To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome Hilary O’Neil, India Cabezuelos-Lamborne & Jason Campbell. Having worked, between them, as entertainers for most of the top cruise lines in the world, it is illuminating, especially in light of the Cruise Industry re-awakening from the pandemic, to hear their shared knowledge, enthusiasm and experience regarding performance careers at sea.

Hilary O’Neil  performs worldwide as a Comedienne, Impressionist & Singer. After training at Laine Theatre Arts her career began as a dancer working with Sir Ken Dodd at the famous London Palladium. Her major TV break was on the hit TV impressionist series Copycats, in which she appeared for two years. From there she appeared on numerous TV shows including The Royal Variety Show, Live from the Palladium, Summertime Special, Night of 100 Stars, Two Freddie Starr Series, Des O’Connor Tonight, Celebrity Squares, and many more.Her West End credits include Acorn Antiques the Musical, written by Victoria Wood &directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, Summer Holiday (West End & UK tour), the 60’s musical Shout & the Marx Brothers Comedy, Animal Crackers, at the Lyric Theatre.Hilary now headlines in her one-woman show all over the world on Cunard, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Oceania, Regent, Holland America, Azamara, Cunard & P&O cruiselines, but always comes back to the UK to appear in Pantomime having appeared in 40 Pantomimes to date. Recently she formed O’Neil Management & manages Comedy Ventriloquist Max Fulham, Mind Reader Matt Daniel-Baker, Illusionists White Magic & The Crazy Comedy Company!

Jason Campbell started out at a very young age dancing and singing all around the world.  He studied voice in Philadelphia and worked for 5 years at one of the largest Christian theaters in the United States, Sight and Sound Theaters in Lancaster Pennsylvania.  Jason then began working in regional theater across the country in shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, Gypsy, Footloose, Swing the Musical, 42nd St. and La Cage aux Folles. Regional and National tours include Swing the Musical, Cats, the 10th Anniversary tour of Footloose and The Wedding Singer. Jason has sung and danced around the world performing for Celebrity Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Currently Jason is a Resident Director, Choreographer and Stager for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

India Cabezuelos-Lambourne is a Singer and Dancer that has worked all over the world from Universal Studios in Singapore to multiple Cruise Line companies including Norwegian Cruise Line where she was a principal singer on the Norwegian Star and Sun.

Pasquale La Rocca Interview for Performers Stuff Pro Series: Dancing with the Stars

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with Pro Ballroom & Latin Dancer, Pasquale La Rocca, two-time winner of Dancing with the Stars firstly in Belgium (2019) and most recently in Ireland (2020). Pasquale shares with Mark his passion and dreams for dance and what it means to win DWTS

Meet Two-time Dancing with the Stars Champion

PASQUALE LA ROCCA

Originally from Italy and now based in London, Pasquale La Rocca is an Italian Ballroom and Latin American Champion having represented Italy at the World Latin American Championship in 2007. Dancing since he was 9 years old, he has since become a specialist of Ballroom and Latin America dancing, and has also trained in Jazz, Commercial and Musical Theatre.

In 2014, Pasquale joined the Broadway production of "Burn the Floor", touring London, China, Australia, Japan and South Africa as Principal Dancer and Dance Captain. Following UK tours of “Tango Moderno”, and "Here come the Girls”, as a leading male dancer, Pasquale joined Dancing with The Stars – Belgium, in 2019, partnering influencer Julie Vermeire. Immediately after winning the competition and lifting the famous Mirror Ball Trophy, Pasquale joined the Irish cast of Dancing with the Stars, this time partnering Broadcaster Lotti Ryan. Remarkably he was able to dance to victory again and lift the Mirror Ball Trophy for a second consecutive time.

Annalene Beechey Interview  for Performers Stuff Pro Series: Becoming a West End Musical Theater Actress

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with West End star and musical theater leading lady, Annalene Beechey, who met Mark while they were both working on the London production of the Phantom of the Opera. Annalene shares her passion and dreams for musical theatre and what it means to be a West End musical theatre actress.

Meet one of the UK’s Premiere West End Musical Theater Actresses Annalene Beechey

ANNALENE BEECHEY

Annalene is an actress and singer with over 20 years of experience in theatre. She spent her early years growing up in Ireland and trained at The Bull Alley Theatre Company in Dublin. Annalene started her professional career at the age of 18 understudying the role of Cosette in the first national UK touring company of Les Misérables in Dublin/Edinburgh, and later went on to play Cosette at the Palace Theatre in London for two years.

Her West End theatre credits include Anna in the acclaimed Broadway production of The King & I (UK/International Tour), Annette opposite Ruthie Henshall in the world premiere of Marguerite by Boublil, Schonberg & Legrand (Theatre Royal Haymarket), standby Glinda in the original London company of Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Dominion Theatre) opposite John Barrowman and Gemma Craven, alternate Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre) and Sadie Sears/understudy Julie Jordan in Royal National Theatre’s Carousel (Shaftesbury Theatre).

Annalene has become a much sort after concert singer of musical theatre, and has sung as a soloist with some of the most celebrated orchestras in the UK and Ireland including Northern Sinfonia, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, the London Philharmonia Orchestra and the John Wilson Orchestra. Annalene made her BBC Radio 2, Friday Night Is Music Night debut back in 2007. This special evening celebrated the shared birthdays of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim. She has subsequently appeared in numerous Friday Night Is Music Night broadcasts since.

In 2011 she starred in her first BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, singing as a soloist in Hooray for Hollywood, which was broadcast live on BBC 2. In 2012 Annalene was invited to return to the Royal Albert Hall as Eliza Doolittle in the My Fair Lady BBC Prom opposite Anthony Andrews, Alun Armstrong and Sian Phillips, the BBC Proms first ever fully staged production of a musical.

Other notable concert appearances include Johanna in the anniversary concert of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd at the Royal Festival Hall, London opposite Len Cariou, Kathy Selden in Singin In The Rain also at the Royal Festival Hall and later in Dublin, Susie Dean in the BBC Radio 3 broadcast of the Andre Previn musical The Good Companions and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Taiwan.

Original Cast Recordings include Marguerite, Moon Landing, The Ha’penny Bridge. Annalene’s long awaited debut album Close Your Eyes is available now (from SimG Records).

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with Casey Johnson, successful Creative Consultant, Choreographer, and Director having worked throughout the world and on the high seas during an illustrious career. Casey talks about the differences you might find when choosing a career at sea and sharing his experiences from first being a dancer, so fully understanding how far artists can be pushed to develop and explore their talents. There is a whole live entertainment industry that awaits you at sea so discover what it’s about as Casey shares his knowledge and imparts some sage wisdom and advice.

Meet Creative Consultant, Choreographer, and Director

CASEY JOHNSON

Casey Johnson has been a Creative Consultant/Director/Choreographer for over 18 yrs. with experience in musical theater and the cruise ship industry. He is known as the “Show Doctor” specializing in Entertainment Programming Enhancement. Casey is a Master Instructor in Dance Education and strongly believes in working with young artists to build a strong foundation in professional discipline and the development of one’s art as a craft!! Starting in dance rather late in his life, Casey studied very hard and took every dance class he could. He rented videos from the library and studied anatomy books to learn how the muscles of the body work. Studying dance like a science allowed him to hone his skills and advance rather quickly! His performing career began in high school when he performed in the movie Newsies! During that same time, Casey worked in the parade Department at Disneyland after school. His love of travel came from working around the world, be it on tour on the east coast and Canada, performing as a principal dancer on Guam, and of course cruise ships! Some of Casey’s favorite career moments are working with Michael Jackson during the Super Bowl Half Time Show, playing Radio City Music Hall as Lord Zedd on the Power Rangers Tour, and most of all mentoring hundreds of cast members while directing cruise ship shows and traveling the world!

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome Holly-Anne Devlin, Jeff Revels, and Kenny Howard. They collectively share personal experiences of what it is like in an audition room “behind the audition table” from their perspective as Producers, Directors, and Show Creators.

Jeff Revels has directed many productions throughout Florida and is currently Artistic Director at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. He served as Executive Producer for the Orlando Citrus Parade and as a writer for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration & Parade, Nashville Christmas Spectacular, National Memorial Day Parade, American Valor: A Tribute To Our Military, and the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, all nationally syndicated. Jeff recently did some writing for Dollywood and Dolly Parton. He has also written and directed large-scale spectaculars for the city of Manaus, Brazil as well as films, seen daily at Okada Resort in Manilla. Jeff received the Alumni Professional Achievement Award from Winthrop University and was spotlighted by the Orlando Sentinel as one of Central Florida’s Most Fascinating People and one of Ten People Who Make Orlando A Better Place to Live. In 2015 the City of Orlando proclaimed “Jeff Revels Day” to honor his work.

Kenny Howard is the Education Director for Florida Theatrical Association.  Also, Co-Founder with Van Dean of Broadway Consortium, LLC. On Broadway, he produced Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical), Gore Vidal’s The Best Man (Tony nom.) Evita 2012 Revival (Tony nom), Chinglish, Bonnie & Clyde, Big Fish, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Tony nom.). He produces and directs shows throughout Florida, is on the board of directors for the Orlando Fringe, and is a graduate of UCF.

Holly-Anne Devlin is an award-winning director, writer, and producer based in New York City.  She has been a part of the creative teams for mega-hit Broadway shows including Jersey Boys and Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, as well as dozens of National and International productions and tours.  She specializes in developing musicals from inception and bringing them to a global audience as both a creative and a producer with her production companies Kaleidoscope Entertainment, Happy Hour Entertainment, and Wine Lovers LLC

Cirque du Soleil Wigs Wardrobe & Makeup on the Las Vegas StripInterview For Performers Stuff Pro Series: Part 1 Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with 3 of Cirque du Soleil’s Head of Wigs, Wardrobe and Makeup, Jack Ricks, Roger Stricker, and Ruben Permel, whom collectively have decades of experience with one of the leading entertainment companies while living in the entertainment capital of the World, Las Vegas. With the recent sad passing of French Fashion Designer Thierry Mugler, who created the extravagant looks for Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity at the New York, New York Hotel in Las Vegas, the publication of this Pro Series seems appropriate. Although recorded before Thierry’s passing, both Jack and Roger worked directly with Thierry during the creation of Zumanity. 

JACK RICKS

Jack Ricks has been working in the costume field for over 38 years and with Cirque du Soleil since 1993.  He started at Cirque temporarily as a costume laundry technician/dresser with Nouvelle Experience, was on the technical crew that opened Mystere in 1993, and later became Assistant Head of Department before moving up to the Head of Wardrobe position.  After nine years at Mystere and wishing to learn more about fashion in costuming, Jack moved to Zumanity as Head of Wardrobe in 2003where he remained for 17 years. Currently, Jack is Wardrobe Manager for the entire Cirque du SoleilLas VegasDivision. He received a Leadership Award from MGM Resorts,project-managed the costume build on two productions on the cruise ship Victory for Carnival Cruise lines in 2000, has done various live and filmed speaking engagements for PR and Marketing events, and was the Keynote Speaker at the Costume Society of America conference in Las Vegas in 2016.

ROGER STRICKER

With over 35 years in the entertainment business, Roger is a two-time recipient of The Hollywood Make-Up Artists & Hairstylist Guild Award. Roger lectures at Universities and Symposiumsaround the country and has created makeup, hair, and wigs for numerous commercials, videos, films, fashion shows and live theatrical stage productions including Americas Got Talent Live Las Vegas and David Foster & Friends. In 2003 Roger joined Cirque du Soleil to supervise the hair and makeup for Zumanity, a role he coveted for 17 years. He has worked with Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra, Cher, Debbie Reynolds, and Bette Midler to name but a few. 

RUBEN PERMEL

With over 30 years in the entertainment business, Ruben began his career as a performer but utilized other skills behind the scenes in costumes, crafts, props, and puppetry. He has designed costumes for more than 50 productions and toured as wardrobe supervisor for many Broadway musicals. He joined Cirque in 1999 and has held the positions of Head of Wardrobe for Alegria, KA, Viva Elvis, Zarkana, and currently the Beatles LOVE at the Mirage in Las Vegas. In 2015 he produced and directed the independent short film Whispering Goliathwhich laurelled at many film festivals across the country and in 2018 he won the Vegas Valley and Broadway World Regional Best Costume Design for the Majestic Repertory Theatre’s production of Marie Antionette.

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome  Chris Leask, Ross Virgo and Ashley Tucker from the hit London West End Show A Comedy About a Bank Robbery as they talk to our pro series host Mark Pawsey and share personal experiences and insights into why they love working in this profession.

Ashley Tucker trained at Birmingham School of Acting and most recently played Ruth Monaghan in Mischief Theatre’s UK Tour & West End productions of The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. @TuckersTweeter

Chris Leask trained at LAMDA (London Academy of Dramatic Art) Prominent member of Mischief Theatre playing in The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, The Play that Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and BBC TVs The Goes Wrong Show. @chrisleask

Ross Virgo trained at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London and most recently performed in Mischief Theatre’s UK Tour & West End productions of The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. @rosspvirgo

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up again with circus artist, Alan Silva between rehearsals in Los Angeles for the finale of America’s Got Talent (Season 15). Alan shares his experiences of AGT, what goes into creating his act, and the pros and cons of social media.

America’s Got Talent (often abbreviated as AGT) is a televised American talent show competition and is part of the global Got Talent franchise created by Simon Cowell.  Each week, undiscovered talent of all ages — singers, dancers, magicians, comics, musicians, ventriloquists and more — appear before celebrity judges who decide which contestants move on in the competition. With the guidance of the show’s host, the audience learns the backstories of these amazing people as they strive to make it to the finale, where one talented performer wins a life-changing $1 million prize.

“Alan Jones Silva was born in 1982 in Sao Paulo Brazil, the 6th generation of a traditional circus family. He started a general training program, at age 4 with his father and grandfather. Both spent their entire lives living and performing for the circus. At 6 years old, Alan made his debut in the circus doing floor acrobatics and clowning. By 10 he had learned trapeze, which he performed for 3 more years. After that, Alan followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and began performing Maromba, (like a high wire act except, the stunts are performed on a rope suspended between springs). However, Alan loved to be in the air. He returned to the air in 1998 when he changed his act to Aerial Acrobatic Flying Silks and after 2 years was invited to audition for a new show in [Las Vegas].” – Bio from AlanjSilva.com

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey, catches up with circus artist Alan Silva between rehearsals in Los Angeles for the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent (Season 15). Alan talks openly about the challenges he faces in life, the dangers of becoming an aerialist, and what it takes and feels like to fly through the air on silks.

America’s Got Talent (often abbreviated as AGT) is a televised American talent show competition and is part of the global Got Talent franchise created by Simon Cowell.  Each week, undiscovered talent of all ages — singers, dancers, magicians, comics, musicians, ventriloquists and more — appear before celebrity judges who decide which contestants move on in the competition. With the guidance of the show’s host, the audience learns the backstories of these amazing people as they strive to make it to the finale, where one talented performer wins a life-changing $1 million prize.

“Alan Jones Silva was born in 1982 in Sao Paulo Brazil, the 6th generation of a traditional circus family. He started a general training program, at age 4 with his father and grandfather. Both spent their entire lives living and performing for the circus. At 6 years old, Alan made his debut in the circus doing floor acrobatics and clowning. By 10 he had learned trapeze, which he performed for 3 more years. After that, Alan followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and began performing Maromba, (like a high wire act except, the stunts are performed on a rope suspended between springs). However, Alan loved to be in the air. He returned to the air in 1998 when he changed his act to Aerial Acrobatic Flying Silks and after 2 years was invited to audition for a new show in [Las Vegas].” – Bio from AlanjSilva.com

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome Joyce Arbucias, Christiaan Abbott, and Gabriella Juliet as they share with us personal experiences of being “in front of the audition table” in an audition room.

Joyce Arbucias is one of the founding partners of Performer Stuff and its parent company, The Imagination House. Joyce serves as creative director and executive producer, overseeing various creative teams, as well as writing, directing, and developing new creative projects and theatrical endeavors. As a former performer, she also shares her experiences on stage, in front of the camera, and in the recording studio, volunteering as a mentor and coach to young artists.

Christiaan Abbott started his professional dancing career at the age of 15. From ballet & modern dance companies to multi-million-dollar Las Vegas productions, as well as tours, cruise ships, and theme parks, Christiaan has experienced all kinds of theaters and productions. He has danced for award-winning choreographers like Arlene Philips, Antony Van Laast, and Jerry Jackson as well as with celebrities such as Wayne Brady, Michael Crawford, and David Cassidy. After Christiaan’s dance career ended he became a stage manager and later a cruise director for Disney Cruise Line. He then went on to become Creative Director and Director of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line. Christiaan hosts his video podcast In The Holding Room weekly on performerstuff.com talking with showbusiness professionals.

Gabriella Juliet grew up in the Orlando theatre community and continued her dream into adulthood, Gabriella is thrilled to be sharing her experiences and honored to be a part of Performer Stuff Pro Series! Most recently she was seen performing at Orlando Fringemas, as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present & Future, as well as Mrs. Claus at the Orlando REP. Gabriella is a resident vocalist for TIH Studios, a hostess and performer for HÄOS on Church Street, and graduated with her BFA in Music Theatre from Florida State University. Some favorite credits include Pete the Cat (Mom), How I Became a Pirate (Max), The Full Monty (Estelle), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Houdini: The Musical, and West Side Story (Rosalia) Keep up with her on IG @gabriellajuliet

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with Omar F. Okai,  Resident Director on Disney’s Bedknobs & Broomsticks UK Tour. Mark and Omar met over 30 years ago when they were both working on King – The Martin Luther King Musical, at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End. Listen to Omar talk about how he started in the business as a performer and what it took to begin, develop, and then maintain his own Company, The Okai Collier Company which has been breaking down social barriers and encouraging new talent since 1994. Omar is a successful Choreographer and Director having worked on over 90 productions to date and still counting.

OMAR F. OKAI is the Co-Director/Founder/ of the Black British Theatre Awards (#BBTAS), whose inaugural ceremony was in October 2019. He is also the Artistic Director of The Okai Collier Company for over 20 years.

He has directed/choreographed internationally in France, Spain, Germany, Shanghai, and Britain, with over 90 productions, videos, and documentaries. Productions included are Five Guys Named Moe, Cabaret, Rent, Annie, Peter Pan, Elegies for Angel’s, Punks and Raging Queens, Smiling State, Honk!, Assassins’ (Mountview Theatre School) Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Performance Preparation Academy) Sweet Charity. He is also an International Musical Theatre Examiner for Urdang International. Omar has worked in Shanghai directing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jnr, Honk, and Once On This Island. In his own right, Omar is an accomplished west end performer, credits are King, Five Guys Named Moe (original cast), Sweet Charity, My One and Only, Honk!, Candide, and Villains Opera.

He is also an experienced performing arts teacher in dance and drama and has taught in a vast array of performing arts schools. Omar is also in preparation for his own penned musical Celia which is going into workshop.

To kick off our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome Ellen Jackson, Lynn Jezzard and Stewart Arnott from the original London production of The Phantom of the Opera. Hear them share their stories about working directly with the show’s creators, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Dame Gillian Lynne, Hal Prince and Maria Bjornson. Collectively Ellen, Lynn and Stewart have experienced over 30,000 performances of the show.

Ellen Jackson – Cast Phantom of the Opera - Original London Production (12,000 performances with show)

Training: Ellen Jackson was born in Lanarkshire and is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Opera includes: her professional debut at the Waterford Festival, performing the title role in The Merry Widow and Gianetta in The Gondoliers, for which she received the Best Female Voice Award. After this she joined Scottish Opera, with whom she performed in Der Rosenkavelier, Die Meistersinger, Die Fledermaus, L’Elisir d’Amore, Tosca and Egisto.

Theatre includes: The Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, The Beggar’s Opera, Annie, Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music (UK tour), the hit West End musical Chess and Fiddler on the Roof (Theatre Royal, Plymouth). Seasons followed in Born Again (Chichester Festival Theatre), Les Misérables (Palace) and The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s), in which she played Madame Giry at many performances. She has also played Mrs Mullin and the Principal in the musical Carousel (Perth Theatre).

Lynn Jezzard – Original Cast, Resident Ballet Mistress and Resident Choreographer Phantom of the Opera - Original London Production (34 years with show)

Training: Lynn was born in Ramsgate, Kent and trained at the Arts Educational Schools, Tring and London

Ballet includes: She started her professional career in Ballet International, then moved to Northern Ballet Theatre as a Principal Dancer where she danced many of the leading classical roles including Giselle and Swanhilda in Copelia, also creating the role of Alice in Alice and Wonderland

Television includes: A Chance to Sit Down for BBC TV and the major series Bluebell also for the BBC.

Theatre: Original cast member and Resident Ballet Mistress Phantom of the Opera London

Stewart Arnott –Stage Manager Phantom of the Opera - Original London Production (10,000 performances with show)

Training: Stewart Graduated from Mountview Theatre School in 1987,

Theatre includes: Stewart has worked extensively in the West End as set operator on shows such as Metropolis and Miss Saigon before moving into stage management where his shows include The Rocky Horror Show, A Tribute to the Blues Brothers, The Hunting of the Snark, Radio Times and Crazy For You. In 1995 Stewart joined the original production of The Phantom of the Opera, a show which he was privileged to look after as stage manager for the last 20 years of its run.

As an introduction to Performer Stuff, Pro Series here is our recent interview with MDC 3, a young dance trio from Placentia California featured on Season 4 of NBC’s World of Dance.

Listen to Madison, Emma, Diego talk to our pro series host, Mark Pawsey about their collective passion for dance.

Welcome to PerformerStuff Pro Series – a collaborative forum where working theater professionals can share together their knowledge, experience, hopefully, a little wisdom but most importantly their collective passions for Live Entertainment. Join Mark Pawsey, as he hosts this podcast with friends and colleagues he has worked with during his 30 plus years working with-in the creative arts. From conversations with leading ladies and casts of the West End and Broadway to interviews with TV and film actors, cruise ship performers, Cirque du Soleil artists and everyone in between, Performerstuff.com hopes these podcasts will help keep entertainment alive, nourished, and full of hope.

Mark is British and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London winning the Liverpool Playhouse Award and an honors diploma in Stage Management. He spent 15 years in London’s West End working on shows such as “Steel Magnolias”, “Taboo – The Boy George Musical” and original productions of “The Woman in Black” “Buddy” and “The Phantom of the Opera”. In 1998 Mark joined the acclaimed “Cirque du Soleil” troupe, touring the world with “Alegria”, “Quidam” and “Amaluna”. He moved to Las Vegas in 2004 to take up residence with them on “Zumanity” and then to Tokyo in 2010 with “ZED” where he became Artistic Director. He gave a TEDx Talk in Edmonton, Canada in 2013 on “The Future of Inspiration” and left Cirque after 16 years, in 2014. However, he stumbled upon an opportunity with Norwegian Cruise Lines which led to a fortuitous partnership with Joyce Arbucias and The Imagination House in Orlando, where he has been a Producer of Live Entertainment for the past 5 years.

Back in July 2020, as an introduction to our Performer Stuff, Pro Series we had an interview with MDC 3, a young dance trio from Placentia California who were being featured on Season 4 of NBC’s World of Dance. To watch part one of that interview click here. They were crowned Champions of the series and won $1,000,000 and have agreed to be interviewed again

Listen to Madison, Emma, Diego once again talk to our pro series host, Mark Pawsey, this time about what it took to win the championships.

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome professional dancers Michael and Jowita, winners of BBC TV’s The Greatest Dancer, in 2020. Hear them share their passions for dance, as they join Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey to talk about their careers, what goes into making a successful dance partnership, their dreams together, and what it feels like to win such a coveted television show.

Michael Danilczuk & Jowita Przystal

Michael began ballroom and Latin dance aged 7 and Jowita at 12.

They met in 2013 at a summer dance camp in Krakow, Poland. Initially they disliked each other but, after a year of partnership they fell in love, and now are inseparable both on and off stage. They represented Poland at many National and International competitions and in 2014 became Polish Open Latin Champions.

In 2015 they ended their competitive career to join Burn The Floor, an internationally renowned dance company, where they worked for the 4 years, investing their time to learn, develop and incorporate tricks, lifts and other styles of dance into their choreography. They then moved to London, to follow their biggest dream, becoming professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing the show that sparked the worldwide phenomena, Dancing with The Stars.

In 2020 Michael & Jowita won the BBC TV hit show “The Greatest Dancer” series 2, giving them an opportunity to perform on Strictly Come Dancing, a stepping-stone to achieving their dreams.

https://michaeljowita.com/

Facebook, Cameo and YouTube Michael & Jowita

Leading Ladies of the West End Interview For Performers Stuff Pro Series:  Maintaining 8 Shows a Week, Keeping Your Voice Healthy & Great Acting Tips

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with 3 of London’s West End Leading Ladies, Kim Criswell, Sophie Louise Dann and Janie Dee as they share up close and personal, their first-hand knowledge and experience of what it takes to maintain 8 shows a week.

Meet London’s West End Leading Ladies

KIM CRISWELL

Kim is a native American musical entertainer, actress and EMI solo recording artist who has performed with most of the leading Symphony Orchestras of the World. She came to London as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun for which she received an Olivier Award Nomination. On Broadway she appeared in the original casts of Baby& Nine and starred opposite Sting in The Threepenny Opera.She played Grizabella in the first LA production of CATS & won the Helen Hayes Award for Side By Side By Sondheim in Washington.

SOPHIE-LOUISE DANN

Sophie-Louise is a British actress, who recently completed the UK tour of Les Misérables playing Madame Thenardier. In the West End, she was nominated for Olivier Awards on 2 occasions, for Lend Me a Tenor and The Girls, the latter of which was written by Take That star Gary Barlow. A protagonist for new works and writings, Sophie-Louise also created leading roles in the new musicals Bend it Like Beckham & Made in Dagenham.

JANIE DEE

Janie is an English actress and singer. She won the Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics Circle Theatre, Obie and Theatre World Awards for her role in Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential both in London and New York. She also won an Olivier Award for her performance as Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel. Most recently she was nominated for an Olivier Award playing Phyllis in the Royal National Theatre's acclaimed Follies opposite Imelda Staunton.

Cherie B. Tay Interview for Performers Stuff Pro Series: Hadestown

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with Stage Manager Cherie B. Tay, currently on Broadway’s hit Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. Cherie became an internet sensation in the summer and during lockdown when she posted a video of herself ‘calling’ the top of show for Amélie The Musical.

Meet Hadestown Stage Manager

CHERIE B. TAY

What is it like to be part of the hit musical Hadestown? How does it feel to be a Stage Manager on Broadway and what are you currently missing from not being backstage at the Walter Kerr Theatre? Cherie will answer these questions and many more as she demonstrates her passion for Theater and her art form and provides us an insight into life backstage, as a Broadway Stage Manager.

Cherie B. Tay is a multimedia creative artist. In addition to stage managing on Broadway, she is also a professional photographer, voice over artist, and ukulele teacher. Broadway and Tour credits include: Hadestown, Amélie, Gettin' The Band Back Together, War Horse and In The Heights. Her photography work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Skittles Broadway Live, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and numerous other publications. www.cheriebtay.com

Krista Monson Interview for Performers Stuff Pro Series: Cirque du Soleil and Curiosity in the Performing Arts

Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with director and choreographer, Krista Monson, who met Mark while both were working for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. Krista shares with us her insights, passion and curiosity for the performing arts and what it takes to become a successful producing director.

Meet Krista Monson

KRISTA MONSON

Krista Monson is one of today’s most imaginative and innovative creative, stage, casting and vision directors, pursuing a life of creativity and excellence while influencing others to reach their full potential as artists and human beings.

Krista spent nine years with Cirque du Soleil, first as Artistic Director of “O”, then as Casting Director for Cirque du Soleil’s resident shows worldwide, and as Conceptor and Stage Director for Cirque du Soleil Special Events. In 2012, she was featured in the CNN series Leading Women, an OMEGA Ladymatic sponsored series showcasing outstanding women at the top of their chosen fields. The series also featured Melinda Gates, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. A native Canadian, she directed and choreographed countless works in music theater, international special events, and multi-disciplinary genres, passionately fusing dance, music, theater and athleticism. She is the recipient of two Elizabeth Sterling Haynes awards in the category of Outstanding Choreography

To continue with Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome young actor Christopher Convery, as he talks to our pro series host, Mark Pawsey about his varied life on Stage, Screen and in Televison.

Twitter @ChrisConverynyc

Instagram @christopherconvery

At only 12 years of age, Christopher is already an acclaimed actor on stage, screen and television. He attends the prestigious Professional Performing Arts School in NYC. When he was 7, Christopher played "Young Charlie" in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Most recently he starred in the film Brahms: The Boy II, opposite Katie Holmes and as Young Billy in Stranger Things. He played opposite Emmy winner Claire Foy in The Girl in the Spider’s Web and has a recurring role as Martin, Penguin's partner in crime on Fox’s Emmy award-winning show Gotham.

Christopher Convery is an American actor who starred in the film Brahms: The Boy II (2020) opposite Katie Holmes, Ralph Ineson and Owain Yoeman. This follows immediately wrapping STRANGER THINGS as "Young Billy" starring opposite Millie Bobby Brown. Christopher hasn't stopped since, shooting a lead role at the famous BABELSBERG STUDIOS in Berlin and Sweden, wrapping THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB starring opposite EMMY winner Claire Foy, directed by Fede Alvarez. Christopher can be seen starring opposite Robin Lord Taylor in a Recurring role as MARTIN, Penguin's partner in crime on FOX'S EMMY award-winning show GOTHAM. You can also see Christopher in other hit TV Shows such as MACGYVER, CHICAGO MED, SUCCESSION, THE BLACKLIST REDEMPTION and HATERS BACK OFF as "Young Patrick" and in the movie BY DAWN. Christopher had his professional acting start at the tender age of seven on BROADWAY in the Principal role of "Young Charlie" in Kinky Boots, directed by Jerry Mitchell.

Christopher is based in New York and is also a professional singer and an accomplished pianist. You can catch Chris singing in his free time when he is not on location shooting a movie or TV show. He has been frequently invited to sing at many iconic showrooms such the famous 54 BELOW, BIRDLAND and THE GREEN ROOM. Christopher is known to be a huge fan of Leonardo DiCaprio and is a great admirer of his work. He is also a fan of Ben Platt. In Chris's free time he likes to record covers of Ben's songs on his Youtube channel. Christopher has a little brother named Sean who is also an actor and following in his footsteps.

Christopher is an academic and skipped a grade, even though he was asked to skip 2 grades. He chose to skip 1 so he could be closer in age and be with his friends. He attends the Prestigious Professional Performing Arts School in NYC that Claire Danes, Alicia Keys, Sarah Hyland, Jesse Eisenberg, and Britney Spears also attended.

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome Joyce Arbucias, Christiaan Abbott and Gabriella Juliet. They collectively share personal experiences of what it is like in an audition room “behind the audition table” from their perspective as Producers, Directors and Show Creators.

Meet our Panelists

Joyce Arbucias is one of the founding partners of Performer Stuff and its parent company, The Imagination House. Joyce serves as creative director and executive producer, overseeing various creative teams, as well as writing, directing, and developing new creative projects and theatrical endeavors. As a former performer, she also shares her experiences on stage, in front of the camera, and in the recording studio, volunteering as mentor and coach to young artists,

Christiaan Abbott started his professional dancing career at the age of 15.

From ballet & modern dance companies to multi-million-dollar Las Vegas productions, as well as tours, cruise ships, and theme parks, Christiaan has experienced all kinds of theaters and productions. He has danced for award winning choreographers like Arlene Philips, Antony Van Laast and Jerry Jackson as well as with celebrities such as Wayne Brady, Michael Crawford and David Cassidy. After Christiaan’s dance career ended he became a stage manager and later a cruise director for Disney Cruise Line. He then went on to become Creative Director and Director of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line. Christiaan hosts his video podcast In The Holding Room weekly on performerstuff.com talking with showbusiness professionals.

Gabriella Juliet grew up in the Orlando theatre community and continued her dream into adulthood, Gabriella is thrilled to be sharing her experiences and honored to be a part of Performer Stuff Pro Series! Most recently she was seen performing at Orlando Fringemas, as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present & Future, as well as Mrs. Claus at the Orlando REP. Gabriella is a resident vocalist for TIH Studios, a hostess and performer for HÄOS on Church Street, and graduated with her BFA in Music Theatre from Florida State University. Some favorite credits include Pete the Cat (Mom), How I Became a Pirate (Max), The Full Monty (Estelle), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Houdini: The Musical, and West Side Story (Rosalia) Keep up with her on IG @gabriellajuliet