Miss Saigon

AB-JAY BALTAZAR

AB-Jay comes originally from Palayan, the capital of the Nueva Ecija Province in the Philippines. He works as a part-time clerk and barista in Christchurch but dreams of performing the lead role in a production of Dear Evan Hansen the musical.

He studied at Hornby High School where he was part of the singing group Voices With Soul which is where he developed his love for this musical. The group performed ‘You Will Be Found’ and ‘Seasons of Love’, and AB-Jay also sang ‘For Forever’ and the male part of ‘I See The Light’ at a school musical night performance. AB-Jay is also a keen dancer, particularly hip-hop and interpretative.

Miss Saigon is AB-Jay’s first role with Showbiz and his first time performing on the Isaac Theatre Royal stage.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

ADRIEL TEE

Adriel is currently a second-year Bachelor of Design student at ARA Institute of Canterbury.

His performance highlights include Fiddler On The Roof in 2014 and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 2017 (Burnside High School).

Aside from theatre, Adriel has also been part of Burnside High School’s back to back national winning barbershop chorus Malestrom, Senior Chorale and sang with Atlas Voices Assemble’s Requiem For The Living in 2017.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

ALEX MCHUGH

Growing up surrounded by musical theatre, there has been very little time in Alex’s life where he has not been involved in a production of some sort. Alex has performed in productions with Impact Dance and Stage School, St. Andrew’s College, and the University of Canterbury Musical Theatre Society (MUSOC). Miss Saigon marks Alex’s first production with Showbiz Christchurch.

Alex has been heavily involved with MUSOC and currently serves as Secretary for the Society. Previous roles with MUSOC include Woof in Hair, Collins in Rent, and ensemble roles in Jesus Christ Superstar and Guys & Dolls, and various cabarets.  Alex also production managed the cabaret show Miscast in 2017 and Footloose in 2019.

When not on stage, Alex is a keen cellist, having played in Fiddler on the Roof (NASDA) and Spring Awakening, Miscast and 50th Anniversary Cabaret (MUSOC). Alex graduated from the University of Canterbury’s Mechatronics Engineering programme in 2018 and recently returned to university to pursue postgraduate study in Bioengineering.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

BRENDON LATIMER

Brendon graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) in 2017 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music Theatre).

Miss Saigon is Brendon’s third show with Showbiz Christchurch. He also a member of the ensemble in Wicked and the chorus in An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics.

His other credits include Cabaret, Julius Caesar, The World Goes ‘Round and Ragtime (NASDA).

Showbiz Productions:

• 2017: Chorus – An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics
• 2018: Ensemble – Wicked
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

BRYAN CAIRNS

Bryan has been performing and playing music since a very young age, performing in various talent quests, the highlight of which was winning the Northlands Star Search talent Quest in 2001.

He graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) in 2011 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre), where he studied singing, acting, tap, jazz and ballet.

Bryan is a musician, playing the piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums, and is currently Music Director at Jesus Christ The Rock Christian Ministries.

His performance highlights include Anything Goes, South Pacific and Grease(SBHS); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, ASB Starry Nights and Fiddler on the Roof (Showbiz Christchurch); playing Chad Danforth in High School Musical (Impact Dance and Stage School); Zeke in High School Musical 2 (Canterbury Children’s Theatre); Oklahoma, Pass It On, The Bellbirdand The Caucasian Chalk Circle (NASDA).

Bryan has also performed in numerous concerts including Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, and TV commercials.

Showbiz Productions:

• 1999: Children’s Choir – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• 2002-2009: ASB Bank Starry Nights
• 2002: Fiddler on the Roof
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

Cameron Melville

Cameron’s first role on stage was as the Tin Man in a high school production of The Wizard of Oz. He also appeared in Fiddler on the Roof and Guys and Dolls whilst at school.

His Showbiz Christchurch performance credits include Sweeney Todd as Tobias Ragg, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, Wicked. Miss Saigon and various ASB Starry Nights concerts.

His other theatre credits include LawSoc Law Review, Rent as Rodger, Oliver! as the Artful Dodger and Chicago. Cameron has also featured as a soloist for Coca Cola Christmas in the Park.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2010: Tobias Ragg – Sweeney Todd
• 2012: Hayrider/Radio DJ/Surf Ballroom Singer/Decca Musician – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
• 2015: Ensemble – Monty Python’s Spamalot
• 2016: Ensemble – Mamma Mia!
• 2017: Ensemble – Sister Act
• 2018: Ensemble – Wicked
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2020: Ensemble – My Fair Lady

Harry

Chris Goodyear

Chris graduated from the New Zealand Broadcasting School with a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Radio) and holds Associate level diplomas (ATCL) in both speech and drama, and musical theatre from the Trinity College of London.

From a very young age, Chris has been involved in many productions both on and off the stage, working as both a performer and director. Some of his acting credits include The Wizard in Wicked (Showbiz Christchurch), Sir Robin in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Lucas in The Addams Family and Sky in Guys & Dolls (Nelson Musical Theatre).

During the weekdays you can hear Chris on the More FM Breakfast Club radio programme, where he is better known as ‘Speedy’.

My Fair Lady is Chris’ fourth production with Showbiz Christchurch in as many years.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2017: Ernie – Sister Act
• 2018: The Wizard – Wicked
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2020: Harry – My Fair Lady

CHRIS ZHU

Chris is studying towards a Bachelor of Nursing at ARA, and studies voice with Ravil Atlas.

Whilst a student at Burnside High School he was part of the boys’ choir Malestrom, Senior Chorale and the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir (2015-2016). He played the clarinet with the Burnside High School Symphonic Band and with the CSO in Sparks 2015.

Chris played the role of Simeon in Burnside High School’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Miss Saigon is Chris’ third production with Showbiz Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2016: Vocal Backing – Hairspray
• 2018: Vocal Backing – Wicked
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

DANG NGUYEN

Dang is originally from Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, and came to New Zealand in 2014 as a business student.

In Vietnam, he performed as a vocalist in a band before switching his focus to a business career.  He still has a great passion for singing and dancing, which he continues to pursue in New Zealand in his free time when not working as a cafe manager.

Miss Saigon is his New Zealand performance debut.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

EARL JR SEGUA

Earl Jr is 15 years old and is a Year 11 student at Burnside High school. He came to New Zealand as a migrant from the Philippines with his family in 2016.

Earl Jr has a particular interest in dance and is studying jazz, salsa, contemporary and hip hop, as well as musical theatre. He has performed in the school’s dance showcases and earlier in 2019 performed in Show Quest at the Christchurch Town Hall.

He also enjoys singing and regularly sings at Church and Youth Ministry and is keen to take up study in the future, but currently, his focus is on developing his dance skills.

Miss Saigon is his first production with Showbiz Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

ELLIOT WOOD

Elliot has been extremely passionate about musical theatre since high school and was inspired to perform by his father, who has spent much of his life as an actor in New Zealand and Australia.

He is currently completing Year 12 at St Andrew’s College after which he has plans to study musical theatre in Australia.

Elliot has participated in the Christchurch International Musical Theatre Summer School (CIMTSS) since 2016. This year he attended a Broadway Masterclass where he had the unforgettable opportunity of working with Broadway actor Julia Murney who played Elphaba in the first US national tour of Wicked.

His performance credits include Billy Crocker in Anything Goes and the Narrator in Blood Brothers (St Andrew’s).

Miss Saigon is Elliot’s second production with Showbiz.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2018: Ensemble – Les Misérables
  
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

Enza Azuma

Ena graduated from the University of Otago in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Theatre Studies and Dance Studies.

She is a passionate dancer who has been training and competing in competitions since a very young age mainly in tap, jazz, ballet and contemporary dance. While studying in Dunedin she performed with many dance companies such as Otago Dancers and ODAPT performing at many local sports and social events, a major highlight being the 2018 iD Fashion Week International Emerging Designers Show. She has also taught at many dance schools throughout Dunedin as a guest tutor and choreographer.

Ena’s debut production with Showbiz Christchurch was the New Zealand premiere of Miss Saigon in 2009 and the following year was also part of the children’s cast in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Since then her love for performance and theatre grew, performing in all her high school productions and musicals and, most recently, part of the dance ensemble in Monty Python’s Spamalot (Musical Theatre Dunedin).

Showbiz Productions:

• 2009: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2010: Ensemble – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

ERIC WONG

Eric’s passion for musical theatre started from watching the Les Misérables10th anniversary concert on DVD and becoming totally mesmerised by how music and theatre can work so perfectly together to portray beautiful stories.

Over the years he has been involved in directing and acting in church dramas and musicals, but he has never imagined that he would have the opportunity to participate in major musical productions such as Miss Saigon.

He felt privileged to be an ensemble member in Showbiz Christchurch’s New Zealand premiere of Miss Saigon in 2009, and again 10 years later.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2009: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

FE DIAN TAGANAS

Fe Dian is a year 11 student at Villa Maria College where she is studying drama. She is a member of the school choir Con Brio and has competed twice in The Big Sing choir nationals.

For eight years until 2016, Fe Dian studied and performed with Evolution School of Dance, achieving Grade 6 in ballet, Grade 4 in jazz and Grade 1 in contemporary dance, many times with Distinction.

In early 2019 Fe Dian was cast in a supporting role in the Villa Maria College and St. Thomas’ College combined schools’ production of Footloose. Miss Saigon is her debut production with Showbiz Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

GEORGE SHARMAN

George has been performing as an actor and singer for over ten years, primarily throughout his time at Burnside High School and the New Zealand Broadcasting School, where he is set to graduate in 2020 with a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Screen and Television Production)

His stage credits include Hair, Heathers: The Musical and Spring Awakening (MUSOC), where he made his feature debut as Moritz, and Steven in Leaves of Glass (Elmwood Players). Other theatre credits include 50 Years: An Arts Month Cabaret, Twelve Angry Men, Showstoppers: An Arts Month Cabaret,Blood Brothers, Miscast: An Arts Month Cabaret, Children of the Poor, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Aladdin.

George is currently recording his first EP under the artist name ‘DeanOfMoon’, which is set to be released later in 2019.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

JACK MARTIN

Miss Saigon is Jack’s third production with Showbiz, having performed as a chorus member in Broadway Hitmen and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert.

Since primary school, Jack has attended youth drama and improv classes at the Court Theatre. While at The Court, Jack had numerous opportunities to perform on stage and on camera in music videos and short films.  Jack’s highlights include playing a leading role in a regional semi-finalist short film for the 48 Hour Film Festival in 2018 (Perpetual Pause) and playing Puck in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Competition in 2019.

Last year, his passion for musical theatre led him to start attending dance classes at Impact Dance where he has been challenged and supported to develop his dance technique.

Jack’s main love is singing and through various opportunities he has built up his strength as a tenor, working in numerous choirs and singing groups. He has received vocal training from several professional Christchurch teachers over the years.

Currently, Jack is studying Level 3 Drama and Dance at Hagley College.  Jack hopes to continue his pursuit of a career in the performing arts through tertiary study in 2019.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2018: Chorus – Broadway Hitmen
• 2019: Chorus – The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

James-Paul Mountstevens

Miss Saigon is James’ fourth production with Showbiz Christchurch. He has also appeared as a chorus member in the 2018 concert Broadway Hitmen, in the ensemble of We Will Rock You, and featuring as a soloist in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert.

Since moving to New Zealand from Wales in 2013, James has been in multiple national award-winning choirs, is a member of the Specialist Music Programme at Burnside High School, and starred as Cogsworth in their production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

He was the featured tenor soloist in the New Zealand premiere of Requiem of the Living at the Christchurch Arts Festival, was a backing vocalist for SOL3 MIO, and soloist at the Big Band and String Festival. He also sings with Christchurch choir Atlas Voices and studies dance at Studio 42. In 2020, James joined The Court Theatre Youth Company.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2018: Chorus – Broadway Hitmen
• 2019: Ensemble – We Will Rock You
• 2019: Soloist – The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2020: Ensemble – My Fair Lady

Jody Xu

KIERON ELMS

Kieron is a student at Otago University and is in his second year of study for a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Physiology.

He studied at Burnside High School where he took part in the 2014 production of Fiddler on the Roof and 2017’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. During this time he was also involved with Burnside High’s Specialist Music Programme as a vocalist and was a member of the male barbershop chorus Malestrom as well as choirs Senior Chorale and Magna Voce.

Kieron plans to continue with theatre while possibly picking up medicine as a post-graduate degree upon completion of his Bachelor of Science.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

LEODEL JOY BANTAYAN

Leodel Joy was born into a family of dancers and singers and started her dancing and singing career at a very young age.

From the age of three, she studied ballet, joined dance groups, entered competitions, and performed in school plays and choirs. She wanted to be a lawyer but gave up her academic studies to pursue her passion for entertaining and the performing arts.

In her home country of the Philippines, Leodal Joy taught singing and dancing, sang professionally in bands and shows, and performed as a comedian.

Leodal Joy is also a survivor of a terminal disease. She is now pursuing her dream of being a theatre actress and wants to inspire her children and people from humble beginnings to also follow their dreams.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

Matt Deavoll

Matt’s musical theatre experience began by playing clarinet in the orchestra for the South Canterbury Drama League (SCDL) and Variety Theatre Ashburton (VTA) for various shows. His love of singing got the better of him and he made the move to performing on stage where his love of theatre has grown from there.

My Fair Lady is Matt’s second show since his recent move to Christchurch and his third show with Showbiz having being been part of the chorus for Broadway Hitmen in 2018 and Miss Saigon ensemble in 2019.

His other credits include Grease, Evita, Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q (SCDL) and Sister Act (VTA).

When Matt is not performing on stage, he works as a travel agent in Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2018: Chorus – Broadway Hitmen
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2020: Ensemble – My Fair Lady

MAYA GRAY

Maya has studied dance and drama at Burnside High School for four years. She has also been studying at the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet since the age of five, with Julie Galley and Sharon Howells. Now 16, she has been teaching ballet for almost three years. Maya has completed eleven RAD Ballet examinations and is studying to complete three more this year.

Maya fell in love with musical theatre at just 11 years old in her first production of Annie where she played Tessie at Cobham Intermediate.

Other productions include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Burnside High School), Oedipus Rex, a dancer in Atlas Voices’ Amahl and the Night Visitors, Rhonda in Almost Maine, Love and Information, Treasure Island, and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

Miss Saigon is Maya’s first production with Showbiz Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

Mitchell Anderson

Mitchell was brought up surrounded by music, especially country, and was involved in the music scene from a very early age. His family’s involvement in the country music scene has enabled him to not only play but also sing and perform on stage.

He graduated in 2017 from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre).

Since NASDA, Mitch has been working outside the industry and has recently returned to Christchurch, after a stint in Wellington, to pursue a career in the performing arts.

For Showbiz Christchurch, Mitchell has performed in An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. His other theatre credits include And The World Goes ‘Round and Cabaret (NASDA).

Showbiz Productions:

• 2017: Chorus – An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics
• 2018: Ensemble – Les Misérables
• 2019 – Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2020 – Ensemble – My Fair Lady

NATHAN BUTLER

Nathan began dancing at age five, studying tap. He danced competitively through to the age of 19. After high school, he studied dance at the Wellington Performing Arts School.

He has performed in numerous shows for the South Canterbury Drama League, his most recent performance was the role of Le Fou in the 2018 production of Beauty and the Beast. 

Miss Saigon is Nathan’s third production with Showbiz having performed in the 2008 production of Hot Shoe Shuffle and the NZ theatre company premiere of We Will Rock You. He recently relocated from Timaru where he has been teaching tap/urban.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2008: Tip – Hot Shoe Shuffle
• 2019: Ensemble – We Will Rock You
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

Rebecca Boyce

Rebecca has over 21 years in Highland & National Dance and is a qualified teacher and judge. She studied Performance Music at University of Otago and, whilst living in Dunedin, appeared in 12 productions for Dunedin Operatic.

My Fair Lady is Rebecca’s 18th production with Showbiz. Highlights include performing the roles: Sandy in Grease, Jemima in CATS and Velma von Tussle in Hairspray.

Rebecca is a qualified Zumba® Instructor, and a member of the professional vocal trio of vintage swing, The Starlets. She recently took up roller derby and is training with Dead End Derby.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2003: ASB Starry Nights
• 2003: Ensemble – Copacabana
• 2004: ASB Starry Nights
• 2004: Sandy – Grease
• 2005: WestEnd to Broadway III
• 2005: ASB Starry Nights
• 2006: ASB Starry Nights
• 2007: ASB Starry Nights
• 2007: Jemima – CATS
• 2008: Ensemble – Chicago
• 2012: Peggy Sue – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
• 2015: Ensemble – Phantom of the Opera
• 2016: Velma von Tussle – Hairspray
• 2016: Eva’s Sister – Evita
• 2017: Nun – Sister Act
• 2018: Mother/Ensemble – Wicked
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2020: Ensemble – My Fair Lady

SAMUEL BAIRD

Samuel has been singing in school choirs since he was a year four student and has been part of the Burnside High School choirs Malestrom, Senior Chorale, and Magna Voce. He undertook voice study through their Specialist Music Programme and with Ravil Atlas. During his final school years, he took up barbershop singing and was placed fifth in the national barbershop finals.

He is currently doing a Psychology major at the University of Canterbury but still participates in music, performing with Atlas Voices and a newly formed barbershop quartet, which he hopes to take to national competitions.

Miss Saigon is Samuel’s fourth consecutive musical theatre production with Showbiz Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2018: Vocal Backing – Wicked
• 2018: Ensemble – Les Misérables
• 2019: Ensemble – We Will Rock You
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

SARAH TA

Sarah is a year 12 student at Villa Maria College and dances at Sharon Howells School of Dance where she focuses on NZAMD Jazz. She also enjoys other styles including hip-hop and commercial dance.

Her performance highlights to date include playing Urleen in Villa Maria College’s production of Footloose and featured dancer in High School Musical. She has also performed regularly in Stage Challenge and several times with Summer Lloyd Choreography.

Performing is a growing passion for Sarah and Miss Saigon will be her musical theatre debut with Showbiz Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

SIMON-EBBESSON

Simon is currently a third-year student at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) studying towards a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music Theatre).

He is originally from Sweden where he studied at Östra Grevie Folkhögskola, graduating with a Diploma in Music Theatre in 2017, after which he moved to New Zealand to study.

His performance highlights include playing the role of David in Company (Theatre of Östra Grevie, Sweden), Tevye the Dairyman in Fiddler On The Roof (NASDA) and soloist in Golden Age Concert (The Piano). Other credits include performing in the annual Lunds Dans Och musikal Gymnasium from 2011 to 2014, the 2012/13 production of Nils Holgerssons Underbara Resa The Musical (Theatre of Helsingborg, Sweden), and the 2016 productions of Bruksspelet The Musical (Theatre of Klippan, Sweden) and Rent The Musical(Theatre of Halmstad, Sweden).

Miss Saigon is Simon’s second production with Showbiz Christchurch after making his debut in the chorus of An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2017: Chorus – An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

SION CHOI

Sion is a first-year student at the University of Canterbury studying towards a Bachelor of Arts. She was awarded the Leigh and Judith Pownall Scholarship to major in music performance. Her second major is Chinese.

Sion has been heavily involved in music, dance and drama all her life. In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing the piano and choreographing.

In 2017 Sion received the Most Outstanding Soloist Award at the Voices Festival and the Riccarton High School Most Outstanding Performance Cup. In addition, she received the Riccarton High School Choral Cup for Contribution to Vocal Music in both 2017 and 2018.

Her music theatre performance credits include ​The Lion King (Riccarton High School) and ​Celebrating 50 Years of Musoc: An Arts Month Cabaret (MUSOC).

Miss Saigon is her debut with Showbiz Christchurch.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

SOPHIA BAE

Sophia started dancing at the age of 6 at Southern Ballet Theatre and continued training in classical ballet, jazz and contemporary for 10 years.

Throughout her training at Southern Ballet Theatre, Sophia had opportunities to perform over 25 different productions for the public and has been cast as the lead role in over 15 productions.

Since a young age, Sophia has been competing at regional, national and international competitions in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. From winning scholarships and competing at competitions, Sophia has been lucky enough to travel and dance in London, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Korea, Australia and around New Zealand.

Sophia was one of the dancers in the 2019 Showbiz season of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert and Miss Saigon is Sophia’s second production with Showbiz.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Dancer – The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

TARA JONES

Tara is in her final year at Burnside High School where she is part of the Specialist Music Programme for Voice. She has been a member of the gold award-winning choirs Bel Canto and Senior Chorale bringing back a double gold and the Tour Time Cup in the 2019 Big Sing Finale.

For Burnside High School she has appeared as the lead role of Jovie in Elf and a featured ensemble member in Beauty and the Beast.

Tara is planning to study musical theatre and law at Otago University when she completes her secondary education.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

VIANA HONG TA

Viana graduated in 2014 from Urban Dance Centre with a Diploma of Musical Theatre, 2016 from ED5 International with a Diploma of Performing Arts, and, most recently, from Broadway Dance Centre’s elite ISVP Program at the end of 2018.

Upon graduation, Viana has worked professionally overseas as a dancer. In New York, she performed in Run (chor. award-winning choreographer Marc Kimelman), as well as Two Girls, One Cone and Is That Natural? (chor. Ryan Daniel Beck).

Other highlights in her international career include dancing alongside Australian Musical Theatre star Bobby Fox at The Annual Premier Gala Concert (chor. William A Forsythe), the Arnotts Charity Gala Ball 2016 (chor. Michael Corbett), and the Netball World Cup Opening Ceremony 2015 (chor. Shannon O’Shea).

Viana’s Showbiz debut was in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert. Miss Saigon is Viana’s second time performing with Showbiz.

Viana regularly performs with Epic Entertainment. She teaches modern, contemporary and jazz and choreographs competitive dance solos at Southern Ballet Theatre. She also teaches Ballet at Sharon Howells School of Dance.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2019: Dancer – The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon

Jamie

Warwick Shillito

Warwick took up ballet relatively late, training at Southern Ballet in Christchurch, then the Victorian College of the Arts School of Dance in Melbourne. He joined postmodern company Danceworks in Australia in 1983 which created new contemporary works. He gave up dance in 1986 to pursue another career.

In 2015 he returned to the stage in The Phantom of the Opera and as Patsy in Monty Python’s Spamalot for Showbiz Christchurch.

Subsequently, for Showbiz Christchurch, he has performed in Hairspray, Evita, Sister Act and Miss Saigon, a featured soloist in Broadway Hitmen and in the chorus for The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert.

For North Canterbury Musicals his roles have included Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music, Larry in Company, Sir Danvers Carew in Jekyll & Hyde and, most recently, Andre Thibault in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

He has also performed in Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, Carmen, Tosca and The Barber of Seville for NZ Opera.

When he is not performing, Warwick teaches clinical anatomy, physiology, pathology and image interpretation to medical imaging and osteopathy students at Ara Institute of Canterbury.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2015: Ensemble – The Phantom of the Opera
• 2015: Patsy – Monty Python’s Spamalot
• 2016: Wilbur Turnblatt – Hairspray
• 2016: Ensemble – Evita
• 2017: Dancer – Sister Act
• 2018: Soloist and Chorus – Broadway Hitmen
• 2019: Chorus – The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon
• 2020: Jamie – My Fair Lady

WILLIAM BURNS

William teaches youth drama classes at The Court Theatre and was a member of the Youth Company, devising and performing in Duets, Lysistrata, The Crucible and Trios. In 2018 he returned to the Youth Company to co-direct Vernon God Little.

With Two Productions, William devised and performed in the Anthony Harper Summer Theatre season of The Little Prince and The Most Boring Show On Earth, and is a member of their mentorship programme.

He is a regular cast member of The Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and in early 2019 he interned with Red Leap Theatre Company in Auckland. Other theatre credits include Hairspray and the 2018 production of Les Misérables with Showbiz Christchurch.

In 2017 he created his first solo show, Shit Finds Love. A second and third show featuring Burns’ alter ego, Peter Partridge have since followed. A fourth solo show premieres later in late 2019.

Showbiz Productions:

• 2016: Backing Vocals – Hairspray
• 2018: Ensemble – Les Misérables
• 2019: Ensemble – Miss Saigon