Pro Series with Mark Pawsey

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome Hilary O’Neil, India Cabezuelos-Lamborne & Jason Campbell. Having worked, between them, as entertainers for most of the top cruise lines in the world, it is illuminating, especially in light of the Cruise Industry re-awakening from the pandemic, to hear their shared knowledge, enthusiasm and experience regarding performance careers at sea. Hilary O’Neil  performs worldwide as a Comedienne, Impressionist & Singer. After training at Laine Theatre Arts her career began as a dancer working with Sir Ken Dodd at the famous London Palladium. Her major TV break was on the hit TV impressionist series Copycats, in which she appeared for two years. From there she appeared on numerous TV shows including The Royal Variety Show, Live from the Palladium, Summertime Special, Night of 100 Stars, Two Freddie Starr Series, Des O’Connor Tonight, Celebrity Squares, and many more.Her West End credits include Acorn Antiques the Musical, written by Victoria Wood &directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, Summer Holiday (West End & UK tour), the 60’s musical Shout & the Marx Brothers Comedy, Animal Crackers, at the Lyric Theatre.Hilary now headlines in her one-woman show all over the world on Cunard, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Oceania, Regent, Holland America, Azamara, Cunard & P&O cruiselines, but always comes back to the UK to appear in Pantomime having appeared in 40 Pantomimes to date. Recently she formed O’Neil Management & manages Comedy Ventriloquist Max Fulham, Mind Reader Matt Daniel-Baker, Illusionists White Magic & The Crazy Comedy Company! Jason Campbell started out at a very young age dancing and singing all around the world.  He studied voice in Philadelphia and worked for 5 years at one of the largest Christian theaters in the United States, Sight and Sound Theaters in Lancaster Pennsylvania.  Jason then began working in regional theater across the country in shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, Gypsy, Footloose, Swing the Musical, 42nd St. and La Cage aux Folles. Regional and National tours include Swing the Musical, Cats, the 10th Anniversary tour of Footloose and The Wedding Singer. Jason has sung and danced around the world performing for Celebrity Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Currently Jason is a Resident Director, Choreographer and Stager for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. India Cabezuelos-Lambourne is a Singer and Dancer that has worked all over the world from Universal Studios in Singapore to multiple Cruise Line companies including Norwegian Cruise Line where she was a principal singer on the Norwegian Star and Sun.

Pasquale La Rocca Interview for Performers Stuff Pro Series: Dancing with the Stars Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with Pro Ballroom & Latin Dancer, Pasquale La Rocca, two-time winner of Dancing with the Stars firstly in Belgium (2019) and most recently in Ireland (2020). Pasquale shares with Mark his passion and dreams for dance and what it means to win DWTS Meet Two-time Dancing with the Stars Champion PASQUALE LA ROCCA Originally from Italy and now based in London, Pasquale La Rocca is an Italian Ballroom and Latin American Champion having represented Italy at the World Latin American Championship in 2007. Dancing since he was 9 years old, he has since become a specialist of Ballroom and Latin America dancing, and has also trained in Jazz, Commercial and Musical Theatre. In 2014, Pasquale joined the Broadway production of "Burn the Floor", touring London, China, Australia, Japan and South Africa as Principal Dancer and Dance Captain. Following UK tours of “Tango Moderno”, and "Here come the Girls”, as a leading male dancer, Pasquale joined Dancing with The Stars – Belgium, in 2019, partnering influencer Julie Vermeire. Immediately after winning the competition and lifting the famous Mirror Ball Trophy, Pasquale joined the Irish cast of Dancing with the Stars, this time partnering Broadcaster Lotti Ryan. Remarkably he was able to dance to victory again and lift the Mirror Ball Trophy for a second consecutive time.

As an introduction to Performer Stuff, Pro Series here is our recent interview with MDC 3, a young dance trio from Placentia California featured on Season 4 of NBC’s World of Dance. Listen to Madison, Emma, Diego talk to our pro series host, Mark Pawsey about their collective passion for dance.

Back in July 2020, as an introduction to our Performer Stuff, Pro Series we had an interview with MDC 3, a young dance trio from Placentia California who were being featured on Season 4 of NBC’s World of Dance. To watch part one of that interview click here. They were crowned Champions of the series and won $1,000,000 and have agreed to be interviewed again Listen to Madison, Emma, Diego once again talk to our pro series host, Mark Pawsey, this time about what it took to win the championships.

Michael & Jowita Interview for Performer Stuff Pro Series: Winners of BBC TV’s The Greatest Dancer To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome professional dancers Michael and Jowita, winners of BBC TV’s The Greatest Dancer, in 2020. Hear them share their passions for dance, as they join Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey to talk about their careers, what goes into making a successful dance partnership, their dreams together, and what it feels like to win such a coveted television show. Michael Danilczuk & Jowita Przystal Michael began ballroom and Latin dance aged 7 and Jowita at 12. They met in 2013 at a summer dance camp in Krakow, Poland. Initially they disliked each other but, after a year of partnership they fell in love, and now are inseparable both on and off stage. They represented Poland at many National and International competitions and in 2014 became Polish Open Latin Champions. In 2015 they ended their competitive career to join Burn The Floor, an internationally renowned dance company, where they worked for the 4 years, investing their time to learn, develop and incorporate tricks, lifts and other styles of dance into their choreography. They then moved to London, to follow their biggest dream, becoming professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing the show that sparked the worldwide phenomena, Dancing with The Stars. In 2020 Michael & Jowita won the BBC TV hit show “The Greatest Dancer” series 2, giving them an opportunity to perform on Strictly Come Dancing, a stepping-stone to achieving their dreams. https://michaeljowita.com/ Instagram michael_jowita Facebook, Cameo and YouTube Michael & Jowita

Leading Ladies of the West End Interview For Performers Stuff Pro Series:  Maintaining 8 Shows a Week, Keeping Your Voice Healthy & Great Acting Tips Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with 3 of London’s West End Leading Ladies, Kim Criswell, Sophie Louise Dann and Janie Dee as they share up close and personal, their first-hand knowledge and experience of what it takes to maintain 8 shows a week. Meet London’s West End Leading Ladies KIM CRISWELL Kim is a native American musical entertainer, actress and EMI solo recording artist who has performed with most of the leading Symphony Orchestras of the World. She came to London as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun for which she received an Olivier Award Nomination. On Broadway she appeared in the original casts of Baby& Nine and starred opposite Sting in The Threepenny Opera.She played Grizabella in the first LA production of CATS & won the Helen Hayes Award for Side By Side By Sondheim in Washington. SOPHIE-LOUISE DANN Sophie-Louise is a British actress, who recently completed the UK tour of Les Misérables playing Madame Thenardier. In the West End, she was nominated for Olivier Awards on 2 occasions, for Lend Me a Tenor and The Girls, the latter of which was written by Take That star Gary Barlow. A protagonist for new works and writings, Sophie-Louise also created leading roles in the new musicals Bend it Like Beckham & Made in Dagenham. JANIE DEE Janie is an English actress and singer. She won the Olivier, Evening Standard, Critics Circle Theatre, Obie and Theatre World Awards for her role in Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential both in London and New York. She also won an Olivier Award for her performance as Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel. Most recently she was nominated for an Olivier Award playing Phyllis in the Royal National Theatre's acclaimed Follies opposite Imelda Staunton.

Cherie B. Tay Interview for Performers Stuff Pro Series: Hadestown Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with Stage Manager Cherie B. Tay, currently on Broadway’s hit Tony Award winning musical Hadestown. Cherie became an internet sensation in the summer and during lockdown when she posted a video of herself ‘calling’ the top of show for Amélie The Musical. Meet Hadestown Stage Manager CHERIE B. TAY What is it like to be part of the hit musical Hadestown? How does it feel to be a Stage Manager on Broadway and what are you currently missing from not being backstage at the Walter Kerr Theatre? Cherie will answer these questions and many more as she demonstrates her passion for Theater and her art form and provides us an insight into life backstage, as a Broadway Stage Manager. Cherie B. Tay is a multimedia creative artist. In addition to stage managing on Broadway, she is also a professional photographer, voice over artist, and ukulele teacher. Broadway and Tour credits include: Hadestown, Amélie, Gettin' The Band Back Together, War Horse and In The Heights. Her photography work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Skittles Broadway Live, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and numerous other publications. www.cheriebtay.com

Krista Monson Interview for Performers Stuff Pro Series: Cirque du Soleil and Curiosity in the Performing Arts Performer Stuff Pro Series host, Mark Pawsey catches up with director and choreographer, Krista Monson, who met Mark while both were working for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. Krista shares with us her insights, passion and curiosity for the performing arts and what it takes to become a successful producing director. Meet Krista Monson KRISTA MONSON Krista Monson is one of today’s most imaginative and innovative creative, stage, casting and vision directors, pursuing a life of creativity and excellence while influencing others to reach their full potential as artists and human beings. Krista spent nine years with Cirque du Soleil, first as Artistic Director of “O”, then as Casting Director for Cirque du Soleil’s resident shows worldwide, and as Conceptor and Stage Director for Cirque du Soleil Special Events. In 2012, she was featured in the CNN series Leading Women, an OMEGA Ladymatic sponsored series showcasing outstanding women at the top of their chosen fields. The series also featured Melinda Gates, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. A native Canadian, she directed and choreographed countless works in music theater, international special events, and multi-disciplinary genres, passionately fusing dance, music, theater and athleticism. She is the recipient of two Elizabeth Sterling Haynes awards in the category of Outstanding Choreography

To continue with Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome young actor Christopher Convery, as he talks to our pro series host, Mark Pawsey about his varied life on Stage, Screen and in Televison. Twitter @ChrisConverynyc Instagram @christopherconvery At only 12 years of age, Christopher is already an acclaimed actor on stage, screen and television. He attends the prestigious Professional Performing Arts School in NYC. When he was 7, Christopher played "Young Charlie" in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Most recently he starred in the film Brahms: The Boy II, opposite Katie Holmes and as Young Billy in Stranger Things. He played opposite Emmy winner Claire Foy in The Girl in the Spider’s Web and has a recurring role as Martin, Penguin's partner in crime on Fox’s Emmy award-winning show Gotham. Christopher Convery is an American actor who starred in the film Brahms: The Boy II (2020) opposite Katie Holmes, Ralph Ineson and Owain Yoeman. This follows immediately wrapping STRANGER THINGS as "Young Billy" starring opposite Millie Bobby Brown. Christopher hasn't stopped since, shooting a lead role at the famous BABELSBERG STUDIOS in Berlin and Sweden, wrapping THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB starring opposite EMMY winner Claire Foy, directed by Fede Alvarez. Christopher can be seen starring opposite Robin Lord Taylor in a Recurring role as MARTIN, Penguin's partner in crime on FOX'S EMMY award-winning show GOTHAM. You can also see Christopher in other hit TV Shows such as MACGYVER, CHICAGO MED, SUCCESSION, THE BLACKLIST REDEMPTION and HATERS BACK OFF as "Young Patrick" and in the movie BY DAWN. Christopher had his professional acting start at the tender age of seven on BROADWAY in the Principal role of "Young Charlie" in Kinky Boots, directed by Jerry Mitchell. Christopher is based in New York and is also a professional singer and an accomplished pianist. You can catch Chris singing in his free time when he is not on location shooting a movie or TV show. He has been frequently invited to sing at many iconic showrooms such the famous 54 BELOW, BIRDLAND and THE GREEN ROOM. Christopher is known to be a huge fan of Leonardo DiCaprio and is a great admirer of his work. He is also a fan of Ben Platt. In Chris's free time he likes to record covers of Ben's songs on his Youtube channel. Christopher has a little brother named Sean who is also an actor and following in his footsteps. Christopher is an academic and skipped a grade, even though he was asked to skip 2 grades. He chose to skip 1 so he could be closer in age and be with his friends. He attends the Prestigious Professional Performing Arts School in NYC that Claire Danes, Alicia Keys, Sarah Hyland, Jesse Eisenberg, and Britney Spears also attended.

To continue with our Performers Stuff Pro Series, please welcome Joyce Arbucias, Christiaan Abbott and Gabriella Juliet. They collectively share personal experiences of what it is like in an audition room “behind the audition table” from their perspective as Producers, Directors and Show Creators. Meet our Panelists Joyce Arbucias is one of the founding partners of Performer Stuff and its parent company, The Imagination House. Joyce serves as creative director and executive producer, overseeing various creative teams, as well as writing, directing, and developing new creative projects and theatrical endeavors. As a former performer, she also shares her experiences on stage, in front of the camera, and in the recording studio, volunteering as mentor and coach to young artists, Christiaan Abbott started his professional dancing career at the age of 15. From ballet & modern dance companies to multi-million-dollar Las Vegas productions, as well as tours, cruise ships, and theme parks, Christiaan has experienced all kinds of theaters and productions. He has danced for award winning choreographers like Arlene Philips, Antony Van Laast and Jerry Jackson as well as with celebrities such as Wayne Brady, Michael Crawford and David Cassidy. After Christiaan’s dance career ended he became a stage manager and later a cruise director for Disney Cruise Line. He then went on to become Creative Director and Director of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line. Christiaan hosts his video podcast In The Holding Room weekly on performerstuff.com talking with showbusiness professionals. Gabriella Juliet grew up in the Orlando theatre community and continued her dream into adulthood, Gabriella is thrilled to be sharing her experiences and honored to be a part of Performer Stuff Pro Series! Most recently she was seen performing at Orlando Fringemas, as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present & Future, as well as Mrs. Claus at the Orlando REP. Gabriella is a resident vocalist for TIH Studios, a hostess and performer for HÄOS on Church Street, and graduated with her BFA in Music Theatre from Florida State University. Some favorite credits include Pete the Cat (Mom), How I Became a Pirate (Max), The Full Monty (Estelle), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Houdini: The Musical, and West Side Story (Rosalia) Keep up with her on IG @gabriellajuliet