PHILLIP STODDART Associate Set Designer Phillip is one of The Very Popular Theatre Company’s most experienced senior members. Phillip began his career at an early age, as an apprentice joiner and cabinet maker, where he worked in the trade for many decades. Phillip’s set building and realisation credits span back to the original founding days of The Very Popular Theatre Company, with shows Schools for Clowns, Clowns on School Outing, Endgame, HIR, and Jersey Boys. For Hunter Drama James and the Giant Peach, Rock of Age and Peter Pan JR. And The Well for ASPIRE. Phillip is a CONDA award nominee for many of his projects. MEG CONNELLY Props Designer Megan got her start backstage during Mary Poppins (Metropolitan Players) when she solved the question of how to make the magic carpet rise. She then assisted in prop making for Wicked and We Will Rock You (Metropolitan Players) and was hooked. Her first solo venture into the props world was Mystery Musical Vol. 1: The Addams Family (The Very Popular Theatre Company). Other productions include: Jersey Boys, Mystery Musical Vol 2: Spamalot and Puffs (The Very Popular Theatre Company), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Rock of Ages, Peter Pan JR and Oliver (Hunter Drama), The Addams Family (Wyong Musical Theatre Company), and Suzette Who Set To Sea (Stage Left Productions). When not backstage, Megan enjoys performing and has been an active member of the Newcastle theatre scene since 2013, appearing in both musicals and plays across multiple theatre companies. RACHEL MILLARD Make-up Design Rachel has had the privilege of being involved in the Newcastle Theatre scene for the last 14 years. She has been on the make-up team for Jersey Boys (The Very Popular Theatre Company), Rent, Rock Of Ages, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, and Fantastic Mr Fox (Hunter Drama), The Producers, Hairspray, Mary Poppins, Phantom Of The Opera and Wicked (Metropolitan Players). As Make-up Designer, Rachel’s credits over the last five years include Seussical and Oliver (Hunter Drama), Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, Beauty And The Beast, Pricilla: Queen Of The Desert and Shrek The Musical (Metropolitan Players). KELLY BRIEN Hair Design Kelly returns to The Very Popular Theatre Company after working on Jersey Boys in hair and wig design. She has a hairdressing career spanning four decades and a passion for backstage co-ordination and design. She is a freelance artist and works with the creative team at Seven Network in hair, makeup, wardrobe and costume, working in TV promotions and advertising. She has a great respect for all talent in the creative industries and continually supports local theatrical and musical productions. She has received previous CONDA nominations for Costume Design with Young Peoples Theatre and continues to expand her creative endeavours. This includes recently completing Fashion Design & Technology at Newcastle Tafe. SIDDHA CROSSLEY Stage Manager Siddha is a Newcastle-based actor who also works in arts administration. Siddha’s on-stage credits include: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Into the Woods JR, Sweet Charity, Oliver! and The Wedding Singer (Hunter Drama); Heathers (Chookas); and The Seagull (All’s One Theatre Company). Siddha’s first foray into stage management was in Hunter Drama’s 2022 production of Seussical and she is excited to be stage managing with The Very Popular Theatre Company for the first time. ABBEY FOTHERINGHAM Chaperone Abbey, a devoted student at the National College of Dance since age 3, has progressed from Assistant Teacher to leading her own classes. Excellent versatility in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and musical theatre, and in the RAD Syllabus from Pre-primary to Advanced 1, completing all examinations with high success. Abbey has showcased her talent in Newcastle’s musicals. At Hunter School of the Performing Arts, she completed Dance for her Higher School Certificate, with three call-back nominations and placed in the top four in the state. Abbey has a Certificate 3 in Assistant Dance Teaching. Billy Elliot the Musical is Abbey’s debut with The Very Popular Theatre Company. 21
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