Jarrod Draper is a proud Wiradjuri man. Jarrod is the first Indigenous graduate from the prestigious music theatre course at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Jarrod’s credits from WAAPA include Black Fox in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Louise’s Soldier in Carousel and, most notably, George in Sunday in the Park With George, for which he was voted Male Performer of the Year. Jarrod was recently seen onstage in Rent at the Sydney Opera House. Prior to this, Jarrod appeared in The Hayes Theatre Company’s production of Catch Me if You Can and in the debut sold-out season of his one-man show ME with Darlinghurst Theatre Company in conjunction with People of Cabaret.
Bree Langridge is a proud First Nations mother, creative and performer of the Palawa people of Lutruwita. Trained at Body Language Dance Studios in Hobart, Bree then graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in Musical Theatre. Most recently, Bree was the Director/Choreographer for Altitude Theatre’s Once on This Island at La Boite Theatre. Previous credits include Associate Director/Choreographer for The Producers (Altitude Theatre), Shrek (GFO), Resident Choreographer for School of Rock (GWB), Dance Captain for The Wizard of Oz (GFO), Rachel Marron U/S in The Bodyguard (GFO), Side Show (One Eyed Man Productions/Hayes Theatre), Cats (RUG), Showboat (TPC), Truly Scrumptious U/S in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (TML), and Wicked (GFO). Bree would like to thank her husband and son for their unconditional love and support.
Earlier this year Moulin Rouge! The Musical held open call auditions to find its spectacular cast, receiving over 2000 submissions and auditioning 479 performers to fill 34 roles. Global Creatures CEO and Producer of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Carmen Pavlovic said, “In January and February of this year we sought to cast the show in a COVID-safe way while also opening up the process to artists who may not have had an agent or been in a show before. I’m so proud of every single person who auditioned for us, all of whom exhibited the utmost professionalism under unusual circumstances.” “After a rigorous and often exhilarating few months, we are privileged to bring you this group of immensely talented performers who we believe embody the bohemian values of this production: Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love.”
The Australian production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical will not only be the first international production of the musical, but due to the ongoing Broadway shutdown, Melbourne will be the only place in the world the show can be seen when performances begin in August. Moulin Rouge! The Musical Director Alex Timbers said, “We were lucky enough to meet several hundred fiercely talented actors in the audition process over the past few months, across Sydney, Melbourne, and through video submissions. The calibre of these performers was truly staggering, and it was clear to everyone on the artistic team what an incredible creative epicentre Australia is for musical theatre. I’m thrilled with the brilliant cast of 34 we’ve assembled and simply can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with them and for audiences in Melbourne to be as dazzled as we are by their power, skill, humour, and heart.” Remarkably, Melbourne local Ms Chidzey completed the audition process while pregnant and welcomed her first child last month. Of stepping into the role of Satine, “It’s an absolute thrill to take on this iconic role that’s so deeply rooted in Australia’s creative history. To ignite this exquisite story of love for the first time on stage in Australia with an exceptional cast and creative team is going to be nothing short of magnificent!” Originally hailing from Beechworth, Victoria, Mr Flanagan said of playing Christian, “I was lucky enough to see the show on Broadway and was struck by how immersive the entire experience was; it was like nothing I’d seen before. It’s been a dream of mine to play this character, and to be able to do so in my home state is extremely special.”