Young People’s Theatre Newcastle

Our Team

Our YPT Team

YPT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT: ANDREW ROTH
VICE PRESIDENT: KATE BOOTH
SECRETARY: MONICA SKEHAN
TREASURER: SARAH SKEHAN – RYBA
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: BELINDA BURFORD, LISA GREEN, LAURA RANGER, KHALIL KHAY, ROCHELLE BUCKTON

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

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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Maddie Newland

Theatre coordinator

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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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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

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Mark Heath

Finance Manager

YPT Team members

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Colleen Mannis

ADMINistrative officer (Casual)

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Hannah Richens

ADMINistrative officer (Casual)

YPT Tutors

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Ollie Abel

senior Tutor

Ollie specalises in Teaching Primary School and Early High School Drama Classes. Ollie is also one our Tech Team Leaders and you will often find in the backstage area as well as Tutoring Tech Level 1. 

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Matt Abel

Senior Tutor

Matt oversees our Tech Classes and is the course tutor for Tech Level 3, where he uses his industry experience to train our most advanced Technical Students. 

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Jackson Archer

TUTOR

Jackson tutors our Year 5-8 age group in drama and shares with them his knowledge and passion for the arts. 

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Clara Barcan

Senior Tutor

Clara love for both music and drama means she teaches a range of classes from Year 1 to Year 12. Clara teaches our Small Group Singing Program, Drama, Musical Theatre and Sing Act Move as well as being a Musical Director on our productions. 

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Louise Barcan

Senior Tutor

Louise specialised in tutoring drama classes particularly for Years 3 – 8, where she shares her passion and knowledge with the next generation. Louise also directs many YPT Productions. 

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Mikala Boyd

SENIOR TUTOR

Mikala specalised in teaching High School Drama Classes, but also enjoys teaching our primary students. You can also find Mikala sharing her love of theatre in Musical Theatre Classes. 

Lily Buckton

lily Buckton

Tutor

Lily is a versatile tutor with skills in many theatre styles. Lily tutors primary school Drama, Sing Act Move and Tap Dance. Lily is a graduate of our Beginner Tutor Program and is also supporting our Productions with Choreography.

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Ruby Buckton

Tutor

Ruby’s love and knowledge for the performing arts is shared with our youngest students where she teaches Drama and Sing Act Move! Ruby is working as a Production Assistant later this year. 

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Brianna Budden

Senior Tutor

Bree’s many years of experience teaching have her skills shared over some many different theatre styles. Bree specialises in all ages prodimnately teaching Musical Theatre, Jazz, Tap and Sing Act Move. Bree also works as a Choreographer on our Productions

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Shanaya Budden

Tutor & Private Tuition Tutor

Shay’s teaches our popular Small Group Singing Program as well as coachs students in Private Tuition for Drama. You will also find Shay working with our Primary Drama Students. 

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Lia Bundy

Private Tuition Tutor

Lia’s wealth of experience and knowledge has her teaching Private Singing Tuition to our dedicated and passion vocal students. 

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Bethany Davies

Private Tuition Tutor

Beth is our resident Piano Tutor and guides students in Music Education with our Private Tuition Piano Lessons. Beth also works as a Musical Director on our productions. 

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Kirrilee Davies

SENIOR Tutor

Kirrilee dance knowledge and passion has her inspiring students to love dance through our Tap and Jazz Classes, as well as Musical Theatre

Ruby Edwards

Ruby Edwards

Tutor

Having been a student since Year 2, Ruby is no stranger to a YPT class and is joining us this year tutoring Musical Theatre and Tap, having graduated from our Beginner Tutor Program in 2024

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Riley Freebody

Tutor

Riley is using his experience and training at YPT to support High School Drama Classes as well as working as an Assistant Director on YPT Productions. 

Piper Graham

Piper Graham

Tutor

A graduate from our Beginner Tutor Program, Pipers passion and knowledge of the performing arts is inspiring students in her Drama Classes, specifically for Years 5-8. 

Emma Green

Emma Green

Tutor

Emma skills and experience are being passed on to our youngest generation of students in Drama and Sing Act Move, having graduated from our Beginner Tutor Program in 2024

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Samuel Jenkins

Think Beyond Tutor

Sam tutors our Think Beyond Program for our most advanced and dedicated drama students and young tutors. As an experienced tutor and theatre maker, Sam is also directing our Lindsay Street Players Productions.

Cahri

Cahri Johnston

COVER Tutor

You will find Cahri in a variety of different classes, covering different tutors throughout the year.

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Liam Kneller

Tutor & Technical Support

Liam is one of our Tech Team Leaders and you will often find him in the backstage area for productions working on Design and Stage Managing. Liam tutors our Tech Level 2 Program as well as supports with Tech Maintainance and Planning. 

Rome Lenton

Rome Lenton

Tutor

Rome is a graduate from our Beginner Tutor Program and specalises in teaching Drama to early High School Students, as well as share their love and knowledge of music. 

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Caitlin Maher

Senior Tutor

Caitlin specalises in teaching Drama and Musical Theatre to High School Students and sharing her energy and love for the arts with her students.

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Riley McLean

Senior tutor & Think Beyond Tutor

Riley teaches our popular Think Beyond Cohort, our most advanced and dedicated Drama Students as well as Senior Drama and our new Script Writing Course. Riley’s experience also had them directing YPT Productions.

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Ben Middleton

Tutor

Ben experience as a Think Beyond Drama Graduate has him specalises in teaching Year 5-8 Drama to our next generation of students. 

Riordan Munnoch

Riordan Munnuch

tutor

Riordan love and passion for the arts has developed over the years having been at YPT since Year 2. Riordan specalises in Year 5-8 drama, and also is a Tech Team Leader. You will often find him backstage Designing or Stage Managing Productions. 

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Maddie Newland

Senior tutor

Maddie specalises in teaching Drama to High School Students and well as upper primary and shares her love of Drama and it’s different forms with her students. Maddie also uses her experience to direct Productions as YPT.  

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Lusi Ostojic

TUTOR

With a passion for inspiring our youngest performers, Lusi uses her skills, knowledge and creativity to teach our youngest cohort of Year 1-4 students.

Bridget

Bridget Ponman

Cover tutor

With skills in so many areas of Theatre, you will catch Bridget in many different classes over the year, covering on a variety of different classes sharing her skills and experience. 

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Hannah Richens

Senior tutor

Hannah specalises in teaching Years 5-8 in Musical Theatre and Dance, sharing her love and experience with her students. Hannah also support Drama classes and you can catch her choreographying many YPT Productions. 

Xavier Shaw

Xavier Shaw

Tutor

Xavier also has been at YPT since Year 2, and developed a love for not just being on stage but also backstage. Now an Award Winning Tech Designer, Xavier teaches our Tech Level 1 and 2 Classes as well as working on many YPT Productions. 

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Jasmyn Stojkovski

Senior tutor

Jaz is one of our resident dance tutors at YPT, specalising in Tap and Jazz Dance. You can find Jazz working with our High School Students and young tutors, inspiring their love of dance.

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Claire Thomas

senior Tutor

Having been at YPT for more years than she like us to share, Claire is very familiar with a YPT class. Claire specalises in teaching Primary School Drama as well as coaching and mentoring our younger tutors and the Beginner Tutor Program

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Zippie Tiffenright

tutor & PRiVATE TUITION TUTOR

Zippie’s passion for the arts has them teaching many different ages of Drama from Year 3 – Year 10. Zippie also coaches students in Private Drama Tuition. 

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Maddie Watts

think beyond tutor & Private tuition tutor

Maddie’s extensive experience, skills and qualifications have her teaching our most advanced Musical Theatre Student, both through our Think Beyond Musical Theatre Program as well as Private Singing Lessons. Maddie uses her knowledge to inspire and coach our students and younger tutors. 

Amber Watt

Amber Watt

tutor

Amber’s vibrant and passionate love for the arts has her sharing her knowledge and skills to our Primary School Students through Dance and Drama as well as supporting our Productions in the Dance Department. 

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Chelsea willis

think beyond tutor

As one of our most experienced tutors, Chelsea shares her passion and knowledge of Musical Theatre, with our most advanced and dedicated students. Having taught the Think Beyond MT and Advanced Dance Program since their creation, Chelsea has trained many of our tutors. 

General Meetings are held at the theatre regularly throughout the year and can be attended by any Adult Member. 

Interested parties and especially Parents/Family Members are encouraged to become Adult Members, to attend the meetings and to participate in running the organisation.

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

We celebrate all of our Alumni and their involvement in our theatre over the years.  Special mention to the following alumni for their contribution to the Arts and Entertainment Industry.  These people are working as performers and behind the scenes as 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