VCA Design & Production 2021

Amy
Smith

Amy Smith is a Melbourne based stage and production manager, and a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design and Production) course specialising in stage management at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).

Amy has been creating live experiences since she was young starting on stage, before discovering her passion for theatre production. Amy has completed a Stage Management internship with the Australian Production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and has worked across several productions at the VCA in both stage management and production management roles.

Her VCA credits include Cloud 9 (directed by Maude Davey), The Cripple of Inishmaan (directed by Georgina Naidu) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (directed by Jason Langley).

Holly
Fernanda

Originally from Sydney, Holly entered the arts industry as a young performer and was introduced to stage management while completing her Certificate III in Live Production (2017–18), igniting a keen interest in theatre, film, television, and event work.

While studying at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Holly's credits include Stage Manager for Earthquakes in London and Gaban, and Costume Manager for Baccarat.

Holly is interested in all aspects of management and has undertaken internships with Channel 7, Moomba, and La Mama to further her experience and pursue a career assistant directing in film and television, and event management.

James
Duffin

James is an emerging industry professional with experience working in technical, creative and management roles, specialising in stage management. Notable credits at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) include Deputy Stage Manager on The Hello Girls and Assistant Stage Manager for On the Town.

His passion for “behind-the-scenes” emerged at a young age. James freelanced in digital media and video editing for several years before avidly pursuing a career in production for live performance.

Professionally, James has worked in a variety of roles across commercial theatre and large-scale events, such as the 2019 Helpmann Awards (Live Performance Australia) and White Night Melbourne (David Atkins Enterprises). He is currently an Assistant Stage Manager at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Michael Cassel Group) and also completed an internship with Come From Away (Newtheatricals) during his time at VCA. James believes every experience brings opportunity and he is excited about the future ahead.

Miranda
Larsson

Miranda graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design and Production), specialising in stage management with interests in musical theatre and dance.

Her notable credits at the VCA include Deputy Stage Manager for Sweet Charity, Assistant Production Manager for Gaban, Assistant Stage Manager for Simulacrum, and Assistant Stage Manager for Mad Forest.

Professionally, Miranda has experience in technical roles across commercial productions with The Australian Ballet and has recently completed internships with The Phantom of the Opera (Opera Australia), Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Opera Australia), and with The Wedding Singer (David Venn Productions).

Olivia
Walker

Olivia is a passionate stage manager, and an alumna of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design and Production). She is interested in arts management that meaningfully engages audiences with performance and cultural activities, to foster community development and involvement. She works to support artists and companies to produce works in a collaborative, safe and considered way.

Olivia’s stage management credits from the VCA include The Hello Girls (director Jason Langley), Here We Have It (choreographer Amrita Hepi), The Winter’s Tale (director Petra Kalive), Pile of Bones (choreographer Stephanie Lake), and Our House (director Tyran Parke). During her studies, Olivia undertook internship placements with The Australian Ballet’s 40th Anniversary Regional Tour, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Olivia was the grateful recipient of the Agnes Robertson Undergraduate Entry Scholarship in 2019.

Rachel
Bell

Rachel brings a combination of organisational, academic, and technical skills to her practice and hopes to continue expanding her management skillset in a variety of genres.

Whilst studying at the Victorian College of the Arts, Rachel’s academic credits included being Production Stage Manager of Sweet Charity, Stage Manager of Cloud 9, Deputy Stage Manager of Sight Unseen, and Assistant Stage Manager of Snore and Mirror Mirror.

Her technical experience further encompasses being Lighting Programmer of Our House, as well as her work with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Recital Centre.

Rachel is the grateful recipient of the Grace Marion Wilson Trust 2021.

Rosemary
Osmond

Rosemary is a Melbourne-based stage manager with a keen interest in collaborative and movement led processes. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design and Production) from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), a Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance) and was the proud recipient of the 2020 Daryl Wilkinson Encouragement Award.

Throughout her studies at the VCA Rosemary has held diverse management roles, developing a passion for fostering sustainable and actively inclusive workspaces.

Rosemary’s VCA credits include: Stage Manager on 10 degrees; Assistant Stage Manager on pool (no water) (directed by Leticia Cáceres) and Swim Between the Flags. She also worked across multiple devised theatre productions as Assistant Production Manager and Head Electrician. In 2021 Rosemary completed internships with Malthouse Theatre on Because the Night and Michael Cassel Group’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Sammy
(Yujia) Tian

Sammy is an enthusiastic and optimistic stage manager who is passionate about supporting all aspects of live performance and events/festivals. Her credits at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) include Stage Manager on devised work B**CH, Orchestra Manager on The Hello Girls, Assistant Stage Manager on The World That Was and Flora the Red Menace, and Costume Assistant on Our House.

Sammy completed her stage management internships at The Playground in association with City of Melbourne and Kelly Harrington Consulting, and Animal Farm with The Bloomshed.

She is looking forward to working in live performance and public events.

George
Richardson

George is a stage manager and theatre technician based in Melbourne. A recent graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), George has extensive experience and skills in music, theatre, and dance performance.

Whilst at the Victorian College of the Arts, George has worked in a variety of roles over a range of disciplines, including Stage Manager for the The Spook (directed by Daniela Farinacci), Technical Manager on 10 degrees, Head Electrician for Our House, Assistant Stage Manager for Return to Normal (choreographed by Antony Hamilton), Pile of Bones (choreographed by Stephanie Lake), Surge (choreographed by Anouk van Dijk) and devised work, Swim Between the Flags.