Message from the Creative Director
In a time where the only constant is change, to taste and savour focus, dedication and resilience in one’s life can be resounding.
The cast and crew of the Victorian State Schools Spectacular 2021 have brought that focus since their first audition or expression of interest in November 2020. They have dedicated themselves to working towards an outcome of ensemble creation and performance across nine months, never faltering, but keeping their eyes on their performance goal.
Instead, that goal in 2021 taught us that great shows are not made in the last minute, but in every rehearsal stroke of the bow, in every sung note found or lost, in every explosion of the physical as the cast honed their skills week by week.
Nothing was lost. Every moment, every learning gained by artists young and older involved in the Spectacular was a moment to be kept forever. Nothing was lost because this work will feed each and every one of us to our future goals.
Today change is the constant, but this too will pass. Live Louder!
Neill Gladwin, Creative Director
Award winning performer and director (Green Room Award and International Perrier Awards), Neill’s career encompasses Olympic and Paralympic Games ceremonies, comedy, physical theatre, opera, Shakespeare, films and television.
Formerly half of internationally renowned comedy duo Los Trios Ringbarkus, Neill has directed productions for many of Australia’s major subsidised theatre companies, independent theatres and commercial presenters, as well as produced and executive produced for film and television.
Simon K Patterson, Creative Producer
2021 is Simon’s 13th Spectacular and it continues to be one of his favourite annual events to work on. He takes great pride in working with the young artists on VSSS and mentoring the up-and-coming production students. Simon is an in-demand event producer having worked on events such as White Night, the Australian Open and Formula One Australian Grand Prix. Simon originally studied Stage Management, then Event Management, and still works on a diverse range of events as a production manager, tour manager, stage manager and operations director.
Chong Lim AM, Musical Director
Chong Lim AM is a musical director, composer, and musician. His work as a music director includes Dancing with the Stars, the Logie Awards, John Farnham Tours and the 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Games. He also worked as a composer and producer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the 2020 AFL Grand Final and 2021 Australian Open Tennis Women’s Final. He has produced multi-platinum albums with artists such as John Farnham, Olivia Newton John and David Campbell, and was nominated for the ARIA Producer of the Year in 2012 and Best Musical Director for the Helpmann Awards 2017. Chong is currently composing music for the World Expo in Dubai.
Deon Nuku, Dance Director
Deon is a dancer, actor and choreographer. Deon’s theatre credits include West Side Story, Footloose, Fame and Saturday Night Fever to name a few, while some television credits include Neighbours, X Factor (UKTV) and Hey Hey it’s Saturday. He has performed with such artists as Macy Gray, Kylie Minogue and Ricki- Lee and featured in films such as Moulin Rouge and Scooby Doo 2. More recently Deon has choreographed for Baker Boys Cool as Hell video and for RUEL as a movement coach on his Real Thing video and for the NBL Melbourne Phoenix cheerleaders on their 2021 season.
Isaac Lummis, Costume Designer
Isaac’s costume design credits include Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Alice Through the Opera Glass, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Oklahoma!, Brigadoon, Hello Dolly!, Dusty, Georgy Girl, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Promises Promises, La Cage Aux Folles, Oliver! and Waltzing the Wilarra. His work as a maker and art finisher has featured in many productions, such as 100% Kylie, Flower Children, Barry Humphries’ Weimar Cabaret, Strange Bedfellows – A New Musical, Singing in the Rain, The King & I and The Boy From Oz. Isaac will design costumes for the Australian premiere of the Who’s Tommy for Victorian Opera in 2022.
Nathan J.D. Scerri, Associate Musical Director
Nathan J.D. Scerri is a professional violinist and conductor. He completed a Bachelor of Music at Monash University School of Music - Conservatorium (Honours in Violin Performance). Nathan has played with many outstanding artists and conducted various ensembles throughout Australia. Nathan has participated in every Victorian State Schools Spectacular since its 1995 inception, when he was a student violinist. Nathan is passionate about music and education and enjoys working with the talented and hardworking young musicians who take part in the truly unique event that is the VSSS.
Rob Latham, Music Associate - Voice
Rob is an established performer known for his versatility across a variety of genres including classical, opera, rock, pop, musical theatre and A Cappella. He has been involved with many different performing groups, such as Australia’s #1 male A Cappella group and Suade. He is an opera graduate from the Melba Conservatorium of Music and holds a Diploma in Education from La Trobe University. Rob returns for his seventh year as Music Associate and previously was part of the 2001 Victorian State Schools Spectacular as a Principal Vocalist. Rob is an in-demand performer, coach and adjudicator.
Jacinta Caruana, Music Associate - Vocal Ensemble
Jacinta has established a strong professional career in the music industry over the last 15 years. With a solid career performing on local and international stages, highlights include Melbourne’s prestigious Hamer Hall and Rod Laver Arena. Along with being a singer/ songwriter, Jacinta also works as a session vocalist for radio and TV. Having performed backing vocals for popular artists – from Havana Brown, Russell Morris and John Farnham – Jacinta is passionate about sharing her experience with the up-and-coming performers of the VSSS. Jacinta has completed a degree in education and holds an advanced diploma in Music Performance.
Rebecca Sabatino, Music Associate - Choir
Rebecca is an experienced performing arts teacher, musical director and professional performer. She recently completed her Master of Teaching at Melbourne University, and is currently the Drama Coordinator at Albert Park College. She is also a graduate of the University of Ballarat - Arts Academy with a Bachelor of Arts - Music Theatre. Since graduating, Rebecca has performed in the Australia/New Zealand tour of Peppa Pig - Live Treasure Hunt and has written and performed her cabarets Closets are for Clothes and I Wish I Was Joking.
Hara Papoulias, Assistant Dance Director
Hara is a dancer and choreographer with over ten years of industry experience. She has worked alongside artists such as Tones and I, Havana Brown, Will Sparks, Timmy Trumpet, Timomatic and the Stafford Brothers. Her television credits include Dancing with the Stars, Channel 7’s mini-series Molly and a guest performance appearance on Australia’s Got Talent. Hara has also performed at high-profile events including Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, Falls Festival, the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards, Nitro Athletics with Usain Bolt and the AFL Footy Show. She has choreographed for the Victorian Training Awards and is the resident choreographer for the Broken Heel Festival.
Yvette Lee, Guest Choreographer
With a career spanning two decades, Yvette is recognised for her work across multiple platforms as a choreographer, creative director and creative producer and for her contribution to television, theatre and live touring events. Her television credits include The Masked Singer, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and the ARIA Awards. Her theatre credits include In The Heights, Rock of Ages, The History Boys, Dusty and Shout – the Legend of the Wild One. Yvette has also produced choreography and creative design for recording artists such as Tim Minchin, Guy Sebastian, Hugh Sheridan and Josh Groban.
Paul Jackson, Lighting Designer
Paul has designed for most of Australia’s leading performing arts companies and has lectured in design at the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and the Victorian College of the Arts. His work has featured in festivals and programmes in the United States, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Paul was listed in The Bulletin’s Smart 100 for 2004, was the Gilbert Spottiswood Churchill Fellow for 2007 and was an Artistic Associate at Malthouse Theatre from 2007-2013. He has received a Helpmann Award, seven Green Room Awards, two Sydney Theatre Awards, three APDG awards, a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland and an Australia Council Fellowship (Theatre).
Robert Cuddon, Lighting and Media Content Designer
Robert is one of Australia’s leading lighting and projection programmers. He has worked extensively on major musicals, concerts, television shows, events and productions for most of Australia’s leading designers and companies. Robert has extensive experience as an associate designer and is an award-nominated designer in his own right.
Deb Hallam, Costume Department Manager
Deb Hallam is a VCA graduate with years of professional experience in costume management, sourcing, design and construction across many areas of the entertainment industry. Deb has been a member of the Victorian State Schools Spectacular family since 2011 and continues to find incredible satisfaction in helping to bring the Creative Director and Costume Designer’s vision for each show to reality. Deb can’t wait to once again look out across an Arena performance of the Victorian State Schools Spectacular and see all the beaming smiles of each and every student involved… bring on VSSS22!
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