As You Like It - Programme

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S
Directed by Daniel Cooper
Featuring music by Shelley Dunlop

All the world’s a stage and aren’t we better for it?
In a shift change from our last production, As You Like It is celebrated as Waterdale’s first Shakespeare
play in over five years. This hilarious comedy has been years in the making for our Director -
Waterdale Alumni Daniel Cooper which has been paired perfectly with original music from Shelley
Dunlop. What was first envisioned as only including a handful of songs has blossomed into a full set,
showing off the talent and versatility of our cast. The infectious joy this production has encompassed
has been an absolute pleasure to watch come together.
The production team have excelled in their creativity, care and commitment to the cast and to each
other. From the vision boards of the costuming to the creation of individualised practise tracks; the
production team have woven a stunning adaptation of this Shakespeare classic. We’re proud to
showcase strong female protagonists and diversity in our cast and production team.
It's rewarding to see great friendships begin, strengthen and blossom. The cast have been a pleasure
to work with and we look forward to the next time they call Waterdale home. We're excited to be able
to provide a platform for first time, returning and seasoned Waterdale performers to build and showoff
their skills and enjoy great experiences.
Thank you to all our volunteers and the Waterdale committee. The amount of work that goes behind
the scenes to make this possible is incredible. You are all superstars! For anyone interested in helping
out - please get in touch, we are a warm, welcoming bunch and would love some extra woman and
man power to put on bigger and more shows!
Thank you and enjoy As You Like It
Fiona Boyle and Matilda O'Riley
Co-Producers
As You Like It was not a show I was expecting to direct this year. Shakespeare is rarely done in
amateur theatre and if it is, it’s one of the other (excellent) comedies. Your Twelfth Nights, your
Much Ados or, most likely of all, your Midsummer Night’s Dreams. However, I’ve always wanted to
take a crack at As You Like It. There’s just something special about this comedy of love, foolery and
transformation.
For example, it has one of, if not the greatest, female characters in a Shakespeare play in Rosalind.
She is one of the cleverest, wittiest and (definitely for the time) subversive characters. Her
transformation into the male disguise of Ganymede is a freeing experience, allowing her to unleash
her true self without having to worry about the rules of a patriarchal society. It is noticeable that
Rosalind not only pursues her own love interest, but also tests to see if he will accept her as the
clever and brilliant woman she is. She is also the only character to both see the ridiculousness of
falling in love and still embrace the joy of doing so. As such, she is the heart and soul of the play.
To highlight these transformative and transgressional themes, our setting for this production is
inspired by 1960’s Australia (although other eras are referenced), a period associated with change,
subversion and progress in civil liberties. We’ve also taken great pride in including original music by
the amazingly talented Shelley Dunlop, which mostly takes inspiration from the folk-rock musicians of
the time, such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. It’s always been my belief that Shakespeare’s plays are
incomplete without music and dance.
Lastly, I would like to thank the rest of the incredible team who have worked on this production.
From the hidden but essential hard, behind the scenes work of Waterdale and the crew, to the
wonderful cast and prod team who have had to put up with my eclectic brain. I hope that our As You
Like It is to your liking, and brings you joy in these strange times.
Daniel Cooper
Director

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S
Directed by Daniel Cooper
Featuring music by Shelley Dunlop

Daniel Cooper
Director
Daniel has been involved in the Melbourne amateur theatre scene for over a
decade. He has helmed productions of Urinetown, Avenue Q (Waterdale), High
Fidelity (SLAMS) as director and as assistant director for Popcorn (Powderkeg
Players). As a performer he has notably appeared as William Barfée in The 25th
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Cactus Musicals), Big Jule in Guys and Dolls
(NOVA), Franz Liebkind in The Producers (Waterdale/MLOC), Bottom in A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, and General Schmitz in Seussical (Waterdale). Other
shows include: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (ACT), Godspell,
Into the Woods (ACUPA), The Witches of Eastwick (Fab Nobs), A Gentleman’s
Guide to Love and Murder (Lilydale Atheneum/Malvern Theatre Companies)
Spamalot (MLOC), Dust (Riverlinks/Hubcap Productions), and The Pirates of
Penzance (Waterdale).
Meg Farrough
Musical Director & Assis. Director
Meg is delighted to be making their production team debut after diving
into theatre after the realisation of their passion for storytelling through
music. They started singing at primary school and performed through
their childhood. Their involvement in theatre at age 14 while volunteering
with tech crew for the Melbourne Gang Show and was a recurring face at
Gang Show, both on- and off-stage for several years. They recently
completed their Vocal Performance Diploma with Con Brio Examinations
with a focus on musical theatre repertoire, and enjoyed their professional
debut onstage with Dear Mama earlier this year. When not passionately
performing full length musicals to their dog or the traffic light crowd, Meg
schemes about character creation over their sparkling dice hoard.
Xi Gui Griffin
Assistant Director
Xi Gui Griffin, She Gway, Gui to most, has been performing since 2006
beginning in dance and then continuing into theatre and musical theatre.
She currently studies musical theatre full time at Associated Studios
Australia where she is currently in her second and final year of her course.
Gui has performed in various roles in the past including Nautica in Bring It
On, Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, Patty Simcox in Grease, Carol
Strong in Catch Me If You Can, and most notably, the store mannequin in
Waterdale’s previous production, Be More Chill, where she was also
choreographer and dance captain. As You Like It is Gui’s second show with
Waterdale and her first foray into directing.
Morgan Andrews
Choreographer
Morgan is a very recent addition to the community theatre scene, fresh
out of high school music and performing arts programs (give or take a few
pandemic years) but has had the absolute honour to choreograph for As
You Like It. Prior to the brutal shift from school to university, Morgan was
dancing several hours a week with STARZ performing arts, heavily involved
with school theatre productions (Chicago, Aida, Chess, A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, Our Country’s Good, Miss Nelson is Missing) and a member
of school choirs and bands. Choreographing for Waterdale’s production of
‘As You Like It’ has filled a performing shaped hole in her heart and she is
delighted to have been involved.

Fiona Boyle
Co-Producer
Matilda O'Riley
Co-Producer
Dylan McBurney
Stage Manager
Toby Vasilic
Assistant Stage Manager
Monique Moran
Wellbeing Officer
Karen Spencer
Costume Designer

Dee Bellen
Silvia
This production will be Dee’s 9th production with Waterdale, and she’s
excited to be playing the role of Silvia. Dee began working with Waterdale in
2008 in Jesus Christ Superstar (Featured Dancer) and then the ensembles of
Witches of Eastwick (2013), Urinetown (2015) and Seussical (2017), and again
as a featured dancer in Producers (2016). Dee’s talents are not just confined
to the stage, she has also taken on production roles such as Props Master for
Little Shop of Horrors and Costume Designer for Pirates of Penzance, Avenue
Q and Producers. Dee hopes you enjoy our rendition of As You Like It.
Sara Burnham
Audrey/Denise
Sara loves acting and has a degree in Performing Arts from Victoria
University. She’s played various roles in several plays, short films and TV
Commercials. Some of her favourite roles include The White Queen in Alice in
Wonderland, Richard Roma in Glengarry Glenn Ross and Sabiz Vampire
Queen in TV Mini Series; Sheigala: Vampire Business Women.
Sara is thrilled to be back on stage in As You Like It after a long applause-less
two year hiatus from the theatre.
Tobiah Elliott
Touchstone
This is Tobiah’s fifth show with Waterdale having performed in Seussical
(2017), The Wizard of Oz (2019), the Digital Extravaganza (2020) and Third
Wheel (2021). Performing in As You Like It has brought the challenge of
delivering Shakespearean dialogue through the lens of the Aussie twang and
it is a challenge that Tobiah has thoroughly enjoyed accepting. With the
fortuitous advantage of having grown up in the country, Tobiah hopes she
has you cleverly-fooled as the curt courtier, Touchstone.
Nam is sheepish to be back at Waterdale Theatre after performing in Be
More Chill (2022). Nam is currently studying at Associated Studios Australia
after dropping out of a Classical Saxophone degree at the Melbourne
Conservatorium. He is thrilled to showcase the fruits of his training and also
be able to work alongside an incredible cast.
Nam Hoang
Le Beau / Corin
David Bruce Johnson
Adam / Sir Martext
David has always loved singing and acting but life led him on a journey of
family and fatherhood until his late 30’s, when David won a singing contest
that led to doing tribute acts (Meatloaf & Gene Pitney). Then came acting,
with lead roles in ‘Full Monty: The Musical', ‘Puss In Boots’ and many musical
roles with The Roleystone Theatre Company. Then, with Melville theatre,
David did his first Shakespeare play ‘The Twelfth Night’.
Now David is proud to have been given the opportunity with this wonderful
cast in Waterdale’s presentation of ‘As You Like It’.

Demetrius Kiriakidis
Amiens
Demetrius is thrilled to be participating in his second Waterdale show, playing
the cheerful songster Amiens. Previous Waterdale involvement includes
playing the SQUIP in 'Be More Chill' (2022). Other credits include featured roles
with UMMTA ('The Drowsy Chaperone', 'Witches of Eastwick', 'Parade') and lead
roles with VBC Productions ('The Addams Family', 'All Shook Up'). 'As You Like
It' will be Demetrius' second involvement in a production band since playing
electric bass for UMMTA's 'You're A Good Man Charlie Brown'. He is
exceptionally grateful for the unique opportunity to share a stage with a
wonderful cast whilst playing with wonderful musicians.
Eloise Lohrey
Jacques
It has been a while since Eloise has graced the stage. With such roles as
‘Bernstein/Ensemble’ in RMIT’s Little Shop of Horrors or ‘Sam’ in UMMTA’s It
Was Never a Phase Kid being cancelled due to the pandemic, Eloise has been
denied her love of playing a fool for too long. Having recently completed her
Bachelors and nothing else stopping her, It is now time for Eloise to get back
up on that stage!
Benjamin Moore
Duke Senior/Dk. Frederick
Ben first appeared on stage at age five in Offenbach's ‘Orpheus in the
Underworld’ when his folks realised sticking him on stage was cheaper than
childcare. He appeared in many shows in his hometown of Bendigo over the
years – including playing Corin in ‘As You Like It’ in Rosalind Park. However,
his last performance was ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in 2006; Waterdale's 'As You
Like It' is his first production in 16 years!
Thomas Myszka
Orlando
Thomas Myszka has been a strong member of the musical theatre
community for the past several years! He has performed in multiple shows
spanning from small theatres to televised events at Arenas and Voice Acting.
Thomas is also a recent graduate of a Two Year Diploma of Musical Theatre
at Associated Studios Australia.
He’s excited to perform alongside a spectacular cast in this production of As
You Like It!
Katie Possingham
Phebe
After hanging up Titania's very uncomfortable fairy wings from Waterdale's 'A
Midsummer Night's Dream' (2017), Katie is absolutely thrilled to be on stage
again as the phenomenal Phebe. You may also remember her from such
musical theatre productions as Waterdale's 'Ragtime' (2015), UMMTA's
'Curtains' (2011), and Trinity College's 'The Producers' (2008). When not
running away from Sylvia, Katie hones her make believe skills at The Improv
Conspiracy and sings sea shanties at her greyhound Antonio.

Rizzie Rotunno
Celia
In her first ever Shakespeare play, Rizzie is absolutely geeked to be playing
Celia! Previously, Rizzie has taken part in many musicals including Annie, Our
House, Honk Jr. and Waterdale’s Third Wheel. Rizzie also has an extensive
background in music, studying piano and singing from a young age and
recently has endeavoured to fumble around with the guitar. Outside of theatre,
she spends most of her time watching movies and shamefully reviewing them
on letterboxd. She hopes that from this reimagining of 'As You Like It', audience
members will see Shakespeare's comedic side and writing genius!
Natalie Torcaso
Olivia
Natalie is a secondary school teacher in Dance and Drama, specialising in VCE
Dance. She has completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts; Dance/Drama and has a
Master’s in Teaching (Deakin). A highlight for Natalie has been teaching at a
prestigious Performing Arts Camp, Frenchwoods, in the New York Catskills.
Natalie was seen last on stage 5 years ago, playing Betty in Purely Pensive
Productions of ‘The Crucible.’ In between she has been nominated for a Guild
Award for choreographing Loyola’s 2019 ‘The Addams Family’. Natalie recently
co-directed ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Salesian College, Sunbury. She is
thrilled to have been cast with the challenging role of Olivia!
Kristopher Wardhana
Charles / William / Hymen
Kris always had an interest in performing and for some reason, the movie
“Spy Kids” is what started it all when he first saw it as a child. Waterdale holds
a special place in Kris’ heart as it was his first theatre company he was a part
of, playing the role of “Newt Lee” in the musical ‘Parade’. Since then, he has
been involved in many Waterdale productions including ‘Ragtime’, ‘The
Producers’ and ‘Third Wheel’.
Katherine Williams
Rosalind
Katherine has loved performing since she was 3 years old, and is overjoyed to
be joining Waterdale for her first show with the company.
She graduated from 16th Street Actor‘s Studio in 2019, where she gave
special focus to working on Shakespeare’s texts. She has previously led
Croydon Parish Player’s production of Stories in the Dark as Anna, and has
appeared in multiple short films. She loves to sing, dance, play piano (well)
and guitar (badly).

A pastoral comedy featuring one of Shakespeare’s greatest female
protagonists and the legendary “All the World’s a Stage” speech. After her
father, Duke Senior, is usurped and banished by her uncle, Duke Frederick,
Rosalind is kept at court as a companion for her cousin Celia. When
Rosalind is put under suspicion for being a traitor due to showing favour to
the son of one of Frederick’s old enemies, Orlando, she is banished. She
disguises herself as a man and flees with Celia and the Duke’s fool
Touchstone to the forest of Arden where her father resides. Complications
arise when she discovers that Orlando has also fled to Arden to escape his
jealous and murderous sister, and is openly pining for Rosalind. Disguised
as a man, she tests Orlando by teaching him in the ways of love and wooing.
Matters are complicated further when she attempts to advocate for the
lovesick Silvia to her cold-hearted love Phebe, who instead falls in love with
the disguised Rosalind.
Romance, reconciliation, fantastical escapades ending in a quadruple
wedding ensue!
Guitar
Demetrius Kiriakidis
Bass
Harry Collecutt
Drums
Alexander Meagher
Violin
Scarlett Osborne

Original Music and Lyrics
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Set Design
Set Building
Costume Designer
Stage Combat Consultant
Headshots and Videography
Promo Photography
Shelley Dunlop
Dylan McBurney
Toby Vasilic
Daniel Cooper
Rhi Edwards and Russel Edwards
Karen Spencer
Ashley Weidner
Kristopher Wardhana
Evangeline Kepler Studios
Program Design
Sound Technician
Front of House Manager
Front of House
Matilda O'Riley
Giles Adams
Jayden Faul
Matilda O'Riley
Fiona Boyle
Joshua Lowe
Sarah Dunn
Special Thanks
Oxygen Youth Space ~ GSL Techs ~ Origin Theatrical ~ Paint With Me Northcote ~
The Earring Patch ~ SLAMS MTC ~ Clara Adams ~ Sophie Lyons ~ Brent Denison

commissioned community based and issues based performances.
specially
us!
contact
Waterdale is a not for profit, volunteer based organisation that provides
opportunities for youth and young adults to develop skills through all aspects of
theatre and production in a supportive and accessible environment. Waterdale’s
performance based projects have included full-scale music theatre works, original
short plays, concert performances, showcase events, in school performances and
Waterdale is recognised and respected in the community for its youth involvement
programs and is continually looking to increase its capacity to offer opportunities
for young people. If Waterdale could do something to help your community,
Waterdale is a not-for-profit incorporated association with tax deductible gift
recipient status and is run by a committee of voluntary members.
waterdale.org.au