Our team

Robbie Parkin –Director, Writer

Robbie Parkin has been involved in live theatre for over 20 years, working professionally in every facet of the industry. He works as a Producer, Director, Actor and Writer on projects from interment plays through to full-scale Broadway musicals and citywide theatrical events. He also works extensively in writing and directing for corporate theatre. He is co-artistic director of The Harvest Rain Theatre Company; one of Brisbane’s fastest growing Pro/am community theatre companies and also works as a writer and on-air personality in Breakfast radio on 96five, Brisbane.

Robbie has also worked extensively as a performer and writer for Film, TV and Radio. He has a passion to teach from his experience and has conducted acting and performance workshops throughout Australia and works as a sessional lecture in drama at Christian Heritage College.

Previous Productions:-
Written & Directed for “Purpose Built Communications” productions for Way Out Theatreworks™ since 2005.
Wrote & Directed Outdoor Musical Spectacular “The Magic of Christmas” for Southbank Corporation
Wrote, Directed & Produced “The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Pantomime” – “Matthew’s Adventure” for Brisbane City Council. Currently adapting and directing “Sweet Charity” for a cast of 250 to be performed at the Conservatorium of Music Theatre, Brisbane. Produced and Directed Various Musical Theatre Productions e.g. “Beauty and he Beast”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Joseph” plus many more musicals, plays and reviews.

Monica Gaudion-Hurford – Producer, Creative Director

Monica Gaudion-Hurford started performing in the 80s, which led to co-leading theatrical teams to Asia. Monica studied mime and theatre in the Netherlands and London. She has written and performed a one woman show in London and at an Arts Festival in the U.K. One of Monica’s highlights was co-writing and performing a mime theatre piece in the Netherlands in front of a live audience of 24,000. She has been on TV several times including a program featuring Way Out Theatreworks™’ Murder Parties by Channel 7. Back in 1988 Monica led a mime team that performed at Expo ’88. Monica found Expo ’88 an exciting time and was proud to be a small part of an event that, as many will attest, changed the face of Brisbane. Monica has led many drama workshops over the years. She draws upon these skills in leading corporate team building events today. In 2003 Monica successfully completed her Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.

Ross Balbuziente

Ross has been with Purpose Built Communications since 2005. He has twice won the National Globe Shakespeare Competition and as a result has performed on the Globe Stage in London. Throughout recent years, Ross has acted with numerous Brisbane based theatre companies and in 2006 was nominated for an Emerging Artist Matilda Award. He has also performed in various QLD Education projects. Ross has a Bachelor of Business in Advertising & Marketing from Queensland University of Technology. Ross is founding member of Shake & Stir Theatre company performing in schools and runs drama classes

Julie-Anna Evans

Julie-Anna has been with Purpose Built Communications since 2005. She began acting at the age of fourteen and has since trained with VCA, NIDA, QUT, The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble, Film & TVI and most recently in Practical Aesthetics with Andrea Moor. Since graduating from The Actors Conservatory in 2004 her theatre credits include PERFECT 10 and THE PICNIC PLAYREADINGS for The Emerge Project presented by MAP Theatre Company in association with The Judith Wright Centre & Switchboard Arts, THE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (BY CHICKS) for Harvest Rain Theatre Company and Brisbane Festival in association with The World Shakespeare Congress 2006, TWELFTH NIGHT and ROMEO AND JULIET for The Queensland Shakespeare Festival 2005, MISS BOSNIA for The Brisbane Arts Theatre in 2005, and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSE for Brisbane Arts Theatre in 2004. Julie-Anna also works as an actor for WAY OUT THEATREWORKS™ and began teaching at The Actors Conservatory in 2007.

Nick Backstrom

Nick is a graduate of USQ (Acting) where his ‘Bottom’ was acclaimed as ‘always a favourite’ in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In 1998, he peformed in Medea at ITI”s Symposium of Ancient Greek Drama in Cyprus. As well as acting, Nick also teaches, writes and sings. Nick has worked in and Amadeus on tour, with QTC, LaBoite, ABC Qld, Harvest Rain Theatre Comp and more.

Richard Nizielski

Richard Nizielski has many talents. Richard Nizielski became the first West Australian to compete at a Winter Olympics, representing Australia in the 1000m Ice Racing, finishing 21st, and the 5000m Ice Racing Relay Team, finishing 7th, at the Games in Albertville, France. He is a is a trained Fight Director. He has performed in tv, commercials and corporate entertainment. Richard is a trainer at The Actors Conservatory in Qld.

Nelle Lee

After graduating from USQ in 2004 with a BTA Acting, Nelle went on tour in QLD and VIC with 'Newton's Law'. After finishing three seasons of touring Nelle went on to perform in various stage, film and TV productions in and around Brisbane as well as featuring in many radio commercials and animations as a voice over artist. Coming from a dancing background, she has also choreographed a number of cabaret and main stage shows and has taught jazz, tap and ballet to children for a number of years.

Nicholas Skubij

Throughout both primary and secondary school, Nick showed a great deal of interest in the performing arts and was always first to volunteer for any activity that involved showing off and that would potentially get him out of maths. He studied classical dance (R.A.D.) and piano before deciding to refocus his attention on acting, and his other passion - singing. He has appeared in many productions as both singer, actor and dancer working for companies including JUTE, KEDT and most recently, was found touring schools around Queensland performing Shakespeare with the Grin & Tonic Theatre Company.

Neil Fanning

You could say Neil is best known as the ‘voice of Scooby doo’. But he wears many hats from stunt man, MC, corporate work, commercials to a myriad of voice work including brain from inspector gadget.

Ron Kelly

Ron Kelly has worked extensively in many capacities in the worlds of theatre, TV and film. Ron has been working with Way Out Theatreworks since 2003.
Credits include:
Writing (Theatre): Man Condemned (one-act), Pier 12 (one-act), The Begotten (one-act), A Bit of Barcy (Centenary of Federation Commission), The Oval Portrait (Adaptation), The Tell-Tale Heart (Adaptation), Ligeia (Adaptation).
Other: Star Parade (MovieWorld), Night Spectacular (The Big Rig, Roma).
Acting: QUEENSLAND THEATRE COMPANY: Road To The She Devils Salon, The Works 2004. HARVEST RAIN: The Woman in Black, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, Oh What a Lovely War, A Man For All Seasons. THE EDGE: Medea, The Lesson, Shadow of a Gunman. FREEWHEELS: Medea. SOUTHBANK PIAZZA: Easter Live (1995, 1996 & 1998). BRISBANE ARTS: Bell, Book and Candle.
Film: Swimming Upstream, Waste.
Film (short): In Estate, Golden Dragon 2, Baggage, Inside Mr Morris, Mr Morris Finds 50 Bucks, Flasher, Leviticus, Peekaboo, Killing Time. Television: S’Truth, Medivac, Fire, Breakaway. ).
Directing (Theatre): FREEFALL PRODUCTIONS: Look Back In Anger. HARVEST RAIN: The Elephant Man, The Woman in Black (co-). CENTENARY OF FEDERATION: A Bit of Barcy. THE EDGE: Bloody Poetry, Magic Afternoon, Medea, The Spiders. ARTS COUNCIL/RADF: Stanthorpe: The Snatching of Horrible Harold. Emerald: Cosi. Miles: The Servant of Two Masters, Robin The Hood, The Snatching of Horrible Harold. (Film/Short): Nemesis.
Other: Star Parade (MovieWorld), Night Spectacular (The Big Rig, Roma). Awards: 1996 Qld New Filmmakers Awards – Best Actor Flasher, 2000 Lightglobe Awards – Best Director The Elephant Man.
Ron has also conducted many workshops throughout Queensland.

Paul Geoghegan

Paul is a teacher at The Actors Conservatory Qld. He has a Advanced Diploma ‘Screen and Stage Acting’ and has toured with the Touring Theatre Company touring in USA, Canada, Sth America performing in Theatres, schools, prisons and Military bases.