Educational Support Material
& Program

Scott has worked in Theatre, Film & Television nationally and internationally as well as establishing several companies to devise new work. His training includes a BA in Acting from Federation University (2008) and a Masters from RADA in London (2016) along with extensive training in Commedia dell'Arte, Viewpoints, Suzuki method and with Frantic Assembly. After returning to Melbourne he established his own company Sheoak Productions in 2022 producing their first show Midsummer, and their second show Hamlet. He is also humbled to be a regular Movement and Acting lecturer at Federation University and made his directorial debut with the 3rd year graduating company devised production Exquisite Corpse early last year. He is grateful to be returning to share his knowledge where his professional journey began. His most recent appearances include in the sold out season of Traps at LaMama and the critically acclaimed Songs of the Flesh and Prophet both at Theatre Works last year as well as a guest appearance on the TV series Warnie, and earlier this year as Ed in the iconic Torch Song at Chapel Off Chapel. He is passionate about devising new work and reinterpreting existing texts with a physical and visceral approach to performing and training. Scott would like to thank his family, friends and everyone who has supported this production in ways big and small, it does not go unnoticed and it is so very deeply appreciated.

Mandy has over 25 years’ experience as a VCE Teacher, specialising in Drama and Theatre Studies as well as English and Outdoor Education. She is a VCE Assessor for Drama. Mandy trained as a Drama teacher at Melbourne University and has a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching Shakespeare from the University of Melbourne in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Warwick University in the UK. She has developed a strong portfolio as a director in local and school productions, including marking the amateur premiere of critically acclaimed production of Matilda - The Musical production in Australia. She is passionate about the transformative power of Shakespeare’s plays in any form. Mandy previously directed Two Gents and Midsummer for Sheoak Productions in 2021/2022 and is excited to return for this production of Hamlet.

Seon Williams (she/her) is a Naarm based actor with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She has appeared in over 40 stage shows including Artefact Theatre’s “The Real Inspector Hound”, sell-out Midsumma Festival show “A Year of Dating”, and the Ghostlight League’s production of “Shakespeare Aliens” as part of the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals. In 2023, Seon was an actor, writer and director for Baggage Production’s “Madwomen Monologues” and performed in InnesLloyd’s Melbourne Comedy Festival production of “A Bond Among Us”. Seon has also appeared in the award-winning web series “The Happiness Curve” and award-winning short film “Autocarrot”. This is Seon’s third time performing with Sheoak Productions, following 2021’s “Two Gents” and “Midsumma” in 2022.

Scott Jackson has a bachelor’s degree in Acting and has continued training in Stage Combat mainly in Australia with SAFDi and Captivate Action Ltd. He has worked for the Australian Shakespeare Company for over a decade, working on Romeo & Juliet (Mercutio) A midsummer Nights Dream (Demetrius) Hamlet (Guildenstern) As You Like It (Le Beau/ Silvius), and Shakespeare’s Best Bits twice (Snout, nominated for a Green Room award). Scott was the Fight Choreographer for the ASC’s new production of Romeo & Juliet in 2023 and has just finished playing Mr. Toad in Wind in the willows. Scott’s Immersive and Improvised Theatre experience includes: large scale tour of Dirty Dancing. Underground cinema’s Hotel, Kingdom, Call of Duty Black Ops, Edgar Ellen Poe’s world of A Midnight Visit, and Applause Entertainment’s Murder Mystery at Labassa Mansion. Scott has also been a company member of Melbourne Playback Theatre Company since 2017. Scott's other credits include: A dogs Tale TV Series WIN TV (Chris), Two Gents (Proteus) for Sheoak Productions, Romeo and Juliet (Romeo) and King Lear (Oswald) for Ozact Theatre Company, Macbeth (Ross) for Melbourne Company of Players and numerous other productions. Scott has been a proud member of the MEAA since 2008.

Lachie Murdoch is a performer, director, stage combatant, and arts creative based in Naarm/Melbourne. In performance, Lachie cut his teeth in the stand up comedy scene. As a director, 10 years experience in touring Children's Theatre - whilst covering all facets and rolls of production, touring, and performing. This also included stage combat, evolving to instruction & training as a committee member of the Australian Stage Combat Association. After assisting in the background for previous productions, Lachie is delighted to finally step onto the stage with the fantastic team at Sheoak Productions as Claudius/Ghost in Hamlet. Fulfilling a long standing desire to explore not only a profoundly historic playwright, but also an equally influential comedic performing style for his Shakespeare & Commedia debut.

Jacqui Martin is a Melbourne based performer, director and arts creative working across many fields in the industry. As a director, Jacqui worked in children’s theatre for 11 years producing shows that toured Australia, which she also performed in and played over 20 different characters. In 2023, she directed ‘Burn it.’ for its debut season at The Butterfly Club, and is currently directing its remount for Adelaide Festival. Directing is a passion for Jacqui and she delights in collaborative projects where the work is created with writer, performer and director. Jacqui is currently working as Operations Manager at Dancehouse, is Treasurer for the Be You Group Board and is the current Victorian Rep for Australian Stage Combat Association. Jacqui is delighted to be joining Sheoak Productions again for ‘Hamlet’, after being involved in ‘Midsummer’ as Helena, Titania, Snug, Egeus and Puck (2022), and playing Silvia, Lucetta and Antonia in ‘Two Gents’ (2021). She revels in the ensemble nature of the shows and creating the work in collaboration with this incredible team.

Based in Melbourne and Bendigo Emma has been involved in the industry for 19 years. Working festivals, films and stage productions she loves being a backstage dweller. Although assistant stage manager is her all-time favourite position she has also held other roles such as assistant director, production manager, stage manager, backstage assistant, audio, hair and makeup design/application, props master, wardrobe, front of house, ensemble and set construction. After working with this amazing cast and crew on two previous productions, Emma is so excited to be back to give you all another very entertaining top quality show.

Greg is a retired teacher who enjoys theatre. He has previously designed and constructed innovative sets for The Lion King Jr, Alice in Wonderland Jr, Mulan Jr, Matilda The Musical, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Romeo and Juliet (set in 1980s Las Vegas) and Midsummer for Sheoak Productions. He loves problem solving and finding simple ways to achieve high quality designs on a budget! Greg proudly supports the team at Sheoak Productions and is looking forward to sitting back and watching the show from the front!