Creative Team
Angela Annesse
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 was the head of the theatre department at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts In Upstate New York, United States. Some of her recent directorial credits include Frozen Junior, The Wizard of Oz, 9 to 5 the Musical and Camp Rock. Recently Angela worked with Warner Brothers in Saudi Arabia stage managing for Scooby Do and The Justice League live shows as part of The Jeddah summer 2024 season. Angela regularly teachers and performers with The Courtyard Playhouse in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. 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 Melbourne Kids Theatre's 7th and 8th shows this year after a great success in January 2025 with the Melbourne debut of the very first Australian Broadway Junior musical, Dot & the Kangaroo.
Emilie Rochford
Musical Director
Emilie brings over 15 years of experience in music education and performance to Melbourne Kids Theatre. A classically trained musician with a degree in music performance from Maynooth University, Ireland, Emilie has a passion for nurturing young talent.
Having directed an award-winning youth choir in Ireland for 10 years, leading them to national acclaim, including live television performances and prestigious awards. With experience teaching at Starcamp and Stagewise musical theatre camps, Emilie has worked with hundreds of young performers, inspiring them to express their unique creativity.
A seasoned performer, Emilie has graced the stage in roles such as Sandy (Grease), Julia (The Wedding Singer), and Cinderella, and performed at iconic venues like the National Theatre in London. Recently, Emilie performed at the incredible launch event for Disney Abu Dhabi in the UAE, alongside West end and Broadway legend Kerry Ellis, and Piano superstar Lang Lang.
Emilie encourages young performers to let their unique talents shine, creating a fun, supportive environment where creativity thrives. Excited to be returning to Melbourne Kids Theatre, Emilie looks forward to helping the next generation of performers discover their potential and create magical musical memories together.
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 ShopFront Theatre, Engadine Musical Society and as a devised performer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With an Advanced Diploma of Acting from Sydney Theatre School, she has worked as a director at French Woods Festival in New York and as an assistant director and producer with Melbourne Kids Theatre. Some of her directing highlights include Finding Nemo, Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King Jr, Newsies Jr and an amateur premiere of Polkadots JV. As a youth advisor for ATYP, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow young artists in shaping the programming of theatre for young people. With a passion for children's theatre, she continues to strive to bring her creative pursuits to a broader audience, encouraging artist expression and authenticity through imaginative play and collaboration.
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 has been choreographing our shows since, and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance and performing with the performers