SHANNEN ALYCE QUAN
JO MARCH (They/She)
Shannen Alyce Quan (they/she) graduated from WAAPA in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre). Upon graduating, they played the role of Natalie in Next to Normal (Black Swan State Theatre Company) for which they won two Performing Arts WA Awards - for Best Actor and Best Newcomer.
Most recently, she made her Hayes debut as Maria/Robot Maria in a new musical adaptation of Metropolis (Little Eggs Collective). Prior to that, Shannen was a swing in the original cast of the Australian production of SIX The Musical (LWAA).
They have been lucky enough to work on several new Australian works including: Yve Blake’s Fangirls as Shoshana - covering the roles of Edna, Brianna, Jules and Caroline (Belvoir); Kelly in The Gathering (Vic Theatre Company); Seela in Post: A New Musical (Something Blue Productions); and Maia in Matthew Robinson’s Atlantis. Other theatre credits include: Wendla in Spring Awakening (CPCA); and U/S Cynthia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical (Michael Cassel Group).
CAMERON BAJRAKTAREVIC-HAYWARD
MR. JOHN BROOKE (He/They)
Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward (he/they) is a Melbourne (Naarm) based Actor, Musician, Singer and Dancer. Originally from Western Sydney (Darug Nation), Cameron moved to Naarm in 2020 to study at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).
Following their time at VCA Cameron performed as Young Ebenezer in A Christmas Carol 2022 and 2023 (dir. Matthew Warchus) and played the role of Dolokhov in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (dir. Dean Drieberg) at Darlinghurst Theatre Company in 2023. This year, they have had the honour of being part of The Grinning Man (dir. Miranda Middleton) as Mojo/Cellist/Dance Captain.Cameron is thrilled to be making their Melbourne Theatre Company debut in My Brilliant Career (dir. Anne-Louise Sarks) as Frank later in 2024.
Cameron is proudly represented by Ian White Management and is a MEAA member.
MADDY BETTS
ONSTAGE SWING (She/Her)
cover: Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy, Marmee & Aunt March
Maddy graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) in 2022, following the Diploma of Music Theatre (WAAPA). While growing up in Canberra she performed as Heather Duke in Heathers (Dramatic Productions), Carmen Diaz in Fame (Supa Productions) aswell as Strictly Ballroom: The Musical (Canberra Philharmonic Society) and Les Miserables (Free Rain Theatre Company).
Since graduating, she performed as an onstage-swing in 'City of Angels' with Josh Robson Productions, also at the Hayes Theatre. Maddy is thrilled to be a part of this production of Little Women and to be working alongside these talented storytellers.
MOLLY BUGEJA
BETH MARCH (She/They)
Molly Bugeja is an electrifying up-and-coming triple threat Artist in Australian musical theatre. Proudly hailing from Dharug Land/Western Sydney, Molly trained at 'A-live Performing Arts Centre' and 'Village Performing Arts Centre' and is a graduating member of the prestigious TDP (Talent Development Project).
Molly made her professional theatre debut in 2019, portraying Anybodys in the international touring production of West Side Story (Opera Australia, GWB, BB Group). Following this, she took on the roles of Dance Captain and Swing in A Chorus Line (Darlinghurst Theatre Company). Molly had the privilege of returning to West Side Story and A Chorus Line in 2021 and 2022 respectively, to reprise both roles for successful national tours. Since then she has performed in the ensemble of the touring production of Mary Poppins (MCG) and reprised the role of Anybodys a third time to great critical acclaim for Handa Opera’s West Side Story on the iconic Sydney Harbour in 2024.
PETER CARROLL
MR. LAURENCE (he/him)
Peter’s distinguished career has spanned over 100 productions and 50 years. He has worked with the major theatre companies and commercial managements in Australia including, MTC, QTC, Belvoir, STCSA, Bell Shakespeare, and Opera Australia. Peter was a founding member of Nimrod Theatre Company in the 1970s and has been with Sydney Theatre Company from its Opera House beginnings and was a member of their actor’s company more recently.
His recent plays are The Dismissal (Squabbalogic), (Girl from the North Country (GWB), Into the Woods (Belvoir/Hayes), The Tempest and Do Not Go Gentle (Sydney Theatre Company).
His film and television career has been extensive here in Australia and internationally.
TV credits include Melba, Five Mile Creek, Bump, Aftertaste, The Letdown, Bloom, and Rake.
Film credits include The Power of the Dog, Sleeping Beauty, Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith and Crazy Rich Asians. Peter has won many awards including Green Room Awards, Sydney Theatre Critics’ Circle Awards, a Helpmann Award, and an Honorary Doctorate of Creative Arts.
Peter is the inaugural recipient of the Media Arts & Entertainment Alliance’s Lifetime Achievement Award; and he continues to be a proud supporter of the union and was awarded an AM for services to the theatre in 2021.
EMILY CASCARINO
MARMEE MARCH (She/Her)
Emily was most recently seen in the tour of Mamma Mia! the Musical, covering Donna Sheridan, Tanya and Rosie (LWAA; 2023). Her other musical theatre credits include: Nessarose in the last Australasian tour of Wicked (Crossroads); Dance captain/swing in Jersey Boys (Newtheatricals); Swing/Sophie Cover in Mamma Mia! The Musical (LWAA; 2009); Glinda in Wicked (Packemin Productions), Lorraine Hastings in Bells are Ringing and Sue Harding in Applause and They’re Playing Our Song, all with Neglected Musicals. Emily also covered Emma Wiggle on the Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle! Tour.
Emily studied Psychology (Honours) with Deakin University and performance at ED5 International. By day, Emily works in the public service. She is also Content & Projects Coordinator for wellbeing app Hey Lemonade, and is a proud collaborative artist with social impact performance group Milkcrate Theatre.
LAWRENCE HAWKINS
THEODORE ‘LAURIE’ LAURENCE (He/him)
A young trans performer and composer from Naarm, Lawrence graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in 2021. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Music Composition at Box Hill Institute with additional vocal training under Gary May (GMV Studios).
Coming straight from his professional debut as Featured Ensemble/Mark Cover in the 2024 Australian tour of RENT (LPD Prod.), other recent stage credits include Jason (J.D.) Dean in Heathers the Musical (OCPAC), Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd (WMTC), and Courfeyrac in Les Misérables (MDMS).
For screen Lawrence plays Theo Kaloudis on the recently remounted Neighbours (Amazon Studios/Network 10/Paramount+). Through his degree Lawrence has scored multiple Swinburne University student films including the New York International Women Festival Semi Finalist film, Kiss For Me.
Lawrence is thrilled to play a part in telling this timeless, joyful and empowering story.
VIToRIA HRONOPOULOS
AMY MARCH (She/Her)
Vitoria Hronopoulos is an award winning, Australian Greek Actor and 2022 Graduate at The University of Melbourne’s Victorian College of the Arts (Theatre). She is known for her attuned instinct for comedy, commonly in the form of weird, heightened characters. Despite this, Vitoria firmly believes in the prioritisation of heart and soul in the interest of authenticity as the core of her creative values.
Her practice is informed by her background in Musical Theatre as well as training in martial arts, taekwondo, and movement/dance.
Vitoria’s most recent credits include independent, short film ‘Afterparty’ (dir. Julia Enter), ‘Laundry Shoot’ (dir. Keegan Bragg), ‘Climbers’ by Fever103 (dir. Monique Marani), ‘JINX’ (dir. Harry Brakha) and MidSumma Festival show 'SLUTNIK' (dir. by Tansy Gorman).
TISHA R. KELEMEN
AUNT MARCH & MRS. KIRK (She/her)
Tisha R. Kelemen is an Indonesian born, Killara based performer and THRILLED to be making her professional musical theatre debut at Hayes Theatre Co. at the tender age of 51! Earlier this year Tisha appeared as Sarah and others in the play Australia Felix at the Richard Wherrett Studio (PlayScript).
Other independent theatre credits include Princess Puffer, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Guido’s Mama, Nine and George’s Mother, Sunday in The Park with George (Little Triangle). Tisha spent many years in community theatre with most recent roles as Jack’s Mother, Into The Woods (Bankstown Theatre Co.), Mother Abbess, The Sound of Music & Rosie Mulligan, Mamma Mia! (Willoughby Theatre Co.) and will forever be grateful for the experience.
Tisha is thankful to her 2 biggest supporters Andrew & Jared and dedicates her performance to all late bloomers everywhere. It’s never too late!
KAORI MAEDA-JUDGE
MEG MARCH (She/her)
With a diploma in screen acting (Film and Television Institute) and a BFA in Music Theatre (Victorian College of the Arts), Kaori’s on-screen credits include a series regular on the Australian soap, Neighbours as Jasmine Udagawa, appearing alongside Nazeem Hussain on his comedy skit show, Orange Is The New Brown as well as playing Tessa on NBC series, La Brea.
Kaori’s on-stage credits include the original Australian cast of David Bowie’s musical, Lazarus playing Maemi (The Production Company) White Pearl, written by Anchuli Felicia King and directed by Priscilla Jackman, playing Ruki (Sydney Theatre Company) The Dismissal written by Laura Murphy, Blake Erickson and Jay James Moody playing everything from a politician, a sexy corgi to a robot version of Nancy Hayes and covering Margaret Whitlam and Junie Morosi (Squabbalogic) The Hello Girls directed by Jason Langley, playing Bertha Hunt ( Hayes/Heart Strings Theatre Co)
KURT RUSSO
ONSTAGE SWING (He/Him)
cover: Laurie; John Brooke; Professor Bhaer; Mr. Laurence
Kurt is delighted to make his first appearance with Hayes Theatre Company. Kurt graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre} from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), after initially training at Dancescape and completing a full time music theatre course at Showfit. Kurt has performed in various musical theatre productions including the roles of JJ Silvers in Strictly Ballroom; Sonny in Xanadu; Swing in Reasons to be Pretty; Tommy De Vito in Jersey Boys; Swing in Man Up!; and Tony in West SideStory. Kurt’s screen credits include the short film We Are Here, which as part of a feature film trilogy that opened the Sydney Film Festival in 2022; as well as Suzuki, AAMI and Coles TVCs.
TYRAN STIG
PROFESSOR BHAER (He/Him)
Tyran is from the coastal town of Newcastle. He has studied with Rachelle Schmidt of The Voice Studio, Renae Perry of Tap Dogs, and most memorably, Kristin Chenoweth!
Tyran made his professional theatre debut as Ross in the Australian tour of Friends: The Musical Parody! (SK Entertainment), as well as his screen debut in STAN/NBC Universal’s Joe Vs. Carole.
Other credits include Swing in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (September Remedy Productions/Hayes Theatre), Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone (High Street Productions), Laurence in In A Pink Tutu (dir. Callan Purcell), and Seymour in The Little Shop Of Horrors (Pantsuit Productions).