CAITLIN
CLARKE
Choreographer / Dance Coach
Amazingly energetic and driven, Caitlin has 33+ years qualified dance teaching experience and is an associate of the ATD (Association Teachers of Dance). Caitlin has been performing on stage since the age of 5 and as a teen in theatres, HMAS Pinafore,Trial by Jury, Lola Montez, lead role in Jack and Jill, South Pacific, Annie, Spamalot, Priscilla and Chicago 2023. Caitlin is a regular performer at Wodonga Carols, and is involved heavily in local theatre. Caitlin has choreographed and taught dance for numerous local schools and theatre companies including Livid Productions, Alb/Wod Theatre Co and ByteSized Productions. Shows include Peter Pan, Shrek, Beauty & the Beast, Les Mis, Xanadu, Madagascar, Grease 1990 & 2018, Chicago 2018 & 2023, Nunsense, Kinky Boots, Camp Rock, Spamalot, Aladdin, Singing in the rain, Jersey Boys, Wizard of Oz, Lion King, Seussical, Beautiful, The Little Mermaid and is an award winner, for her choreography in Chicago, Spamalot and Jersey Boys.
Caitlin provides students with an opportunity to try new dance styles, even if they have no experience and has an uncanny knack of always bringing out the best in them. Caitlin's dance knowledge is second to none, and her passion for dance, youth and adult theatre is just the same.
LAUREN SCHMUTTER
Musical Director / Vocal Coach
Lauren Schmutter has lived on the Border for the past 30 years and is well known in the local music scene from many years of singing with rock, jazz and contemporary bands. She is also known for her voluntary work and contribution to local theatre.
Voted in 2023 one of the top 15 most inspirational & influential women on the border, she has worn many hats in the performing arts world.
She is Vice President of the local theatre company, Livid Productions. She has worked with Livid for the past 15 years, as their Choral Director, but has produced, performed and worked with them in every facet of putting on an amateur musical theatre show.
Her onstage roles with Livid have included:
'Mary Magdalene' Jesus Christ Superstar, 'The Lady of the Lake' Spamalot, 'Mrs Lovett' Sweeney Todd, 'Sister Amnesia' Nunsense, 'Fantine' Les Miserables, 'Peggy' Godspell and many more.
Lauren also played the role of 'Grizabella' in Cats with AWTCO and will also be playing the role of 'Mother Abbess' in the 2024 production of The Sound of Music.
Other offstage roles include Music Director for various BYTE Sized productions such as Peter Pan, Beauty and The Beast and Xanadu, she was Co-Director for Xanadu and Director for 2019 Camp Rock and 2023 Frozen Jr. She has been Regional Director for the Millennium Chorus Melbourne, Choral Director for the Livid Gospel and the Little Livid's Choir, Choral Director for the Contemporary Choir NEVR Music Camp, Guest Conductor for the Murray Concert Choir, Singing Mentor for local Charity event 'On Key For Kid's'
and many more.
During the week, Lauren is a Vocal Teacher for Wodonga Senior and Wodonga Middle Years Colleges, working one on one with many students, ensembles, choirs and instrumental groups, over all three campuses.
Lauren is very passionate about singing and has trained with many other singing teachers from all over the world, to gain extensive knowledge in how the voice works.
ALLYSSA
CONSTABLE
Creative / Film & Acting
Coach
Allyssa has been involved in the arts scene for many years. Firstly as an artist and gallery owner, then moving into set painting, design and producing for local junior theatre and most recently directed BSBA's, Seussical Jr. Allyssa has run her own art business for 10 years, published a book, Amazing Australian Artists, and been a production assistant on numerous films, including, Azzurro, that was filmed in Italy. She is a competent scriptwriter and has a feature film attached to a well-known producer and actors. Allyssa is qualified in Marketing, Strategic Management and has her Cert IV in Training and Assessment. She has studied at AFTRS (Australian Film, Television and Radio School), Intensive Filmmaking and trained with Con Filippidis at the Filmmaking Summer School at Melbourne Uni and a short course at NIDA on teaching young people drama and ongoing acting training with StageMilk. With many years of passionate arts experience, Allyssa is excited to be a co-founder of Border Show Business Academy, a project that she has looked forward to achieve for some time. Allyssa is passionate about instilling a sense of confidence in children from a young age, building strength from the inner psyche, developing self belief and showing young people how it's possible to be kind and cool!
STUDENT MENTORS
EBONY BANKS
Singing Coach and Mentor
Experienced Performer
JOANNA SEYMOUR
Dancing Coach and Mentor
Experienced Performer
Ebony is an exceptionally talented youth performer with over 13 years of experience in musical theatre, and her passion for the art form continues to grow. She began ballet training at age 2 with Murray Youth before expanding into jazz, theatrical, lyrical, and contemporary dance. She also refined her vocal abilities through six years of private lessons with renowned vocal coach Lauren Schmutter.
Ebony has showcased her versatility on stage in numerous roles, including Gretl in AWTCO’s The Sound of Music(2013), Young Cosette in Livid’s Les Misérables, and Molly in Wangaratta Players’ Annie. She has also performed in several BYTEsized productions, portraying characters such as Bulda in Frozen Jr., Hazel in Newsies Jr., and other featured roles.
A recent graduate of Wodonga Senior Secondary College, Ebony was actively involved with the North East School of Performing Arts (NESPA), completing three music and theatre subjects. She also performed in NESPA’s major musicals: Matilda (Ensemble/Amanda Thripp), The Snow (Ren), and Sweeney Todd (Johanna).
Now in her third year at Border Show Business Academy, Ebony is eager to share her experience and passion with younger performers. Her diverse skills and commitment to excellence will inspire students, providing invaluable mentorship and the opportunity to learn from an experienced performer.
We are thrilled to welcome Joanna back as a mentor to our students at BSBA.
A passionate and dedicated vocalist, Joanna has been immersed in music from an early age, starting with Musikids at just nine months old. She has continued to develop her artistry through years of dance training with Evolve Dance Company and has become a well-rounded performer with a deep love for the stage.
Joanna has an extensive background in musical theatre, having performed in numerous productions, including Singin’ in the Rain Jr., The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King Jr., Seussical Jr., Bring It On Jr., The Little Mermaid, and most recently, as Mrs Puff in BSBA’s production of SpongeBob The Musical.
Beyond theatre, Joanna has showcased her vocal talents in various settings, performing locally with her father’s blues band and at community events, including Wodonga’s Carols by Candlelight in both 2023 and 2024.
With five years of experience at BSBA, Joanna is not only a skilled performer but also an enthusiastic mentor who is passionate about sharing her knowledge with aspiring young artists. Her warmth, experience and commitment to the performing arts ensure that students will gain valuable skills, build confidence and be inspired to reach their full potential.
NIKEISHA DREW
Acting Coach and Mentor
Experienced Performer
Nikeisha, known as Keish, has been immersed in the performing arts from a young age, inspired by her older siblings' involvement in the industry. Now entering her sixth year at BSBA, she has developed a deep love for musical theatre and aspires to be part of many productions in the future.
Her journey began with junior dance lessons at RAPA, where she trained for four to five years. Alongside her passion for dance, she has been honing her vocal skills for the past three years through weekly singing lessons with Natalie Schrickker. At Catholic College Wodonga, Nikeisha is a key member of the school choir and the lead singer of the school band, further demonstrating her dedication to music and performance.
Nikeisha has graced the stage in productions such as SpongeBob The Musical, Seussical, Bring It On, Try Everything and Catholic College Wodonga’s Cabaret Show. Beyond performing, she has a keen eye for prop-making, bringing imaginative elements to life—most notably, the iconic jellyfish in SpongeBob The Musical, which earned her a Judges’ Award at the 2024 Georgy Awards.
With her enthusiasm, creativity and growing experience, Nikeisha is excited to continue sharing her passion for musical theatre with the next generation of performers!
GUEST TEACHERS
MITCHELL CLARKE
Acting Coach and Mentor
Experienced Performer
Mitch has developed a love for all Drama and theatrical performances since his involvement in 2016. He has been involved in 18 Productions to date and has a range of experience in performing, backstage, design as well as Directing with a variety of theatre groups. He completed his higher-school certificate at Xavier High School studying Drama, Music and Visual arts. Mitch starts at Trinity Anglican College as a School Asistant for Performing Arts and is looking forward to the new opportunities it brings. Mitch was fortunate enough to have just completed a Diploma of Musical Theatre at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts). He is delighted to bring his newly found skills back to the local community to provide support, skills and knowledge to those who share the same interest and passion as he does for all things theatre.
ELLIE CONSTABLE
Acting Coach and Mentor
Experienced Performer
Ellie is currently studying a Bachelor of Film, Television and Animation at Deakin University, Burwood and only teaches on her breaks.
Ellie topped her Year Twelve VCE drama class, winning the Most Outstanding Student in Drama 2020. Performing since the age of three in dance and calisthenics, she moved into musical theatre for the first ByteSized Musical Theatre show in Aladdin in 2013. Ellie has been in every ByteSized show since then, playing Flounder in The Little Mermaid and a lead character, Kira in Xanadu Jnr. Other productions include school productions and Livid Productions, Annie and Spamalot as well. Ellie has also worked on set of numerous short films in the sound department and as well as a runner on the Elton John, Day on the Green Concert and as a work experience student with channel 7's Fam Time. She has studied with Sharyn Hill, School of Speech and Drama, Olivia Simone's, Off the Beaten Track and Scott McMahon at TAFTA. Ellie has also recorded a song at Backlot Studios for a feature film.
KATHY DALY
Singing Coach and Mentor
Experienced Performer
We are very excited to have the talented Kathy Daly join us to teach our Sing Academy classes.
Kathy has been involved in local theatre, on and off the stage, in several regions. Most recently she played the role of Grandma in Centrestage's Addams Family. Some other onstage roles include Diva in Revolution’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert and a Murderess in Livid’s production of Chicago. She is also an experienced vocal director and stage manager.
Kathy is the current president of the Georgy Awards Association and an English teacher and wellbeing coordinator at a local high school.
Kathy enjoys the variety of opportunities to embrace performing arts in this beautiful part of the world and can’t wait to share her expertise and love of singing with the BSBA Sing Academy students.
SAVANNAH "GRACIE" CLARKE
Junior Dance Coach and Mentor
Experienced Performer
Savannah A.K.A Gracie has been dancing since the age of 2. She is trained in jazz, hip-hop, modern expressive, contemporary, tap, musical theatre dance, commercial and ballroom dancing. After years of competitions, Gracie developed a love for musical theatre in 2016 after performing in Shrek Jr as a tap-dancing rat. Her passion for performing grew as she was cast as a dancer in Annie, a silly girl and feather duster in Beauty and the Beast Jr, a featured dancer in Xanadu Jr, co-choreographer in Kinky Boots, co-choreographer and featured dancer in Camp Rock Jr. Gracie went on to win the judge's award for her work as a co-choreographer and performance skills as a strong dance leader at the 2020 Georgy awards for Camp Rock Jr. She was also cast as a dancer in the 2020 show, Aladdin Jr, which was unfortunately cancelled due to Covid. Gracie couldn't be more excited to share her love of theatre and dancing with her students.