Peter Cousens' name is synonymous with the musical theatre in Australia. His contributions are many - as a leading man, producer and passionate advocate of the form.

He is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art and has carved a career as an actor, singer, producer, director, teacher and film director.

He played the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on London's West End for eleven months in 1997/98. He has starred alongside Russel Crowe in Blood Brothers, the late Richard Harris in Camelot and has had an extensive career playing major roles in musicals throughout Australia, New Zealand and England.

As an actor he has worked extensively with Australia's major performing arts companies including Sydney Theatre Company Macbeth, Measure for Measure, Nicholas Nickleby, Chicago, Chinchilla and Convict's Opera; Griffin The Falls; Philip Street Theatre Whose Life is it Anyway; The Queensland Theatre Company Camille, Breaker Morant, You Never Can Tell, The Sentimental Bloke; Marian Street, London Assurance & Fanny; Melbourne Theatre Company Company; Sydney Dance Company in Tivoli; Out of Joint (UK) The Convicts Opera; Darlinghurst Theatre The Paris Letter.

On Television Cliffy, Phryne Fisher, Return to Eden, The Sullivans, Carson's Law, The Young Doctors, Son and Daughters, The Timeless Land and Under Capricorn.

Peter tours extensively around Australia with his own one man show and works regularly in concert performing in Australia's major performing arts venues and with Symphony Orchestras.

He is the Artistic Director of the Talent Development Project and conducts workshops and master classes with elite talent from Government Schools across NSW. Peter also conducts classes and workshops with the NSW Education Departments Arts Unit specifically around the development of performance skills for secondary students. He teaches in the Musical Theatre Diploma Course at NIDA and regularly directs theatre, conducts workshops and classes at Central Queensland University.

He is a consummate artist who has invested his talent across many platforms, stages and roles. His experiences and garnered wisdom are vast. STAGES welcomes the opportunity to celebrate Peter Cousens.

The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, Whooshkaa and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au