Jacinta John

DIRECTOR

Jacinta John is a director with a background in performance, education, and independent film and theatre production. She is experienced in developing and interpreting new work for the stage and screen, and re-interpreting and staging large-scale theatrical productions in both Australia and overseas.

Jacinta is the Associate Director on Moulin Rouge: the Musical for Japan, Korea, and Australia. She was the Resident Director on the most recent Australian production of Billy Elliot: the Musical and co-directed the world premiere of the Air Supply musical All Out of Love in Manila.

Jacinta was the Resident Director of the 2017/18 production of MAMMA MIA!: the Musical. She was the Assistant and then Resident Director on Matilda: the Musical for its original Australian and New Zealand seasons, and Assistant Director on the world premiere of Groundhog Day: the Musical alongside Matthew Warchus at the Old Vic Theatre in London, for which she was awarded the inaugural Baylis residency.

Jacinta directed the Australian musical The Hatpin for the Victorian College of the Arts, was the Resident Director for the national touring production of Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced, and the Assistant Director on the beloved Australian musical Miracle City. She also directed the short film Mask and music videos for the songs It’s a Wonderful Life and All of My Colours.

Before becoming a director, Jacinta trained in classical theatre at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and in Viewpoints and Suzuki Methods with the Saratoga International Theater Institute in New York. She also has a BA in Film and Performance Studies from The University of Sydney.

As an actor, Jacinta performed internationally in film, television and onstage. She produced a number of independent plays and award-winning feature films including Under the Bridge and Isolate, for which she was awarded best actress nods at both the Indie Gems Film Festival in Sydney and the LA Fear and Fantasy Festival alongside Alien’s Lance Henriksen.

Rhys Velasquez (Evolution Casting)

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.