Her other theatre credits include Greek Tragedy (Belvoir Company B), Bonnie & Clyde (Hayes Theatre Company), Wicked Sisters (Griffin), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre Of Parramatta/Sydney Festival), Gods of Strangers (State Theatre Company South Australia), The God Committee, Heartbreak Kid (Ensemble), I'm With Her, The Mystery of Love & Sex (Darlinghurst Theatre Company), Antigone (Sport For Jove), Metamorphoses (Apocalypse/Old Fitz), Unfinished Works, Homesick (Bontom/Seymour/505), Seagull (Secret House), Dropped (The Goods Theatre Company/Old Fitz), House of Ramon Iglesia (MopHead/Old Fitz), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (theatrongroup), Mum's the Word (Burberry Productions/Australian tours/SOH Playhouse/Glen Street), A Kind of Alaska, Suddenly Last Summer, Hotel Hibiscus (NIDA company), Boswell for the Defence (Sydney Festival), The Shearston Shift (STC/Australian People's Theatre). Her television credits include My Place, Police Rescue, G.P., Pulse, Rake, Redfern Now (ABC); Camp (NBC/Matchbox); Murder Call (Nine Network); A Country Practice, All Saints, Home & Away (Seven Network). Deborah's film credits include Chasing Comets, Balls, Boys from the Bush, Cavity, Inside Out, No Worries, The Premonition, and Razzle Dazzle. Deborah's been nominated for several Sydney Theatre Awards and is a proud MEAA Member since 1990. From October 23rd to November 6th she appears in Danny Ball's The Italians, at 25A Belvoir 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. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au

This weeks guest, began his career with a desire to act. He applied to and was successful in an entry to The Juilliard School based in New York City. A world leader in performing arts education. Craig has lived and worked in the USA forging a career in the arts until the pandemic hit and he made his way back to Australia. These days though, while still acting Craig pivoted to a career as a theatre director where he most recently directed “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” for Outhouse Theatre Co at Seymour Centre. “Happy Days” at the Old Fitz. “John” which won best independent production at the 2020 Sydney Theatre Awards. In this weeks episode we talk about the switch to directing but also what is actually involved for any of you looking to add another string to your bow. Hope you enjoy this weeks episode with Craig Baldwin and good luck on your own journey to making it. You can follow my journey Follow the podcast Or keep updated over at www.dannyjbarton.com I have also written a short film that I am shooting in June and I am currently raising funds to pay the cast and crew for their time. If you can spare a couple of bucks, i'd love your support. You can donate here --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/actorsmakingit/message

Marg joins Regina to talk through a life as a theatre designer and in particular The Picture of Dorian Gray.   Marg has an extensive list of design credits spanning theatres across Australia. For STC, Marg has designed for The Picture of Dorian Gray, Avalanche (with Barbican Theatre), How to Rule the World and The Histrionic (with Malthouse). As Costume Designer she also worked on STC productions of Lord of the Flies and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. She has worked on a wide range of productions for Malthouse including Because the Night (interiors), Blasted, Melancholia, Bliss, Caravan, The Testament of Mary, The Real and Imagined History of The Elephant Man, Revolt She Said Revolt Again, The Homosexuals Or ‘Faggots' (with Griffin Theatre Company), Edward II, I Am A Miracle and The Good Person Of Szechuan. Marg has also designed for many other leading theatre and opera companies including English National Opera, Opera Queensland, Victorian Opera, Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir and Griffin Theatre Company. She has also worked with Circa, Performing Lines, Dee and Cornelius, Angus Cerini Doubletap and Chunky Move. Marg has won seven Green Room Awards and two Sydney Theatre Awards including one for The Picture of Dorian Gray (2021).  

Casey Donovan is one of Australia's most versatile Entertainers. After a meteoric rise to fame at the age of sixteen, Casey became the youngest ever winner of Australian Idol in 2004. Since then, she has made her mark not only as a musician, but also in the areas of stage, screen, presenting and writing. Casey is a multi-Award winner and nominee, including an ARIA No #1 Award for Listen with Your Heart and Deadly Awards for Best Album, Best Single and Most Promising New Talent.After taking a break from music, in 2009 under the direction of Rhoda Roberts, Casey made her theatrical debut in Miracle In Brisbane for Brisbane Festival. This was to be the first of many acclaimed theatrical performances thus far in Casey's career, including The Sapphires, As You Like It, Opera Yarrabah, The Flowerchildren, Rent, We Will Rock You as Killer Queen, and Chicago as Matron “Mama” Morton. Casey's stage credits have earned her respect from the industry, which has seen her receive a nomination for Best Newcomer and Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical in the Sydney Theatre Awards.In 2010 Casey also returned to music with the release of the single Big, Beautiful & Sexy, along with a sell-out tour and major festival performances plus opening for the legendary Cyndi Lauper on her 2011 Australian tour. Musically, Casey then released her highly anticipated EP Off The Grid & Somewhere in Between hitting the Top 30 chart and in 2019 was invited to participate in Eurovision – Australia Decides, performing and releasing the original song Proud in the national final, placing second.Over the span of her illustrious career, Casey has appeared on all major daily and weekly Network television programs and has presented her own indigenous music themed show Fusion on SBS/NITV during 2012 and 2013. In 2017 Casey was crowned Queen of the Jungle by public vote in the third season of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.Casey made her scripted television debut in 2018 on Network Ten's comedy series Streetsmart as Tia the probationary parking inspector and then was cast in the hit TV show How To Stay Married, alongside Peter Helliar and Lisa McCune. Following this was a hosting role alongside Noni Hazlehurst and Kurt Fearnley on SBS's TV's What Does Australian Really Think?Casey is currently playing the role of Judy Bernly in Dolly Parton's stage musical ‘9 to 5'. Her enthusiasm for what she does is palpable; evidenced here in a joyous conversation.‘9 to 5' plays the Capitol Theatre in Sydney before moving on to Brisbane in May at The Lyric Theatre, QPAC. Seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide will folow. The show features Marina Prior, Eddie Perfect, Caroline O'Connor, Erin Clare and the fabulous, Casey Donovan.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Whooshkaa, Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

Tony Sheldon was honoured with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award' at The Sydney Theatre Awards (the first in almost two years since the pandemic). He was surprised on the night with the award, and accompanying performance of his peers dedicated to him. I was thrilled to speak to him after the show, he talks about, also his life's work, his mother Tony Lamond and his proudest contribution to musical theatre, creating the character Bernadette in ‘Priscilla Queen Of The Desert'.

DARREN GILSHENAN.After graduating from NIDA in 1988, Darren began his career in musical theatre before spending 10 years with The Bell Shakespeare Company. Sketch comedy followed with three years on Full Frontal, followed by roles in high-profile Australian TV series. Darren has just finished on How To Stay Married for Network Ten 1 & 2 and is thrilled to be returning for Season 3. Recent selected television credits include: Stateless, Harrow 1, 2 & 3 for ABC TV; Here Come the Habibs 1 & 2; Jungle Entertainment's No Activity 1& 2; Matchbox Pictures' Maximum Choppage; The Killing Field for SevenNetwork; The Moodys 1 & 2; Devil's Playground directed by Tony Krawitz and Rachel Ward; Rake 3 and Janet King for ABC TV; Top of the Lake, which was co-directed Jane Champion, Garth Davis and Ariel Kleiman; A Moody Christmas and The Outlaw Michael Howe, a television film directed by Brendan Cowell. Darren has also appeared in films such as Arclight Films' A Few Less Men, directed byMark Lamprell; the AACTA nominated Women He's Undressed, directed by Gillian Armstrong; and Another Man's Box feature Save Your Legs, directed by Boyd Hicklin. June Again, Directed by JJ Winlove and Never To Late, Director Mark Lamprell. Select theatre credits include Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Ensemble Theatre); Strictly Ballroom directed by Baz Luhrmann; Mother and Sonnational tour (Mother and Son Live P/L); Tartuffe (Black Swan Theatre Company);Elling, Don Parties On (MTC); Machu Picchu, Fool's Island, Loot and Our Town (STC). Darren received an ACCTA Award in 2020 for Best supporting Actor for STATLESS. He has received nominations at the 2017 Sydney Theatre Awards for Best Actor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and at the 7th AACTA Awards for Best Actor in No Activity 2. He has won a Best Actor Helpmann Award for The Servant of Two Masters, received Equity Ensemble Awards for The Moodys and A Moody Christmas, been nominated for a Golden Nymph Award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival for Best Actor for Here Come The Habibs, and also received multiple Green Room, Sydney Critic and Glug Award nominations.DAVE EASTGATEDave Eastgate is an actor, stand-up comedian, writer and musician. He starred in the ABC/BBC/Comedy Central smash hit, Ronnie Chieng: International Student and received a Logie Award nomination for his portrayal of cancer patient, Joey, in Channel 9's critically acclaimed drama series, Doctor Doctor. Dave also starred alongside his comedy idols, Glenn Robbins, Magda Szubanski, Gina Riley & Jane Turner in the Comedy Channel's flag ship, sketch comedy series, Open Slather in 2015. Other acting credits include the multi-award-winning ABC comedy series, A Moody Xmas & its sequel, The Moody's, as well as Maximum Choppage, Soul Mates, and Channel 9's hugely successful comedy, Here Come The Habibs. Dave recently completed over 300 shows with the inaugural 2019 Australian Tour of Muriel's Wedding the Musical and is featured on the Original Cast Album, in the principal role of Swimming Coach, Ken Blundell. Dave's unique brand of stand-up comedy and rock n' roll cabaret that has brought him the most national and international acclaim, with sold-out shows at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, tours in the UK and US and television appearances in New Zealand and Japan (in fluent Japanese). Dave has been a regular headliner in comedy clubs and festivals all over Australia since 2007 and has appeared on ABC's Tonightly, Comedy Channel's Stand-Up Australia and Just For Laughs at the Sydney Opera House. None of that beats sharing the stage with Robin Williams at a small comedy club in Kings Cross in 2010, but that's another story. Dave's Comedy-Heavy-Metal Album, Bad Specimen, is currently available on iTunes, Spotify and YouTube See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Rathgeber is an Award-Winning Australian actor, best known for his work as Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, the Tin Man in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz and his UK performance of Raoul in the 21st Anniversary cast of The Phantom of the Opera in the West End. Originally from Horsham, Alex graduated from the world renowned Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2003, and established an amazing reputation across many performance disciplines including: musical theatre, television, cabaret, concert, album recordings, solo shows, voice-overs as well as the development of original stage and screen works. He appeared in several household television programs such as Rush (Network 10), Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (ABC) and Winners and Losers (Seven Network). In 2015, Alex was awarded the prestigious Helpmann Award for his performance in Anything Goes, and earlier in his career he received a Civic Reception by the Mayor of Horsham for his outstanding work and success in London. In addition to these, Alex has received many other notable nominations including both the Sydney Theatre Awards and Green Room Awards for various performances. On top of his career success, Alex is also a keen ambassador for Entertainment Assist, where he advocates for increased mental health awareness and support for Australian entertainment industry workers. Additionally, he continues to support his hometown and is ambassador for the Horsham Town Hall Performing Arts Centre. More recently, Alex has also collaborated with Global Citizen Australia in their endeavour to increase Australian vaccination numbers against COVID-19. In this episode we talk to Alex about change and challenge, what it's like to be a performer and about finding your voice. This episode will also help parents who have children who want to work and live in the Performing Arts world discover what is required of them, and they can help their sons bounce back and maintain a sense of optimism or resilience in a changing world.

In the final episode of Season Two of Speak The Speech Grace Truman join us to perform and talk about Beatrice's speech from Act 4 Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing. Grace shares her experience as a young actor, juggling school and performing, and how Shakespeare can articulate any emotion you are feeling. Grace Truman is an actor and writer. She made her professional theatre debut at the age of 14 in the National Theatre of Parramatta's production of Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, reprising the role in 2020 for Belvoir. For Bell Shakespeare she has appeared in Titus Andronicus. Grace co-created, wrote and starred in the acclaimed web series amazing Grace. She has won numerous awards, including Best Female Performance at the London International Web Fest, an Award of Excellence at IndieFest USA, and was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Sydney Theatre Awards.

Jeremi and Maggie discuss the history of Australian theatre and the pioneers of our industry, and talk about theatre through a historical lens and how it is evolving to shape the exciting future of Australian stories. Jeremi Campese is an emerging, young actor who has made immediate impact on the Sydney theatre scene. His credits include: Hamlet (Bell Shakespeare, dir. Peter Evans); The Players 2019 (Bell Shakespeare); The Luminary Series (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); Romeo and Juliet (Sport for Jove, dir. Damien Ryan); Martin Lysicrates Prize (Griffin Theatre Company); Yen (Bakehouse Theatre Company at KXT, dir. Lucy Clements); DNA (Bakehouse at KXT, dir. Claudia Barrie); Rosaline (Bakehouse at KXT, dir. Sophie Kelly); Nosferatu: A Fractured Symphony (Montague Basement at Old 505); Moth (ATYP, dir. Rachel Chant, 2017 Sydney Theatre Award nomination); Oedipus Doesn't Live Here Anymore (ATYP, dir. Fraser Corfield, 2017 Sydney Theatre Award nomination); and Intersection: Chrysalis (ATYP, dir. Rachel Chant). Maggie Blinco is an actress who has graced the stages and screens in Australia for decades starting with her breakout role as Pearl in Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (directed by Richard Wherrett at Nimrod Theatre in 1974), and going on to star in iconic Australian films such as Alvin Purple, Crocodile Dundee and The Nightingale. Her most recent stage credits include John (directed by Craig Baldwin at the Seymour Centre) and Omar And Dawn (directed by Dino Dimitriadis at Kings Cross Theatre). Maggie was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards.

Elise is most well known for originating the role of Miss Honey in the Australian production of the Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda for which she won the 2016 Helpmann Award and the 2015 Sydney Theatre Award, and was nominated for the 2016 Green Room Award for her portrayal of Miss Honey. After over 650 shows and two years in the role, Elise left Matilda in Perth with her final performance on Sunday March 19th 2017. She is also featured in the Channel Seven miniseries Peter Allen – Not The Boy Next Door, playing Peter's sister Lynne Woolnough. Not The Boy Next Door won 7 AACTA's at the 2015 AACTA Awards including Best Miniseries, was nominated for Best Drama at the 2016 Logie Awards and was nominated for Best Television Drama at the 2016 Monte Carlo Television and Film Festival. A graduate of NIDA, Elise's theatrical credits include: Cathy in The Last Five Years (Ensemble Theatre), Ado Annie in Oklahoma and Meg Brockie in Brigadoon (The Production Company), Lucille Ball in the critically acclaimed one woman show Everybody Loves Lucy (Luckiest Productions) for which she was nominated in the 2015 Sydney Theatre Awards. Ali in the 10th Anniversary Australian Tour of MAMMA MIA! (Littlestar); Janet McGregor in the Australian tour of South Pacific (Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation); The World Premier/Australian Tour of Doctor Zhivago (Gordon Frost Organisation); Fruma Sarah in the Australian Tour of Fiddler on the Roof (TML Enterprises); Cordelia in Falsettos (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); Florinda in Into The Woods (Victorian Arts Opera); Little Women (Kookaburra Australian National Theatre Company); My Fair Lady (Opera Australia); Camelot (The Production Company); Side By Side By Sondheim (Enda Markey Presents). Elise is about to appear as Mary Flynn in a strictly limited season of the Stephen Sondheim classic Merrily We Roll Along at the Hayes Theatre.

Alex is one of Australia's most versatile leading men. At 24 Alex landed the role of Raoul in London's West End production of The Phantom of the Opera (Cameron Mackintosh), following which he returned to Australia to play Robert the blindfolded, roller-skating, tap-dancing groom in the acclaimed Melbourne Theatre Company production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Alex received a Helpmann Award for his performance as Billy Crocker in Anything Goes (John Frost and Opera Australia) in 2015. Other nominations include the Sydney Theatre Awards for the role of Sid in An Officer and a Gentleman (GFO) and a Green Room Award nomination for Older Patrick in Mame (The Production Company). Alex's stage credits include Simon Stride in Jekyll & Hyde - 25th Anniversary Concert (Concertworks); Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (GFO); Aaron in Curtains (TPC); Carl in Ghost the Musical (Ambassador/GWB/Red Live); Greg in The Boy From Oz (TPC); Brad in The Rocky Horror Show (TML); Joe Kennedy Jr and Jerry in Grey Gardens (TPC); Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden in Next To Normal (Doorstep Arts at Hayes Theatre); and Lancelot in Camelot (TPC). On screen Alex has appeared in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (ABC), Rush (Network Ten) and Winners and Losers (Seven Network). Alex's debut album Easy To Love celebrates Broadway's favourite composers, featuring duets with Caroline O'Connor, Lucy Maunder and Claire Lyon – available on iTunes and Spotify. ​ Alex is a proud graduate of The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

Andddd we're back! After a lil' hiatus (where we were busy graduating!) we are so excited to be bringing you episode 4 of Season 2! On this ep, we got to speak to the beautiful, funny and vibrant Chika Ikogwe, who is currently starring in “Fangirls”, a sell-out musical touring Australia, about teens navigating their love for boybands (and so much more!) In this episode, we talk about what it means to land a career that brings others joy, experiences at drama school, and why authentic representation within the arts is so. damn. Important. A little bit about Chika: Chika Ikogwe is an award-winning Nigerian-Australian Actor and Writer. She's a recent acting graduate of The National Institute of Dramatic Art (2018). As an Actor, Chika has worked extensively in the industry on shows such as Dance Nation dir. Imara Savage, Fangirls dir. Paige Rattray, The Wolves dir. Jessica Arthur, Normal dir. Anthony Skuse, Sydney Theatre Buses co-produced by An Assorted Few, Green Door Theatre Company and Ban Shakespeare and recently made her TV debut in the role of Dr. M on ABC's MIKKI v the WORLD. As a Writer, Chika has written for the Audrey Journal, co-wrote a play called The House at Boundary Road Liverpool which made its world premiere at The Old 505 Theatre in November of 2019 and has a number of upcoming works in development, including Chioma's Party a play which recently had development support from Belvoir and Green Door Theatre Company & Just Chidi Things a web series supported by the Leslie Walford AM Foundation, The Spark Fund and was the winner of the Screen Makers Conference Pitch-o-rama competition in 2020. Chika was the recipient of the 2018 BBM Youth Support Award in Drama, the recipient of the 2018 Leslie Walford AM Award, winner of ‘Best Newcomer' at the Sydney Theatre Awards in 2019 and recipient of The 2020 ATYP Rose Byrne Emerging Female Leader in the Arts scholarship. She's incredibly passionate about diversity and representation, and strives to bring authentic Afrocentric stories to the forefront of Australian stages and screens. If you would like to find out more about Chika, you can follow her on instagram @chikathat and on Facebook as Chika Ikogwe We'd love to hear your thoughts from this episode on our instagram @companypod, or Facebook Company Podcast. Hosted and Created by Giorgia Kennedy and Tiana Catalano Edited and Produced by David Duketis Music by David Duketis Graphic Design by David Duketis

(Originally aired in February 2021) Alexander Berlage is an award-winning theatre director and lighting designer. His production of American Psycho won 9 Sydney Theatre Awards, including Best Direction of a Musical, an award he had also won the previous year. Alexander joined Simon Moore to talk about his creative process and his work, including his upcoming production of Young Frankenstein at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney.

From the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards I was thrilled to speak to Suzie Wrong, a panel judge of the awards to ask her more about this event. Enjoy! Follow: Suzie Wrong Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards, I was thrilled to speak to Bradley Barrack and Spencer Bignell, Producers of 'An American Psycho' the musical which took home nine awards. Hear more from the debut production team and more about the musical. Enjoy! Follow: Bradley Barrack Spencer Bignell Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards, I was thrilled to speak to Ben Gerrard, winner of the Judith Johnson award for Best Performance by a male actor in a musical, for his starring role as Patrick Bateman in 'An American Psycho'. Hear more about the musical and character development from reading the source material. Enjoy! Follow: Ben Gerrard Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards, I was thrilled to catch up with Billie Palin, nominated for 'Best Newcomer' for her starring role as Ralph Rackstraw in 'HMS Pinafore'. This is a great catch-up, I interviewed Billie last year as a grand finalist and then winner of the 2019 Cabaret Competition. Enjoy! Follow: Billie Palin Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

From the 2019 Sydney Theatre Awards I was thrilled to speak to Stefanie Jones, winner of 'Best Supporting Actress in a supporting role in a musical' for her starring role as Rhonda in 'Muriel's Wedding the musical'. This is a great catch-up, having interviewed Stefanie alongside her co-star Natalie Abbott at the Sydney premiere at the Lyric Theatre. Enjoy! Watch performances: ~ 'Sydney' ~ 'Here Comes The Bride' ~ Sydney Opening night bows Sydney Lyric Theatre ~ Sydney bows for Actors Benevolent Fund (Dave Eastgate) Follow: Let Me Entertain You @LMEYpodcast - Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube