 | BEN WOMBWELL: Ben has performed in Musical Theatre Dunedin’s (formerly Dunedin Operatic) productions of Beauty and the Beast, Chicago and The Producers. For the Taieri Musical Society he has performed in Footloose, Chess, Grease and most recently My Fair Lady as Freddy Eynsford-Hill. Ben has also been seen in Doug Kamo’s The Rat Pack Returns Live and The Swinging Maitre D’s. He receives vocal training from Bridget Telfer and is a Primary School Teacher at Silverstream School. He is delighted to be a part of the Big Night In. | ||
 | DARREL READ: For the past 10 years Darrel has predominantly performed in musical theatre with local societies. He has previously been a member of Knox Church Choir, Dunedin Opera Company and ensemble groups, as well as performing as a soloist. He has also been an on call member of the University of Otago Capping Sextet. Darrel is a founding member of the five part vocal group Quintessence along with his wife Jane and his vocal coach Bridget Telfer. Darrel is grateful for this opportunity to be performing in this fantastic Otago venue and hopes that you enjoy tonight’s performances. | ||
 | FINLEY BRENTWOOD: – OAMARU Finley grew up in the mountains of Queenstown and was introduced to the stage at a very early age, taking part in musicals in school and for the local theatre group. He comes from musical roots and his mother is a life member of Showbiz Queenstown, while his sister is touring a production in South Korea. After taking a break from stage work while studying at the New Zealand Broadcasting School, to become a radio announcer, Finley is ready to get back up and sing his heart out. He is currently working in Oamaru as the breakfast host for Waitaki’s Classic Hits. | ||
 | MICHAEL GRANT: Michael teaches music at St Hilda’s Collegiate School. He directs St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and has recently toured with the NZSO as a member of the nationally selected Voices New Zealand. He has Musically Directed shows for both St Hilda’s and John McGlashan College and played in the pit for Taieri productions of Oliver and My Fair Lady as well as the professional production of Avenue Q at the Fortune Theatre. Michael has been seen on stage in local productions of Buddy and Miss Saigon and Theatre Restaurant productions, and plays keys and bass for local band, Rusty Pilot. | ||
 | LOUISE MONSON: Louise started performing in musical theatre at the age of 11, this introduction to singing, dance and acting has led to a love of theatre. Over the last nine years Louise has appeared in numerous productions around Dunedin, her favourites being Cats, and the New Zealand premier of Dusty, were she appeared as Mary O’Brien. Louise is third year at the University of Otago, where she is studying towards a Bachelor of Music and a BA majoring in History and Theatre Studies. Louise thanks her parents for their support as she pursues her love for the spot-light. | ||
 | ELITA MCDONALD: Elita has been living in Dunedin for the last 3 years and works as a Speech and Language Therapist specialising in Voice Therapy. Originally from Christchurch, she has achieved her ATCL in classical singing has performed various roles with the Southern Opera, North Canterbury Musical Society, The University of Canterbury Musical Society and most recently with Musical Theatre Dunedin. Elita also studied and performed as a dancer for many years and holds advanced grade qualifications in both Ballet and Jazz. Elita would like to dedicate her performance to her family and friends in Christchurch. | ||
 | Molly Devine: is a vocalist and songwriter studying Contemporary Rock Performance at Otago University. She does a lot of blues based writing and has written a demo album with Invercargill based band, Red House. She was very privileged this year to open for Creedence Clearwater Revival and Dr Hook with her band the Station Agents at the Gibston Valley summer concert in front of 17,000 fellow rockers and blues enthusiasts. She loves jamming with bands and has become notorious for jumping on stage at live gigs and karaoke bars every time she goes out to town with her friends. | ||
 | CHRISTY KEY: Christy has performed on stage in productions and competitions from a young age initially as a dancer and then also as a singer. Christy has had the opportunity to be a part of many brilliant Dunedin productions over the years her most recent major productions being Beauty and the Beast and Chicago. Two children later and a subsequent break from performing, the pull of the stage has become too strong and Christy is excited to be returning to the stage in this wonderful venue performing in the 'Big Night In". | ||
 | HALAMEHI BLOOMFIELD: Halamehi Bloomfield joined her first band when she was 18 and performed during the summer in her sisters band throughout Australia. She has a huge passion for music, and studied music performance at the University of Otago. She also loves dance, and has been dancing hip hop for 3 years, performing with groups at different competitions and cultural events. Halamehi loves writing music, and enjoys playing guitar. | ||
 | KELLY HOCKING: Kelly Hocking (nee Olson) trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles where she studied voice with the late Tony Award winning John Peck. Vocal training styles include classical, musical theatre, country, rock, pop and jazz. In the US and New Zealand, Kelly has worked in both theatre and film. Leading theatre credits include “Kate/Lucy” in Avenue Q, “Ellen” in Miss Saigon, “Roxie Hart” in Chicago and “Sally Bowles” in Cabaret. Kelly has performed as a lead vocalist with groups including The Oxo Cubans, St Kilda Brass, La Forza and more. She is currently a member of the dance band “The Belle Birds” and is a vocal coach in Dunedin. | ||
 | AMANDA GOODWIN: Amanda Goodwin is a Singer/Songwriter based in Dunedin. A full time professional musician Amanda has performed as a lead singer in several bands including soul band - Soul Deep, Live Wire and recently along with covers band Tempo took out 1st place in the group section of the 2011 Gold Guitar Awards. A prolific songwriter Amanda performs her own music with her band The Mighty Mighty’s, and has released an album of her own songs, ‘All I Wanna Do’, which features ‘Love Song’ (a finalist in the MLT Songwriting Awards). Amanda has performed at venues/events around NZ including the Queenstown Jazz Festival, Alexandra Blossom Festival, and Carisbrook Stadium. | ||
 | JENNY PARIS: Having been involved with Musical Theatre in Dunedin since moving here to study 12 years ago, Jen has appeared in many productions for both Musical Theatre Dunedin (previously Dunedin Operatic), and also Tairei Musical Society. She is fresh from a 4 year performance break, to spend time with her young boys Jack and Toby, and is very excited to get back on the stage. Jen is very proud to have been chosen for this production and would like to thank all the people who have helped make it happen for Dunedin. | ||
 | Alistair Martyn: With a long list of theatrical and performance credits Alistair has been involved on and off the stage in Dunedin’s music scene for the past twenty years. A move to musical theatre from rock bands has seen him perform for Dunedin Operatic, South Canterbury Drama League, Taieri Musical Society, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Dunedin Opera Company and Epiphany Productions. A life and executive board member of Musical Theatre Dunedin his favourite credits include the original and return seasons of Les Miserables, Me and My Girl, Anything Goes, Rush, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, The Full Monty and Miss Saigon. | ||