Our Creative Team
Angela Annese
Creative Director & Producer
Angela has worked in the performing arts industry for more than twenty years. Originally from South Australia, she trained at The Adelaide College of the Arts and has had an extensive career in Australia and internationally as a performer, director and theatre teacher. Angela has performed with Disney Cruise Line, Nickelodeon, The BBC Worldwide, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. Angela is the head of the theatre department at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts In Upstate New York, United States. Some of her directorial credits include Frozen Junior, The Wizard of Oz, 9 to 5 The Musical and Camp Rock. Recently Angela travelled to The Adelaide Fringe festival and performed with the Juicy Orange Troupe in The Junior Detective Collective: Mystery of the Golden Scoop and she is also the presenter of a You Tube show called “Nobody Asked, But Did You Know”?. Angela is a qualified Early Childhood educator and combines her knowledge of education with her love of the performing arts. After founding Melbourne Kids Theatre in 2021 and directing a successful run of Annie Kids, Angela is delighted to be producing and directing one of her favourite musicals, Disney's Frozen Junior.
Bridget Gielissen
Assistant Director & Producer
Starting her actor training at the tender age of eleven, Bridget has been passionately developing her artistry with training institutions including ATYP, Bright Stars, KICK Academy of Performing Arts, ShopFront Theatre, Sydney Dance Company and NIDA. Based in Sydney, she has been credited in performances with Kirrawee Gang Show, ShopFront Theatre, Engadine Musical Society’s productions and as a devised performer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With an Advanced Diploma of Acting from Sydney Theatre School, she is a director at French Woods Festival of Performing Arts in New York with credits including Finding Nemo and Alice in Wonderland. As a youth advisor for ATYP, she has also worked as an Assistant Stage Manager and Youth Chaperone on their premiere musical ‘The Deb’ in 2022. Bridget is beyond excited to be joining the team for Frozen Jr!
Lauren Exton
Stage Manager & Producer
Lauren has been working in the creative field for more than 20 years. A former producer on Channel 10's The Project and Eddie McGuire's #1 Hot Breakfast radio show, Lauren ran a family entertainment company in the USA for 6 years before commencing her current studies in Psychological Science. As a current employee of the NSW Department of Education, Lauren has a passion for the wellbeing of our young people and her nurturing and supportive nature has helped grow confidence, creativity and happiness in children. Lauren will ensure that your children flourish during their time with Melbourne Kids Theatre. Recent acting credits include a lead role in Pelican Playhouse's Appleton Ladie's Potato Race. After a stellar season stage managing Annie Kids with Melbourne Kids Theatre in 2021, Lauren is happy to be returning to work on Disney's Frozen Junior. She looks forward to a future creating more opportunities to blend creativity and wellbeing for children.
Jasmine You
Choreographer
Jasmine was born into a family of performing artists who introduced her to life on stage. At the age of four, Jasmine began her training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tap. She has completed CTSD Tap Exams and RAD ballet exams. Jasmine has spent her life honing her skills and developing a true passion for performance. An assistant choreographer and assistant director at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts in New York State, USA, Jasmine has worked with talented and renowned international artists and theatre professionals. Recent credits include, Rats the Musical, Sweet Charity, The Pajama Game and Camp Rock. In 2022 Jasmine produced Shining Star Performance, a charity event to spread her love of performing arts and encourage people to see live theatre after the pandemic. All proceeds from the event went to the Arts Wellbeing Alliance. After working on the 2021 production of ‘Annie’ with Melbourne Kids Theatre, Jasmine is excited to be returning this year for the upcoming performance of ‘Frozen Jnr’ and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance and performing with the performers.
