Riley began drama classes at YPT in 2006 and never left, growing up to become a drama tutor, director and artistic director of the organisation. Riley is also the founder, president and artistic director of Bearfoot Theatre. Involved in many facets of the industry, they have worked as an artistic director, writer, director, producer, designer, performer, production manager, marketing manager, graphic designer, photographer, editor and drama tutor.

Riley studied Drama, Music and Entertainment Industry Theatre at Hunter School of Performing Arts. They hold a Diploma of Acting from the Regional Institute of Performing Arts and a Diploma of Musical Theatre from ATWEA College Creative Arts and Music. They have received singing lessons at Pantseat Productions (2010-2016) and Resonant Voice (2020- Present). They have completed professional development workshops with Jen Silverman (Seymour Centre) and at the annual CONDA Summit. As a company leader, Riley has managed two touring productions including an interstate tour in 2019. Riley also runs a photography business (Bearfoot Photography).

Directing Experience: Puffs: YPT (2023), Tuck Everlasting: YPT (2023), Heathers the Musical: Chookas (2022), I Hope it’s Not Raining in London: Bearfoot (2018, 2019 & 2022), Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight? Bearfoot (2021), Picnic at Hanging Rock: YPT (2020) , Hermit Crabs and Meteors: Bearfoot (2019), Take Me to Neverland: Bearfoot (2018), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown: YPT (2017), RENT: Pantseat (2017), Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight?: Bearfoot (2017), Hinterland: YPT (2016), Mulan Jnr: YPT (2016), Rumours of Polar Bears: Eclectic Productions (2016), DYPKYS: Short & Sweet Festival (2016), Various Short Plays: Tantrum’s Hissyfest.

Playwright Experience: Fight Song (full length), Take Me to Neverland (full length), Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight? (full length), Mental (short play), Life in Plastic (cabaret), How to Depend on Theatre Without Nearly Dying (cabaret).

Producer Experience: Take Me to Neverland (2018 & 2022), Sorry Mum (2022), Bearfoot Pride Celebration (2020, 2021 & 2022), Here, There and Everywhere (2021), Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight? (2021), Bearfoot Readings (2020), Playing Face (2019), SPECTRUM- This is Not Art Festival (2019), Hermit Crabs and Meteors (2019), I Hope it’s Not Raining in London- interstate tour (2019), DYPKYS the Musical Concert (2018), I Hope it’s Not Raining in London (2018), Take Me to Neverland (2018), Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight? (2017), Rumours of Polar Bears (2016), One Good Thing (2015)

Performance Experience: 

Take Me to Neverland: Peter (2022), The Duck and the Darklings: Petabe. Workshop/Development- Monkey Baa Theatre & Lachlan Philpott (2022), HIR: Max (2022), Be More Chill: Michael Mell (2021)

Over 40 local productions from 2006-2016, the vast majority at YPT. Highlights include: Avenue Q: Pantseat (2016), Love Awkwardly: YPT (2015), One Good Thing: Eclectic (2015), Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat: YPT (2014), 13 the Musical: National Theatre Company (2013), The Wizard of Oz: YPT (2013), House on Fire: Tantrum (2013), Seussical: YPT (2012), Les Miserables: HSPA (2010).

Awards:  In 2020, they received the annual ‘Gold Logie’ Outstanding Contribution to Theatre Award at the City of Newcastle Drama Association awards. They have won CONDA awards for Sound Design and for their work as a producer and have received 16 nominations for writing, direction, performance, set design, sound design, best musical and best dramatic production. At YPT, Riley has received both a Ray Brooks and an Arthur Boswell award. At ATWEA, they received the Liz Caplin Award.