Coaches

STEPH –
Stephanie Waites

She / Her

DRAMA SCENE Founder (Head Coach and Writer)
Drama Scene Players Inc. – DRAMA & CREATIVE ARTS DIRECTOR / President
BA Theatre, Theory & Practice (Hons)
PROUD MEMBER OF ACTORS EQUITY since 1978
Theatresports® Teacher Accreditation
St John Emergency First Aid certificate
International Thespian Society, Life Member

Trained in Theatre, Drama, Voice, Singing, Dancing (RAD Ballet, FATD Tap, Jazz Ballet), with fourteen years professional performance experience including Title roles in professional musical theatre productions and roles in film, television, voiceovers and radio plays, Stephanie Waites worked across Australia and in the United Kingdom before establishing Drama Scene back home in Sydney in 2003.

In response to working professionally from the age of 8 years old and with fifteen years’ experience working with; pre-school aged children, school students, children with special needs, teenagers and professional child Actors, Stephanie continues to write for children and to develop a range of unique programs for children and young adults in the creative, practical and performing arts. This includes over two decades writing original, Process Theatre inspired programs for Drama Scene’s classes teaching 5-14 year olds.

Steph is trained in Improvisation and a former Judge for Impro Australia’s TSC (Theatreports® Schools Challenge).  She also acts as a mentor to Student Primary Drama Teachers and since 1999 she has been invited to run workshops training Primary Teachers to use drama in the NSW Primary School Curriculum for Drama NSW, Drama Australia and the Sydney Theatre Company. Steph has presented at Drama conferences Australia wide on a range of topics from Puppetry for 5 year olds to developing performances from found objects and using Drama to teach subjects such as Literacy, Maths and History. Specialisations include Acting Techniques, Voice, Movement, Mime, Improvisation, Musical Theatre, Puppetry, Mask, Characterisation, Shakespeare, Script Analysis, Playwriting, Playbuilding, Theatresports®, Monologue Creation, Theatre/Film Audition Technique and Drama Scene’s unique ‘DramaDance’ program.

Steph’s play for 5-12 year olds, Puppy Wishes was developed and performed in three Sydney Primary Schools and she was invited to the Drama Australia National Conference held in Perth, Spaces Of Performance to present a process workshop.

Steph continues to pursue funding for the Drama Scene Players Inc., particularly for projects promoting the work she and her Drama Scene trained Coaches do using Drama for; positive mental health in Teens, for children on the Autism Spectrum, for young people with Special Needs, as a tool to encourage resilience.

In collaboration with Ever After Theatre (the only NSW Company for Adults with an Intellectual Disability) and Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre, Stephanie ‘s DSP Inc. project from 2012 – 2018 was the facilitation of weekly Drama classes for Disabled children including children with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities and children on the Autism Spectrum.

Through DSP Inc., Stephanie Waites was also the Creative Arts Director for DS Teens original theatre projects – Time, 11.11, Space and DramaScener performances of group devised Play, Toyshop.

2020-2021 saw Drama Scene move on to digital learning and the discovery of Zoom as a tool to teach Acting On Camera & Onscreen. Stephanie Waites wrote and produced original “Zoom” Plays including, Zooming Off To Zigibob and SSSHh!, and she delivered online Drama programs to students across Australia with support from Create NSW & the NSW Government.

2025 brings the opportunity for a new cast of young Actors to experience the production of a Play as Steph is Directing a new project for Drama Scene Players in Sydney, March to September.

In her personal time, Steph is a volunteer with The Pyjama Foundation and she provides mentor care for children and young people living in Out Of Home Care / Foster Care, (and she always seems to be getting ready for another roadtrip or overseas adventure).

https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn569682

Amy Hack

Actors Centre Australia
Atlantic Theatre Company (USA)
Patrick Studios (Australia)

Amy has been working professionally across theatre, music theatre and film/television around the country for 15 years. Training at the Actors Centre Australia, Atlantic Theatre Company in NYC and Patrick Studios Australia for dance, Amy loves to explore different creative mediums within the Perfoming Arts Industry including writing, devising, choreographing and teaching. Amy has performed in various productions for Griffin Theatre Company, the Hayes Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare and other theatre companies across the country, at such venues as the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre Melbourne. Amy is thrilled to be able to share all she’s learnt about creative expression, play and story-telling with the next generation of artists.

Andrew Waldin

Performing Arts (Stage and Screen) – ACA
Diploma of Musical Theatre – NIDA

Andrew Waldin is a Sydney Theatre Award Nominated Actor (Best Newcomer, 2022) and some of his recent credits include the Original and AUS Tour of Marvelous (AR Entertainment), the AUS/NZ tour of The Shrek Rave (Like It Love It), The Front Page (New Theatre), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Michelle Guthrie Presents). Andrew has a Diploma of Musical Theatre (NIDA) and a Bachelor of Performing Arts (ACA). Andrew has Directed, Musical Directed and Choreographed shows including Matilda, Seussical, Into the Woods, Shrek, and Mary Poppins for school’s across Sydney including; Arden Anglican School, Stella Maris College, and SCEGGS Redlands.

Ash Sakha

He / Him

Advanced Diploma in Stage and Screen

Ash Sakha is a motivated and passionate, Sydney based actor of Middle Eastern Descent (Iranian) who also speaks Farsi. His fascination towards the craft lead him to studying at the Actors College of Theatre and Television, completing his Two-year Advanced Diploma in Stage and Screen. His TV Credits include Home & Away (Chanel 7) and Doctor Doctor (Chanel 9).

Cate Cunningham

She / Her

Recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Professional Service Award from the PTC (Professional Teachers’ Council)
Bachelor of Arts
Dip. Art (Education)
Drama NSW – Current Drama Australia Liaison Officer
ACAPTA – Australian Circus & Physical Theatre Association

Cate Cunningham has spent a lifetime immersed in the arts, first in Visual Arts, then Dance, then Corporeal Mime, Drama and, more recently, Circus. Now that she has left a full-time Secondary Teaching career to teach Drama part-time while pursuing her interests in directing, circus, writing, street and parade theatre, and commedia del’Arte, Cate is finally available to share her experience with our students, she is also currently presenting the Drama in the Secondary School course at Macquarie University. Her remarkable experience means Cate has taught all ages from pre-school to adult, and her student achievements include finalists in the first Theatresports® Schools Competition (TSC), equal first place in Class Clowns and a national standup comedy festival at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, the selection of Director’s Notes for OnStage, original work called I Hate Dolls, devised and performed by students with learning difficulties at the Page to Stage festival at The Ensemble Theatre, performers in the first international Rock Eisteddfod, and her ex-students have formed their own circus troupe. Cate has marked HSC Drama for over 12 years, and she has been an active Committee Member of Drama NSW for as long (including terms as President and her current role as Drama Australia Liaison Officer).

Chantelle Vella

She / Her

BA of Music Theatre 2010, Western Australian Academy of Performing

Improv Theatre Sydney
Master of Speech Pathology – University of Technology Sydney
Master of Health Communication – University of Sydney
Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) – University of Wollongong

Chantelle’s training at ITS has her on the path of being an emerging Improviser in Sydney. Chantelle is a creative Speech Therapist who has had a passion for drama, storytelling and performance from as young as she can remember. Over the last decade working within the healthcare industry, Chantelle has taken a strong interest in the intersectionality between the arts and health. She is dedicated to supporting young people to ‘find their voice’, inner-strengths and confidence through self-expression. Chantelle brings a positive energy to that stage and teaching others.

Charlotte McKee Wright

She / Her

B Dramatic Arts (performance) – Excelsia College

Charlotte is a trained actor with experience across screen and stage and has been performing since she was 10 years old. Some recent credits include The Caucasian Chalk Circle (2022), Bustown (2023) and This is NOT a Hollywood Romance (2024), the latter of which she co-wrote and starred in for the Sydney Fringe Festival. She made her directing debut in 2025 at the Short + Sweet festival, to great success. Charlotte is passionate about telling underrepresented stories and inspiring creativity and courage in younger generations.

Jean Hanjue Zhang

Graduate – NOW Theatre (China)
Master of Speech Pathology – University of Sydney, completion December 2025

Jean is a passionate improviser with experience learning and performing in the U.S.A., China, and Australia. With a background in after-class teaching, she loves inspiring young minds by unlocking their potential through fun and engaging play. Jean is about to complete her Master of Speech Pathology at the University of Sydney, blending her skills to foster communication, compassion, resilience, and trust through drama. She is thrilled to share her passion for creativity, play, and self-expression with the next generation.

Jordana Wegman

UNSW – BA Theatre and Performance
Graduate – Improv Theatre School

Jordana is an Improviser and Comedian with a BA in Theatre and Performance from the University of NSW. She have been featured in the Sydney Comedy Festival as well as Sydney Fringe Festival and has worked with Directors such as Kevin Jackson, Tessa Leong and Imara Savage. Most recently she graduated from the Improv Theatre School and performed with her improv team in the ITS Smackdown Finals. Jordana has taught Drama and Public Speaking at numerous NSW schools.

Luke Visentin

Bachelor Fine Arts (Acting) – NIDA

Luke is an enthusiastic member of the Sydney acting community, and when not teaching, he can be found frequenting the stages and screens of Sydney. Luke Visentin graduated with a BFA in acting from NIDA in 2020. Luke loves to pass his skills on to the next generation. He believes that studying drama can enrich all of us, improving our confidence, communication, decision making, public speaking, abstract thinking, and our empathy. It’s also a lot of fun! He’s excited to share his enthusiasm for acting working with Drama Scene.

Rachel Alexander

Bachelor of Arts (Applied Theatre & Screen Production) – Griffith University
Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts – ACA
Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology – UNSW

Rachel is a passionate theatre professional with a background in acting, applied theatre, and psychology. Holding an Advanced Diploma in Acting from Actors Centre Australia, a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Theatre & Film from Griffith University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology from UNSW, Rachel uses her expertise to create engaging and transformative learning experiences for children. Rachel’s diverse theatre experience includes roles in; Sport For Jove’s Moby Dick and Workhorse Theatre’s The Walworth Farce, as well as training in improv at Improv Theatre Sydney. Rachel excels in fostering creativity, confidence, and communication skills. She believes in the power of theatre to build empathy and help children grow, both as performers and individuals. Rachel is excited to inspire young minds, encouraging them to explore their creativity and develop valuable life skills through the arts.

Savannah Melvin

She / Her

Bachelor of Dramatic Art

Savannah Melvin is a Sydney based actress. Sav is also an acting graduate with Bachelor of Dramatic Art and she spent 3 months studying screen in Los Angeles in 2024. Sav enjoys exploring accent work having completed accent courses at NIDA. You may have seen her in role as Claris From Paris at The Grounds (Alexandria). Savannah gained extensive experience guiding and helping children when she managed a jungle gym and children’s arcade for two years while completing her tertiary studies.

Tahlia Merlino

Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance- NIDA 2018
16th Street Actors Studio Full Time Program 2019/20
PROUD MEMBER OF ACTORS EQUITY since 2018

Tahlia is a NIDA trained actor experienced in stage and screen and a graduate of Melbourne’s 16th Street’s Full Time Actors Studio Program.  Her recent theatre credits herself include New Theatre’s The Park (2022),  Factory Space Theatre Company’s, A Peculiar River (2019) and The House That Dan Built’s, Tender Young Creatures (2017/18).

Tahlia is an experienced Drama Tutor, working expansively with  ATYP, NIDA,  Ettinghausens and The Next Step Performing Arts and Arts Theatre Cronulla.

Ziggy Resnick

She / They

Bachelor Fine Arts (Acting) – NIDA
Diploma of Arts (Musical Theatre) – AIM

Ziggy is a professional actor, performer, writer and acting teacher working in Sydney and Melbourne. Graduating from NIDA in 2020, Ziggy has gone on to perform at some of Sydney’s most prestigious theatre spaces, and worked with some of Australia’s finest directors and theatre practitioners. Ziggy has honed her teaching craft as one that combines playful and contemporary skills with traditional performance practice. Ziggy considers being a young, industry professional as her greatest teaching skill, consistently working as an actor allowing her to build her repertoire as a teacher as one that is ever-evolving, relevant and engaging for young people.