DELIA HANNAH

- SHARON

Delia is New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed music theatre performer with an amazing list of international credits. 

She was cast by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in the UK tour of Aspects of Love and has also toured extensively through Australia and Asia, including China.

Along with this Delia has starred in Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, Westside Story, Beach Blanket Tempest, The Buddy Holly Story, Chess, Blood Brothers, Cats, Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, Three Penny Opera, Mary Poppins, the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Songs for a new World. Nowadays, as well as performing, Delia works as a vocal coach passing on her philosophy and experience.

Delia played Sharon in the successful 2016 professional tour of State Highway 48 and is looking forward to bringing it to life in her home town.

STEVE O’REILLY

- DAVE

This is Steve’s first production with Old Rockers Inc after having previously performed in Auckland in Guys & Dolls, Blood Brothers & Miss Saigon. His more recent credits include playing Harry Bright in Amici’s 2014 Mamma Mia, Freddie Trumper in Chess, Guido Contini in Auckland Music Theatres production of Nine, North Shore Music Theatre's Jekyll & Hyde & last year's Amici's production of Mamma Mia playing Sam.

Steve has just left the Bruce Mason stage playing the henchman "Khashoggi" in "We Will Rock You". Steve is very much looking forward to entertaining Auckland audiences along with a stellar cast with such a heartfelt story.

CHRIS TEMPEST

-BLACK DOG

Working as an actor in New Zealand for 13 years, Chris has been involved with many projects ranging from educational school theatre to national tv soap actor as Dr. Josh. This will be his first professional musical, fulfilling a long-time ambition. Currently working on short films as an actor and director. Though Chris has a heavy theatre background with many years and many shows under his belt, this will be the first time in 4 years since he has taken the stage to a live theatre audience. 

PATRICK KELLY

- BENNY 

Patrick Kelly is a renowned international tenor who has worked extensively throughout New Zealand and Australia, Japan, China and the US. 

He has recently worked for NZ Opera in the Barber of Seville, as Lillas Pastia in Carmen and Maxi Flair in Live Drag Opera. He just returned from L.A. attending the Broadway Dreams LA Intensive working with Chris Hanke, Balint Vargas and Annette Tanner.

Patrick has worked for 25 years, sharing the stage debut with Dame Malvina Major in Madama Butterfly in 1997 and working with John Owen Jones in Phantom in Japan last year,  He works as a Musical Director with JR Reuben, Delilah Hanna and Esther Stephens on Deeper Water and will appear with Hayden Tee in Les Miserables later this year at the Civic.  

He has worked on Broadway in November last year alongside Alex Newell and Spencer Liff at the Broadway Dreams New York Showcase. 

He is playing Jean Valjean at the Civic in Auckland in November and is the proud cofounder of Broadway Dream New Zealand.

He is thrilled to be working again with Geoff Turkington and Rachael Penman on State Highway 48.

JENN SHELTON

- HELEN

Born in New Zealand,  34 year old kiwi singer Jenn Shelton is blessed with powerhouse vocal ability and a unique, soulful tone. Her versatile voice belies her age, leaving the distinct impression that she is an old soul who was simply born to sing.

 In recent years Jenn won 'New Zealand's Best Female Vocal' in a nationally televised competition for singers.
She is an experienced and professional vocalist who is at home on the stage.   
She enjoys writing, creating and producing her own original music and headlines an original Jazz band in Wanaka, New Zealand.

Aside from her active performance schedule, Jenn runs her own successful business as a vocal tutor and performance coach. She gains great satisfaction from passing on her experience and knowledge to students of all ages and backgrounds. 

 In other performance opportunities, Jenn has worked as a dancer with the likes of KISS and Ozzy Osbourne.

 Singing and performing are not just hobbies for Jenn, but a lifestyle. The passion she has for her art is obvious to all those who have either worked with her or heard her perform. Jenn was part of the successful 2016 State Highway 48 tour and loves the show for its important message told in everyday terms. Fresh from her role as Oz in We Will Rock You, she’s really looking forward to taking part in State Highway 48.

ADAM BURREL

- JOHN

Adam Burrell is an Auckland based professional actor/singer and live entertainer who has had the pleasure of performing all over Aotearoa for over 15 years.

Adam has been involved in numerous professional  theatre projects with a major highlight being the performance of the NZ original work “K’RD Strip” in the 2015 Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.

He has also participated in no less than 20 professional children's theatre productions including 2 nationwide tours with Capital E (NZ’s national theatre for children).Adam performed in the male choir for the Adele Concert (2017) and also has extensive experience within the world of drag.

"I look forward to every single chance to live My dream- and perform!"

OTIS HERRING

- PHIL

OTIS DONOVAN HERRING is a native of College Park,Georgia, USA. He received his training and BFA from Howard University in Washington, D.C. under the late Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson.

While there, he had the privilege to perform with Kankouran West African Dance Company, and works by many other notable artists and choreographers. He later moved to Brooklyn, New York to dance with Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, and other distinguished companies and choreographers from 2007-2013. Mr. Herring was the assistant to the choreographer on Broadway's "A Streetcar Named Desire," and has been a part of developmental workshops for original musicals.  

In 2013, Otis moved to Auckland, New Zealand to join Black Grace Dance company under the direction of Neil Ieremia. After 4 years of national and international touring, Otis modelled for the World of Wearable Art (WOW) in Wellington, New Zealand winning multiple awards for the designers of three garments. He also danced with Trip The Light Dance Collective under the direction of Perri Exeter and Joash Fahitua. Last year, Otis was a Co-Dance Captain of the resident musical at Sky City Theatre, City of 100 Lovers. While following his artistic path, he teaches ASA! African fitness, and contemporary movement locally and internationally, and has choreographed productions for T.A.P.A.C. and Basement Theatre. Otis is overjoyed with the opportunity to continue developing his artistic voice with State Highway 48, and is thankful for the love and support from God, family, and friends. 

CHARLOTTE NIGHTINGALE

- ANNA

Charlotte trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and worked as an actor and a teacher before emigrating to New Zealand in 2009. Charlotte then spent 7 years as Artistic Director of Peaches and Pickles Performing Arts before landing her dream job as General Manager at Touch Compass, New Zealand’s leading inclusive professional performing arts organisation. 

Charlotte has continued to work in film, TV and theatre throughout her career. Credits include: Eastenders, Keen Eddie, Derailed, Children of Men and Linda Burgen in Shortland Street. Production singer for Thomson Cruise Lines, Jill in Humpty Dumpty UK tour, Ophelia in Hamlet Turtle Keys Arts Centre, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream UK tour, the Witch in Into the Woods Centrestage Theatre and Tanya in Mamma Mia at The Bruce Mason Centre. Adverts include Royal Bank of Scotland, Grey Goose, Mountgay Rum, O2, Vector and Countdown. Charlotte is thrilled to be part of the Auckland cast for State Highway 48. 

RENÉE SHERIDAN

- GAIL

Renée trained as an actor at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and has performed at many of the country’s professional theatres including Wellington’s Downstage, Circa and Bats Theatres, Palmerston North’s Centrepoint, Auckland’s Basement, The Herald and the Pop-Up Globe.

Screen credits include some of the country’s popular series including Paradise Café, Shortland St, Westside, Brokenwood Mysteries, web–series High Road, the soon to be released Rūrangi and feature films Shopping and Pork Pie.

As a voice artist she has worked with Radio New Zealand, Mediaworks, Learning Media, The Blind Foundation, and has voiced many radio and television commercials.

RUPERT ARCHER

- SAM

Rupert is 8 years old and has been performing either on stage or in front of the camera since he was 3.  Most recently he played Young Simba in Majors n Minors production of the Lion King Jr. He has appeared in a number of TV commercials, modelled and last year was the was the co-lead in a short film.  As well as singing and acting Rupert is a talented cellist.

Last year he passed his ABRSM Grade 5 cello with high distinction and will be sitting his grade 6 later this year. He is also working towards his Grade 5 in classical voice and has won  numerous instrumental and vocal competitions. When Rupert is not entertaining others he can usually be found playing piano, designing buildings in Minecraft or writing stories. He is thrilled to be making his professional theatre debut on State Highway 48 alongside such a talented cast. 

TIA ORMSBY

- EMMA

Twelve year old Tia is no stranger to the stage performing as Debbie Wilkinson in ATC’s Billy Elliot the Musical, in George Orwell’s 1984 with GWB, and recently taking on the challenge of Dorothy in Manukau Performing Arts, The Wiz. She has also been cast in community junior productions of Honk!, Into the Woods, Alice in Wonderland, Once on this Island, and Bugsy Malone. 

Proud to be of Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Porou and Ngapuhi descent, Tia is working towards fluency in Te Reo, aswell as spending her time dancing, in kapahaka, playing the piano and studying musical theatre.

Tia wants to acknowledge her whanau, friends, LBF Actors, and Emma Bishop of StageAntics. She is excited and grateful to be performing for the first time at the Bruce Mason Theatre, helping tell this story as part of such a talented cast.

CHRIS WILLIAMS

- WRITER/COMPOSER

In his day job, Chris runs Hamilton-based advertising and design agency, King St. He has worked in the creative field all his career. He was a columnist for the Waikato Times for 10 years and has written creative copy for all media. Over this time he has also developed his skills in song writing, performance and composition. He has written many songs over the last 6-7 years and has produced two albums - “Looking for a Song” and "Feel free to sing along" under his performing name, MIDDLEMAN. A self taught musician, he plays piano and guitar and does a bit of singing.

State Highway 48 is his first full musical, a project he has been working on for seven years. After two development seasons, the show was successfully toured through the North Island in 2016. Chris ran a development season for his second musical, The Quest, in 2018 and is now working on the next stage. The Quest is a parody of reality talent shows; it received excellent reviews. Another show is now in development and will be ready for launch early in 2020. 

MARK DENNISON

- MUSIC DIRECTOR

Professional Theatre:  Annie, Anything Goes, Blood Brothers, Cabaret, Cats, Chicago, Company, 42nd Street, Into the Woods, Jersey Boys, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Matilda, Phantom of the Opera, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Singing in the Rain, Song and Dance, The Secret Garden, The Sound of Music, West Side Story.

Theatre (composer): ‘Pete The Barefoot Postman’ (2001). For Intermediate school kids.  Regularly performed in NZ schools.

‘Kevin, the Musical’ (2014) : commissioned by the Comedy Festival in conjunction with comedian Steve Wrigley. Performances in Auckland Wellington and New York comedy festivals. Freda Stark the musical : currently in development.

Television:  NZ Idol (arranger), Showstoppers (Musical Director), TV2 Celebrity Christmas (Musical Director), Stars in their Eyes (Musical Director), Elaine Paige World Tour DVD, TV3 Telethon (Musical Director), To Sir With Love – a tribute to Sir Howard Morrison (Musical Director), New Zealand’s Got Talent (Musical Director). New Zealand Variety Show (Musical Director).

RACHAEL PENMAN

- CREATIVE PRODUCER

Trained as a dancer and also as a director in film and television, Rachael Penman has been a producer of theatre and dance for 27 years, working with many of NZ’s leading Dance and Theatre companies. Her career to date has seen her working in a multitude of different genres including, Rock n Roll, Motor Sports, TV, Film, Theatre, Festivals, International Outdoor Spectaculars and the education sector.

Rachael spent 5 years in London as a producer for West end Musical theatre and theatre with Bill Kenwright Ltd and her own theatre in the West End- The Villiers. She also advised for theatre companies around Europe and continues to do so.

Rachael worked for  Okareka Dance Company as General Manager and Producer for 7 years and brought a wealth of international theatre touring and business and audience development experience to the company.

Rachael has been involved with Old Rockers Inc since she saw the 2017 Tour of State Highway 48 and saw the international potential in the book. In additional Rachael also consults on Marketing and PR strategy’s and analysis in the arts and is currently the Marketing and Communications Manager for Tim Bray Theatre Company.

CLAIRE O’NEILL

- CHOREOGRAPHER

Claire is an international choreographer, performing artist, movement specialist and dance educator. She has created, collaborated and presented over 35 dance works and has won awards for her choreographies as well as several grants and scholarships to travel and study in the field of contemporary dance. Claire resided in Belgium for 10 years and worked with a broad array of dance companies and choreographers in Europe such as Hans Van Den Broeck, Michèle Noiret and Michèle Anne de Mey as well as New Zealand choreographers Michael Parmenter, Douglas Wright, Ross McCormack and Malia Johnston. She features in Sue Healy’s award winning dance documentary ‘Virtuosi’. Claire achieved her Masters in Dance with first class honours (University of Auckland) in 2016. Currently she is a dance lecturer at Unitec Performing and Screen Arts, a movement coach for corporate businesses and choreographic mentor for New Zealand Dance Company.

Claire has researched, experienced and integrated into her dancing many strands of thought from movement systems, social philosophy and somatic practices. She has led dance training and workshops throughout the world and draws from contemporary dance techniques, physical theatre, yoga, instant composition, improvisation and music amongst other movement related practices (Laban, Axis Syllabus, Feldenkrais, Body Weather, Action Theatre Improvisation, Body Mind Centering). Her credits include Ultima Vez/ Wim Vandekeybus, Need Company, Meg Stuart & Damaged Goods, The Paris Opera, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Company, Ballet Preljocaj, Cie, Philippe Découfflé, The New Zealand Dance Company, Red Leap Theatre Unitec Performing Arts, University of Auckland and Douglas Wright Dance Co.

Claire is currently based in Auckland and works as a freelance dance artist/mentor/ educator and choreographer. She is raising two young girls, Georgie and Iris, and is researching ‘social choreography’ - dance practices and performances that are intergenerational, socio-political and inclusive.

BEN M ROGERS

- PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Ben’s international portfolio of designs includes an eclectic range of projects from contemporary circus through to concerts, exhibitions, opera, dance and of course musical theatre.

Recent projects include the Middle East and Australia tours of The Illusionists - Direct from Broadway, Quincy Jones - A Life in Song at the O2 Arena Murphy’s Celtic Legacy - France and US Tour. He is currently completing the lighting and visual design for a major new entertainment facility entitled Wavehouse, at the landmark Atlantis The Palm hotel in Dubai.

In the UK he has designed national tours including 20th Century Boy, HAIR, Noise Ensemble, The Operababes, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Live, RENT 20th Anniversary and The Magnificent Musicals alongside special events including George Dalaras at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, DNA@60 at Hammersmith Apollo, West End Heroes at the Dominion, Twitter Star Live at the Lyric and Children of Eden at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

In Cyprus his design projects include Living Color Festival 2017 & 2018, The Stadium Opening Ceremony of the Small Nations Games, Live concerts from Hardwell, DJ Snake, Nicky Romero, Lord of the Dance, Eifmann Ballet, Jose Carreras, Armin Van Burren, Luciano Pavarotti, Kemlin Ballet, Moscow City Ballet, MTV “Live from Cyprus” and 10 years of West End musicals for the Larnaca International Festival including The Wizard of Oz, Cats, Oliver!, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Evita, Chicago, Grease and Fame.

International projects include Cirque Du Soleil’s ZED in Tokyo - for which he delivered the original lighting and video programming and original video content. Other productions include RED at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, Ninjago Live at Legoland Dubai, Duran Duran Live in Tokyo, Noise Ensemble (worldwide), Pam Ann (US National Tour), Las Vegas Fantasy (Taiwan), Red Hot Baroque (Russia, UK and USA). For Peter Schaufuss Ballet Company he designed new productions of The King, Nutcracker and Noddebo Prastegard.

Ben sat on the innovation awards panel for PLASA for 7 years, is a member of the International Live Music Conference and the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) and a contributor to several trade publications for both production features and critical comment.

KATHERINE KUDO

- GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kath is the passionate designer behind the State Highway 48 brand. She developed the original logo in 2016 when the show first hit the stage, and has created and overseen all brand elements of the show since.

Kath has a background in Graphic and Typographic Design. She completed her training at the renowned Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, the Netherlands. With 17 years of creative experience, Kath currently works as both a senior designer for KingSt Advertising and Marketing, and for her own design business, Kudo Design.

As a designer, she is a meticulous creative, able to combine various styles and methods, and beautifully translates the musical into effective visual information.

A melting pot of culture and creativity, Kath has a Latin, Japanese and European background, and is now a proud Kiwi too.

EMILY POYNTON

- ASSISTANT TO THE CREATIVE PRODUCER 

Emily is an actor and producer from the UK. She has performed on-stage and on-screen in student and professional productions. Credits include Alice Curiouser & Curiouser at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Kent (UK) (starring role Alice), a Midlands (UK) tour and Edinburgh Fringe run of The Hound of the Baskervilles, and Parade at The Marlowe Theatre, Kent. Emily's produced The Lost Boys of Neverland for a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe and Canterbury (UK) run. 

Emily moved to New Zealand in February 2019 and quickly began working as a marketing assistant for Tim Bray Theatre Company. She has subsequently joined Old Rockers and is very excited to be part of the team for State Highway 48.