10 ACT CABARET: melbourne 2023
DIGITAL PROGRAM
90 Minutes. 10 Punchy Acts.
10 Act Cabaret is a platform for performers to express their creative minds, in their own unique way. The shows aim to fuel their creative passion and provide platforms for working artists.
Tonight, you witness cabaret stars live on stage, performing 10 punchy, eight-minute long cabarets that speak to the heart and promise variety, depth, intrigue and story!
A NOTE FROM THE PRODUCERHello! Welcome to this production of 10 Act Cabaret! We are both stoked and thrilled that we have finally brought this new platform to Melbourne.
This show format was designed to help performing artists create and produce without paying a dime. Theatre can be expensive, and not everyone has the opportunity to trial or produce something. 10 Act Cabaret allows artists to create and refine, and have something behind them as they move forward with their work and other creative pursuits. It is our hope that this show, and the many 10, 20, 100’s of acts to come will fuel the creative passion, stir the zeitgeist and stoke the next generation into creating some truly incredible work.
Thank you for attending our show tonight, we hope you enjoy it!
Liam Head & Kyle Head
Directors of The Head Bros. production company
THE ACTS
AN INTER-STATE OF MIND
JAI JACKSON
SYNOPSIS:
Why is it that Musicals can make a giant move across the country look like a piece of cake?
Moving is a daunting task with many risks and even more rewards, so how come we don’t talk about them. From saying goodbye to picking up the instruction manual for your first bit of Ikea furniture, here’s how moving really is when you’ve got the right inter-state of mind.
BIO:
Jai is a passionate, effervescent performer who’s love for performing was solidified at a young age. Originally from Brisbane, Jai has had the opportunity to perform both in Australia and Overseas in countless productions before pursuing his Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
During his time at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Jai had the opportunity to perform in roles such as J.B Biggley in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' Sammy in 'The Wedding Singer,' Featured Ensemble in 'Grease,' and Abner Dillon in '42nd Street.’ Now a Melbourne Local, Jai is excited for what the future has to bring.
HOW I LOVE TO GIVE THEM BACK
KAITLIN NIHILL
SYNOPSIS:
This one is for all the teachers, children entertainers, educators, parents, or anyone who has worked with children.
Kaitlin is a children’s music teacher and party entertainer. She ADORES kids, but she’s thankful to be able to give them back to their parents at the end of the day…
How I Love To Give Them Back includes the good, the bad, and the snotty moments when you choose to work with young children.
This cabaret will feature an original song written by James Court (composer for ‘The Beanies’) and Kaitlin herself, as well as some musical theatre classics.
BIO:
Kaitlin is a Naarm/Melbourne based performer, originally from Ngambri/Canberra. Kaitlin graduated with a Bachelor Musical Theatre from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in 2020, after previously completing a Diploma of Musical Theatre from NIDA where she had a opportunity to perform in The Sydney Theatre Company’s production of ‘Chimerica’.
At the Conservatorium, Kaitlin played roles such as Emily in ‘Our Town’, Baby Rosie in ‘Babes in Arms’, and was cast as Glinda in ‘Wicked’.
She is thrilled to be performing in 10 Act Cabaret, and can’t wait to share her own work for the first time!
22 IN REVUE
RACHEL THOMAS
SYNOPSIS:
22 IN REVUE is a musical cabaret about the growing pains found in one’s early 20’s. Inspired by a true story, Raz talks about careers, loves, losses and self-acceptance. With catchy original songs (co-written with the wonderful Natalie Ferris!) and personal anecdotes, this cabaret is for anyone who has ever felt like using dating apps is like ordering Uber Eats or can relate to realising that the word ‘surprise’ has always had two R’s and has never been spelt ‘suprise’.
BIO:
Rachel ‘Raz’ Thomas is an actor and theatre maker. She holds a Bachelor of Acting from Queensland Conservatorium. Career highlights include The Laramie Project (Queensland Theatre), co-writing the ensemble comedy Define Adult (La Boite Theatre/ PlayLab), performing in Girl Band (New Ghosts Theatre Company/Riverside Parramatta) and directing the new work How to Understand A Misunderstanding for Sydney University.
Rachel has previously written The Brigitte and Raz Show as a part of Ruckus Slam and the web series People of Brisbane. She is very excited to perform 22 In Revue as a part of Ten Act Cabaret Melbourne!
BOYHOOD
JAHLA BLACK
SYNOPSIS:
BOYHOOD is an abstract view on what the inbetween child and adult means to a trans masc person. Or at least this trans masc person. What does it mean to be 25 but feel 15?
From romantic freak outs to clothing confusion, through poetry, anecdotes and musical storytelling this is a look in on experiencing adolesence in your mid twenties.
BIO:
Jahla (they/he) is a proud Queer, Trans, Non-Binary actor, writer and graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre.
In 2022 Jahla filmed a guest role on Bump Season 3 (Stan) and the supporting role of Ash on Mikki Vs.The World (ABC), they have just finished shooting a TV Series to air on Channel 9 in 2024.
Passionate about bringing queer stories to the stage, in 2022 they performed in Little Triangles Queer Sondheim Cabaret: Isn’t it Queer and last year made their mainstage debut in the Australian tour of Jagged Little Pill. Most recently they performed in the Australian premier season of Bearded the musical.
DEAD TALENTED
ABIGAIL DIXON
SYNOPSIS:
Meet the ultimate triple-threat: singer, performer, and ex-nurse extraordinaire!
Whilst Abigail may not be a household name just yet, she’s ditched the scrubs for a job where she can endlessly serenade a captive audience— even if her career isn’t starting off in show-biz exactly, and the audience is a little, well, rigid.
DEAD TALENTED is the confession of an ex-nurse seeking the stardom of Broadway and charts the unconventional journey she is taking to get there!
BIO:
Hailing from Manchester, UK, Abigail recently had the privilege of portraying Rizzo in QPAC’s production of Grease (Dir. Alister Smith) and Rosie Cover/ Ensemble in The Show Co’s production of Mamma Mia! (Dir. Tanya Mitford).
During her studies at Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium, she performed as Rizzo in Grease (Dir. Alister Smith) and Paulette in Legally Blonde the Musical (Dir. Penny Farrow). Credits prior to commencing her studies include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Ms Fleming in Heathers, Fiona in The Removalists and Susan in Ruben Guthrie.
Abigail more recently toured with Meerkat Productions in two productions for CBCA Book Week 2022 – Stellarphant and The Detective’s Guide for Ocean Travel.
WHO COULD LOVE A NERD LIKE ME?
EMMA VENZKE
SYNOPSIS:
‘I love you’ is something you dream of hearing from the person you have feelings for, but what happens when they actually say it? And what tumbles out of your mouth in response?
"Who Could Love a Nerd Like Me?" follows the decision-making of a girl trying to define her feelings for the guy she likes. The classic battle between head and heart - her over-thinking brain filled with all the complexities of what it is to be in a relationship and in love, versus her heart that longs for true happiness. Which will she decide to listen to now?
Don’t miss out! 10 Act Cabaret is showing for ONE NIGHT ONLY! Featuring WHO COULD LOVE A NERD LIKE ME and 9 other original, punchy 8-minute-acts at @chapeloffchapel !
BIO:
Emma Venzke is a passionate performer originally from Brisbane and now living in Melbourne. Emma is a Federation University Arts Academy graduate, with a Bachelor of Performing Arts, and she also holds a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Australian Dance Performance Institute. Her university credits include TRIBE THE MUSICAL (Freak), JANE EYRE (Blanche Ingram & others, and co-composer) and most recently INTO THE WOODS (Stepmother/Dance Captain). Last year she collaborated with her peers to create self-devised cabaret EXQUISITE CORPSE, in which she performed her original song "One Individual". Emma is very excited to perform with 10 Act cabaret!
STEREO-TYPICAL
NAVA REVALK
SYNOPSIS:
Growing up half Persian, a quarter Dutch and a quarter English-Australian can be pretty confusing for a kid. Nava explores some of the challenges and quirks of growing up multi-cultural; from not fitting the stereotypes of any cultural group, to getting weird looks at school for having “stinky” lunch.
The cabaret spans a variety of musical genres, ranging from “It’s Not Easy Being Green” (the Muppets) to “Where Do You Belong” (Mean Girls) and even a quintessential Australian song with a twist!
BIO:
Nava is a dedicated, versatile and passionate performer. With Persian and Dutch-Australian heritage, she is truly a multicultural artist. Nava’s most recent credits include performing as a headline artist at Adelaide Oval and on Channel 9 as part of the Adelaide Christmas Pageant, Ali/Sophie cover in ‘MAMMA MIA!’ with The Show Co., Teen Angel and Sandy/Rizzo cover in 'Grease' at the Lyric Theatre - QPAC, and touring Queensland as Marley/Team leader in Story Quest with Perform! Education. Nava hopes to work for greater unity in diversity through her career, transforming culture through the power of the arts.
NETWORKING FOR DUMMIES
MADDI HEAD
SYNOPSIS:
Born with a passion for performance, Maddi knew from an early age that the Broadway was where she belonged. But as she entered the professional world of musical theatre, she quickly discovered that being the ‘best apple tree number 2’ (Mum, 2017) wasn’t quite enough to get her foot in the door.
Join this sub-par schmoozer in ‘Networking for Dummies’ as she attempts to network her way to the top by any means necessary.
BIO:
Maddi Head is a triple threat performer from Brisbane. After graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a Bachelor in Music Theatre, Maddi went on to perform in Mamma Mia with the Show Co and the Round the Twist workshop musical as Madeline.
Maddi has thoroughly enjoyed creating her new work, NETWORKING FOR DUMMIES and is excited to be performing it for you tonight.
FATHER FIGURES
CONNOR MOREL
SYNOPSIS:
FATHER FIGURES tells the (almost) true story of wannabe rockstar Connor meeting his Dad for the first time when they turn up unannounced at a gig of his on his 18th birthday. It’s a comedic musical journey with a lot of heart about the type of men boys look up to, and an exploration into how one becomes a decent man in this world without a decent role model.
BIO:
Connor Morel is a Geelong and Melbourne based actor, singer, writer and musician who holds a Bachelor of Music Theatre from the Arts Academy, Federation University Australia. Theatre highlights include Ensemble and Robbie/Sammy cover in The Wedding Singer (David Venn Enterprises Aus/NZ tour), John Merrick in The Marvellous Elephant Man, Shane Warne in Shane Warne the Musical (Arts Academy, Federation University Australia), Roger in Rent (James Terry Collective), and Jason Dean in Heathers The Musical (GSODA). In 2022 he trained under master clown Philippe Gaulier at his prestigious theatre school in Étampes, France and his writing debut, a gig-theatre show titled A Lovely Day To Be Online, was supported by Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine grant round and premiered in the Fringe Hub at Melbourne Fringe. It then toured to New Zealand Fringe, Adelaide Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2023. @connormorel_
YOUR HOSTS
LIAM HEAD + SEAN JOHNSTON