Rebekah Abblitt President

rabblitt@lightboxau.com

Since taking on the role of President in 2022, Rebekah has really made herself at home at Lightbox. She has met and worked with so many amazing, talented people and has had the opportunity to produce, manage, direct, choreograph and bake for this incredible company and is very, very proud of it. Maybe – if the show is right – the next step is for her to be on the stage of Lightbox, if only she knew the person who picks all the productions…
When she’s not in the theatre, Rebekah works at headspace and holds a Master’s in Counselling.

Performance Credits: Dusty; The Original Pop Diva, Anything Goes (Babirra Music Theatre), The Laramie Project (Hartwell Players), Chicago (Windmill Theatre Company), Pippin (Parklife Productions), Legally Blonde (Nova Theatre Company), The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast, Girl on Fire; A Hunger Games Musical Parody (Moonshoes Theatre Company)

Production Credits
Production Management: The Mystery of Edwin Drood {Lyrebird Nominated}, Roses & Ruin {MTGV nominated, Lyrebird Nominated} Young Frankenstein: The West End Version {MTGV Winning – Production of the Year, Lyrebird Winner}, 24 Hour Theatre, A Very Broadway Trivia, In Transit {MTGV, Lyrebird Nominated}, Lights Up On Lightbox {Lyrebird Nominated} (Lightbox Productions)
Direction: Roses & Ruin {Lyrebird Nominated} Places: A Dream Role Cabaret {Lyrebird Nominated} (Lightbox Productions)
Choreography: Roses & Ruin {Lyrebird Nominated}, Places: A Dream Role Cabaret {Lyrebird Nominated}, The Theory of Relativity {MTGV Nominated}, (Lightbox Productions), The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast (Moonshoes Theatre Company), Cats, Hairspray (MLMC)
Costuming: Young Frankenstein: The West End Version {Lyrebird Nominated}, Places: A Dream Role Cabaret, The Theory of Relativity (Lightbox Productions)
TV/Film: The Ripple Effect (Drug Awareness), Jack Attack (Bowls Australia), ICC Cricket World Cup (Channel 7), Dancing with the Stars (Channel 7)
Education: Master of Counselling (Monash University, 2022), Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Deakin University, 2022), Bachelor of Psychology, Distinction (Deakin University, 2021), Diploma of Musical Theatre (Kelly Aykers Full Time Dance, 2016), Diploma of Teacher Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Theatrical (Australian Academy of Theatrical and Ballet Dancing)

Shona Mercaldi Vice President

smercaldi@lightboxau.com

Shona is a Food Studies Teacher by day, and “obsessive” theatre lover by night. With 15 years of experience under her belt, Shona decided it was long overdue for her to pull her socks up and put something on her theatrical resume other than “performer”. She is beyond elated to play a part in the Lightbox Productions Inc. Committee and have the opportunity to see another side of a world she holds very near and dear to her heart.

Performance Credits: Places: A Dream Role Cabaret, 24 Hour Musical: High School Musical (Lightbox Productions Inc.), Avenue Q (Seymour Performers Workshop), I Wanna Be Evil Cabaret (Diamond Valley Singers), Divaz With a Z, Back in The Day: A 90s Cabaret (Western Arts Theatre Inc.), Footloose (DIY Collective), Seussical, Kaleidoscope, The Addams Family Musical, All Shook Up (Dynamic Performers Australia). Beauty & the Beast Jr, Bye Bye Birdie, Lucky Stiff, Thoroughly Modern Millie, High School Musical 2, Hairspray Jr, All Shook Up (ACTion Youth Theatre).

Production Credits: Assistant Wakakirri Director (HCSC).

Awards/ Nominations: Georgy – Best Supporting Performance in a Musical – Nicky, Avenue Q (Seymour Performers Workshop).

Michael Honey Secretary

mhoney@lightboxau.com

Honey is a professional theatre technician and performer with over a decade of events under his belt, specialising in sound design and the extremes of vocal production (being an accomplished beatboxer, rapper, a cappella singer and vocal arranger).

Performance Credits
In Transit (Lightbox Productions), Australian A Cappella Awards 2015 – 2019, AKA A Cappella VIII (Singapore), Hong Kong International A Cappella Festival 2017

Production Credits
Sound Design: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Young Frankenstein, 24 Hour Theatre: High School Musical, Places: A Dream Role Cabaret, In Transit (Lightbox Productions), The Sound of Music (theatrical.), Aladdin Jr, Tuck Everlasting, Singin’ In The Rain, Anything Goes, Lion King Jr (Yarra Valley Grammar), The Addams Family (MLMC), Australian A Cappella Awards 2018/2019
Lighting Design: Places: A Dream Role Cabaret, Roses & Ruin (Lightbox Productions)
Technical Manager: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Young Frankenstein, Places: A Dream Role Cabaret (Lightbox Productions)
Vocal Director: Anastasia (Yarra Valley Grammar)

Awards
Lyrebird Awards 2024: Best Production – Musical,  Best Sound in a Musical/Variety under $40,000: Young Frankenstein
Music Theatre Guild of Victoria: Production of the Year – Young Frankenstein

Nominations
Lyrebird Awards: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, In Transit, Singin’ In The Rain, Anastasia, Anything Goes (Sound Design) | Roses & Ruin (Lighting Design) | In Transit (Actor in a Supporting Role)
Music Theatre Guild of Victoria: In Transit (First Feature Performance, Sound Design)

Iris Donaldson Treasurer

idonaldson@lightboxau.com

Iris is a third year student currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) at the VCA, specialising in both Stage Management and Lighting. She has a deep love for all things theatre, and working to create fun production environments where everyone can thrive.

Production Credits
Stage Management: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, First Date (Lightbox Productions), The Drowsy Chaperone (RedActs), Firebringer (UMMTA), Studio 5 (Independent)
Orchestra Management: Cendrillon (VCA)
Lighting Designer: Quelched! (UMMTA), Othello (MUSC), Meddling With Time (Independent)
Lighting Technical: Fountain (VCA), Seussical (OCPAC)
Production Management: Into The Woods, What a Steal! (UMMTA), Studio 5 (Independent)
Technical Management: The 2025 Sitzprobe (UMMTA)

Awards
Music Theatre Guild of Victoria: Lighting – Seussical

Nominations
Lyrebird Awards: The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Isaac Stott General Member

istott@lightboxau.com

As a dedicated theatre professional, Isaac has built a career as a singing teacher and music director with a passion for creating memorable performances.
One of his unique approaches to music direction involves creating Original Isaac Cast Recordings (OICR), which allows cast members to learn their harmonies with ease.
He takes pride in fostering a collaborative and supportive creative environment, working with performers of all levels to bring out their best on stage. With a deep love for the arts and a commitment to excellence, Isaac strives to make each production a truly unforgettable experience for audiences and cast members alike.

Olivia Sweeney General Member

osweeney@lightboxau.com

Olivia is a piano teacher at Red Note Music Studios, and she holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from VCA. She loves engaging in music with others, whether they are students or collaborators. Olivia has truly found her joy in musical direction, always striving to create an enjoyable and passionate environment in which to approach singing and music. She is committed in all her endeavours to being supportive and empathetic.
The team at Lightbox turn work into pleasure, and Liv is delighted to be considered a part of that team.

Production Credits
Musical Direction: Be More Chill (Waterdale Theatre Company), The Drowsy Chaperone (Eltham College), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Lightbox Productions)

Performance Credits
Catch Me if you Can, Sweet Charity (OCPAC), Heathers, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Witches of Eastwick (UMMTA), 12 Angry Men (Windmill Theatre Company)

Brett McColl General Member

bmccoll@lightboxau.com

Brett works as a product designer at Light My Bricks, and holds a Masters of Architecture. A casual observer of all things musical theatre, he is excited to help out and assist in the creation of many memorable and exciting productions.

Jessy While General Member

jwhile@lightboxau.com

Jessy is a social worker by day and a theatre enthusiast by night. Since joining Lightbox Productions, Jessy has contributed her creative flare to the marketing team and creating immersive foyer decorations for every production. When she isn’t busy with work or Lightbox Productions, Jessy divides her time between her post-graduate studies, her latest crafting projects, and quality time with her dogs.

Production Credits
Marketing: First Date, Roses and Ruin, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Last 5 Years (Lightbox Productions)