Author Archives: Madelyn White

2022 AGM Announcement

The Annual General Meeting will be on Monday 16th May 2022, 7.00 pm, at 18 Collie St, Fyshwick. Please arrive a bit beforehand so that we can start the meeting on time.

Being involved in theatre isn't all glamour, glitzy opening nights and champagne! There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and it's worth knowing about these things how we performed during the previous year, what money went where, what worked for us and what didn't, who does what, and our future plans. There is also the opportunity to have your opinion heard and even the chance to ion the committee to help make decisions about the future direction of the Society,

The agenda for the meeting is:

  1. Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM (10th May 2021)
  2. Receive committee reports and the statement of accounts covering activities in the last financial year
  3. Elect a new committee
  4. Appoint Honorary Auditor and Solicitor nominees.

Although COVID-19 restrictions have eased, we ask that you please advise the Secretary either via email () or by phoning 0417 212 261, if you will be in attendance at the AGM.

Please note:

  • Only current financial members can attend and vote at the AGM.

Please email :

  • The annual report will be available from one week prior to the meeting and emailed to current financial members upon request.
  • To raise any business for the AGM (not requiring a special resolution). Other business needs to be received one week prior to the meeting, and
  • To submit signed committee nomination orproxy nomination forms. These need to be received one week before the meeting. Nomination / Proxy form available from the Philo website
Kind Regards,
Madelyn White
President
Canberra Philharmonic Society

Cancellation of GREASE

CANCELLATION OF CANBERRA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY’S PRODUCTION OF GREASE

In August 2021, as a Society, we were forced to postpone Grease due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic in ACT and NSW. Rehearsals resumed in late 2021 with the show scheduled to go ahead in March 2022.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 situation has not eased up and with the ACT Government extending restrictions until late February 2022, we regret to announce the cancellation of Canberra Philharmonic Society’s production of Grease.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to sincerely thank the Creative team, cast, production team and all members involved in Grease. When we postponed the show in 2021, there were eleven cast changes which required the entire team to stage a new production. The commitment and energy from all involved is something to be admired and has not gone unnoticed.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our sponsors for their understanding and support during these circumstances.

We will contact ticket holders over the next week and advise of refunds. This will take some time so we ask for your patience while we work through each booking.

During these difficult times, we hope that our member and patrons stay safe and hope to see you in the theatre again soon.

Sincere thanks,

Madelyn White
President
Canberra Philharmonic Society

Postponement of Canberra Philharmonic Society’s Production of Grease

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in ACT and NSW and the uncertain times that we face ahead, it is with great regret that we have to announce the postponement of Canberra Philharmonic Society’s production of Grease. The production is now scheduled to go ahead in March 2022.

We will contact ticket holders over the next week with details regarding changing to the new dates in 2022 or refunds. This will take some time, so we appreciate your patience with this as we work through each of the bookings.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to acknowledge and thank the dedication, hard work and overall commitment of all stakeholders involved thus far, especially the artistic team, cast, crew, orchestra and the production team.

During these difficult times, we hope that all our members and patrons stay safe. We look forward to seeing you in theatres soon.

Stay safe and well!

Madelyn White
President

Cast Announcement – Grease

After a huge few days of auditions, we're thrilled to announce the cast of GREASE.

We are very excited to soon start working with these fabulously talented people. Thank you to everyone who took the time to audition - it was a very competitive process and we're sorry we couldn't include all of you.

If you would like to be involved in an off-stage role (crew, set building, painting, ushering, assisting with costumes, etc.), please contact us via with your interest and skills (if applicable). We'll also be putting out calls for volunteers at various times through our Facebook group Friends of Philo.

To be the first to be notified when early bird tickets go on sale, sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of the site.

Principals

Sandy - Paige Martin
Danny - Rourke Puksand
Rizzo -  Chelsea Heaney
Kenickie - Zach Johnson
Frenchy - Sarah McDowall
Doody - Luke Ferdinands
Jan - Sarah Copley
Roger - John Whinfield
Marty - Siobhan McGrath
Sonny
- Jake Fraser
Vince Fontaine - Declan Pigram
Lynch - Jason MacKenzie
Teen Angel - Declan Pigram, Jason MacKenzie, Luke Ferdinands
Eugene - Jordan Dwight
Patty - Caitlin Schilg
Johnny Casino - Ethan Goodacre
Cha-Cha - Rikayla Martin

Ensemble

Andre Le
Ashleigh Maynard
Ben Fullerton
Elizabeth Caddy
Elloise Reardon
Ethan Goodacre
Hugo Korte
James O'Hehir
Joshua Nicholls
Lauren Chapman
Lilly Thompson
Mackenzie Rae
Madelyn White
Rhys Kerec
Rikayla Martin
Sarah Jackson
Selene Thomson
Tate Sissian

2021 AGM

Philo Members:

Our Annual General Meeting this year will be held on Monday 10th May 2021, 7.00 pm, at 18 Collie St, Fyshwick. Please arrive a bit beforehand so that we can start the meeting on time.

Being involved in theatre isn’t all glamour, glitzy opening nights and champagne! There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and it’s worth knowing about these things – how we performed during the previous year, what money went where, what worked for us and what didn’t, who does what, and our future plans. There is also the opportunity to have your opinion heard and even the chance to join the committee to help make decisions about the future direction of the Society,

The agenda for the meeting is:

  1. Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM
  2. Receive committee reports and the statement of accounts covering activities in the last financial year
  3. Elect a new committee
  4. Receive nominations for life members

COVID-19 Restrictions: 

Although COVID-19 restrictions have eased, we ask that you please advise the Secretary via email, , if you will be in attendance at the AGM.

Please note:

  • Only current financial members can vote at the AGM.
  • Please email :
    • If you would to review a copy of the reports and accounts ahead of the meeting. These will be available a week prior to the meeting.
    • If you have any business to raise at the AGM (not requiring a special resolution), please email the secretary one week prior to the meeting.
    • With nominations for committee and proxy nominations. These must be submitted to the secretary one week prior to the meeting. The form is available to download here.

Cast Announcement – Jersey Boys

After a huge few days of auditions, we're thrilled to announce the cast of JERSEY BOYS. We are very excited to soon start working with these fabulous people. Thanks to everyone who took the time to audition - it was a very competitive process and we're sorry we couldn't include all of you.

If you would like to be involved in an off-stage role (crew, set building, painting, ushering, assisting with costumes, etc.), please contact us via with your interest and skills (if applicable). We'll also be putting out calls for volunteers at various times through our Facebook group Friends of Philo.

To be the first to be notified when early bird tickets go on sale, sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of the site.

Principals

Frankie Valli - Jared Newall
Tommy DeVito - Dave Smith
Bob Gaudio - Jonathon Rush
Nick MassiZach Johnson
Bob Crewe - Bradley McDowell
Gyp Decarlo - Tim Stiles

Featured Roles

Back up Tommy DeVito / Four Seasons - Angus Saunders
Back up Nick Massi / Four Seasons - Steven O'Mara
Back up Frankie / Four Seasons - Marcel Cole
Back up Bob Gaudio / Four Seasons - Darcy Kinsella
Mary Delgado / Angel / Dancer - Emma Nikolic
Lorraine - Kellee-Rose Hand
Angel / Dancer / Miss Frankie Nolan - Jayde Fromholtz
Angel / Dancer - Nicola Wetselaar
Angel / Dancer - Mackenzie Rae
Angel / Dancer - Jenny Goodare
Angel / Dancer - Elloise Reardon
Francine Valli - Jessica Coote
Frankie's Mother - Shennia Spillane

Supporting Roles

Luke Ferdinands - Frankie Understudy
George Belibassakis
Jake Kalleske
Jason MacKenzie
Rodwell Faulkner
Ash Syme
Thomas Lee
Henry Gregory
John Whinfield

2020 AGM

Philo Members:

Our Annual General Meeting this year will be held on Monday 29th June 2020, 7.00 pm, at 18 Collie St, Fyshwick. Please arrive a bit beforehand so that we can start the meeting on time.

Being involved in theatre isn’t all glamour, glitzy opening nights and champagne! There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and it’s worth knowing about these things – how we performed during the previous year, what money went where, what worked for us and what didn’t, who does what, and our future plans. There is also the opportunity to have your opinion heard and even the chance to join the committee to help make decisions about the future direction of the Society,

The agenda for the meeting is:

  1. Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM
  2. Receive committee reports and the statement of accounts covering activities in the last financial year
  3. Elect a new committee
  4. Receive nominations for life members

COVID-19 Restrictions: 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we ask that you please advise the Secretary via email, , if you will be in attendance at the AGM. This is to ensure appropriate social distancing measures are in place.

Please note:

  • Only current financial members can vote at the AGM.
  • Please email :
    • If you would to review a copy of the reports and accounts ahead of the meeting. These will be available a week prior to the meeting.
    • If you have any business to raise at the AGM (not requiring a special resolution), please email the secretary one week prior to the meeting.
    • With nominations for committee and proxy nominations. These must be submitted to the secretary one week prior to the meeting. The form is available to download here.

Notices to Members and Patrons

Firstly, the committee at Philo hope that you are all coping with the strange world we live in at present. We trust you are all staying safe and looking after your mental and physical health so that we can all provide and enjoy a vibrant theatre scene in Canberra in 2021.

2020 is a year of buying time and conserving strength. We have endured fire and storms. We now suffer a pandemic.

None of us can say what will happen in the coming months but what we can say is that Philo's greatest strength is our people and their  connection to the Canberra Theatre community. This is not the year to exhaust that strength, but allow people to take care of their loved ones and remain healthy.

Yet the show must go on. It must. Thousands of seats, every year. People who need time to stop for a while, to hear a perfect moment in sound and story, to see and share a show.

The show will go on. Perhaps not night to night, but certainly year to year.

Philo has been a major part of providing theatre to Canberrans for seven decades and Philo will be here next year.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

With the restrictions imposed by Government, the Philo AGM has been postponed until October 2020. A date will be announced when we are certain the required gathering can happen. We hope you will all attend to support our theatre community.

Jersey Boys

Philo has postponed 'Jersey Boys' to March 2021. We are hopeful that auditions will take place in early October, please watch this space for announcements.

Come and join us then for Jersey Boys.

Please take care and look after yourselves. We are looking forward to seeing you all in a theatre soon.

Jim McMullen
President

Jersey Boys – Artistic Team

After much anticipation, Philo are thrilled to announce the Artistic Team who will bring you 'Jersey Boys' in August 2020.

Director: Jim McMullen
Musical Director: Caleb Campbell
Choreographer: Madelyn White

Information regarding Auditions and Ticket sales will be released in the near future! To keep up to date, follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@Canberraphilo).