THEATRE SHOWS
Cast of 'Cosi'
Jessica Polites
(Director/Cherry)
I’m Jessica Jean Polites and I’m co directing with Wiaan and was cast as Cherry in our production of Cosi. I’m a third-year student at Latrobe university studying theatre as my major with screen and sociology being my minors. I come from heavy dancing and choreography back ground with my focus now being pole fitness and burlesque. Otherwise I’ve studied up to 11 dance styles and hopefully more in the future. I started acting for screen first when I was 15. Mostly extra’s and a couple of commercials. I’ve done a few short films and was lucky enough to be cast as #giggling girl 2 in Emo the musical. Don’t worry if you laughed at my credit, my whole family did too. I do singing time to time, jazz is my favourite. I only started getting into theatre when I was 17/18. My project for year 12 VCE drama I had written, edited, directed and acted in. I had realised then I had found something I was passionate about which is what lead me here.
Wiaan V Venter (Director/Roy)
Now in the third and final year of his course, Wiaan is looking forward to his last performance for the Bachelor of Creative Arts in Cosi; where he is both directing and playing the character of “Roy”. Wiaan has been part of several plays, most recently Maxim Gorky’s The Lower Depths as part of the La Trobe University “Moat” festival. He has enjoyed the process of creating the character of Roy, as Roy is not a typical character Wiaan tends to play. As a director he has also come to understand the skills and mind-set required to create a show. Cosi has pushed him into things he has never had to do before, but as a learning experience, is something truly unique and exciting. Upon leaving University Wiaan will use the skills he has learnt, not only from Cosi but his course, in his future endeavours and career.
Simon Rogers
(Lewis)
My name is Simon Rogers and I am involved in the performance project of Cosi, in this project, I am in charge of the lighting design, as well as performing as the character Lewis.
I am a third year creative arts student at Latrobe University, and I am studying theatre as my major with creative writing as my minor. I have a very strong performance background, studying theatre and performance throughout my high school career, during which I was involved in many performances, as well as more recently being involved in several performances at Latrobe. I have also have significant experience in lighting design, being involved in multiple performances where I have both designed and presented lighting during multiple productions. What I intend for this performance, is to present a naturalistic and creative performance, using simplistic whilst still creative and effective lighting design, as well as present a naturalistic, dynamic and entertaining performance.
Madeline Atwell (Justine/Ruth)
Madeline is currently studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts majoring in Theatre.
She has been in several plays from ‘Aladdin’, ‘Summer of the Aliens’ (which so happens to be the prequel to ‘Cosi’) and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in high school as well as a production of Polly Teale’s ‘Mermaid’ in 2018 at LaTrobe, which was student run and directed like ‘Cosi’.
Madeline is currently in the production of ‘Cosi’ and will be portraying the characters of Ruth and Justine. As well as acting she has taken on the role of set designer for the first time, which she has found both challenging and rewarding.
Madeline first caught the theatre bug in 2010 when she had to perform for her year level at a school camp. Being a shy child it was nerve wracking however being on stage was exhilarating and something that she’ll never forget hence why she is here today.
Brigid Charis
(Costume Designer/Zac)
Brigid Charis is an actor with over 16 years experience on stage and in the entertainment industry. In addition to playing Zac, ze is also the costume designer for Cosi. Brigid was an active member of the Felt Tip Theatre Company for three years, playing roles such as the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland (2016) and Chutney in Legally Blonde the Musical (2015). Whilst versed in many different styles of performance, ze is prolific in absurdism (e.g Ionesco), 17th Century Restoration theatre (e.g Wycherley), and Commedia Dell Arte. Ze completed a Certificate of Drama and Performance from AMEB in 2015 with a high distinction. Brigid has also completed a musical theatre residency at NIDA in early 2016. Since returning from Norway in July, Brigid has been focusing on completing zir studies.
Kye Richardson
(Sound Designer/Doug)
Kye Richardson is theatre based practitioner with a heavy background in theatrical music composition. He has been performing on-stage since he was 3 years old and has been substantially influenced by the story telling style of Irish and Scottish ballads.
In Festival, Kye will be playing the role of Doug in the play Cosi, and is the Sound Designer for the play. Conceptualising the ‘headspace’ of the characters is the key driver for his musical compositions for Cosi, and he uses this in conjunction with classical music to create the plays ambience.
Troy Luke
(Prop Management/Henry)
Troy Luke has been involved with theatre since the beginning on year 7, doing backstage. Cosi will be his 4th onstage role. He has been apart of theatre since he was in year 7, doing mostly back stage work but has been on stage for Aladdin Jr, Beauty and The Beast as a choris member. He then had main roles in One Man, Two Guvnors as Alfie and in Hamlet as Barnardo and Guildenstern.
Mikayla Kelly
(Production/Stage Management/Julie/Lucy)
Mikayla is majoring in Theatre and Film at La Trobe University, currently in her third year. As an actor, musician, and writer, Mikayla is interested in all things creative arts. She began her acting journey in high school, where, in her annual school musicals, she was featured in roles such as Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast, Mrs Mayor in Suessical and Maria in West Side Story. Since then she has had various credits with La Trobe University (Mermaid 2018), and community theatre company, Western Arts Theatre (Shrek 2018, A to Z 2019), including those she has been on the production team for (WAT’s Suessical 2019). Currently, she is stage managing Melbourne Fringe Festival Show, Seduction by Gold Satino. When Mikayla is not at rehearsals, you can either find her working as a Chiropractic Assistant, making/listening to music, or writing poetry.
Max Draper
(Promotion/Graphic Design/Photography/Nick)
Max Draper is a Burmese-English musician, actor, and visual artist based in regional Victoria. He is currently studying towards a teaching career and works in disability education. Max has written music from a young age with an emphasis on exploring race, culture, identity, depression, and anxiety. As an actor, Max has featured in a variety of short films, stage productions, and web series as well as working behind the scenes in promotion, direction, stage management, and writing. He has also designed posters, logos, and done photography for a variety of shows and organisations, including La Trobe’s Biomedical Society. He is acting in Cosi and The Kid, as well as assisting with promotion, design, and photography. Max independently creates and distributes music for himself and other local artists.
Jacob Hart
(Sound/Lighting Operator)
Jacob Hart is completing a Bachelor of Educational Studies majoring in Drama. Throughout his acting career he has played many various roles but often finding himself as the stern male lead evidenced by his work as John Proctor in The Crucible and Georg Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. During his studies Jacob has expanded his acting range by researching Shakespearean and modern styles and working on camera. Through his involvement in Festival Creative Arts Fest and his role as sound and lighting operator for the two productions Jacob is immersing himself in another area of theatre production enjoying the experience of learning new skills and applying them.
Cast of 'The Kid'
Erin Miller
(Assistant Director/Lighting Design/Cafe Owner/ Bookstore Owner/Landlady/Crying Woman/Social Services Receptionist)
Erin has never shied away from a performance and has been interested in all aspects of the performing arts since primary school where she participated in dance troupes, choirs, and plays. She started her singing and acting training at the age of 10 and was always seen in either a school or a community play or musical. She graduated from The Riverina Anglican College in 2014 with a College Blue award for her consistent contribution to the performing arts. Since her graduation, she has performed in many amateur productions in both her hometown of Wagga Wagga, NSW, and Melbourne. Some of her finest roles to date include C-3PO in Star Wars: The Musical, Badger in a musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, and Juniper Plank in A Tribute of Sorts. In 2018, Erin co-directed her first full-scale production of The Pyjama Girl which broke a few theatre department and Student Theatre records including ‘Most Seats Sold in Menzies Theatre’ and ‘Most Profit Made in a Single Night’. She is now a third-year theatre major as part of the Bachelor of Creative Arts degree at LaTrobe University.
Elise Kurvink
(Stage Manager/Production Manager/Desiree/Social Services Man's Significant Other)
Elise is a third-year theatre major currently completing La Trobe University’s Bachelor of Creative Arts. An actor, singer and dancer with an interest in theatre production, Elise graduated Buckley Park College in 2016 as Drama Dux with an A+ Drama solo. Since 2017, Elise has performed with her local community theatre company, Western Arts Theatre, joining their committee in mid-2018. She’s participated in eight of their productions, with credits such as Gingy/Sugarplum Fairy in Shrek the Musical, and a featured soloist in four of their original cabarets, Never, XYZ, On My Way and A to Z. As well being a performer, Elise was Producer’s Assistant and Costume Co-Ordinator for WAT’s 2019 junior production of High School Musical. Elise was also a solo performer in the 2018 Moonee Valley Festival, and completed an internship with Drama Victoria in early-mid 2019 as part of the production team of their annual Theatre Festival.
Alana Wilson
(Set Design/Aspro)
Alana Wilson is a third-year creative writing/theatre major, currently completing a Bachelor of Creative arts at Latrobe University. A Musician, Actor and Writer, Alana graduated from Catholic Regional College Melton with a dux in English. Alana has been performing since a young age, credited with the Performing Arts Award after 5 years of theatre training at Performing Arts Headquarters Bacchus Marsh. Throughout her schooling Alana performed in numerous productions, acquiring the lead role of Rizzo in Grease in her final year. Since her graduation Alana has focused on her music career, seeing her perform at numerous interstate festivals such as Tasmania’s Dark Mofo and most recently a sold-out Forum Theatre in Melbourne. She is currently active in two musical groups, Elizabeth and Shock Friendly, both gaining much focus across the Melbourne music scene. In accordance to her involvement in music, she is a practicing writer of poetry and short story, with an active poetry blog and collected book in the works.
Max Draper
(Promotion/Graphic Design/Photography/Donald/Desiree's Father)
Max Draper is a Burmese-English musician, actor, and visual artist based in regional Victoria. He is currently studying towards a teaching career and works in disability education. Max has written music from a young age with an emphasis on exploring race, culture, identity, depression, and anxiety. As an actor, Max has featured in a variety of short films, stage productions, and web series as well as working behind the scenes in promotion, direction, stage management, and writing. He has also designed posters, logos, and done photography for a variety of shows and organisations, including La Trobe’s Biomedical Society. He is acting in Cosi and The Kid, as well as assisting with promotion, design, and photography. Max independently creates and distributes music for himself and other local artists.
Claire Tipping
(Costume Design/Snake)
Claire Tipping is a third-year Bachelor of Creative Arts student majoring in Theatre at Latrobe University, Bundoora. In the production of The Kid she is playing the character of Snake. Claire has been a passionate actor and singer from a young age spending much of her time in singing and acting classes with groups such as the Australian Girls’ Choir and CPCA.
More recently Claire has appeared in productions and played roles such as Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls 2014, Linda Aginoski in The Pyjama Girl 2018 and Queen Gertrude in The Circus of Elsinore (Hamlet Adaptation) 2019. As well as performing Claire has taken on further roles working in props, costumes and backstage in most of the productions she has been a part of.
Claire has recently launched her singing career as well, creating a band with a fellow singer called Margot Saint Claire and they are now on the road to success.
Dominic Ursino
(Sound Design/Dean/Social Services Man)
Dominic Ursino is currently in his final year of university, having undertaken a Bachelor of Creative Arts, with a major in Theatre. Dominic has learned different aspects and techniques to utilise in his work within the dramatic field. Having never studied drama until his first year at La Trobe University, he is proud to have found a fun and exciting passion for acting.
SINNAMANN by Tom Cattle
Show Dates:
Thursday 17th October at 6.30pm
Friday 18th October at 12.30pm
Saturday 19th October at 7.30pm
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Tom Cattle
(SINNAMANN)
Thomas Cattle is best described in his own words as an artist (not that he’d let you call him anything different). After just one conversation his quirky effervescent personality could hardly stop talking about the nuance and intricacies of Film, Music, Writing/Performance (his chosen mediums). Still young, Thomas is spending the end of this decade finishing a Creative Arts degree at La Trobe, much to his delight: “graduating is like being reborn! I can’t wait”. Outside of University, Thomas has begun work at production companies: Kine Graffiti and The Jasper Picture Company as a camera operator and editor… finally free of the Café’s... Excited about these new opportunities Thomas spends his spare time: composing/producing music; taking lessons for piano, voice and composition, and writing and directing film projects with his friends. He says, “I just want to live my dreams”. For his final university performance, Thomas is thrilled to launch ‘SINNAMANN’ a dramatic drag cabaret that he wrote, directed and stars in, for the La Trobe Creative Arts Festival.
A synopsis of ‘SINNAMANN’ from Tom: ‘I first started drag when I was 20 as a form of rebellion. Dressing up as a woman I discovered a part of myself I had hidden. In drag I was able to let go of the barriers and boxes I perpetuated as the male, ‘Tom’. Transforming into a character that embodies everything from the world. Growing up in QLD it was incredibly difficult to organically learn about myself. Every time I made an effort to explore my soul, I met backlash and criticism about the way I looked or acted. As a result, the dreams of one day breaking free from my life at that time and creating success for myself became an obsessive pursuit. The drag/cabaret/play ‘’SINNAMANN’ discusses the obsessions of fame, success and achievement that can arise from pain and torment, and poses consequences for the super ego, which often steps in to protect a damaged soul.’