Daniel Stoddart
Producer
A driving force in Australian theatre, Daniel Stoddart is an experienced producer, director, and performer dedicated to creating world-class theatrical experiences and championing the next generation of artists. Based in Newcastle, Australia, Daniel is one of the region’s most well-established performers and event promoters, with over two decades of professional experience spanning acting, directing, producing, and arts education.
As the Founder and former Artistic Director of Hunter Drama, Daniel spent a decade shaping the region’s arts landscape, developing programs in acting, screen acting, musical theatre, and scriptwriting. His passion for nurturing young talent led him to co-found Junior Theatre Festival Australia, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest celebration of young people in musical theatre, which continues to inspire thousands of performers, teachers, and creatives annually.
Daniel’s commitment to excellence in independent theatre is at the heart of Stoddart Entertainment Group, where he produces large-scale theatrical productions across Australia and New Zealand. His ambitious approach has led to critically acclaimed productions, including Jersey Boys, Chess, Mamma Mia!, Rock of Ages, and Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Currently, he is leading the 10th Anniversary Australasian tour of The Play That Goes Wrong, bringing one of London’s longest-running comedies to new audiences.
A multi-City of Newcastle Drama Award winner, Daniel’s theatrical credits include Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, Grease, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), and Waiting for Godot. His contributions to the arts have been recognised internationally, including receiving the prestigious Freddie G Fellowship and being awarded the “Keys to the City” in Elizabeth City, NC, for his impact on arts and education.
With an unwavering commitment to bold artistic vision, audience engagement, and fostering future theatre-makers, Daniel continues to push the boundaries of independent theatre. His work not only delivers unforgettable productions but also ensures that young performers, educators, and creatives have the tools and opportunities to thrive, shaping the future of Australia’s vibrant theatre industry.
Hayley Stoddart
Event Manager
A dynamic force in youth theatre and production management, Hayley Stoddart has dedicated her career to shaping the next generation of performers and theatre-makers. Growing up dancing in the Hunter region of NSW, she quickly developed a passion for arts education, which led her to establish and expand musical theatre programs at Hunter Drama, one of Australia’s leading acting academies for young people.
With almost two decade of experience in arts education and event management, Hayley has played a key role in bringing world-class musical theatre opportunities to young performers. She has represented Australia at the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, USA, the Junior Theatre Festival Europe in Birmingham, and the Junior Theatre Festival New Zealand in Auckland, working alongside some of the best in the industry to enhance youth theatre experiences globally.
Known for her meticulous organisation and strategic leadership, Hayley thrives on tackling the behind-the-scenes challenges that bring productions and events to life. Her motto, “The secret of all victory lies in the organisation of the non-obvious,” reflects her talent for anticipating needs, solving problems, and ensuring every detail runs seamlessly.
A passionate advocate for youth in the arts, Hayley continues to drive innovative theatre programs that provide young performers, educators, and creatives with the tools to succeed. When she’s not managing productions, mentoring young artists, or coordinating large-scale events, she’s raising her own three wonderfully dramatic children, ensuring the legacy of storytelling and creativity lives on!
Tim Turner
Production Manager
A dedicated advocate for the performing arts, Tim has been immersed in theatre and entertainment from a young age. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, he has built a diverse career spanning acting, teaching, event management, and international arts mentorship.
As an accomplished event manager, Tim has played a pivotal role in coordinating some of the region’s largest theatrical events, ensuring seamless productions that bring the magic of theatre to life. Beyond the logistics, his passion lies in mentoring young performers, regularly teaching drama across NSW and guiding emerging talent through workshops and programs.
Tim’s impact extends beyond Australia—he is a key mentor with Travel Gang, supporting young artists in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Through his work with Junior Theatre Festival Australia and the Aussie All Stars, he helps nurture aspiring performers, providing them with transformative opportunities to grow and shine on an international stage.
With a deep love for the performing arts and a commitment to fostering the next generation, Tim continues to shape the industry—both behind the scenes and in the spotlight—ensuring that young artists have the skills, confidence, and experiences to thrive.
Jacob Harwood
Technical Manager
A powerhouse in Australian theatre production, Jacob is a multi Award-winning designer and Managing Director of JH Productions, bringing world-class theatrical design to stages across NSW and beyond. Known for his breathtaking work on large-scale musicals such as Billy Elliot, Chess – The Musical, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Rock of Ages, Oliver!, The Phantom of the Opera, Strictly Ballroom, Hairspray, Mary Poppins, Wicked, Shrek! The Musical, Disney’s Aladdin Jr., Rent, and Beauty and the Beast, Jacob has solidified his reputation as a go-to production designer.
His expertise extends beyond mainstage productions to youth theatre and Broadway JR. productions, where he plays a key role in shaping high-quality performance opportunities for young artists. Passionate about fostering the next generation of theatre-makers, Jacob is a dedicated mentor to young people working behind the scenes, helping them develop technical and design skills in lighting, sound, and stage production.
As a former Technical Manager at the Civic Theatre, Jacob’s leadership in technical theatre has been instrumental in elevating production standards in Newcastle. His ability to transform spaces into immersive theatrical experiences makes him an integral figure in both grand-scale productions and the nurturing of young creatives who bring theatre to life offstage. With an unwavering passion for storytelling through design, Jacob continues to push the boundaries of technical theatre, ensuring that the next generation of production professionals are empowered to succeed.
Volunteer Honour board
Our incredible team of volunteers is the heart of our events, making everything possible with their passion, dedication, and unwavering support.
- Karen Birrell
- Abby Bourne
- Cinnamon Byfield ⭐
- Amelia Carpenter
- Sophie Carmody
- Perry Carr
- Maddie Clarke
- Sarah Connolly
- Anita Dann
- Imogen Downing-Donnelly
- Brooklyn Evans
- Bec Fitzsimons
- Harry Gelzinnis 🏆
- Nicole George
- Ben Gorgievski ⭐
- Michelle Gosper
- Matt Harper
- Lauren Harvey
- Peter Hedges
- Drew Holmes
- Mel Hunt
- Rhiannon Johnson
- Anna Lambert
- Ben Leighton
- Laura Macleod
- Elise Martin
- Bethany Matic
- Stephanie McDonald
- Emma McNamara ⭐
- Scott McNaughton
- Donna Nipperess 🏆
- Mel Norman
- Phoebe Parker
- Evelyn Parkes
- Bill Parry ⭐
- Rebecca Perry
- Karen Phillips
- Rory Pollock
- Jayden Rae
- Al Ripley
- Miles Sesselmann
- Jodie Silberthau
- Zac Smith
- Levi Stoddart
- James Tolhurst
- Melanie Troyer
- Georgia Vaughan
- Nerida Walker 🏆
- Zoe Walker
- Angelique Wilson
- Renae Youman