JULIA ROBERTSON
DIRECTOR
Julia Robertson (she/her) is a multidisciplinary theatre maker and director living on Gadigal land. She is the current Artistic Director of the award winning devising group, the Little Eggs Collective and the 2024 Recipient of the Ensemble Theatre’s Sandra Bates Award for Directing.
Recently, Julia directed and wrote the book and lyrics for the Musical adaptation of Metropolis (with music by Zara Stanton) which premiered at the Hayes Theatre Co. in April of 2023. The musical has since won three Sydney Theatre Awards and is currently nominated for Best Musical in TIMEOUT Sydney's Arts and Culture Awards.
This year Julia worked as the Assistant Director for Opera Australia's new production of Puccini's Il Trittico (Sydney Opera House, 2024, dir. Constantine Costi, Imara Savage and Shaun Rennie), the Ensemble Theatre's The Great Divide (Ensemble Theatre, 2024, dir. Mark Kilmurry) and will return to the Ensemble as Assistant Director for The Heartbreak Choir (dir. Anna Ledwich) in November. She also directed Shay Debney’s one man performance of Do You Mind? for RaCreate & the Old Fitz Theatre.
As a director, credits include PINOCCHIO (Little Eggs Collective), for which she received the NIDA Emerging Directors Award for Best Direction at the Sydney Fringe 2018, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Little Eggs Collective/KXT, 2019), James and the Giant Peach (Sydney Grammar School, 2022), and The Servant of Two Masters (St Vincent's College, 2023). Julia has previously assisted with Joshua Robson Productions on Bonnie and Clyde (Hayes Theatre Co. 2022) and City of Angels (Hayes Theatre Co. 2023).
Julia is also a classically trained musician and a recent recipient of the lan Potter Cultural Trust Grant, which she used to travel to London for a residency with the Royal Shakespeare Company in February of 2023. Julia has studied acting with the Lee Strasberg Institute of Theatre and Film (New York) and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London).
SHANNON BURNS
CHOREOGRAPHER
Shannon is a Sydney-based creative specialising in choreography and movement direction whose work spans theatre, opera, film, television, ceremonies and events.
Musical theatre credits include choreographing the Australian touring production of Dear Evan Hansen (2024, STC/Michael Cassel Group), The Producers (2025, JRP) and Bright Star (2025, Sport for Jove). Collaborations with Hayes Theatre Co include Gutenberg! The Musical (2026) The Pirates of Penzance (2025/2026), Ride the Cyclone (2024), A Little Night Music (2023) and Murder for Two (2023–2025). Theatre Credits — Orlando (2025, Belvoir), The Comedy of Errors (2025,
Sport For Jove) and Born on a Thursday (2025, New Ghosts Theatre Company). Shannon has also worked with Red Line Productions, CDP Theatre Producers, Musica Viva, The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra. In opera, Shannon has choreographed high-profile productions with Opera Australia including La Traviata on Sydney Harbour (2021), Carmen on Cockatoo Island (2022) and Carmen (2025). She has collaborated extensively with Victorian Opera and Pinchgut Opera across choreography movement and direction. Other credits include the world premiere of Siegfried and Roy: The Unauthorised Opera (2025), commissioned by Sydney Festival and co-produced by LPD Productions, and internationally, Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire (2024) for the Berlin Philharmonic. Shannon has contributed to large-scale ceremonies, TV, film and new work developments. She trained at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence and ED5INTERNATIONAL, and transitioned to choreography after an extensive performance career.
ZARA STANTON
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Zara Stanton (she/her) is an award-winning Music Director, Composer and Arranger.
Most recently, Zara was Music Director for the Australian Premiere of Dear Evan Hansen, and Music Supervisor/Vocal Arranger/Orchestrator for the UK premiere of FANGIRLS. Zara’s work on FANGIRLS in Australia yielded an ARIA nomination (Best Musical Theatre Album), and a Green Room Award nomination (Best Music Direction).
Other Music Director credits include BLOOM (Melbourne Theatre Company), Bonnie & Clyde (Joshua Robson Productions), The Deb (ATYP) and The Boomkak Panto(Belvoir St. Theatre).
Zara was the Composer, Orchestrator and Music Director for Metropolis at Hayes Theatre, winning two Sydney Theatre Awards for Best Composition (Independent Production) and Best Music Direction.
Zara is incredibly passionate about promoting representation in musical theatre, particularly for artists of Asian heritage and for female and non-binary musicians and creatives.
ZANDER GAAL
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Zander is an emerging music director, pianist & performer. His work is driven by a love for collaboration, collective problem solving & technical wizardry. He is currently in his final year of studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and will emerge with a BMus(Music Theatre). Zander’s theatre credits include The Prom(Associate MD/Deputy Conductor, On Your Feet Productions), The Producers (Musician, JRP/Hayes Theatre Co), & Juliet (Associate MD) and Stiles & Drewe’s Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure (Associate MD). He is thrilled to be returning to the Hayes to bring The Addams Family to life! (or death…) He would like to give particular thanks to his family, notably his partner Erin, for their constant support of his musical endeavours.
GRACE STAMNAS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER
Grace Stamnas (she/her) is an actor, theatre-maker, writer, producer and teaching artist. She is a graduate of NIDA’s BFA in Acting and Diploma of Musical Theatre. Upon graduating from NIDA, Grace was awarded the Keith Bain OAM Award for Movement. Her theatre highlights include How I Learned to Drive (dir. Tasnim Hossain), Blood Wedding (dir. Dino Dimitriadis), The Cherry Orchard (dir. Clara Voda), ATYP’s production of Intersection: Arrival at the SBW Stables Theatre, Four Quartets at the Old Fitz Theatre, and three works with Little Eggs Collective: Pinocchio, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and the four-time Sydney Award Winning production Symphony Fantastique, which she worked on as Movement Director.
Grace has written and produced three short films, and led shorts Break a Leg, Honey, The Trip, Bor (Skin), Escape Ur Coworkers, and It Takes a Village. In September 2025, her debut play Sex, Drugs, Success was presented as part of the New Works Festival at the Old Fitz. Grace founded December Theatre Co., which launched its debut production Port (dir. Nigel Turner-Carroll) at KXT in 2025, and was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award.
DANN BARBER
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Dann is a Multi award winning set and costume designer who’s work is influenced by his study of drawing and fine art at the Royal Melbourne institute of technology (RMIT - BA, Fine Arts). Also a graduate of the National institute of the dramatic arts (NIDA - BA, Dramatic Arts).
Recent work includes; Blak in the room (ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company), Rhinoceros and The Crocodile (Spinning Plates), Macbeth; An Undoing (Malthouse Theatre), Yentl (in association with Kadimah Yiddish Theatre and Malthouse Theatre). Candide and Melbourne, Cheryomushki (Victorian Opera); Wittenoom and The Amateurs (Red Stitch Actors Theatre). World Problems, A Very Jewish Christmas Carol and Bloom (Melbourne Theatre Company); Rent (LPD Productions); Far Away (Patalog Theatre at fortyfivedownstairs).
Dann has won six Greenroom awards for Outstanding Scenic and Costume design in Cabaret, Opera and Theatre.
He is a guest lecturer and tutor at the Victorian Collage of the Arts and Melbourne University.
JASMINE RIZK
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Jasmine Rizk is a lighting designer and programmer celebrated for her ability to seamlessly align lighting with musical dynamics, creating immersive experiences that enhance the emotional impact of live performance. Passionate about collaboration and innovation, she brings each project to life with designs that illuminate and elevate the artistic vision.
Recent lighting design credits include Cluedo (Crossroads), Sydney Festival Cabaret Season 2026 Wharf 1, Tina – A Tropical Love Story and Katie Noonan: Jeff Buckley’s Grace (Sydney Festival 2025), In The Heights(JR Productions), Ratburger (CDP), An Australian Songbook (Robyn Archer), Menopause The Musical (SK Entertainment), Mrock (ATYP), Jekyll & Hyde: 25th Anniversary Concerts (Concertworks), The Boomkak Panto(Belvoir), Pirates of Penzance, Well Behaved Women, Catch Me If You Can (Hayes), Small Mouth Sounds(Darlinghurst), and works for NAISDA, NTofP, Merrigong Theatre Company & SoPopera Productions.
Associate design credits include Rent (LPD & OA), City of Gold (STC/Black Swan), Opening Night, Into the Woods (Belvoir), Edward the Emu (MonkeyBaa), IDK (Force Majeure), and Sampa the Great (Volume Festival).
She acknowledges the invaluable guidance of mentors Karen Norris, Paul Jackson, Damien Cooper, and Trudy Dalgleish in shaping her career.
MEG ANDERSON
ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Meg is an emerging multi-disciplinary designer, whose collaborative and responsive practice underpins her work across live performance, stage and screen.
Select credits:
Production Designer: The Decay of Lying, FOEA NIDA (2022); The Hero Leaves One Tooth, KXT, Ratcatch Theatre (2023); Mercury Poisoning, KXT, Snatched Theatre Collective (2024); Conscience, Joining the Dots Theatre Company (2025); Three Plays by Tennessee Williams, Ground Floor Theatre Company (2025); Martin-Lysicrates Prize 2025, The Martin-Lysicrates Foundation. Associate Designer: Nini’s Magical Memory Garden, Force Majeure (2025). Costume Designer: The Seagull, NIDA June Season (2022); Costume Designer and Set Realiser: Soul Trading, Steps & Holes (2023). Costume Assistant: The Lewis Trilogy, Griffin Theatre Company (2024). Costume Coordinator: The Normal Heart, Sydney Theatre Company (2026).
CHAII KI CHAPMAN
SOUND DESIGNER
Chaii Ki Chapman is a sound & systems designer in-amongst it all. Proudly living on Birrabirragal land, he brings a curiosity to every role he undertakes believing whole heartedly in the holistic nature of theatre making. Excited by the worlds built in sound designs, Chaii Ki explores these with collaboration at the forefront.
He has worked as sound designer and composer on: Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (Old Fitz Theatre - 2026), The Royal Experiment (NIDA - 2025), Tick Tick Boom (Old Fitz Theatre - 2024), Alice Mother of Cinema (NIDA & NTofP 2024).
Other credits include: External Production Manager: Festival of Emerging Artists (NIDA - 2026), Assistant Event Co-ordinator: Vigil: Belong (Syd Fest - 2026) and Associate Lighting Designer: Abigal Williams (STC - 2025). He is often mixing bands at the Gasoline Pony and works across Belvoir, Griffin, Old Fitz & STC in the technical departments.
VICTORIA HALABI
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
Victoria is thrilled to be joining the production team as Assistant Producer for this production of The Addams Family, marking her first venture into producing. Currently studying Music Theatre at WAAPA, she is primarily a performer with a passion for storytelling, collaboration, and live theatre. Through her studies and performance experience, she has developed a strong appreciation for the creative and logistical work that brings a production to life behind the scenes. Stepping into this new role has been an exciting opportunity to expand her skills and contribute to the magic of theatre from a different perspective. She is incredibly grateful to be part of this production and hope audiences enjoy the wonderfully spooky world of The Addams Family.
THOMAS HAMILTON
STAGE MANAGER
Thomas Hamilton (he/him) is a Stage Manager, with experience in production management and lighting design. A recent graduate of NIDA, completing the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre and Stage Management, Thomas is excited to be returning to the Hayes for the production of The Addams Family and joining the JRP family.
Thomas’ most recent credits include: as Deputy Stage Manager for Footloose: The Musical - Australian Tour (DV Live), Stage Manager for Tabi Tabi Po: Development Showing (Legs On The Wall), Head Over Heels (Well Done Creative/Hayes Theatre Co.), Assistant Stage Manager for Dear Son (Belvoir St Theatre), Assistant Stage Manager for JPG Fashion Freak Fashion: Japan Tour (RGM Productions, 2025), Stage Manager for Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Well Done Creative, 2025), Production Stage Manager for Peter Pan (NIDA, 2025), Stage Manager for IRL (KXT, 2025), Assistant Stage Manager for Hot Tub (25A Belvoir, 2024), Stage Manager for Heaven (Brand X, 2024), Technical Operator for Paper Stars (ATYP, 2024), and Deputy Stage Manager for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (NIDA, 2024).
MATTHEW PHILLIPS
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Matthew Phillips (he/him) is an emerging practitioner working in various technical and management roles in the theatre and film industry in Sydney. As a recent NIDA Graduate (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2025), Matt is always excited to expand his learning through every production and project he works on.
Matt is drawn towards the industry as it allows for the ability to work collaboratively with people on fun and challenging projects, and loves to hear the response an audience has to theatrical work.
Matt is always excited to expand his learning through every production he works on, constantly enhancing his knowledge and skills throughout his career, meeting new people, and being a part of theatrical storytelling.
MACKENZIE O’BYRNE
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Having been a part of JRP’s previous productions of In the Heights, Mackenzie is thrilled to be back for this new production of The Addams Family.
She received her Diploma of Live Production & Technical Services from the Academy of Film, Theatre & Television (AFTT), and is a Sydney based Stage Manager.
Assistant Stage Manager credits include: In the Heights (Joshua Robson Productions). The Player Kings (Sport for Jove), Macbeth (Sport for Jove).
Stage Manager credits include: PPY25 & PPY24 Revealed (Sydney Dance Company), Macbeth (Sport for Jove), The Comedy of Errors (Sport for Jove), Much Ado About Nothing (Sport for Jove), Hedda Gabler (Secret House), The Ghost Writer (Secret House, Crying Chair Theatre), Mother Courage and Her Children (25A & JMC Academy).
ALICE CHAO
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Alice (she/they) is an emerging stage manager and theatre lover based on Gadigal land. Past credits include Stage Manager for We Aren't Kids Anymore (Little Big Theatre Co), The Perfect Couple? (Bold & Blunt Creative) and The Collector (The Actor’s Pulse), Assistant Stage Manager for Let's Try and Make It Happen (Shopfront Arts Co-Op), Working Class Clown (Performance Space), Theys at the Hayes (Hayes Theatre Co) and CRUISE (Fruit Box Theatre), Tech Operator for Artslab: Overflow (Shopfront Arts Co-Op) and Assistant Producer for Performance Space. Alice is passionate about the power of theatre to transform lives, and absolutely thrilled to join the JRP team in bringing The Addams Family to life (or perhaps more fittingly, death!)
RHYS VELASQUEZ
CASTING DIRECTOR
Rhys Velasquez (they/them/she) is an award-winning casting director and creative. A graduate of the Arts Academy, Ballarat, Rhys started their career as a performer and choreographer touring in shows such as Shrek the Musical (GFO), Once On This Island (Altitude Theatre) and choreographing multiple independent musicals and events.
In 2021, Rhys founded Evolution Casting and fast became known for their unique perspective and exciting casting designs. They have won two CGA Awards, for Best Casting in a Theatre Production (Choir Boy) and in a Short Film (Black Trans Miracle). In 2025, Rhys was named one of IF Magazines Rising Stars.
In addition to Evolution Casting, Rhys is the Casting Director for Malthouse Theatre, an independent musical theatre panellist for the Green Room Awards and member of the Casting Guild of Australia. Rhys is driven by a vision for a more equitable and diverse industry, with future ambitions to expand their artistic practice into training, programming and artistic direction.