CAKE

Emma Churchland (she/her) is a respected dramaturg and Teacher Artist based in Brisbane.

She currently serves as a sessional tutor and unit coordinator at QUT. Emma has directed and collaborated on numerous productions, making significant contributions to the local theatre scene, and working closely with a variety of talented artists.

Her production, “Things I’d Say To You,” garnered attention for its innovative approach to storytelling in Brisbane Festival. In addition to her teaching and creative endeavours, Emma has served as a creative consultant, offering guidance and structure to fellow artists in Brisbane.

Notably, she collaborated with The SUI Ensemble on the critically acclaimed production “La Silhouette,” which received a Matilda Award for Best Independent Production in 2019 and was performed at Battersea Arts Center in London and Brisbane Powerhouse. Emma is the Founder and CEO of IMRSE Theatre Company, who are Company in Residence at Metro Arts in 2024/2025.

Dan Gough (he/she/they) is a Meanjin-based director, performer, writer and producer.

He has developed and presented work spanning various artistic organisations from Brisbane Powerhouse to Battersea Arts Centre in London. Dan is the Artistic Director of IMRSE Theatre Company which are Company in Residents at Metro Arts in 2024/2025.

He co-wrote and directed CAKE at Metro Arts in 2023.  Previous to this, he was the Founder and Artistic Director of The Sui Ensemble, directing their work ‘La Silhouette’, which won Best Independent Production at the Matildas in 2019. Dan is currently a sessional academic at QUT, teaching within the Drama Faculty, as well as a recognised Drag Queen and community builder.

​​Well, well, well. Bet you never thought you’d see this name in a theatre program again, did you? That’s right. After a decade-long hiatus, Meg Ham returns to the stages of Brisbane. After bailing on this city for a dream of working in film and television, this curly haired freak is back.  “What the hell has she been up to?” You’re wondering. Well, I’m about to tell you. 

For the past ten years, Meg has been working as a producer on some of Australia’s finest and worst programs – from Old People’s Home for 4 Year Old’s to Survivor, she’s done it all. Returning to Brisbane in a bid for some stability, she found herself immediately sucked back into the fecund QLD Arts Scene whence she first came. 

And that’s how she finds herself here, tonight, with you. Get her while she’s hot – you never know where she’ll be off to next.

After studying Musical Theatre and Acting in Meanjin, Samantha LeClaire was fortunate enough to tour and perform around the world with Pen2Stage Productions. Some highlights include hosting the world’s first, Skylanders’ Live Show, in Dubai, playing the role of Cinderella in the Philippines and Performing in, The Little Mermaid, as Ursula in Doha and Singapore. Other career highlights include playing the role of Patti Maguire and covering the role of Rose Morris in the Australian tour of The Sunshine Club, the role of Minnie Davies in Oz Theatricals, Queensland Premiere of The Hatpin and Hannah in Alanya Bridge’s adaptation of The Light Between Oceans. Samantha is so proud to be a part of the Art for Earthlings company who create environmental Theatre for all.

The team won a Kids and Family Award and the Sustainability Award from the prestigious Adelaide Fringe Festival for their show, HOLY BIN AMOLEY. They also won a Comedy Award for their popular adult show, FASHION 4 PASSION, that was programmed at Gluttony, The Malthouse and had a sold-out season at the Brisbane Powerhouse this year. Samantha is currently working on a brand-new vertical series funded by Screen Queensland with her comedy partner Jennifer Laycock. If you’re a fan of thrifting, get excited!

Calum Johnston (he/him) is an established actor, director, and theatrical clown. After graduating with a Bachelor of Acting and Performance Making (University of Canberra), Calum continued to train with Circa, Franz Vogel, and Garry Starr. He has worked with several companies across Brisbane in the last six years, including Glitter Martini, Spy Monkey and X Collective.  Calum’s theatre company, Moth Light Theatre, received rave reviews after presenting Moon With a View, written and performed by Calum at Wynnum Fringe and Pip Theatre. He currently works with NIDA as a Teaching Artist.

Kasey Turner is an emerging Meanjin-based stage manager and wardrobe supervisor. Currently, they work in the wardrobe department at Queensland Theatre and recently toured to Sydney with Bananaland as their Head of Wardrobe, after previously being a technical placement and dresser on their 2023 Brisbane season.

They also were the wardrobe supervisor for Brisbane Festival’s, Victorian Opera and Opera Queensland show, Eucalyptus. While they are currently in their second year of studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kasey also freelance stage manages shows with In The Dark Events and Harry K Productions.

They also perform regularly as a drag queen, under the name Ladybird, touring and performing at Adelaide Fringe, Sydney Fringe and across Queensland. As the stage manager of last year’s iteration of CAKE, Kasey is very excited to return and welcome you into the very wonderful (and very pink) world of CAKE!

Tayla is an emerging actor and writer who graduated from QUT’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama course in 2023. Since moving to Brisbane, she has performed in several plays as well as short films and commercials – you may have seen her as Sylvie in Ruby Moon (QPAC, 2022) or in four seconds of a Hog’s Breath Cafe commercial. This year Tayla made her debut as a playwright with Pitching a Tent (BackDock Arts, 2024) as well as producing and performing in the show. She is thrilled to be on the CAKE team as assistant stage manager and part of the ensemble.  

Savannah (she/her) is a dancer and an emerging choreographer, based in Brisbane. Having graduated from her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Queensland University of Technology last year, she is now fully focused on showcasing and developing her craft in any way she can. She recently performed in UQ Street Groove Society’s Annual Dance Showcase in August and is now currently Producing and leading 2 teams for QUT Asian Pop Society’s Dance Showcase in November.

Savannah is beyond excited to be returning to CAKE as an ensemble member again and help breathe new life into the show that is sure to leave the audience wanting to come back for seconds.

Josh Richardson (he/him) is a Meeanjin (Brisbane) based creative in dance, performance and acting. He has spent the past 4 years dancing in styles of hip hop, fusion, jazz, burlesque and contemporary,  alongside graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama and Entertainment) at QUT. Josh continues to expand his portfolio of works, focusing on visual and comedic theatre and a career in social media through working across TikTok and Instagram. He is excited to make his comeback to the stage in CAKE!

Evie Ford is a Meeanjin (Brisbane) Based actor, dancer, and voice over artist. Evie was recently on the creative development team of the show, Dax Savage: The Last Man on Earth, produced by Fake Blood, as part of the Backbone Festival and played the role of Plague. She also played multiple voice over Roles in Aprils Fool and Gaybies, produced by Playlab Theatre. For the past couple of years Evie has been working for the children’s theatre company, Cheeky Monkey Club and touring around South East Queensland as her day job. Evie loves performing comedy and was also previously in an improv comedy show called Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (or 30 plays in 60 minutes). Evie is super excited to be coming back a second time to be a part of IMRSE Brisbane’s CAKE!

Ailie McLeod (she/her) is an emerging performer, dancer, writer and stage manager. She is a graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) with Distinction from QUT. Ailie received her dance training at Attitude Dance Academy completing her advanced level exams in ballet, jazz and tap (RAD & CSTD). Most recently she wrote and acted in the original play Friendship and Other Drugs, and she is excited to be continuing in her role as an ensemble member from IMRSE’s production of CAKE (2023).

Her dancing credits include ensemble member for Hairspray the Arena Spectacular, Queensland Contemporary Youth Ballet, Seussical the Musical, The Addams Family Musical and the Disneyland Dance Around the World Tour. She has choreographed dance sequences for Romeo and Juliet and The Wizard of Oz for St Rita’s College. Other credits include stage managing for Pengelly Productions and Hope Event Entertainment, and her playwriting debut Manage.

Bill Standish is thrilled to throw themself into the remounting of CAKE with IMRSE and Metro Arts. They hold a dual degree in Fine Arts (Drama) and Education (Secondary) from Queensland University of Technology and currently work as a drama teacher and theatre creative across Queensland. Bill enjoys smashing into various artistic pursuits, from writing and performing to designing. They are passionate about collaborating with others on creative projects and finding unique, fun ways to inspire a love of theatre in today’s youth.

Steven May is a lighting designer and audio-visual technician and has worked technician and designer roles in many spheres of live events, including theatre, dance, circus and burlesque. This has led to providing lighting services within Meanjin for unique events and driving a larger focus on technical elements and integration to advance aesthetics and storytelling. Recently his attention has turned to found-space theatre and fringe arts, building a production business with focus on smaller shows and unconventional arts projects. This has included lighting designs with a focus on site-specific design language and flexibility.

Alex ‘Zenny’ Rich (they/them) is an emerging theatre artist, accessibility consultant, and theorist. They graduated from a Bachelor of Creative Industries – Drama and Creative and Professional Writing in 2024. They are making the rounds of the Brisbane arts scene both as an artist and as an access coordinator. Zenny is deeply passionate about arts accessibility and quality, and is proud to be working alongside IMRSE to help CAKE break boundaries.