STAGES with Peter Eyers

Peter Eyers
  • 4.8 (4)
  • Performing Arts

STAGES is the podcast that accesses a variety of professional life connecting with an audience. A host of creative artists reflect on their career, their process and what matters – to them. Some have made the arts a lifetime pursuit, some explain how their career became a happy accident … but all describe the challenges and demands – and ultimately celebrate why there’s no business like show business! STAGES talks to talent from front of house and backstage - directors, designers, drag artists and doormen … performers, producers and publicists ... teachers, technicians and talent! Whatever stages it takes to engage and affect an audience – or whatever it takes to carve out a career in the arts – we’ll examine it in STAGES. STAGES is the recipient of the Best New Podcaster Award at The Australian Podcast Awards in 2019.

  1. 2d ago

    STAGES Episode 628: FAITH MARTIN

    Faith Martin is an Australian casting director for film and television, recognised for her pivotal role in identifying and launching Australian and International talent into global careers. With extensive experience across Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Europe, she has built a reputation for instinct-driven casting on high-profile television series and feature films with worldwide reach.  Faith began her career casting television commercials, helping establish the casting department at Lintas Advertising, (TVCS), before founding Martin Artists, a successful talent agency representing actors, writers, and directors. Over twelve years, she built the agency into a thriving business representing many of Australia’s most respected creatives, including Geoffrey Rush, Mel Gibson, Wendy Hughes, John Meillon, Sam Neill, writer Geoffrey Atherden and director George Whaley. This foundation continues to inform her sharp understanding of talent development, career trajectory, and international market positioning.  Her early Australian television credits include Return to Eden, Bad Cop, Bad Cop, Above the Law, Going Home, The Battlers, Two Twisted, Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Stingers, Murder Call, Sea Patrol, and the internationally distributed, award-winning children’s series Mortified, which launched the career of Marny Kennedy.  Faith also cast the international HBO miniseries A Dangerous Life, produced by Hal McElroy in the Philippines, and the ABC drama Rain Shadow, directed by George Ogilvie and starring Rachel Ward.  Internationally, Faith played a defining role in casting the first season of Spartacus for Starz, produced by Rob Tapert. She championed Andy Whitfield in the title role — despite initial U.S. resistance to an Australian lead — famously declaring, “I’ve found your Spartacus.” The series also marked Jai Courtney’s first professional acting role. She later contributed to the expanding Spartacus universe, including Spartacus: House of Ashur.  Her U.S. and international television work includes Ash vs Evil Dead (produced by Rob Tapert), Legend of the Seeker (ABC Network), Banshee (casting lead Antony Starr), Rectify (starring Aden Young), and Outlander (casting David Berry).  Her feature film credits span both independent and studio productions. Early career highlights include Strictly Ballroom (dir. Baz Luhrmann), The Crossing (dir. George Ogilvie — the first feature film for Russell Crowe), The Sum of Us (starring Russell Crowe and John Polson), Paperback Hero (starring Hugh Jackman), Dead Heart (produced by Bryan Brown), and Alexandra’s Project (dir. Rolf de Heer).  Her later feature work includes: The Junction Boys, which helped launch Ryan Kwanten’s international career; Invincible (dir. Jefery Levy for Icon Productions); Lapis Lazuli (20th Century Fox), introducing Clarence Ryan; Satellite Boy (dir. Catriona McKenzie); The King Is Dead (dir. Rolf de Heer); Cactus; Better Watch Out; Infini; Gabriel (starring Andy Whitfield); The Osiris Child (dir. Shane Abbess); Diabolic produced out of Adelaide in 2024, Rising Wolf; and Companion (formerly titled Sahela), a project she considers especially significant for its storytelling and ensemble.  Faith continues to work on bold, character-driven film and television projects with international scope, maintaining her longstanding commitment to connecting exceptional Australian talent with global audiences.  The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

    48 min

  2. 5d ago

    STAGES Episode 627: GLENN ELSTON

    Glenn Elston OAM has directed over 250 seasons Shakespeare, Classic Works, Musicals and Family Theatre. A prominent figure in Australian theatre, he is particularly known for pioneering outdoor picnic theatre in Australia and creating immersive, family-friendly experiences that have become beloved traditions. Elston began his journey in 1987, forming a small performance collective that has since grown to be Australia's largest independent theatre company. His dedication to making Shakespeare and other classic stories accessible to a broad audience has led to the production of iconic outdoor performances, particularly during the summer season, attracting audiences from across the nation. His repertoire includes celebrated productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III, Comedy of Errors, Henry IV - Part I, Richard III, Merry Wives of Windsor, Hamlet, Macbeth, and As You Like It. Beyond Shakespeare, he has written and directed original stage adaptations of beloved stories like The Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland, Toad’s Birthday Party, The Caribbean Pirates, Jack and the Beanstalk, Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies and Jungle Book – The Next Chapter. His productions of classic texts includes Lady Chatterley's Lover, Wuthering Heights, The Crucible and Pygmalion. In 1990, Glenn was co-producer of Hair which opened in Melbourne and then began a tour around Australia. Glenn took over as tour director in Sydney and travelled with the production to venues in Camperdown, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Townsville, Cairns, Kuranda, Darwin, Wollongong, Launceston, Hobart, Newcastle and Tweed Heads. In 2002, He adapted and directed Much Ado About Nothing into a rock musical with his regular songwriting collaborator, Paul Norton. This adaptation has toured Australia and has enjoyed sold out seasons in many Australian capitols. Six of Glenn’s productions have appeared in five different Adelaide Festivals. Since 2003, Glenn has been collaborating with Djilpin Arts and co-presented the Walking with Spirits festival - a powerful celebration of Aboriginal traditions held at Malkgulumbu (Beswick Falls) in the Northern Territory. This partnership is this ongoing. Furthermore, in 2010 he produced Noel Tovey’s acclaimed production Little Black Bastard to the Edinburgh’s Gilded Balloon, further amplifying Indigenous voices on the international arts scene. In 2014, Glenn directed and designed a new Australian touring production of Godspell the Musical which played seasons at Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Traralgon, Sale, Warragal and the Sydney Opera House. Glenn has produced many local and international acts over the years including Sir George Martin in Concert with Glenn Shorrock, The John Farnham Band, James Rayne & Tommy Amanuel (QPAC, Hammer Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House), David Strassman, The Heartbreak Kid, Blues in the Night, The Life and Death of Sandy Stone (Barry Humphries), Five Guys Named Moe, Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore! (Penny Arcade), A Stretch of the Imagination and three Australian Tours of Marianne Faithfull including a special performance of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins. In recognition of his contributions, Glenn Elston was honoured with a Melbourne Award for Contribution to Melbourne's Profile by an Individual in 2014 and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2018 for his service to the performing arts. He is the Artistic Director of the Australian Shakespeare Company (ASC) and a director at A.T. Management. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

    38 min

  3. May 23

    STAGES Episode 626: DEBORAH KENNEDY

    Deborah Kennedy is one of Australia’s most recognisable and enduring character actresses, with a career spanning stage, screen and some of the nation’s most iconic popular culture moments. She is also known to audiences for her unforgettable delivery of a celebrated catchphrase in a Yellow Pages television commercial—now firmly embedded in the Australian vernacular. Deborah Kennedy began her career in theatre, performing with Marian Street Theatre in Killara in productions of The Trojan Women and Macbeth, before working extensively with companies including SUDS, Repertory 200, New Theatre and the Pegeant Theatre. Her association with the influential Nimrod Theatre from the mid-1970s saw her appear in works such as Much Ado About Nothing and Richard III, alongside other notable productions including Travelling North, Accidental Death of an Anarchist and House of the Deaf Man. Her screen career began in the 1970s with roles in series such as Certain Women, The Restless Years and Bellamy, alongside film appearances in Tim, Dawn! and Temperament Unsuited. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she became a familiar face on Australian television, with credits including Prisoner, Chances, Police Rescue, Wildside and Good Guys Bad Guys, as well as a host of feature films including Death in Brunswick, The Sum of Us and Idiot Box. In later years, Kennedy has continued to delight audiences with roles in Neighbours, Rake, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and Dance Academy. Since 2013, she has been a beloved presence in A Place to Call Home as the well-meaning local gossip Doris Collins. Her recent work includes appearances in Janet King and Return to Paradise. With a career defined by versatility, warmth and impeccable comic timing, Deborah Kennedy remains a treasured figure of Australian stage and screen. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

    57 min

  4. May 20

    STAGES Episode 625: JAY LAGA’AIA

    Jay Laga’aia is a New Zealand–born Australian actor, musician, and presenter whose career spans film, television, stage, and music. International audiences know him best for his portrayal of Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. In Australia and New Zealand, he has built a celebrated career across drama, children’s entertainment, live performance, and event hosting. Jay’s extensive screen credits include major roles in Water Rats, Street Legal, and Home and Away, along with appearances in Xena: Warrior Princess, McLeod’s Daughters, and Celebrity Big Brother. He is beloved by families nationwide for his long-running work on Play School, Jay’s Jungle, and Surprise Surprise. A versatile stage performer, Jay has appeared in landmark productions including The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the Australia–New Zealand tour of Wicked, in which he played The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. As a recording artist, he has released a series of acclaimed children’s albums, along with Christmas and nursery rhyme collections, and has performed at Carols by Candlelight. Jay is also a highly experienced MC, having hosted major events for the City of Sydney, the Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and the Powerhouse Museum.  One of six siblings and father to eight children, Jay brings warmth, authenticity, and a deep commitment to community to every stage he steps onto. He has set sail as The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance, now playing the Foundry Theatre in Sydney. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

    1h 2m

  5. May 16

    STAGES Episode 624: DEBRA LAWRANCE

    Debra Lawrance graduated from NIDA in 1977 and has since built a distinguished career across theatre, film and television. On television, she first came to prominence playing Maggie, Ned Kelly’s sister, in Channel Seven’s The Last Outlaw. She went on to star as Pat in the ABC comedy series The Fast Lane, portrayed Daphne in Prisoner, and became a household name as the beloved foster mother Pippa in the long-running series Home and Away. Debra won widespread acclaim as Rose in Josh Thomas’ Please Like Me, earning the 2015 AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Comedy and the 2017 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Supporting Actress. Debra can most recently be seen in Stan’s Scrublands Silver, Good Cop Bad Cop and Darby and Joan (Series 2). Her other television credits include Human Error, Class of ’07, Five Bedrooms (Series 3 & 4), I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, Fisk, Neighbours, Get Krack!n (Series 2), Rosehaven (Series 3), True Story With Hamish & Andy, The Doctor Blake Mysteries (Series 4), Wentworth (Series 4), House Husbands (Series 4), and Hell’s Kitchen Australia (which she won, raising $50,000 for Ovarian Cancer Australia). Her film work includes Silver City, Two Brothers Running with Tom Conti, Evil Angels with Meryl Streep, and the acclaimed The Jammed. Most recently, she appeared in Peter Farrelly’s Ricky Stanicky, alongside John Cena and Zac Efron. Debra’s stage career is equally accomplished. For Melbourne Theatre Company she has performed in Jack Davis’ The First Born Trilogy (including the London tour of No Sugar), Sylvia, Second Childhood, The Memory of Water, and Caryl Churchill’s Escaped Alone. Her other notable theatre credits include M’Lynn in the Australian tour of Steel Magnolias, the title role in the national tour of Driving Miss Daisy, Letitia Blacklock in A Murder is Announced, the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Old Vic’s Melbourne seasons of A Christmas Carol, and Professor McGonagall in both the Melbourne and UK productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She is presently on a national tour of Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias playing Clairee. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

    54 min

  6. May 13

    STAGES Episode 623: DONALD CANT

    Best known as one of Australia's "Phantoms" in "The Phantom of the Opera", Donald is one of Australia's leading musical performers, with a career encompassing music theatre, concerts, cabaret, opera, Lieder and recording. His most recent music theatre highlights have been the challenging role of "Judge Turpin" in the Opera Queensland production of "Sweeney Todd" (October 2003), the lead role of "Fred/Pertucchio" in the recent Broadway revival production of "Kiss Me, Kate" in Vancouver,Canada (July/August 2002), and the title role in the Australian Premiere of "Jekyll and Hyde", a staged concert version with the Canberra Symphony (October 2001). Donald was an original cast member of the very successful Australian production of "The Phantom of the Opera" , performing four lead roles during his seven years with the production. The highlight was certainly his highly acclaimed 500 performances in the title role. His music theatre career has been quite varied, with lead roles ranging from "Curly" in "Oklahoma" (the most exciting production being with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada), to "Cervantes" in "Man of La Mancha", and the "Celebrant" in Leonard Bernstein's "Mass". He has won two Best Actor Awards, one for the title role in the Australian premiere production of "Sweeney Todd", the other as the lead in "The Fantastiks". Donald is also one of Australia's most sought after Concert artists. He performs regularly as guest soloist with Australia's major Symphony Orchestras and Military Bands. These concert performances are often shared with such esteemed Australian artists as Marina Prior, Julie Anthony, Chelsea Brown, Sylvie Paladino, and Tiffany Speight, and such talented musical directors as Tommy Tycho, Barry Knight, Michael Harvey and David Cameron. His concert and corporate performances also take him regularly to Asia, Canada and Europe. He recently appeared in the televised UNICEF Gala concerts in Germany. Donald is also equally at home in smaller, more intimate cabaret venues where he performs the works of his most loved modern composers, Stephen Sondheim and Jacques Brel. His career has also focussed on Opera and Lieder, having performed with a number of Opera companies in Canada and Australia. His lead roles have included "William" in the Phillip Glass Opera "The Fall of The House of Usher" (his portrayal earning him a prestigious "Green Room" Best Actor award nomination), "Guilliamo" in "Cosi Fan Tute", and "Eisenstein" and "Orlofsky" in "Die Fledermaus". Donald's career began in Canada, while completing 6 years of opera studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, but the majority of his professional career has been in Australia. He also performs regularly on television in Australia, and has sung before the Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince Edward, and the Pope, and at many other significant cultural and State ceremonial occasions in Australia, including the Prime Minister's Official Gala Dinner for the 2000 Olympics. Between music theatre and concert engagements, Donald also enjoys performing as guest entertainer aboard the very luxurious Silversea and Crystal cruise lines. The highlight of these cruises recently was as guest performer on the spectacular "Millennium Cruise" aboard the "Silver Wind", alongside Engelbert Humperdink, Joel Grey and Rita Moreno. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

    50 min

  7. May 9

    STAGES Episode 622: THERÈSA BORG

    Therèsa Borg is a director, writer and performer.  She is a graduate of University of Melbourne (B.Ed. Sec (Music)) and twice of The Victorian College of the Arts (Opera Studio, Masters: Writing for Performance). Her directing credits include Titanic starring Anthony Warlow at Melbourne Town Hall, Sweeney Todd, starring Anthony Warlow and Gina Riley at Her Majesty’s Melbourne, The Light in the Piazza at Arts Centre Melbourne, Disney Under the Stars at SOH/ Myer Music Bowl, Paw Patrol Live! at Wembley Arena and twice voice-directing the Muppeteers in New York City. Her operatic directing credits include productions of The Consul and La Cenerentola to outstanding reviews. Therèsa was Resident Director on GWB’s recent tour of An American in Paris (2021-2) and The Lord of The Rings (2024-2025) as well as  Neil Armfield’s Associate on Death of a Salesman (2023-4) starring Anthony La Paglia.  She directed Little Women at the Victorian College of the Arts for the Music Theatre Company of 2023 and has a particular interest in the development of upcoming generations of performers. Therèsa was the 2022 National Library of Australia Creative Fellow for Australian Writing. In 2021, Therèsa and composer Jane Hammond wrote Songs of the Helmeted Honeyeater, a celebration of citizen science written in collaboration with the mountain communities of Yellingbo and Corranderk and which premiered at fortyfivedownstairs and Melbourne Recital Centre. Theresa and Jane look forward to the debut of their new opera The Spare Room, an adaptation of Helen Garner’s celebrated novel in the near future.  Therèsa founded Melbourne production house TEG Entertainment Store/Life Like Touring with her partner Anton Berezin in 1999, and over the course of 20 years with their company she wrote and directed over 20 family musicals in collaboration with international studios. These shows, including Scooby Doo Live: Musical Mysteries, Octonauts Live: Operation Reef Shield, and Sesame Street presents Elmo’s World Tour, toured mainstages and arenas globally and employed hundreds of young performers world-wide. Life Like Touring sold approximately 7 million tickets world-wide over this time. Therèsa’s roles in music theatre and opera include Christine, Cosette, Zerbinetta, Angelique, the Queen of the Night, Jellylorum, Musetta, Philomel, Hope Harcourt, Eliza Doolittle and Fosca for producers including Cameron Mackintosh, The Really Useful Company, The Production Company, Victorian Opera and Opera Australia. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au

    48 min

  8. May 6

    STAGES Episode 621: KEN BILLINGTON

    Ken Billington is an international lighting designer working in theatre, television and architecture. Over 100 Broadway designs include the original production of Sweeney Todd and the current Chicago, which is the longest running American musical in history. Chicago has been seen in over 20 countries all with the original lighting. Other Broadway productions include Waitress, Act One, Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway, Chaplin, The Scottsboro Boys, White Christmas, Title of Show, Lily Tomlin in The Search for Signs…, Footloose plus revivals of My Fair Lady (1981), Hello Dolly! (1995), Sunday in the Park with George (2008, 2017), Annie (1997, 2006), Fiddler on the Roof (1976, 1981, 1990), West End productions include such shows as Sleepless, Waitress, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, The Drowsy Chaperone, What the Butler Saw, White Christmas, The Scottsboro Boys, Disney’s High School Musical and High School Musical 2. Spectaculars include The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show for 27 years as well as the Las Vegas production show Jubliee! Many nightclub and concert acts for such stars as Shirley MacLaine, Ann-Margret, Liberace, Chita Rivera, The McGuire Sisters. Also over one hundred opera production worldwide including Porgy and Bess for Milan’s La Scalla, Madrid’s Theatro Real and Opera Bastille. In Theme parks his work includes the original Fantasmic! at Disneyland California, numerous shows for Seaworld Parks in Florida, California and Texas. Also shows for Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. His architectural work can be seen in clubs and restaurants in the USA and Asia and include such landmarks as New York’s Tavern on the Green and 54 Below. Ken is the recipient of many awards including the Tony (Broadway), Lumen (Architecture), Ace (Television) and the United States Institute of Theatre Technology – Lighting Designer of the year. In 2015 he was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

STAGES is the podcast that accesses a variety of professional life connecting with an audience. A host of creative artists reflect on their career, their process and what matters – to them. Some have made the arts a lifetime pursuit, some explain how their career became a happy accident … but all describe the challenges and demands – and ultimately celebrate why there’s no business like show business! STAGES talks to talent from front of house and backstage - directors, designers, drag artists and doormen … performers, producers and publicists ... teachers, technicians and talent! Whatever stages it takes to engage and affect an audience – or whatever it takes to carve out a career in the arts – we’ll examine it in STAGES. STAGES is the recipient of the Best New Podcaster Award at The Australian Podcast Awards in 2019.

Information

  • Creator
    Peter Eyers
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    559
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Peter Eyers
  • Show Website
    STAGES with Peter Eyers

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