Now Arriving: Come From Away

CentreStage Announces Creative Team for 2025 Production of 'Come From Away'

CentreStage is thrilled to announce the core creative team for its highly anticipated 2025 production of the Tony Award-winning musical, Come From Away. Under the exceptional leadership of Matthew Henderson (Director), Natalya Munro (Choreographer), and Phil Kearney (Musical Director), this production promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience.

David Greenwood OAM, Managing Director of CentreStage

"We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated creative team leading our production of Come From Away. This musical is a powerful story of resilience and community, and I have no doubt that Matt, Nat, and Phil will bring their unique talents to create something truly special. It's an amazing opportunity for CentreStage, and we can't wait to share this journey with our audience."

Matthew Henderson, Director

"We're eagerly anticipating the start of auditions in September. The excitement and anticipation for 'Come From Away' is palpable among the team. This production promises to be a powerful exploration of community and humanity. I can't wait to see the talent that will bring this story to life. The preparation phase has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm looking forward to the creative journey ahead as we begin rehearsals."

Phil Kearney, Musical Director

"I'm thrilled to begin working on 'Come From Away.' The music is incredibly moving, and I'm excited to start auditions and discover our cast. Preparing for auditions has been a fascinating process. The score of 'Come From Away' is rich with emotion and depth, and I can't wait to see how our performers interpret it. The anticipation leading up to auditions is building. It's going to be an amazing experience to guide our cast through this beautiful musical journey."

Natalya Munro, Choreographer

"The choreography for 'Come From Away' is something I'm really looking forward to developing. I can't wait to start auditions and see the talent that comes through. Planning the movement and dance for this production has been an exciting challenge. I'm eager to start working with our cast and bring this story to life through physical expression. The energy and enthusiasm leading up to auditions are fantastic. I'm excited to see how our performers will bring their own unique styles to the choreography of 'Come From Away.'"

Further announcements regarding additional members of the creative team will be made soon. The Casting Brief will be released in August, with auditions scheduled to take place in September. Stay tuned for more updates as CentreStage embarks on this extraordinary theatrical journey.

Tickets are now on sale at the Geelong Arts Centre

Biographies

Matthew Henderson

Matthew has worked extensively within the entertainment industry over the last twenty years establishing himself as a respected and highly sought-after Stage, Company, and Production Manager. Credits include: Australian tours of The Boy From Oz, Fame, Shout!, Miss Saigon, Jerry Springer The Opera, Disney’s High School Musical, We Will Rock You (Australia & Japan), and Opera Australia’s Madame Butterfly. Matthew spent over fifteen years with The Walt Disney Company on The Lion King (Australia & China), Mary Poppins (Australia & New Zealand), Aladdin (Australia & Singapore), and Frozen (Australia). Matthew’s Producer credits include Australian tours of Steel Magnolias starring Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver, Spring Awakening, Xanadu, Falsettos, tick, tick … BOOM!, and The Bridges of Madison County. Matthew co-produced Holding the Man in London starring Jane Turner and Simon Burke, marking his West End debut. Matthew recently directed the acclaimed production of RENT for BLOC Music Theatre, Ballarat, and previously directed Mamma Mia! at Her Majesty’s Theatre which picked up 13 Music Theatre Guild nominations including Best Director and took home Best Production.

Phil Kearney

Come From Away will be Phil’s fourth production with CentreStage, having worked on LES MISERABLES (2022), OLIVER! (2017) & THE SOUND OF MUSIC (2019). He would like to thank them for all their support and trust. He has also been lucky enough to work with many of Geelong’s other theatre companies, notably as Musical Director for KINKY BOOTS (GSODA), HEATHERS (GSODA), and LEGALLY BLONDE (GLTS).

Natalya Munro

Natalya Munro (she/her). Come From Away will be Natalya’s first production with CentreStage. She most recently choreographed RENT for BLOC Music Theatre, as well as BLOC’s production of Mamma Mia! for which Natalya won the 2020-2021 Guild Award for Best Choreography and Best Production. Her other theatre credits include: Monty Python’s Spamalot, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Seussical The Musical, as well as The Crucible, Grease, and Annie. From the age of three, Natalya trained at Dance School of Distinction, before training full time at APO Arts Academy in 2019. While completing her university degree, Natalya was Vice President of the Burwood Student Theatre Company (BuST Co.) and before graduating she interned at the literary journal, Overland. Aside from Natalya’s love for theatre, she also has a passion for literature and now works as an author’s agent at Booked Out Speakers Agency.

For more information, please contact:

David Greenwood

Email: david@centrestage.org.au

Phone: 0422 589 271