Behind the Curtain with Nick Troon

On today's episode we sit down with critically acclaimed Australian playwright, Michael Gow. Michael started writing plays in 1983 with his first play, The Kid .  Since then he's written a wide collection of work for theatre, film, & television, first receiving wide acclaim with his 1986 play,  Away .   Over the years, Gow's work has also appeared sporadically across the HS...

On today's episode we sit down with Newcastle-based online UNE student Tyler Dean-Brinkley. Tyler has a range of experiences in various areas within Theatre and we'll be talking through them all, taking an introspective look at community theatre, independent productions, and even children's theatre This was certainly a fun conversation and an episode you won't want to miss.  See omnystudio.co...

On today's episode we sit down with Jono McAteer, Will Billingsley, & Cal Hunter, the director and cast behind the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of  The Woman in Black .  The Woman in Black is a theatre staple, being one of the most classic ghost stories ever put to stage.  We'll be talking about how the team has gone about bringing out these superna...

On today's episode we sit down with Dr Julie Shearer & Dr Richard Jordan about a transition coming to theatre at UNE.   2026 marks the 50th anniversary of UNE's Theatre department and in celebration of this milestone and acknowledgment of the current theatre scene, the department will be transitioning towards a new name under the banner of Theatre & Digital Performance. This chan...

On today's episode we finish our conversation around the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of Next to Normal as we sit down with some of the leading cast behind the show Lana Howlett (Diana), James Meyer (Dan), & Belle Meyer (Natalie). Next to Normal explores various themes around mental health, and in this discussion we'll be exploring the rehearsal process & the...

On today's episode we sit down with Cal Hunter & Bruce Menzies, the director and musical director behind the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of Next to Normal . Next to Normal is a challenging musical that explores various themes around mental health in a very frank and realistic fashion.  We'll be unpacking some of these themes and discuss it's importance in br...

On today's episode we sit down with Neil Horton, President of the Armidale Drama & Musical Society (ADMS) and director behind their upcoming production of  Noises Off . Neil is a seasoned director in community theatre and talks all about the many joys and challenges of this particular show including it's rotating set, 3-act structure, and high energy.  Noises Off , is playing at the...

On today's episode we sit down with James Kellner, who is playing Mr Mushnik in the Austin Page Musical Society's upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors . This is James' second time performing with the society and so we'll be talking about the society at large but also this cult-classic show and it's unique features. Little Shop of Horrors , is playing at Lazenby Hall from July 31st to Augu...

On today's episode we continue our conversation around the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of Twelfth Night.   In this episode we talk with the leading cast of Amy Showell (Viola), Melissa Hawthorne (Olivia), & Dominick O'Shea (Orsino). All three have a range of experience with Shakespearean performance, whether it be through study, productions, or general love...

On today's episode we turn the tables as guest host Emily Waldron sits down with Nick Troon & Jess Waters, the directors behind the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of Twelfth Night. Nick & Jess are both first time directors with ADMS jumping in the deep end with their first production being a large scale Shakespearean farce.  We'll be talking about their inf...

On today's episode we sit down with Kate Simpson, the director for the Players Theatre's upcoming production of Bonnie & Clyde . Kate is a first time director, with this being her second time putting forward this show, after an initial production with the Earle Page Musical Society was shut down due to COVID.   But that hasn't stopped Kate, she is passionate about seeing this show co...

On today's episode we sit down with Kate Frazier, the director for the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee . Kate is a first time director with the society, and as so we'll be talking about her experience in this new role, the unique features of this musical, and the show's position within the wider ADMS program for 2025. The 25t...

On today's episode we sit down with Alex Robson & Jade Fuda, creatives from the Sydney based theatre company, Fingerless Theatre.  Alex & Jade are the Director and Producer / Lead in the company's upcoming production of  Ophelia Thinks Harder . We'll be talking about the play, Fingerless Theatre's attraction to Shakespearean text, Shakespeare's approach to writing (or underwritin...

On today's episode we sit down with Alex Vidler, an freelance stage manager who has just come off a touring production of "Spot - Live on Stage" with CDP Kids. We'll be talking about Alex's experiences with theatre growing up, her transition into children's theatre, and what the stage management process looks like on a touring production.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode we sit down with Sarah & James Meyer, who are members in the cast of the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of "Clue" James is playing Colonel Mustard & Sarah is playing Mrs White, as so we'll be talking about the experience of finding the personalities behind these recognisable figures as well as their experience jumping into the Armidale theatre...

On today's episode we sit down with Emily Waldron, a returning guest on Behind the Curtain and director for the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's upcoming production of "Clue" This is Emily's second time directing with ADMS & as so we'll be talking about the experience of directing with a fresh perspective and the different challenges of this production in comparison to her previous credi...

On today's episode we sit down with Edwin Montgomery, a composer and multi-instrumentalist who is currently on tour with his live original score to the 1922 silent film, Nosferatu .  Edwin brings with him experience in composition for film, video games, and live experiences; both in similar original multi-instrumental film scores & larger projects such as the John Olsen tribute at the Sydney O...

On today's episode Nick is not only the host but also a guest.  Joined by Sophie Troon they'll be talking about the Armidale Radio Theatre Society's most recent production, Charley's Aunt . Directed by Nick with Sophie in the cast, Charley's Aunt was an experiment in capturing radio theatre with a live audience.  They'll be talking about the rehearsal and performance experience as well as the impa...

On today's episode we sit down with Anita Brown & Bruce Menzies, the director and musical director for the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's 2024 musical, Crazy for You . Anita & Bruce both bring with them a wealth of experience in community theatre and as so we'll be talking about the team behind the production, the musical and it's history, the particular challenges and strengths of...

On today's episode we sit down with Joe Lennox & Jess Wright, the leads in the Armidale Drama & Musical Society's 2024 musical, Crazy for You . Joe & Jess are relative newcomers to ADMS, so we'll be talking about the production process from a fresh perspective.  We'll also be talking about the show at large, their inspirations in building character, and how their experience outside the...

On today's episode we're continuing our conversation around Pride Month by talking with Jess Waters, a theatre student at UNE.   We'll be talking about LGBTQIA+ representation in theatre & entertainment, the balance between masculine and feminine stories within the LGBTQIA+ genre, and pride in a high school environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode we're celebrating Pride Month by talking with local drag queen Caliden Hunter, who goes by the stage name Luci Dream.   We'll be talking about drag as an art form, Cal's experiences so far, and drags portrayal in theatre.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode we sit down with Kees Grenyer, the musical director for the Armidale Secondary College's 2024 production of High School Musical . We'll be talking about the show, the impact it's had on the students, and the experience of putting together a musical in a high school environment.      High School Musical , is running at the Armidale Secondary College from June 28th to July 6th. Ti...

On today's episode we sit down with Aaron Robuck & Montana Sharp, the leads in Soundwork Production's 2024 season of Parade . Parade has recently completed a run in Melbourne and will be playing in Sydney from the 9th May.  We'll be talking about this change in scenery, the show itself, and performance in a capital city.    Parade , is running at the Seymour Centre from May 9th to 25th. Ticket...

On today's episode we sit down with Ron Ziv, a director in the 2024 season of Favourite Shorts, produced by High Country Theatre We'll be talking about the show, & Ron's experience being the youngest director in this years season. Favourite Shorts , is running at the Lodge Theatre from May 10th to 19th. Tickets are on sale now, so for more details visit Trybooking.com/CQOIH . See omnystudio.co...