Young People’s Theatre Newcastle

Our Team

Our YPT Team

YPT EXECUTIVE BOARD

PRESIDENT: MONICA SKEHAN
VICE PRESIDENT: NATALIE PEATTIE
SECRETARY: KATE BOOTH
TREASURER: SARAH SKEHAN – RYBA
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: LISA GREEN, WENDY LEIS AND ANDREW ROTH

YPT Management Team

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Chelsea Willis

Theatre Manager

Chelsea has been performing since the age of 5 when she took her first dance class and has brought her love of theatre into her leadership role at YPT where she is the Theatre Manager. 
 
Chelsea’s performance background includes tertiary education in Performing Arts and holds Diploma of Arts (Acting) through the Regional Institute of Performing Arts, completed full-time dance course (2 years) at Newcastle Dance Academy, has an Associate Diploma of Performance (Musical Theatre) from Trinity College London. Chelsea has also undertaken her Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management and has done further study in Marketing and Social Media, holds a Statement of Attainment in Mental Health and is completing her certification in Pilates and Anatomy. 
 
Chelsea has performed in many productions both locally and professional with her highlight being ‘Sammy’ in the Peppa Pig Show Live and Kate in Opening Doors, a theatre-in-education touring production. Chelsea worked as a performer with the Starlight Children’s Foundation for three years as well as joining their events team as a producer. Chelsea has also directed and choreographed numerous productions with YPT and beyond most recently, The SpongeBob Musical and A Chorus Line in 2022. 
 
Previously the Associate Director of YPT and the Theatre School Coordinator (Extension Classes), Chelsea has been responsible for a variety of areas of our organisation including implementing the Dance Program at YPT and leading the Think Beyond Musical Theatre courses and growing this course into the product it is today. 
 
Chelsea was previously elected as a Committee Member and Assistant Artistic Director for the City of Newcastle Drama Association and has been nominated for numerous theatrical awards with the same organisation. Chelsea was named a Nib Foundation Inspiring Young Australians in the Newcastle Community in 2017 and previously worked as a Producer for The Starlight Children’s Foundation. Chelsea is currently on The Business Improvement Assocation for Hamilton representing YPT. 
 
Now focusing more on her leadership within YPT, Chelsea is involved in all areas of the organisation and feels honoured to lead such a reputable organisation with such a rich history in Newcastle. Chelsea thanks the students for their dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn making it very easy to have continued passion to create ‘Theatre for Young People by Young People’. 
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Riley McLean

Artistic Director

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. 

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Maddie Newland

Theatre School Coordinator & Administration OFFICER

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Mark Heath

Finance Manager

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Claire Thomas

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT Coordinator

Claire is a qualified primary school teacher with a focus on the arts and has been involved with Young Peoples Theatre since 1991. She started out as a year 5 student and tutored classes as a young adult, before becoming the principal of the theatre school.

As the principal of the theatre school, Claire is striving to maintain the fantastic foundations that have been laid by those before her, as well as bringing new programs in to keep YPT a fresh and contemporary place. She stands by our motto: theatre for young people, by young people.

As well as acting and makeup design, Claire has also taken on other roles at the theatre such as front of house, canteen, choreography, backstage crew, stage manager, set painter and director.

Claire has definitely come a long way since the little girl running around on stage in a squirrel costume and she attributes this to everyone at YPT, her mentors, her colleagues, her students, her parents and her friends.

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Matt Abel

Technical Officer

YPT Team members

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Megan Connelly

ADMINistrative officer

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Hannah Richens

ADMINistrative officer (Casual)

YPT Tutors

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Ollie Abel

senior Tutor

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Matt Abel

Senior Tutor

Amelia

Amelia Accardi

Tutor

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Jackson Archer

TUTOR & Gate supervisor

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Clara Barcan

Senior Tutor & Private tutition Tutor

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Louise Barcan

Senior Tutor

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Mikala Boyd

Tutor

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Brianna Budden

Senior Tutor

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Shanaya Budden

Tutor & Private Tuition Tutor

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Lia Bundy

Private Tuition Tutor

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Roeni Coates

tutor

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Anthony Davies

Private Tuition Tutor

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Kirrilee Davies

Cover Tutor

Riley

Riley Freebody

Cover Tutor

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Brynn Jackson

Senior Tutor / Tutor

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Samuel Jenkins

Senior Tutor & Think Beyond Tutor

Cahri

Cahri Johnston

COVER Tutor

Liam

Liam Kneller

Tutor & Technical Support

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Caitlin Maher

Senior Tutor & Private Tuition Tutor

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Ben Middleton

Tutor

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Riley McLean

Senior tutor & Think Beyond Tutor

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Maddie Newland

Senior tutor

Lusi

Lusi Ostojic

TUTOR

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Chiara Patalano

Senior TUTOR

Bridget

Bridget Ponman

Cover tutor

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Kaylia Roberson

Cover tutor

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Hannah Richens

Senior tutor & Gate Supervisor

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Jasmyn Stojkovski

Senior tutor & Private Tutition Tutor

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Claire Thomas

senior Tutor

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Zippie Tiffenright

tutor & PRiVATE TUITION TUTOR

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Jade wainwright

tutor

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Maddie Watts

think beyond tutor & Private tuition tutor

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Chelsea willis

think beyond tutor & Senior tutor

Management Committee

Young People’s Theatre is an incorporated community organisation administered by a Management Committee elected by the Adult Members at the Annual General Meeting in March each year.

General Meetings are held at the Theatre. Parents/Carers are encouraged to become Adult Members, to attend the meetings and to participate in running the organisation.

2024 YPT Management & Executive

PRESIDENT Monica Skehan
VICE PRESIDENT Natalie Peattie
SECRETARY Kate Booth
TREASURER Sarah Skehan Ryba 
COMMITTEE MEMBER:  Lisa Green, Wendy Leis, Andrew Roth
THEATRE MANAGER Chelsea Willis
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Riley McLean
THEATRE SCHOOL COORDINATOR Maddie Newland 
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Claire Thomas 
FINANCE MANAGER Mark Heath
TECHNICAL OFFICER  Matt Abel 
ADMINSTRATION OFFICERS Megan Connelly and Maddie Newland

Life Members

Life Membership is awarded to adult members who have demonstrated outstanding service to the association. 

Karl AHRENS
Madeleine ATKINS
Brian ATKINS
Cynthia BOYD
John BRYAN
Pat CHARKER
Raymond CONNETT
Natalie CONNETT
Doreen CRANEY
Grant CURRY
Barbara DELANEY (d)
Val DRURY
Bryan EVELEIGH
Karen EVELEIGH
Christine FLETCHER
Pat GRANT
Mary Ann HILL
Stephen HILL
Kay JACKSON
Jenny JACKSON
Vivien JONES
Sandra JOYCE
Lyris LEIS (d)
Wendy LEIS
Brian LOWE
Robyn McFARLANE
Roger McFARLANE
Robyn McLEAN
Jack NYMAN (d)
Natalie PEATTIE (2022)
Jodi PHIPPS
Robert (Bob) PRICE
Gordon PRICE
Glenda PRICE
Roger REECE
Kevin ROGERS
Paul RYAN
Peter SCOTCHMER
Greg SHEARER
Mary SHEARER
Monica SKEHAN
Sarah SKEHAN-RYBA (2022)
Jean SLAVEN
Jane SMITH
Sandra STOBBIA
Claire THOMAS
Robyn THOMAS (d)
Bede THOROUGHGOOD
Steven WAYE

Alumni

Young People’s Theatre has nurtured the careers of many young people, with many former students continuing to maintain a focus on the Arts and Entertainment Industry.

Former students have become performers on the stage and screen, and behind the scenes as teachers, directors and lighting and sound technicians.

Scott ALLAN 
Jake ASSER
Kristie ATKINS
Marika AUBREY
Linda BARCAN
Nadine BARRY
Jonathan BIGGINS
Felicity BIGGINS
Liam BRADBURY
Sophie CAMPBELL
Caitlin CAULFIELD
Genevieve CLAY
Simon CONNETT
Grant CURRY
Belinda DELANEY
Barbara DELANEY
Lisa DORNEY
Declan EGAN
Trista FAWKES-ROGERS
Brittany FIELD
Christine FLETCHER
Tanya HENNESSY
Robyn HICK
Sally HITCHCOCK
Daniel HOCKING
Stephen HUDSON
Celia IRELAND
Madalein JACKSON
Erin JAMES
Luke JARVIS
Chris JENSEN
Russell JONES
Chris KING
Wendy LEIS
Giverny LEWIS
Adam LINDBERG
Peter MEREDITH
Andrew MILDENHALL
Tim MINTURN
Stuart MONCRIEFF
Tim NEVE
Rhys NICHOLSON
Tyran PARKE
Philip PATERSON
Joel PIETERSE
Liesl PIETERSE
Adam POWELL
Melvin JAMES RELF
Murray RAINE
Ken ROACH
Belinda ROALS
Mandii ROALS
Peter ROSS
Jill RUSS
Kathryn SHEARER
John SHEARMAN
Daniel WILSON