SCOTT CAMERON
Buddy
Scott Cameron is a veteran of the music industry at only 22 years of age, Since he first picked up a guitar at the age of 5 he has captivated audiences not only around Australia but Internationally.
Scott had his first professional performance at just 7, opening for Comic Icon Steady Eddy and has performed with many of Australia's music legends; Tommy & Phil Emmanuel, the Late Slim Dusty, Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson, Gina Jefferies and Brian Cadd.
He has toured with 2 of the biggest names in Australian Rock N Roll, Glenn Shorrock Little River Band and Jade Hurley, performing with Jade for over 6 years.
At age 10 he won a gold medal in the prestigious South Pacific International Song Contest for his ballad "Mama's Gone".
Scott's passion for Buddy Holly is evident within a minute of speaking to him. "It's amazing that in such a short time, Buddy wrote so many top 40 hits" says Cameron. "The thing I love the most about playing Buddy Holly is when someone my age says to me, you made me go out and buy Buddy's CD's and now I love him. Or seeing someone cry as they remember having their first kiss to a Holly Song, It makes you realize your keeping alive a legacy and just being a part of that legacy in some small way makes everything worth while".
Last year, having only just turned 21, Scott was given one of the ultimate musical experiences, Opening the State Of Origin game 1, in front of 54,000 screaming football fans and an estimated 5 and half million TV Viewers. Scott was quoted saying "Singing the National Anthem made the hairs on my neck stand up".
LUKE TONKIN
The Big Bopper
Luke is well known in Ballarat's Musical Theatre scene having performed for the Ballarat Lyric Theatre Company and BLOC Music Theatre. Luke also works as a Performer and tour guide at Sovereign Hill combining his love for acting and love for the town. Luke made is professional Musical Theatre debut in the Helpmann nominated children's musical My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch and toured the show nationally.
Luke is recognisable in several television campaigns including the Five Cougars Thanks, Cricket Australia, and appeared in Disney’s 12 part series A Page in Time as the Villain. In 2006 Luke appeared as a Top 20 finalist in Operatunity Oz for the ABC.
Luke is also a member of Victoria's leading corporate theatre businesses Entertainers Anonymous. Luke is thrilled to be playing “The Big Bopper” in Buddy Holly the Musical and would like to dedicate his performance to his family and friends who have supported him over the years.
FLIP SIMMONS
Ritchie Valens
Flip is a graduate of Brent Street School of Performing Arts.
A flexible vocalist, he has performed with Australian artists such as John Farnham, Delta Goodrem, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and the Rogue Traders, Christine Anu, Rob Guest and Mi Tierra - Australia’s leading Latin band.
Film and Television credits include, Lantana, The Aria Awards, GMA, Midday, The Helpmann awards, Popstars and various video clips.
Theatre highlights include; extensive work with the Canberra Philharmonic, with Opera Australia at the Opera house, touring the country covering the role of Roger in Grease – The Arena Spectacular (GFO/SEL), and playing Nachum and Grandma Tzitel in the Australiasian tour of Fiddler on the Roof with the legendary Topol (TML).
He would like to thank the inspirational Kelley Abbey, his tireless agents Todd and Vanessa, and his Mother and Catherine for their endless love and support.
He dedicates his performance to his late father John Thomas Simmons.
LAURA BUNTING
Maria Elena
Laura Bunting was born and bred in the little seaside town of Timaru and has been performing now for five years as a solo performer, playing keys and vocals. This has developed to be a one piece act where she performs for many different functions and festivals around the country. She sings a range of styles from 40's through to 90's music from favourite artists such as Elton John, Supertramp, Carole King, Sting and a range of others. Laura originally started on the path of Classical Piano gaining distiction in ATCL.
She had a love for singing from an early age but didn't begin any training till a much later stage at the end of high school years. Laura was accepted into a degree studying opera at the age of 18, but soon realised she was much more suited to music theatre. New Zealand's National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA) accepted her at very late notice into their course, where her passion for acting, singing and dance began to flourish under their expert guidance.
It was this year while playing the fantastic role of Jane, in the NASDA production of The Witches of Eastwick, that Laura realised music theatre was calling and this path was destiny! Buddy Holly story is a dream come true, and Laura hopes, just the beginning of what is to come!
SIMON BENTLEY
Jerry Allison
Hamilton, New Zealand born Simon has clocked up an impressive amount of stage time in his young career - performing from an early age in such shows as The Sound of Music, Les Miserables and Man of Steel with Hamilton Operatic; and The Secret Garden, Into the Woods and Big at his High School.
In Wellington, Simon’s professional career started by playing Tom Sawyer in Downstage Theatre’s Big River in 2004, followed by touring NZ with Capital E National Theatre for Children’s The Farm at the End of the Road in 2005, and most recently performing in Smokey Joe's Cafe with Wellington based production company Marshall Stack.
His television and film credits include regular appearances on Channel One's The Good Morning Show and Peter Jackson directed short film Crossing the Line.
Simon is a versatile musician, learning from a young age that to compete with his older siblings he would have to play more than just one instrument!
This will be the second time Simon has played the role of Jerry Alison the first being the Hamilton production in 2002. Simon is at home on a drum kit and is excited about picking up the Cricket drum sticks again.
ISLA BRENTWOOD
Mary Lou Sokolov
Isla grew up in a musical family in Queenstown, New Zealand and at the age of seven weeks old had her first taste of performance in the feature film Willow.
From there her passion for singing has grown and she has spent her last few years performing at various functions as a solo jazz/caberet performer and as a member of medal winning chorale at National choral competitions.
Isla went on to train at New Zealand’s National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) where she gained her Bachelor in Performing Arts – Musical Theatre. While there she extended her skills in singing, acting and dancing and enjoyed roles in Once On This Island, His Dark Materials, Witches of Eastwick and Radium Girls.
After her recent graduation, Isla looks forward to her professional theatre debut in Buddy.
GERARD CARROLL
Norman Petty
Gerard is a graduate of NIDA and has worked with some Australia’s leading directors and teachers including Lindy Davies, Peter Kingston, Nick Enright, Jennifer Hagan, David Mitchell, Adam Cook, Anatoly Frusin and Dean Carey.
His TV credits include Home and Away (Ch 7), Backberner (ABC), Australians at War (ABC), Bullpit (Ch 7), The Footy Show, Bananas in Pajamas, The Ferals and numerous TV commercials. He created the role of Egan in the upcoming video game LA Noir and recently shot the lead role in the short film Simon directed by Samantha Pineda.
Gerard toured Australasia with Buddy (2000-2) playing Jack Daw, Tommy and covering the role of Ritchie Valens and has sung with Deborah Conway in Patsy the Musical. Other theatre credits include Red Star, Bad Poetry, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seagull, Barefoot In The Park, West Side Story, Cymbeline, Road, Bobbin Up, She Stoops To Conquer, Anna Karenina and Gathering Of Vampires.
Gerard also created various voices for The Woman Who Knitted Herself A Child by Catherine Fargher for Radio National.
CLARE CHIHAMBAKWE
Ruby
Most recently Clare has been seen performing in New York in a production of Goldilocks (ODTC). Other performance credits include Sweet Charity and 42nd Street (Production Company) and Australian and New Zealand tours of Eurobeat (No Mates Productions) and Dirty Dancing (Jacobsen).She has also performed in two seasons of Hats Off, One Big Blur and Halloween Festival.
In Osaka, Japan, Clare performed as lead singer and dancer in Monsterfest at Universal Studios. Her television work includes Stingers, Fergus McPhail, Scooter Secret Agent, and a pilot entitled Spin. Clare has also appeared in films Eveyln Everwhere, Knowing, Morning Coffee, Me Tarzan, You Jane and Toast to Love.
Proud member of MEAA
JULIA DAVIS
Vi Petty
Julia is a graduate of both the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and The Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Her previous theatre credits include Men, Love and the Monkey Boy (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) Wilde Tales (State of Play), A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Whoosh), Party Political (Cracker Comedy Festival), The Wars of the Roses, Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing (Bell Shakespeare), A Moment on the Lips (Maelstrom), Elling (Splinter Theatre Company) and the musical The Magic Faraway Tree (Garry Ginivan Productions).
Julia's T.V credits include The Cut, Home and Away, Love My Way, Small Claims and The Chaser. Her radio work includes Chrissie and Jules and The Phryne Fisher Series (6 books) for ABC Radio. As a singer/songwriter called Elvi Jean, Julia has recently released her first album, Just.
AKINA EDMONDS
Maria's Aunt
Akina is 21 years old and has just graduated from NASDA (National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art) based in Christchurch New Zealand with a Bachelor in Performing Arts (singing acting dancing and theatre studies).
From a very young age Akina has had a passion for singing and performing. She began singing around the house and to family around the coffee table at age 4, then participated in school productions and national productions such as New Zealand Idol and Christmas in the Park. Training at NASDA having led to her first International production of Buddy the Buddy Holly Story says Akina, has been a dream come true for a girl from a small Maori village who wanted to set an example to other village kids that they can achieve more with self belief.
KEANE FLETCHER
Jack Daw
Keane graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and recently performed as the stand-by for Mark and Juan in the Australian Premiere season of Altar Boyz (Ovations Live) and as The College Boy in Hello Again (Gaiety Theatre Co.) for Darlinghurst Theatre.
Keane has appeared in concert and cabaret with 18 Bites of The Big Apple at the Statement Theatre, Up Clothed & Personal (Gaiety Theatre), Antiques & Antics (Opera & Arts), Light the Night, Hats Off 2008 (Sydney & Melbourne) and in Blast From The Past at Sea World Nara Resort on the Gold Coast.
Other stage credits include Father Coady in the international premiere of the Nick Enright & David King musical The Good Fight for the 2007 New York Music Theatre Festival, Edward Rochester in the Australian premiere of Jane Eyre: the Musical, Action in West Side Story, Leon Czolgosz in Assassins (WAAPA) and Ren McCormack in Footloose (GCAC). Keane also trained at Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Classical Voice) and holds his Diploma of Speech & Drama (ATCL) from Trinity College London
WILLIAM ISHERWOOD
Hayrider
From Rotorua New Zealand; William has been involved in music and theatre since high school. He has performed in The Boyfriend, Annie, and Grease and has been involved in several Shakespeare Productions. After briefly following a musical education at the Massey Conservatorium of Music in Wellington; William moved to Auckland to pursue his interest in acting and film, and holds a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts in Sound for Film and Television. He is equally as comfortable behind the camera as he is in front of it.
William has also directed an award winning one act play - The Actors Nightmare. His performance credits include As You Like It (Rotorua Shakespeare Company 2007/8), Merry Wives Of Windsor (Rotorua Shakespeare 2006/7), Tons Of Money (for which he won an award for Actor of the year 21 years of age and under), Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro), Midsummer Nights Dream (Egeus) and Grease (Sonny La Tierre).
CHARLIE JONES
Hayrider
Charlie Jones has been working professionally as a vocalist and actress for the last five years after studying a Bachelor of Psychology. Between 2005 and 2008 Charlie has been working as a vocalist for Silversea and Norwegian Cruise Lines as well as performing her one woman cabaret “Big,Little Me”. Her music theatre credits include Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), and Cabaret. She also performed with Rob Guest and Kellie Dickerson for a Valentines Day concert at Seaworld Nara Resort, Gold Coast and toured New Zealand with a production of the comedy Pommie Night Out.
Charlie has also recorded the Come Out and Play children’s CD’s Volumes I & II for Forte Music, England and has acted in two short films Writers Block and Puppy Love.
LEROI KIPPEN
2nd Apollo Musician
LeRoi Kippen was born in Durban, the Capital city of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.
He has been singing for longer than he can remember. He started in school choirs and then joined the Durban Boys Choir which toured Germany in September of 1999. Also in 1999 LeRoi was a feature Soloist alongside Togozani Mkeze singing at the inaugural Aids Convention in Durban in front of hundreds of diplomats as well as King Zwelatini, the present King of Kwa Zulu Natal.
LeRoi caught the acting bug when he was asked to play Oliver in Oliver. From there his love for the stage developed playing Peter in The The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, and Jack in Into the Woods.
LeRoi immigrated to New Zealand in 2004. He enlisted at the Wellington Performing Arts where he studied drams, ballet, tap and jazz for two years. He moved to Christchurch where he completed his degree in performing arts at the National academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts. It was in these two institutions that LeRoi blossomed into a versatile singer, actor and dancer.
LeRoi’s credits include Beauty and the Beast for Showbiz Wellington, Assassins, The Rocky Horror Show, The Laramie Project, Once on this Island, The wonderful world of Dessocia, Witches of Eastwick, Angel in Rent for Leap of Faith Productions and The Producers at the Court Theatre. This is LeRoi’s first major production outside of New Zealand.
ANDREW KROENERT
Understudy for ‘Buddy’
Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Music and Drama from Monash University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education. His performing credits include “Lead” in the World Premier of Virgins: A Musical Threesome (Echelon Productions) and the subsequent reincarnations at the New York Musicals Festival and Victorian regional tour.
He is an accomplished solo performer featuring in shows at The BMW Edge Theatre, Manchester Lane, Bennetts Lane and as part of the Melbourne Arts Festival and Shepparton Arts Festival. His recording credits include Virgins: A Musical Threesome and Ernie in the original studio recording of The Silver Donkey. His television and film credits include Mornings with Kerri-Anne and a vocal arrangement and on screen conductor for the upcoming feature film Knowing (Ezekiel Productions).
MADISON McKOY
Apollo Theatre MC
Madison McKoy arrived on Australian shores from North Carolina, USA in 1994. He is ecstatic to join the cast of Buddy The Musical having recently received his TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) qualification from The University of New South Wales.
Madison was last seen in musicals What The World Needs Now, Sweet Charity, Miss Saigon and Big River to name a few.
You may also have seen Madison in film roles such as The Mystery of Natalie Wood, South Pacific, Radioland Murders or performing live on The Kerri-Anne Show or in his cabaret Yank Down Under. Madison also teaches gospel singing through his self-designed course, The Gospel Singing Experience at Sydney Community College. As of late, he has been performing around the traps with his RnB band, Funkylicious and promoting his independent original music CD, 10th Child.
JAMES NATION-INGLE
Joe Maudlin
James Nation-Ingle started performing at age 10, heavily involved in church choirs, with his first roles for Waikato Opera in his home town of Hamilton, New Zealand. This is the second time James has been in a production of "Buddy", his first being for Hamilton Operatic in 2002. After studying music at Victoria University, James moved to Christchurch where he graduated from New Zealand's National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA), with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2007. He also gained his Trinity College ATCL with distinction in musical theatre.
His musical theatre credits include productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Hot Shoe Shuffle for Showbiz Christchurch, The World Goes Round, My Favourite Year and Urinetown for NASDA and the role of ‘Claude’ in Hair for Canterbury University Musical Society. Most recently James performed professionally in Southern Opera’s Il Trovatore and also played ‘Enjolras’ in North Canterbury Musical Theatre’s Les Miserables.
James has been playing guitar and bass for 11 years and played in the onstage band for Leap of Faith Productions RENT. He has also worked for The Court Theatre as a casual theatre technician. Onscreen he has been in four short films and the full length NZ musical film Men Shouldn’t Sing.
JAMES POPE
Murray Deutch
James is thrilled to be making his professional musical theatre debut in ‘Buddy’.
Some of his favourite earlier roles include J’OK in Shout! Dennis in All Shook Up and Roger in Rent. Other performing credits include West Side Story (Action), Cabaret (Ernst Ludwig), Les Miserables (Grantaive), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon) and Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka) to name a few. In 2009 James will also be seen in the in dependant feature film Among Dead Men.
He attended summer school programs at RADA, The Gold Coast Arts Centre and music theatre workshops with the late great Rob Guest. James worked briefly as a lawyer in a previous life, but is now overjoyed to be able to wholeheartedly say “I love what I do”!!
JAMES SCHAW
HiPockets
Growing up on a farm in Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Musical Theatre was far form the obvious choice for James. However at 17 years of age he joined the local Musical and Dramatic Society. With Waipawa M and D, he kick-started his career as Rolf in The Sound Of Music and has never looked back.
After finishing high school James was awarded a scholarship to attend the Eastern Institute of Technology. He completed a diploma in Voice and was fortunate enough to train under, and perform with some of New Zealand's best in voice, specifically Opera and Musical Theatre. During this time of study James was selected for The New Zealand National Singing School for 2 consecutive years.
His apparent skill and talent saw James' Musical Theatre credits soar with lead roles in The Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess, Grease, Little Shop of Horrors and The Buddy Holly Story. Before relocating to Australia James took on a new medium and added Peter Jackson's worldwide acclaimed film 'King Kong' to his credits.
Since moving to Australia James has expanded his Musical Theatre repertoire with roles in The Wild Party and City Of Angels. His latest project sees James in HBOs' Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks produced mini-series The Pacific to be screened in Australia in 2009.
James is honoured to be part of Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story once again, and hopes you enjoy the show as much as he does! Go on… get up and dance!
JAMIE WATT
Clear Lake MC
Jamie has appeared in countless stage productions including Grease (Danny Zuko), West Side Story (Bernardo), All Shook Up (Chad), and was lucky enough to perform opposite Rob Guest in Sweeney Todd (Tobias Ragg).
No stranger to living and breathing theatre, Jamie has also spent the last 4 years in theatrical administration and has acted as dance captain on several productions. Other productions include the Aus. Premiere of Jekyll & Hyde, Footloose, and Chess:The Musical. Jamie is thrilled to be making his professional stage debut. Many thanks and love to his family and friends.
JONATHAN WHITLOW
Radio KDAV engineer &
Clear Lake Saxophone
Jonathan is a graduate of Davidia Lind Dance Centre’s Diploma Of Performing Arts: Musical Theatre Performance & Commercial Dance (2006). Singer, dancer, actor and musician, Jonathan joins the cast of Buddy- the Buddy Holly after recently completing two glorious contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, dancing in their acclaimed production shows - Boogie Wonderland, Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme, My Romance and All Access.
Previous theatre credits include: Godspell (Company/Cover Jeffery), 42nd Street (Company), Grease (Sonny), Footloose (Travis/Cover Willard), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Hero), Hugh Jackman’s: The Boy From Oz (Supernumerary), Hair (Claude), and he had a blast performing the role of Troy Bolton in High School Musical (GCAC). Jonathan would like to thank his family, friends and teachers for their valuable love and support. Namaste.
