MEET THE SMT COMMITTEE
Michael Astill
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Since beginning Musical Theatre in 2004 Michael has performed in over 15 shows including, The Bakers Wife, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, A Chorus Line, Leader of the Pack and Urinetown, all with SMT, The Boy from Oz and Grease with Miranda Musical Society, Shout and Cats Rockdale Musical Society and Cabaret with Regals. He will next be on stage in SMT’s 25 th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He has also been involved behind the scenes doing costumes for SMT’s Urinetown and John and Jen, and recently was the Production Manager/Costume designer of the overly stylistic, Nine. Michael has been involved on the SMT Committee for a few years as General Member and Secretary, however has now taken over the reigns as President of Shire Music Theatre. |
Bridget has a Master of Creative Arts in Theatre (UOW) and works as a Drama and English Teacher at a local College. Her theatrical experience ranges from performance through to technical design and construction. Over the years Bridget has enjoyed working with SMT, Cronulla Arts Theatre, Sutherland Shire Council, King's Head Theatre and The Old Red Lion Theatre with the following roles; Sylvia "Sylvia", Helen "The Cripple of Inishmann", Ruth Condomine " Blithe Spirit", Titania "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Charlotta Ivanovna "The Cherry Orchard", Amanda Wingfield "The Glass Menagerie", Ellie Greenwich "Leader of the Pack", "Ma Strong "Urinetown", Julia "Wedding Singer", Luisa Contini "Nine", Company Stage Manager for the King's Head Theatre, London and Master of Ceremonies for Cronulla's Australia Day Celebrations. Bridget is currently the Production Manager for our next production, "Big River”.
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Bridget Keating
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Andrew Howie
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Andrew is experienced in various areas of theatre including performing on stage, helping out backstage and front of house, but most notably in the orchestra pit. He has played in over 50 productions since his first school musical at the age of 13. Andrew trained in classical piano from the age of 6 and was coerced into musical theatre at high school where he played piano and violin. He continued after high school by playing for various productions around Sydney with Rockdale Musical Society, The Regals Musical Society, Engadine Musical Society, Canterbury Theatre Guild, Miranda Musical Society and Bankstown Theatrical Society to name a few. Andrew has also appeared on stage in a number of shows. He has had a long association with Shire Music Theatre having played for several productions when it was known as Sutherland Shire Light Opera Company. He is a regular Musical Director for SMT, most recently for John and Jen, and he is our Musical Director for our current production - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He is the Musical Director for our August 2010 production - I Love You Because. You will also see Andrew as our accompanist at almost all of our concert and fundraising performances. Andrew is regularly sought after as an accompanist for a wide range of events. This marks Andrew's third year as SMT's Treasuer
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Sally joined SMT's committee in 2008. She enjoys being part of such a friendly, fun and professional society. Sally first joined Shire Music Theatre in 2008 where she played the role of Little Sally in Urinetown and loved it so much she decided to be part of the Shire Music Theatres committee as Secretary. Later she moved to the General Member position. Sally also played Sarah in SMT's Pantomime Jack And The Ogre and recently performed in SMT'S August 2009 production of Nine. Sally wrote and directed this years Pantomime "Tiaras in Trouble – A Fairytale Fiasco", performed in the January school holidays, which turned out to be very successful and a huge audience pleaser.
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Sally Redman
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Dan Nicholls
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Daniel started his musical career at Engadine Musical Society as Chad Danforth in their production of “High School Musical: On Stage”. After that he was in their productions of “Bye, Bye, Birdie” and also “Beauty and the Beast”. In 2008 Daniel joined SMT to do some work experience in lighting on “Urinetown” and after that played Mr.T in SMT's production of “The Wedding Singer”. He has also helped out back stage and on lighting with “Jack and the Ogre”, “John and Jen” and “Nine”. He loves SMT and thinks of the society as a second family and wishes to be apart of the society whether it be in shows, helping out with shows or on the committee for many years to come. |
Gavin Trained at the Newtown High School of Performing Arts, followed by the full time Performing Arts course At The Brent Street Studios. In 2003 Gavin completed Bachelor of Creative arts (Theatre Performance) from the University of Wollongong.
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Gavin Leahy
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Charisse Graber
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Charisse did little to no dancing until 2007 when she was accepted into Brent Street Full Time Performing Arts Course where she earned her Cert IV in Performing Arts. Since then Charisse has lived and breathed dance- ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, ballroom, belly dancing and musical theatre. Charisse studies Ballet/Pointe with Larissa Wilson and frequents at Sydney Dance Company as well as tap lessons from Lauren Butler. Charisse is artistic director of ‘ACTiv Elite Performers’, a St George/Shire based performing arts community for youth, she set this group up at only 17. Charisse has been dance captain/assistant choreographer in every SMT show she’s been in- “Leader of the Pack”, “Aida”, “Urinetown”, “Jack and the Ogre” and “Nine” and has made her choreographer debut with ‘The 25 th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” |
