WILL CONYERS - Host

Will's name is synonymous with Australian Musical Theatre. Over a career spanning 40 years, he has been found in the roles of actor, singer, dancer, composer, musical director and director. He has worked in opera, cabaret, drama, dance, fringe and musical theatre arenas. He has been a 'mainstay' of the Green Room Awards Association for almost a decade and has served as President, Vice-President and Secretary in that term. Latterly, he was Vice-President of Australian Musicals Development Inc. - a newly-formed body to promote the work and the form of Music Theatre by Australian Music Theatre Makers. His vocal coaching practise alumni boasts some of the most prominent names in the industry.

He was the Founding Director of the Music Theatre Course at the National Theatre that, in 2 years under his guidance, produced graduating performers who are now enjoying elite careers.
He has been a guest lecturer or Artist in Residence at WAAPA, the VCA, lecturer in Voice and Acting at CQCM (Bachelor of Music Theatre), repertoire lecturer and director at BAPA.

Amongst many others, he has worked with, Bob Hope, Eartha Kitt, Debra Byrne, The Supremes, Nancye Hayes, Toni Lamond, John Farnham, Marina Prior, Kate Ceberano, Jon Stevens and Colleen Hewitt on the original Australian number 1 hit recording of "Day By Day". He was also a principal dancer for the LIDO in Paris and across northern Europe.

He was an original cast member of the extraordinary hit concert version of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and sang on the quintuple Platinum recording of that show. He created the roles of The French Cook and Rocky, the frilled neck lizard (a sort of reptilian David Attenborough) on LIFT OFF and has done many other television appearances. He was musical director for the theatrical tours of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, SWEET CHARITY with Kelley Abbey (Associate) and Topol in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Melbourne).

Will created the role of Jack Favell in the Kazan/Purcell masterpiece, REBECCA - THE MUSICAL for Magnormos. He directed NILE BLUE for the same team and then appeared as the lead, Greta, in DUTCH COURAGE. Will is currently writing a cabaret concerning the immigration crisis in Australia - a subject that has a deep personal resonance.

PJ BUCHANAN - Executive Producer / Co-Host

PJ is a graduate of the inaugural National Theatre Music Theatre School and performed professionally in “Fiddler On The Roof” with Topol at the Regent Theatre in 1998. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Media Management from the Macquarie University in New South Wales.

In October 2005 he played the role of JEAN VALJEAN in a 2 week season of LES MISERABLES at The National Theatre in St. Kilda.

PJ has performed twice at Capers, in the Cabaret “Under The Influence”, along with numerous Corporate functions, including the GE Capital Services Conference at the National Theatre, with Michael Cormick and Maria Mercedes.

His other accomplishments include playing the leads of “Bobby” in “Company”, and “Ralph Rackstraw” in “HMS Pinafore”, as well as himself in the concert production “One Night Only”, all with The Fabulous Nobodys during 1993 and 1994.

PJ's musical background stems from his days as a chorister with the National Boys' Choir, which included tours of Australia and Japan, as well as stints with the then Victorian State Opera, as “Frog” in the “Cunning Little Vixen” and “Street Urchin” in “Carmen”. He also trained to play three musical instruments – Clarinet, Oboe and Tenor Saxophone!

In between his passion for Music Theatre, PJ has also worked in a variety of roles in the television industry since 1984, both in Australia and in the U.K

Some of the organisations PJ has had the privilege of working with include:

• S.O.C.O.G ., in 2000, as Presentation Manager for the Olympic Soccer Competition Matches held at the M.C.G.
• Granada Media Australia , as New Media Manager
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as a Consultant for Network Presentation
• Steve Vizard and Andrew Knight's Artist Services , as In-House AV Event Producer and Technical Operations Supervisor for the Crown Casino Audio Visual Systems Project
• Seven Network Limited, as Network Presentation Manager
• HSV7 Melbourne, as Programming & Presentation Manager
• British Satellite Broadcasting, as Presentation Director
• SKY Broadcasting, U.K., as Presentation Supervisor
• Eurosport, U.K., as Associate Producer
• Thames Television, U.K., as Associate Presentation Director
• HSV7 Melbourne, as Production Director's Assistant

KARLA HILLAM - Segment Producer/Media Liaison

Having completed her Bachelor of Music at Box Hill Institute, Karla decided to venture into the magical world of musical theatre. Appearing in productions such as Beauty and the Beast, Tom Jones & Friends & RENT. Karla recently appeared in the Melbourne Fringe festival and later this year she will be appearing at the Short’n’Sweet play festival at the Victorian Arts Centre.

BOBBI-LEA DIONYSIUS - Segment Producer/Electronic Media

Bobbi-Lea began her performing arts career at the age of 6 as a gymnast. Through extensive training at major national institutions including NIDA, QUT, USQ, ATYP, Dance Works, and The Sydney Dance Company, she further developed her talents as a Singer/Dancer/Actor. Bobbi-Lea completed her Bachelor of Music Theatre Degree (with Distinction), at CQCM (Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music) in 2004. Bobbi-Lea graduated as Student of the Year, and was also bestowed as a Golden Key Honour Scholar. Other achievements include The Arts Theatre Bursary, a Performing Arts Recipient Award, Graduate Honours in Theatre, and the Rotary Best First Year Award at CQCM. In addition to several short films, other performances include "RENT", "Copacabana" (Lola), Chicago (June & Velma - understudy), "Aspects of Love" (Giulietta), "Les Miserables", "Kiss Me Kate", "Chess", "Jesus Christ Superstar", West Side Story, "The Sentimental Bloke", "Alice in Wonderland", "Smithy"," Bats", "Choices"," Strippers", "Railing It Uptown", and The Cage Birds. She also toured a Theatre-In-Education production with the Twelfth Night Theatre Company and performed in a seven-piece soul band for two years in Sydney. She then formed an all girl band with one of her band’s original songs being in the soundtrack of an Australian feature film.

Bobbi-Lea currently has an ongoing support role in a new TV Drama Series, which is being co-produced between China and Australia.