Pro Series with Mark Pawsey

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).

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.

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.