Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Inc (or more commonly known as WMTC and affectionately by the theatre community as “Willy”) is a not-for-profit incorporated association with its origins as Williamstown Light Opera Company (WLOC or “Willy Light Opera”).
We believe our company provides an ideal opportunity for local community involvement, at any level, with musical theatre. A theatre company isn’t all about acting, dancing and singing, but offers the opportunity for all sections of the community to get involved, from performers, musicians to set builders, sewers, scenic artists, lighting designers and operators, production team personnel, local businesses, and promoters; allowing all to get together and support the local community whilst putting on a great show.
Our story began with the founding of Williamstown High School’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society by Miss Serena Tierney, a music teacher at the school, who produced HMS Pinafore in December 1954 and The Pirates of Penzance in November 1955. The productions were such a success it started the Arts people talking in the general community, many believing a Light Opera Company was needed to further develop the students coming out of the High School as well as others in the community, including the budding actors within the Williamstown Little Theatre group. On the 31st March 1955, Miss Serena Tierney and local actor Dennis Wain called for a public meeting of all those interested in forming the Williamstown Light Opera Company, and so WLOC was formed. The Gondoliers was chosen to be the first production, leading roles were assigned and rehearsals commenced, combining school students, ex-students and members of the general public. The show went on for a three night season in April, 1956.
From this humble beginning, WLOC developed into a family friendly community environment where parents may be on stage alongside their children and various generations of a family could be involved in the many facets of mounting a production. This saw whole families becoming involved, whether onstage or backstage or taking part in running the company by being on the committee of management. Many also took the love of theatre they had developed through their involvement with the company and shaped it into a professional career.
The company found a permanent home at the beloved Williamstown Mechanics Institute on the corner of Melbourne Road and Electra Street, Williamstown until the 1970’s when building renovations saw performances conducted at Altona Civic Hall, St John’s Hall (Footscray) and Williamstown Technical School before returning to the Mechanics on the works’ completion.
Up until 2001, WLOC produced a total of 109 productions, an average of 3 productions per year. Although a variety of genres were performed over this period, some of the company’s favourites included: The Gondoliers (1956, 1960, 1977, 1989), Oklahoma! (1959, 1966, 1982, 1992), Calamity Jane (1963, 1972, 1985, 2001), The Mikado (1957, 1965, 1982), The Pirates of Penzance (1961, 1987, 1994) and The Merry Widow (1958, 1967, 1980).
2001 however turned out to be a tumultuous year for WLOC as the local Hobsons Bay City Council, owner of the Mechanics Institute, planned to close the theatre for some more needed renovations. Given this, and with no other local venue available, it was decided that WLOC would take a short hiatus while the renovations were completed. At that stage it was not known, however, that the hiatus would last four years.
The reopening of the Mechanics Institute in 2005, with new dressing rooms and extended performance space, saw WLOC back, and the new and old members of the committee of management took the opportunity for a rebranding to occur. Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Inc (WMTC) emerged and with that a new chapter began. WMTC’s first production in 2006 – Work in Progress – In Concert – brought together an invited group of 7 choreographers and 24 performers from WLOC back to the Mechanics’ stage to relive songs from the past and present songs from a projected future, backed up by a team of familiar WLOC faces. This was followed by the sold out season of the Victorian Amateur Premiere of Shout! – The Legend of the Wild One.
The last thirteen years has seen a total of 38 productions under the WMTC logo including the Australian Premieres of Frankenstein: A New Musical (2014) and Catch Me If You Can (2016), as well as some all time favourites: Into The Woods (2008), Gypsy (2004), RENT (2017), Chicago (2011) and newer shows: Next to Normal (2012), The Addams Family (2015), and Dusty – The Original Pop Diva (2011). In 2011, WMTC introduced Season Ticket Subscriptions, giving their audiences an opportunity to feel more a part of the WMTC community through their support. That same year also saw the introduction of a junior program with the aim of providing younger performers (aged 8 to 18) high quality creative learning experiences in the theatre arts and in so doing, added its first junior production to the WMTC calendar: Beauty and the Beast Jr.
2017 brought the WMTC/ WLOC story to a full circle. The Mechanics Institute was closed by the council again for extensive renovations and WMTC needed a new home and performance space. Fortunately, at this time the Williamstown High School had just completed their new theatre (The Centenary Theatre) and since 2018, WMTC has staged their performances at this theatre – thus returning back to the grounds where WLOC first became a thought in the minds of a small group of musical theatre lovers!
Over WMTC’s and WLOC’s combined history, a total of 28 Life Memberships have been awarded for outstanding contributions to the company. WMTC currently has a management team of eighteen volunteers and continues to present three productions a year (two open productions and one junior production), attracting over five thousand patrons to performances annually.
At the heart of the company is still WLOC’s original core objectives:
And that is why you may note lots of familiar faces on and off stage and among the volunteers in the foyer; as we all keep coming back to be with and visit family.
See you in the foyer!
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| President Marcus Cassidy-Anderson Life Member Secretary 2005 President since 2006 |
Vice President Jayson Fry Life Member Committee since 2013 Secretary 2017 to 2018 |
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| Treasurer Patricia Chetcuti Life Member Committee since 2007 Secretary 2009 to 2011 Treasurer 2012 to 2014 & 2018 to today |
Secretary Ashley Tynan Committee 2019 |
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| Amelia Ropé Committee since 2019 |
Ang Cuy Life Member Committee since 2007 |
Christopher Downs Committee since 2020 |
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| Lynne Podesta-Muir Committee 2014 Committee since 2016 |
Mark Spencer Life Member Committee 2008 Vice President 2009 Treasurer 2010 to 2011 Committee since 2015 |
Peter Stanek Life Member Committee since 2001 |
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| Sarah Kate Hanley Committee since 2020 |
Stuart Dodge Committee since 2015 |
| BOX OFFICE | WIG MISTRESS |
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| Jack Neill Life Member |
Robyn Stewart |
| HEAD OF COSTUME | HEAD OF WARDROBE & HIRE DEPARTMENT |
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| Jodi Hope Member since 2015 |
Peta Gehrmann |
| MARKETING MANAGER | GRAPHIC DESIGNER |
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| Amelia Ropé |
Dean Gordon |
2020
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Jayson Fry
Secretary: Ashley Tynan
Treasurer: Patricia Chetcuti
General Committee: Mark Spencer, Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Stuart Dodge, Lynne Podesta-Muir, Bianca Giorgetti, Amelia Ropé, Marco Fusco
2019
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Jayson Fry
Secretary: Ashley Tynan
Treasurer: Patricia Chetcuti
General Committee: Mark Spencer, Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Stuart Dodge, Lynne Podesta-Muir, Bianca Giorgetti, Amelia Ropé, Marco Fusco
2018
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Jayson Fry
Treasurer: Patricia Chetcuti
General Committee: Mark Spencer, Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Stuart Dodge, Lynne Podesta-Muir, Bianca Giorgetti
2017
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Jayson Fry
Treasurer: Cameron Sharp
General Committee: Patricia Chetcuti, Mark Spencer, Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Stuart Dodge, Lynne Podesta-Muir, Bianca Giorgetti, Shane Foster
2016
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Shane Foster
Treasurer: Cameron Sharp
General Committee: Patricia Chetcuti, Mark Spencer, Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Jayson Fry, Stuart Dodge, Lynne Podesta-Muir, Bianca Giorgetti
2015
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Carla Gianonitti
Treasurer: Cameron Sharp
General Committee: Patricia Chetcuti, Mark Spencer, Peter Stanek, Brett Somerville, Ang Cuy, Jayson Fry, Shane Foster, Stuart Dodge
2014
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Carla Gianonitti
Treasurer: Patricia Chetcuti
General Committee: Peter Stanek, Brett Somerville, Ang Cuy, James Harley, Cameron Sharp, Jayson Fry, Pamela Eastland, Anna Marinelli, Jessica Quayle, Lynne Podesta-Muir
2013
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Carla Gianinotti
Treasurer: Patricia Chetcuti
General Committee: Peter Stanek, Brett Somerville, Ang Cuy, James Harley, Cameron Sharp, Jayson Fry
2012
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Caroline Winicizenko
Treasurer: Patricia Chetcuti
General Committee: Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Shelley Alexander, Carla Gianinotti
2010/ 2011
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Marco Fusco
Secretary: Patricia Chetcuti
Treasurer: Mark Spencer
General Committee: Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Shelley Alexander, Ros O’Donovan, Ezra Tepania, Caroline Winicizenko
2009/ 2010
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Vice President: Mark Spencer
Secretary: Patricia Chetcuti
Treasurer: Ros O’Donovan
General Committee: Peter Stanek, Ang Cuy, Marco Fusco, Shelley Alexander
2008/ 2009
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Secretary: Anna Marinelli
Treasurer: Ros O’Donovan
General Committee: Mark Spencer, Peter Stanek, Patricia Chetcuti, Ang Cuy, Caroline Behnane, Marco Fusco, Shelley Alexander
2007/ 2008
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Secretary: Anna Marinelli
Treasurer: Ros O’Donovan
General Committee: Peter Stanek, Wayne Harris, Patricia Chetcuti, Ang Cuy, Caroline Behnane, Shaun O’Donovan
2006/ 2007
President: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Secretary: Margaret Hammon
Treasurer: Ros O’Donovan
General Committee: Brett Somerville, Shaun O’Donovan, Peter Stanek, Sarah Douglas, Lydia Gardner, Barbara Simpson
December 2005 to July 2006
President: Peter West
Secretary: Marcus Cassidy-Anderson
Treasurer: John Taylor
General Committee: Linda French, Margaret Hammon, Doris Cassar, Barbara Simpson, Ros O’Donovan, Peter Stanek, Sean Stanek, Lydia Gardner, Robyn Mather, Brett Somerville
| Aina Breedon (dec) Ang Cuy Arthur Donohue (dec) Barbara Freebody Debra Taylor Doris Lalor (dec) Elaine Bird Eva Pearce (dec) Ian Thomas Jack Neill Jayson Fry Jim Maloney (dec) Jessica Beckman John Marks Les Kelham (dec) |
Marcus Cassidy-Anderson Margaret Fyfe (dec) Mark Spencer Patricia Chetcuti Patsy Thomas Peter Harrington Peter Lalor (dec) Peter Stanek Ros O’Donovan (dec) Roy McQuade Trevor McKay (dec) Verlie Banova Yvonne Hawkins (dec) |
The quest for musical excellence has seen WMTC productions consistently recognised by the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. With over sixty member companies, the Guild awards are an annual celebration of achievement in non professional theatre. WMTC has received the following nominations.
Production of the Year
Side Show
Rock of Ages
Direction
Nicko Kong, Side Show
Stuart Dodge, Rock of Ages
Musical Direction
Daniel Heskett, Side Show
Choreography
Steve Rostron, Side Show
Ashley Tynan, Rock of Ages
Design
Stuart Dodge for Production Design, Aladdin Jr
Settings
Stuart Dodge, Rock of Ages
Wardrobe
Jodi Hope, Side Show
Lighting
Vanessa Burke, Rock of Ages
Sound
Marcello Lo Ricco, Rock of Ages
Male Performer in a Leading Role
Frank Kerr as Lonny Barnett, Rock of Ages
Female Performer in a Leading Role
Amy Larsen as Violet Hilton, Side Show
Rosa McCarty as Daisy Hilton, Side Show
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Will Hanley as Buddy, Side Show
Ensemble Performance
Whole Ensemble, Side Show
Whole Ensemble, Rock of Ages
Junior Male in a Leading Role
Campbell Bonello, Buddy, Elf Jnr
Choreography
Ashley Tynan, The Addams Family
Steven Rostron, Catch Me If You Can
Sound
Marcello Lo Ricco, The Addams Family
Female Performer in a Supporting Role
Rachel Rai as Brenda Strong, Catch Me If You Can
Choreography
Steven Rostron, The Witches of Eastwick
Cameo Performance
Sarah Kate Hanley as Brenda Parley, The Witches of Eastwick
Ensemble Performance
The Ensemble, The Witches of Eastick
Junior Female in a Leading Role
Sheridan Adams as Ariel, The Little Mermaid Jr
Junior Female in a Supporting Role
Madison Peake as Ursula, The Little Mermaid Jr
Gabriella Barbagallo as Sebastian, The Little Mermaid Jr
Production of the Year
Frankenstein
Director
Shaun Kingma, Frankenstein
Lighting
Jason Bovaird & Deryk Hartwick, Frankenstein (Winner)
Technical Achievement
Frankenstein
Male Performer in a Leading Role
Mark Doran, The Creature, Frankenstein
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Lee Threadgold, Herbie, Gypsy
Female Performer in a Supporting Role
Sarah Kate Hanley, Louise, Gypsy (Winner)
Barbara Hughes, Tessie Tura, Gypsy
Jessica Barlow, Justine, Frankenstein
Dancer’s Award
Robbie Smith, Tulsa, Gypsy
Cameo Performance
Andrew Roberts, Uncle Jocko, Gypsy
Ensemble Performance
The Ensemble, Frankenstein
Settings
Norm Cassidy-Anderson, Urinetown
Female Performer in a Leading Role
Alana Kiely, Charity Hope Valentine, Sweet Charity
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Blake Testro, Vittorio Vidal, Sweet Charity
Female Performer in a Supporting Role
Ashley Tynan, Nickie, Sweet Charity
Stephanie Hickey, Little Sally, Urinetown
Production of the Year
Next to Normal
Direction
Shaun Kingma, Next to Normal (Winner)
Musical Direction
Tyson Legg, Next to Normal
Settings
Shaun Kingma, Next to Normal
Lighting
Jason Bovaird and Deryk Hartwick, Next to Normal
Male Performer in a Leading Role
Paul Watson, Next to Normal
Female Performer in a Leading Role
Rosa McCarty, Next to Normal (Winner)
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Bradley Dylan, Next to Normal
Production of the Year
Chicago
Direction
Paul Watson, Chicago
Musical Direction
Daniel Heskett, Chicago
Choreography
Venessa Paech, Chicago
Settings
Paul Watson, Chicago
Wardrobe
Suzanne Ellt, Chicago
Lighting
Jason Bovaird, Chicago (Winner)
Female Performer in a Leading Role
Rosa McCarty, Dusty, Dusty – The Original Pop Diva
Erin Cooke, Velma Kelly, Chicago
Katie Weston, Roxie Hart, Chicago (Winner)
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Angelo De Cata, Billy Flynn, Chicago (Winner)
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Stuart Dodge, Amos Hart, Chicago
Female Performer in a Supporting Role
Philippa Chalke, Mary O’Brien, Dusty – The Original Pop Diva
Junior Performer in an Open Production
Campbell Bonello, Lefou, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr
Male Performer in a Leading Role
Nick Kong, Freddie Benson, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Female Performer in a Supporting Role
Anna Marinelli, Muriel, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Production of the Year
Assassins
Direction
Chris Hughes, Assassins
Choreography
Daniel Heskett / Scott Ponsford / Mark Spencer, Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision
Wardrobe
Sarah Brunton, Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision
Technical Achievement
Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision
Male Performer in a Supporting Role
Shaun Kingma, John Wilkes Booth, Assassins (Winner)
Angelo De Cata, Charles Guiteau, Assassins
David Gardette, Leon Czolgosz, Assassins
Female Performer in a Supporting Role
Lauren Elise, Sara Jane Moore, Assassins
Ensemble Award
Estonian and Russian ensembles, Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision
The assassins, Assassins (Winner)
WMTC Inc also received a Judges Award for “The Hosts” in Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision – Awarded to- Lisa Pilkington and Blake Testro (Winner)
Technical Achievement
The Wedding Singer
Cameo Performance
Paul Henry Basilio, Imelda Marcos, The Wedding Singer
Blake Testro, Ronald Reagan, The Wedding Singer
Ezra Tepania, Tina Turner, The Wedding Singer
Technical Achievement
Little Shop of Horrors
SHOUT! The Legend of the Wild One
Choreographer – Danielle Carlisle
Musical Director – Adrian Szondy
Male Performer in a Leading Role – Chris Hughes
WMTC Inc also received a Judges Award for “The Delltones” in SHOUT! The Legend of the Wild One – Awarded to- Patt Ryan, Scott McConnell, Adam Tonking & Eric Wawra (Winner)
The King And I
Dancers Award – Nicole Ryan
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Production of the Year
Director – Andrew Johnson
Male performer in a Leading Role – Andrew Roberts – Pseudolus
The Wiz
Junior Production of the Year
Wardrobe
Junior Performer – Chantelle Fava – Scarecrow
Junior Performer – Liam Wilson – Tinman
Brigadoon
Wardrobe
Male Performer in a Leading Role – Glenn Ritchie
The Fantasticks
Male Performer in a Supporting Role – Phillip Hartley
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Production of the Year
Musical Director – Sigmund Sokolowski
Choreographer – Harold Doran
Pippin
Production of the Year
Choreography – Tamara Finch
Male Performer in a Leading Role – Andrew Wild – Pippin
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Female Performer in a Supporting Role – Carmel Gleeson
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