Neill Gladwin, Creative Director
Award winning performer and director (Green Room Award and International Perrier Awards), Neill’s career encompasses:
- Olympic and Paralympic Games ceremonies
- comedy
- physical theatre
- opera
- Shakespeare
- films and television.
Formerly half of internationally renowned comedy duo Los Trios Ringbarkus, Neill has directed productions for many of Australia’s major subsidised theatre companies, independent theatres and commercial presenters, as well as produced and executive produced for film and television. Neill recently directed Otto and Astrid’s Joint Solo Project, scheduled for touring Australia, Edinburgh and North America in 2023.
Message from the Creative Director
Happy Travels captures the spirit of travel and adventure, as we follow an intrepid group of circus travellers when they leave the comfort of home for the rigours and excitement of travel. Visiting countries and cities, we see them eventually return home to the open arms of their loved ones.
Leaving home to explore the world is an integral part of growing. The exploration that starts on a neighbourhood level, for some, culminates in a world wide level.
Our world, so magnificent, so fragile requires care. This year’s theme and musical items, once again generated by the cast, provides a generational perspective on the care of the planet and the kind of world these young people wish to live in.
We hope you have as much fun watching it as we had in making it.
Happy travels!
Creative Team
Simon K Patterson, Creative Producer
This year is Simon’s 15th Spectacular and it continues to be one of his favourite annual events to work on. He takes great pride in working with the young artists on Victorian State Schools Spectacular (VSSS) and mentoring the up-and-coming production students. Simon is an in-demand event producer having worked on events such as:
- White Night
- the Australian Open
- Formula One Australian Grand Prix.
Simon originally studied Stage Management, then Event Management, and still works on a diverse range of events as a:
- producer
- production manager
- tour manager
- stage manager, and
- operations director.
He is excited to be delivering another incredible Spectacular in 2023!
Chong Lim AM, Musical Director
Chong Lim AM is a musical director, composer, and musician. His work as a musical director includes:
- Dancing with the Stars
- Logie Awards
- John Farnham and Kylie Minogue tours
- multiple Commonwealth Games.
He worked as a composer and producer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, 2022 and 2023 Australian Open Women’s Final and the 2021 Moama Lights Show. Chong has also been the Musical Director for the AFL Grand Final for the past 3 years.
He has produced multi-platinum albums with artists such as John Farnham and Olivia Newton John, and was nominated for the ARIA Producer of the Year in 2012 and Best Musical Director for the Helpmann Awards 2017. Chong was also assistant Musical Director for Robbie Williams’ recent Rod Laver Arena performances as well as Musical Director for his AFL Grand Final performance.
Yvette Lee, Dance Director
With a career spanning 2 decades, Yvette is recognised for her work across multiple platforms as Choreographer, Creative Director and Creative Producer. Yvette won the 2020 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Choreography and is the Artistic Director for the Victorian Dance Festival.
Her television credits include:
- The Masked Singer
- Dancing With the Stars
- So You Think You Can Dance
- Dance Hero Japan
- Australian Idol
- The ARIA Awards
- The Logie Awards
- Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.
Yvette was the Choreographer for the 2021 and 2022 AFL Grand Final pre-show Entertainment and has choreographed for recording artists Robbie Williams, Jessica Mauboy, Tones & I, Guy Sebastian and Baker Boy.
Isaac Lummis, Costume Designer
Isaac’s costume design credits include:
- Cruel Intentions – The 90's Musical
- The Who's Tommy
- Ragtime
- Thoroughly Modern Millie
- Alice Through the Opera Glass
- Oklahoma!
- Brigadoon
- Hello Dolly!
- Dusty
- Georgy Girl
- Nice Work If You Can Get It
- Promises Promises
- Oliver!
- Waltzing the Wilarra.
His work as a maker and art finisher has featured in many productions, such as:
- Moomba
- RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under
- 100% Kylie
- Flower Children
- Barry Humphries’ Weimar Cabaret
- Singing in the Rain
- The King & I
- The Boy From Oz.
Kai Chen Lim, Music Administrator and Head of Arrangements
Kai Chen Lim is a film composer, orchestrator/arranger and television producer. Since completing his studies in film music at UCLA’s Film Scoring Extension program, Lim has built a large body of work in both narrative and documentary, short and feature length films, live performance, television and advertisement. This has culminated in award wins and film screenings at festivals such as the Academy Awards® accredited Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).
As an arranger/orchestrator, Lim has been working since 2017 on the VSSS and often arranges for the ABC and Nine Network. Currently, Lim is the Associate Music Producer for Vision Australia’s Carols By Candlelight on Nine Network.
Hara Papoulias, Associate Dance Director
Hara is a Creative and Performer within the Victorian Entertainment Industry. She has worked alongside artists such as:
- Robbie Williams
- Tones and I
- Red Foo
- Delta Goodrem.
Samsonite, Chemist Warehouse, KMART, 2XU, AAMI, and Diesel are some of her brand credits and Hara’s involvement has also crossed into high-profile events such as:
- Melbourne Fashion Week
- AFL Grand Final
- Victorian Dance Festival (VDF)
- Sydney Mardi Gras.
As the VSSS Associate Dance Director, she is enthusiastic about her work and very grateful to continue getting amongst all areas of this thrilling industry.
Dr. Richard Vaudrey, Music Associate – Conductor
Dr. Richard Vaudrey is a multifaceted musician appearing nationally as a Cellist, Conductor, Songwriter and prominent musical Educator. An alumni of the Australian National Academy of Music, Richard gained his Doctorate from the State University of New York, acting as Teaching Assistant to the Emerson String Quartet, performing in venues throughout NYC including Carnegie Hall.
Richard is a regular education specialist and presenter for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Richard toured nationally with comedian Sammy-J filming a special for Paramount Plus in addition to his own classical solo project ‘Two Deep Breaths’ with sold out performances in collaboration with William Barton.
Susannah Gidley Phelps, Music Associate – Principal Vocal
Susannah is a professional performer, vocal coach, and performing arts educator. She has worked in the music, theatre and education industries for over 15 years and has enjoyed an extensive local and international performance career.
Susannah graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Music (Honours in Classical Voice) and a Bachelor of Arts. Susannah has also trained in New York and London and has taught in prestigious institutions both here in Australia and in London.
Susannah has a passion for educating and inspiring the next generation of singers and performers and is thrilled to be working with the talented vocalists of this year’s show.
Kathy Hinch, Music Associate – Vocal Ensemble
Kathy is a Melbourne-based singer, songwriter and voice teacher with 17 years of performance experience. As an artist and session vocalist her performance credits include:
- studio backing vocals for Australian Idol 2023
- World Pride ABC 2023
- Crown events
- Spring Racing
- international performances (Canada, Maldives).
As a songwriter, her music has featured on ‘Greys Anatomy’ USA, ‘Winners & Losers’ and ‘Neighbours’. Kathy is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (Bachelor of Music – Jazz and Improvisation), and The University of Melbourne (Master of Music – Performance Teaching), and is passionate about helping young people forge lifelong connections with music.
Grace Collins, Music Associate – Choir
Grace Collins is a music theatre performer, vocal teacher and choreographer. With a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Grace has trained extensively in acting, dancing, and singing, honing her craft to become a versatile and skilled performer.
Grace is currently a Senior Tutor with the Australian Girls Choir, Australian School of Performing Arts, and an Instructor with Girls from Oz. In these roles, she shares her love of music and performance with young girls around Australia, helping to develop their skills and passion for singing and performing. Grace is thrilled to be working with this brilliant group of creatives and performers.
Paul Jackson, Lighting Designer
Paul has designed for most of Australia's leading performing arts companies and has lectured in design at the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and the Victorian College of the Arts. His work has featured in festivals and programmes in the United States, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Paul was listed in The Bulletin’s Smart 100 for 2004, was the Gilbert Spottiswood Churchill Fellow for 2007 and was an Artistic Associate at Malthouse Theatre from 2007–2013. He has received:
- a Helpmann Award
- 7 Green Room Awards
- 2 Sydney Theatre Awards
- 4 APDG awards,
- a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland
- an Australia Council Fellowship (Theatre).
Robert Cuddon, Lighting and Media Content Designer
Robert is one of Australia’s leading theatre practitioners working primarily for large-scale commercial productions. Robert has made a name for himself in the field of lighting and projection. He has worked extensively on major musicals, concerts, television shows, events and productions for most of the world's leading designers and companies. Robert has extensive experience as an associate designer and is an award-nominated designer in his own right.
Deb Hallam, Costume Department Manager
Deb Hallam is a VCA Graduate with years of professional experience in costume management, sourcing, design and construction across many areas of the entertainment industry. Deb has been a member of the Victorian State Schools Spectacular family since 2011 and continues to find incredible satisfaction in helping to bring the Creative Director and Costume Designer’s vision for each show to reality.
A highlight of the Spectacular that Deb looks forward to every year is looking out across the arena performance space and seeing the beaming smiles of each and every student involved … it's truly joyous!
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