Daniel Benge – Mark
Currently pleasing his parents by studying a Bachelor of Performing Arts and a Bachelor of Law, Daniel hopes to forge a career as a theatrical producer. He has appeared as Chip Tolentino in 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' with PLOS, Matt in 'BARE'and Detective Starnes in 'Parade' with New Beat Theatre Company, Man 1 in 'Edges a Song Cycle' with Why Not Production Company and Ray in 'Ruby Moon' with Bialik College. For Daniel, RENT has been a challenging and rewarding experience. Daniel would like to dedicate his performance to Wil Riley Spencer; who loved the show, and will undoubtedly be watching - with criticisms of course.

Steve Simmons – Roger
Steve studied a Music & Performing Arts Degree at WAAPA. He has appeared in guest roles on TV in Neighbours, City Homicide, Last Man Standing, Stingers and in feature film roles and over 20 commercials. His theatre credits include the role of Robbie Hart in ‘The Wedding Singer’ with Fab Nobs Theatre, Kenny Black in ‘A Bunch of Ratbags’ with Magnormos (including the CD of the original cast recording), Coach Bolton in ‘High School Musical’ with Whitehorse, lead roles in ‘Hidden Features’ and ‘Double Exposure’ at the Melbourne Arts Centre.
He sang with an act that had two albums and numerous singles released throughout Europe and Japan. Steve currently fronts Melbourne cover band legends Pean, who have performed over 3,000 shows

Katie Wood - Mimi
Katie has been singing, dancing and acting at school and with many amateur theatre groups from a very young age. she has been involved in a number of courses in performance including Showfit Musical Theatre course and APO Music Theatre course whilst attending dance classes at both The Space And Dance World Studios and privately studying singing with Chelsea Plumley and Andrew Kronen. Katie has performed with a number of amateur production companies including Beautiful Wonderful Broadway, Starbound and CPCA. Previous roles include Erma in ‘Anything Goes’, Eliza in ‘Pygmalion’ and Maggie Jones in ‘42nd Street’. Katie is now aiming to break into the professional musical theatre world and hopes RENT will be a vehicle in attaining this goal. It is one of her all time favourite shows and she has great passion for the work particularly due to the overwhelming nature of each of the characters’ individual stories and confronting themes.

Katie Weston – Maureen
Katie is a professional singer, performer, composer and recording artist. Recent highlights include releasing her debut EP "Say The Word" on iTunes worldwide and supporting Aussie rockers Thisrty Merc. She released her debut single “This Is What I Really Want” and its music video in 2007 and attended the 2009 ARIA Awards in Sydney, recently releasing her fourth single to the ARIA dance charts "Take Me Down" with her electro-house duo Starship Sailor. Katie also does voice-over and sessional recording work for various studios, as well as earning TVC and screen credits. She has been the front-woman for dynamic nightclub cover band Stellar since 2005, playing to capacity crowds at premier venues including Crown Casino. Katie operates her own independent recording & publishing label, composing all kinds of music for commercial and performance uses. She is currently working on a new full-length musical called Sugartown.
Katie is also a sought after vocal coach and is head of vocals at Billy Hyde Music Academy. Stage credits include Cabaret as Sally Bowles (VMTG nomination), Songs For A New World as Woman #2, Gypsy as Gypsy Rose-Lee, Children of Eden as Eve, Chicago and Les Miserables. Training includes a Bachelor of Music Composition (VCA), Adv.Dip in Music Performance: Jazz & Contemporary Vocals (NMIT), Adv.Dip in Film & Video Production (OC) and Music Theatre Performance (National Theatre).

Zule Khan – Joanne
Zule (pronounced Julie with a Z!) followed her parents’ wishes and became a Div1 Registered Nurse, however, having danced since she was three and having a passion for performing, she put her needles and bed pans aside to pursue performance. She studied at NIDA, VCA and Danceworld 301.
Zule’s performance credits are eclectic and include Medical Emergency on Channel 7 as an RN on shift, Channel 31 presenter for MGP TV, Featured Puppeteer for Camp Quality, Cabaret Shows at The Butterfly Club, Marion in VCA’s ‘Boy From Oz’ and Mary in City of the Damned, her feature film debut. She would like to thank her vocal coach, Sally Bourne, her family in NSW and Melbourne, her three boys, Michael, Kwasa and Red and you for reading. www.myspace.com/zuleika_Khan

Leigh Barker – Angel
Leigh is an accomplished performer having worked in both Australia and internationally as a singer, dancer and choreographer. Most recently Leigh toured Australia and New Zealand playing Riff Raff and Eddie in ETA’s ‘Timewarp’ – A Rocky Horror Tribute. Other onstage credits include ‘Oliver!’, ‘Godspell’, ‘Queen of the Desert’ – A Priscilla Tribute, ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘Aida’ and ‘Anything Goes’. Choreography credits include the Victorian Amateur Premier of ‘The Witches of Eastwick’, ‘Sweet Charity’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. TV credits include Rush, Thank God You’re Here, Myer Christmas  Parades and Offspring.
Leigh has wanted to play the role of Angel since seeing the ’99 Australian tour.
‘No Day, but Today’

Christian Cavallo – Benny
Originally from Geelong, Christian performed as Lion and Tinman in ‘The Wizard of Oz’, Tommy in ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, Marius in ‘Les Misérables’  (two nominations VMTG), Judah in ‘Joseph’, Michael in ‘The Witches of Eastwick’, (Judge’s Award, VMTG), Billy in ‘Anything Goes’ and Nick in ‘Fame’. Since moving to Melbourne, he has performed as Paul in ‘A Chorus Line’ and a Wickersham Brother in ‘Seussical’ with Whitehorse, Eddie in ‘Blood Brothers’ with CLOC, in SHooSH Production’s Australasian premieres, Zack in ‘bare’ and Austin in ‘I Love You Because’ and Danny in ‘Grease’ with PLOS. He last appeared in ‘Working’ for Three Big Men Productions and Beyond Blue. 

Christian was selected for the top 30 finalists in the inaugural Rob Guest Endowment in 2009 and has again been selected in 2010. Earlier this year he worked as Director’s Assistant for Magnormos Production’s Australasian premiere of [title of show] and features in the recently released short film Remember Fender. He regularly performs with functions band, Chimes, and by day works as a qualified Graphic Designer, and freelances as Caval Design.

Phil Haby – Tom Collins
Phil has over 25 years experience performing on stage in bands, musical groups and professional and non-professional theatre. His theatre credits include Menelaus in ‘Paris’ with Stella Entertainment, Playbox ‘Inside Season 2002-Blak Inside’ – Casting Doubts for Playbox & Ilbijerri Theatre Company, Javert in ‘Les Miserables’ with PLOS, Audrey II (Voice) in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ with Fabulous Nobodys, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar with Ballarat Lyric Theatre.
Phil’s last appearance was as Tom Collins in Stella Entertainment’s non-professional premiere of RENT in 2006 and he is thrilled to be recreating the role. He had a 4-year break from theatre to pursue other musical ventures and run his own fancy dress hire business, The Fancy Dress Party Place. He also played his favourite role to date as father to daughter Matilda. I am thrilled to be involved with Rent and to be working with Paul Watson again, though this time not as a fellow cast member, but  as our director. I have had a ball revisiting my old friend Tom Collins. I hope you as an audience enjoy the ride as much I have.

Leah Anderson
Leah's past show credits include; ‘The Big Chill’ (SFXTC), ‘Rumors’ (BATS), ‘Money & Friends’ (SFXTC), ‘Salad Days’ (YABC), ‘Detective Story’ (Deakin), ‘Godspell’ (VYT), ‘Sweet Charity’ (Windmill), ‘Hot Mikado’ (Windmill), ‘Urinetown’ (PEP), ‘Disney's Beauty and the Beast’ (Whitehorse), ‘Seussical’ (Whitehorse), ‘The Wedding Singer’ (Fab Nobs), ‘Intros & Exits’ (MDMS), ‘Witches of Eastwick’ (Players), ‘Songs for a New World’ (PEP) and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (MDMS).
She has performed across Australia and Europe and occasionally dabbles in Film, TV and various bands. Leah has Directed, Musically Directed and Choreographed both straight and musical theatre and has received Guild and Lyrebird awards for many of her past roles both on stage and behind the scenes. ‘RENT’ has been a highlight for Leah and she has really enjoyed working with such a professional and dedicated Cast and Production team.

Henry Brett
Henry began his passion for performing during high school where he became an active member of The Peninsula School’s performing arts program. His music theatre credits with the school include ‘Cabaret’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Grease’, ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ and ‘Seussical’, where he was proud to play both ensemble and principle roles. In 2009, whilst in Year 12, Henry was the very lucky winner of the ANZ Win A Part In Wicked singing competition where he received the chance to perform in the ensemble of the professional Melbourne production of ‘Wicked’ for a performance.
           
“I have found the professionalism and talent shown by both the performers and the production team of ‘RENT’ to be inspiring, making me certain that I do not want my first Whitehorse show to be my last! I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I sincerely hope that everyone enjoys the show as much as I have being a part of it”.

Bianca Bramham
From age 13 to 20, Bianca studied Jazz Ballet, Contemporary and Neo Classical at The Victorian Dance Academy which lead to a natural progression into Music Theatre. Her stage credits include the role of Featured Dancer in ‘Oklahoma!’ (MDMS), ‘Calamity Jane’ (Babirra), ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ (PLOS), ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (Catchment) and ‘Hot Mikado’ (MDMS), Ensemble in ‘Anything Goes’ (Whitehorse) as well character roles in ‘Off To See The Wizard’ (VDA) as the Lion and ‘Into The Woods’ (Limelight) as the Ugly Stepsister. Bianca works as a Producer and Studio Manager at a commercial animation studio in South Melbourne. ‘RENT’ marks her second show with Whitehorse.

Kate Burns
This is Kate’s second show with Whitehorse, having played a Bird Girl in the company’s 2008 production of Seussical the Musical. Her previous stage credits include Dusty: The Original Pop Diva (CLOC); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; The Wizard of Oz, My Fair Lady (Catchment); Songs for a New World; I’m Perfect, I’ll Change You, That’s Love (PEP Productions), and Beautiful, Wonderful Broadway (Launchpad).

 In 2008 she musically directed and co-directed Warrandyte High School’s production of Highlights, and in 2009 she returned to musically direct their production of Honk. She feels privileged to be working with such a talented cast and production crew on this production of Rent, and hopes you love the show as much as she does.

Stuart Dodge
Stu is excited to return to Whitehorse for one of his favourite shows, he first appeared in the 2000 production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.
In the meantime, Stu has been seen with many theatre companies across Melbourne: Most recently as Judas in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ with MDMS, with Babirra as Sir Sagramore in ‘Camelot’ and Paul in ‘Kiss Me Kate’, with Catchment Players in their productions of ‘Oklahoma!’, ‘Joseph’, ‘Guys & Dolls’, ‘Song and Dance’, ‘Fame’, ‘Annie’, ‘Grease’ as Roger, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘The Witches of Eastwick’, ‘Godspell’ and many concerts.  For Catchment Stu has also choreographed and co-directed ‘Seussical Jr’,  ‘Disney’s Aladdin Jr’, ‘Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr’ and the Victorian amateur premiere of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’.
Across the other side of town Stu has appeared in WMTC’s production of ‘The Wedding Singer’ as Glen Guglia  and with ACT in ‘Chess’, ‘Hair’ as Benny in ‘RENT’, The Teen Angel in ‘Grease; Old Deuteronomy in ‘Cats’ and Mickey in ‘Blood Brothers’ for which he received a MTGV nomination for Best Lead Male.

Michael Butler
Michael is thrilled to be returning to the Whitehorse stage after a four-year absence. As a former committee member he has also worked as production manager, crew member and set designer for the company. In 2006 he directed the company’s first summer pantomime, ‘Cinderella’.
In 2007 he understudied the role of Billy Bigelow played by industry veteran Scott Irwin in the professional run of Rogers and Hammerstein’s ‘Carousel’. Other credits include The Baker (‘Into The Woods’), Michael (Tick, Tick…Boom), Drake (Honk!), Sammy (‘The Wedding Singer’) to name a few. Show highlights include ‘Return To the Forbidden Planet’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘West Side Story’ and ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. His most recent engagement was the role of Jesus for Mountain District’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.
Having had the pleasure of seeing ‘RENT’ three times on Broadway, Michael is over the moon to finally perform in this masterpiece.

Steven Keane
Steven’s association in theatre began at a very early age. He starred in his first musical at the age of ten and has been performing ever since. Steven has dabbled in film and television. His credits include Neighbours, Halifax FP and cameo role in Stingers and Blonde: The Marilyn Monroe story.
In 2001 he graduated from the National Theatre Drama School in Musical Theatre and performed in several theatre and cabaret productions namely ‘Sweeney Todd’ and Evolutions and ‘Songs of the Brewery’.  In 2007 Steven and music partner Stewart won the Chrysalis Cabaret Competition at the Butterfly Club for their show, ‘It’s Steven with a V’. Steven has continued to perform cabaret shows at various venues around Melbourne. He has worked in short films and has been actively working as an MC for corporate gigs. This marks Steven’s debut with Whitehorse and is very excited to be a part of ‘RENT’ and to work with such a talented cast.

Ashleigh Kreveld
Ashleigh fell in love with the performing arts at a young age, starting with private vocal lessons and dance classes. Roles in amateur theatre include Ernestina in 'Hello, Dolly!' (ARC Theatre Company), Mabel Washington in ‘Fame’ (Waterdale), Robin in ‘Godspell’ (ARC Theatre Company) as well as performances as Ilse (‘Spring Awakening’), Audrey (‘Little Shop of Horrors’), Effie White (‘Dreamgirls’), Addeperle (‘The Wiz’) and Annie (‘Chicago’).
She travelled overseas with the CPCA in 2008 to America with the Australian musical 'The Silver Donkey'. Recently completing training at APO Arts Academy studying Music Theatre, Ashleigh hopes to pursue a career in the performing arts. ‘RENT’ has been a favourite show for years and marks Ashleigh's first show with Whitehorse - she hopes you enjoy watching this beautiful tale of love, friendship, loss and 'bohemia' as much as she loves being part of it. La Vie Boheme!

Davis Kim Lim
Having just completed an Associate Degree in Music (Performance), Davis is thrilled to be part in his first Whitehorse production. However, this is his second time doing ‘RENT’, having previously appeared in Fab Nobs’ production. He more recently appeared in ‘Reefer Madness’ with the same company.  Davis is currently working as a music teacher, teaching keyboard, singing and directing choirs in primary schools.  Davis would like to thank Paul as well as everyone from the Whitehorse production team for this great experience

Virginia Lin
A classical pianist and violinist, Virginia was introduced to musical theatre whilst completing her Bachelor of Media and Communications at the University of Melbourne. There she worked on a number of original musical productions on stage as well as behind the scenes as librettist and director. She has since appeared in CLOC's ‘Miss Saigon’, New Beat Theatre Company's ‘Bare’, Babirra's ‘Kismet’and most recently in The Production Company’s ‘The King and I’. Her other performing credits include Opera Australia's ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ and lead singer in a Japanese/Euro rock cover band. And despite her diverse musical tastes, ‘RENT’ remains one of her favourite musicals.

Daniel Puckey
Daniel has been heavily involved in professional and non-professional theatre and music since 2006 and he has performed in over 60 shows as a Musical Director, Repetiteur and Orchestra Musician. ‘RENT’will mark his long-awaited stage debut as a performer and he is thoroughly enjoying things on the “other side”. This is Daniel’s sixth show with Whitehorse having been involved in ‘High School Musical’, ‘Aida’, ‘The Producers’, ‘A Chorus Line’ and ‘Disney’s Beauty and The Beast’.
Daniel wishes to extend thanks to his superbly talented cast-mates, who have been nothing short of amazing to watch in rehearsals and for also being supportive in helping him settle into “onstage” life! He also wishes to thank the production team for giving him the opportunity to perform on the stage and setting him new challenges in unexplored territory, encouraging him to become a more rounded performer.

Matt Skinner
’RENT’ is Matt’s second show with WMT, having previously appeared in ‘Anything Goes’ as the Reverend Henry T. Dobson earlier this year. Originally from Hobart, where he studied Voice at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, Matt’s most recent performances were in ‘Eurobeat’ for WMTC, where he competed on behalf of Ireland and Russia, and as the Tinman in Catchment Players’ production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Other stage highlights include ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (Jesus), ‘Shout!’ (Warren Lucas – Delltone), ‘Chess’ (Arbiter); ‘Anything Goes’ (Billy Crocker), ‘West Side Story’ (Riff), ‘Guys & Dolls’ (Nicely-Nicely), ‘Godspell’ (Jesus), ‘The Secret Garden’ (Dickon), ‘RENT’ (Steve, Collins Understudy) and ‘Songs for a New World’.

Danielle Smarrelli
Danielle graduated from Box Hill Institute 2009 with a Bachelor of Applied Music (Performance) majoring in Contemporary Vocals.  Beginning piano lessons at age 4, Danielle’s up-bringing has been rich with musical experiences.  In recent years, she has performed as a backing vocalist for Melbourne based hip-hop/jazz outfit True Live, and soul diva Paris Wells,  as well as recording and performing around Australia with some of Melbourne’s most coveted jazz and classical instrumentalists in The Raah Project – a seventeen-piece soul/jazz/hip-hop fusion.  She is currently working on her debut EP for her solo project Dani Marie and performs regularly around Melbourne with her 5 piece band.  Danielle’s theatre credits include appearing as Kim in Bye, Bye Birdie and as a member of the chorus in Gigi, as well as working as assistant musical director on a number of shows for her old high school Strathcona BGGS.

Jules Sutherland
Julia is enjoying a theatrical renaissance after going AWOL for several years. In the days before her extended absence, her theatre credits included ‘Birthrights’ (Claudia), ‘Oleanna’ (Carol), ‘Chicago’ (Velma), ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (Mary), ‘Les Miserables’ (Fantine), ‘Godspell’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (Ronette), ‘The World Goes 'Round’ and ‘Company’ (Marta) among others.
In the time since, she has kept herself amused writing and performing solo comedy and cabaret shows such as ‘Winter Soul Sister’, ‘Word’ (MICF), ‘Miss Guided Confessions’, ‘Utterly Miss Guided’ and ‘A Little Miss Guided’, travelling and trying to learn to play the guitar. Julia is a huge believer in the spirit of La Vie Boheme, and as such it is her absolute pleasure to return to the stage in the beautifully ungaraged vehicle that is ‘RENT’

Ashley Tynan
After most recently celebrating her 10th onstage performance with Whitehorse Musical Theatre in their show-stopping May production of ‘Anything Goes’, Ashley is ecstatic and honoured to be part of what she knows will be a tremendous production of ‘Rent’.
Ashley began dancing at age 4, training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary Dance, and chose to further her performance skills through a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts at Deakin University. Ashley endlessly dedicates her time and efforts into pursuing her passion for performing, hoping to develop a career in amateur and professional theatre in the years to come.
Notable show credits include ‘The Boy From Oz’ (CLOC), ‘The Wedding Singer’ (Fab Nobs) and Whitehorse’s ‘42nd  Street’, ‘Hello, Dolly!’, ‘West Side Story’, ‘Crazy For You’ (Patsy), ‘A Chorus Line’ (Kristine Urlich), ‘The Producers’, ‘Aida’, ‘High School Musical’ and the 2006 Summer pantomime ‘Cinderella’ where she took on the production role of Assistant Choreographer. Ashley also participated in the Whitehorse Fundraising Concert, ‘A Taste Of Broadway’.
Ashley has thoroughly enjoyed the way that ‘RENT’ has expanded her performance skills in areas other than dance and welcomes this challenge with open arms, living by the motto “No Day But Today” 

Jack Van Staveren
Jack has a long history with music theatre, beginning with eight years at the Young Australian Broadway Chorus, both as student and staff member. Jack was nominated for a Victorian Theatre Guild Award for his performance as Emcee in ‘Cabaret’, amongst five productions with Ivanhoe Grammar School. He also received a call back for STC's ‘Spring Awakening’ and was accepted into the Ballarat Academy of Performing Arts. This year, Jack was a member of the ensemble for UMMTA's ‘The Wedding Singer’ and is undertaking Jazz and Broadway classes at The Space Dance Centre and vocal tuition with Shaun Murphy.

Jenny Yu
Jenny used to sing both parts of “Light My Candle” in the shower as a 16-year-old, Jenny is so excited to now be a part of ‘RENT’ – one of her favourite shows of all time! Her previous musical theatre endeavours include ‘Miss Saigon’ with Windmill earlier this year and ‘Tails’ and ‘What Binds Us’ in 2007 and 2008 – two original Chinese language musicals produced by CMG.
Jenny will be graduating as a doctor at the end of this year and is stoked to be able to do one more show before she becomes a busy intern! Thank-you everyone at Whitehorse for the opportunity and the awesome experience!