MEET SAUSAGE DOG PRODUCTIONS...
Photography by Kanomi Kawagoe
Sausage Dog Productions is the brainchild of performing artists Chanelle Sheehan, Hannah Tivendale, Maddie Thiele, Riannon Berkeley and Tara Rankine. As graduates of the Monash University Academy of Performing Arts and Music, we formed in 2012 with one goal in mind: to create quality children's theatre through the use of classic storytelling, live music, vibrant characters, audience interaction and puppetry. With over 20 years' theatre performance experience, we are all professional writers, educators and entertainers for children.
Photography by Kanomi Kawagoe
Chanelle Sheehan - Performer / Creator
Chanelle is a multidiscipline performer and creator, graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons.). During her degree, Chanelle gained the Deans Recognition of Excellence Scholarship Award and trained under the direction of the late Peter Oyston. With comedic timing that has children in fits of giggles, Chanelle has performed in Two Weeks With the Queen (2011, Black Apple Theatre) and the bilingual Auslan/English original production Weir Be Dragons! (2012, Black Apple Theatre, Yarra Ranges Shire Council grant, Arts Access Collaboration). Other performance credits include Flowerchildren (2013) and Children of Eden (2013). "Chanelle Sheehan the absolute stand-out, demonstrating great comedic skills and timing…" (Christ Baldock, Theatre People).
Chanelle is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Chanelle is a multidiscipline performer and creator, graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons.). During her degree, Chanelle gained the Deans Recognition of Excellence Scholarship Award and trained under the direction of the late Peter Oyston. With comedic timing that has children in fits of giggles, Chanelle has performed in Two Weeks With the Queen (2011, Black Apple Theatre) and the bilingual Auslan/English original production Weir Be Dragons! (2012, Black Apple Theatre, Yarra Ranges Shire Council grant, Arts Access Collaboration). Other performance credits include Flowerchildren (2013) and Children of Eden (2013). "Chanelle Sheehan the absolute stand-out, demonstrating great comedic skills and timing…" (Christ Baldock, Theatre People).
Chanelle is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Photography by Kanomi Kawagoe
Hannah Tivendale - Performer / Creator
Coming from a long line of musicians, Hannah is an actor, performer, pianist, violinist, teacher and storyteller. Having trained in music and theatre throughout childhood, Hannah gained her Bachelor of Music/Performing Arts at Monash University in 2011, receiving the award for Excellence in Creative Work in 2009. She has always loved working with children and has over nine years' experience teaching and working with children. Currently she teaches violin, viola and cello at East Bentleigh Primary School, while writing children's books in her spare time. She has performed with a variety of theatre companies, including the Academy of Performing Arts, and trained under directors such as Suzanne Chaundy and the late Peter Oyston. Performance credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (2010) and Squeaky Clean Comedy (2012).
Hannah is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Coming from a long line of musicians, Hannah is an actor, performer, pianist, violinist, teacher and storyteller. Having trained in music and theatre throughout childhood, Hannah gained her Bachelor of Music/Performing Arts at Monash University in 2011, receiving the award for Excellence in Creative Work in 2009. She has always loved working with children and has over nine years' experience teaching and working with children. Currently she teaches violin, viola and cello at East Bentleigh Primary School, while writing children's books in her spare time. She has performed with a variety of theatre companies, including the Academy of Performing Arts, and trained under directors such as Suzanne Chaundy and the late Peter Oyston. Performance credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (2010) and Squeaky Clean Comedy (2012).
Hannah is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Photography by Kanomi Kawagoe
Maddie Thiele - Performer / Creator
Maddie Thiele is an actor, musician, composer, and dancer. Maddie completed her Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons.) in 2011, receiving the Monash University Jubilee Scholarship, the awards for Excellence in Writing in 2009, Excellence in Creative Work in 2010, and Deans Academic Excellence Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011. With a huge passion for working with children as a music, dance and drama teacher, Maddie loves the thrill of helping them learn. Maddie has worked as a teacher for over eleven years, both privately and in institutions such as Mini Maestros (music), Monash University (acting), Mildura Ballet & Dance Guild (dance) and Chaffey Secondary College (dance). Maddie is one of two front-women for Art Pop/Indie band Odie Ida. Other performance and composition work includes A Pocketful of Joy (2012-14), HamletMachine (2010), Dear Ida (2010), PULSE (2011) and The Well (2012, Melbourne Fringe Festival).
Maddie is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Maddie Thiele is an actor, musician, composer, and dancer. Maddie completed her Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons.) in 2011, receiving the Monash University Jubilee Scholarship, the awards for Excellence in Writing in 2009, Excellence in Creative Work in 2010, and Deans Academic Excellence Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011. With a huge passion for working with children as a music, dance and drama teacher, Maddie loves the thrill of helping them learn. Maddie has worked as a teacher for over eleven years, both privately and in institutions such as Mini Maestros (music), Monash University (acting), Mildura Ballet & Dance Guild (dance) and Chaffey Secondary College (dance). Maddie is one of two front-women for Art Pop/Indie band Odie Ida. Other performance and composition work includes A Pocketful of Joy (2012-14), HamletMachine (2010), Dear Ida (2010), PULSE (2011) and The Well (2012, Melbourne Fringe Festival).
Maddie is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Photography by Kanomi Kawagoe
Tara Rankine - Performer / Creator
Tara is an actor, singer and theatre maker with a strong history in theatre and music theatre. She completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts/Music at Monash University in 2009 and graduated from the Part-Time Actors Program at 16th Street Acting Studios in 2012. Tara has a great love of working with children and alongside working with Sausage Dog Productions, she also works as a children's party entertainer for Dreamscape Entertainment as well as an assistant in After School Hours Care at Richmond Primary School. She has performed in a variety of children's shows for Adlib Theatre (2001-05) as well as numerous pantomimes, comedies, musicals and plays with Mumco, PEP Productions, Monash Academy of Performing Arts, Monash University Student Theatre and AtticErratic, performing in venues such as Chapel off Chapel and Gasworks Theatre. Most recently she performed in The Legend of King O'Malley at La Mama Theatre (2014).
Tara is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Tara is an actor, singer and theatre maker with a strong history in theatre and music theatre. She completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts/Music at Monash University in 2009 and graduated from the Part-Time Actors Program at 16th Street Acting Studios in 2012. Tara has a great love of working with children and alongside working with Sausage Dog Productions, she also works as a children's party entertainer for Dreamscape Entertainment as well as an assistant in After School Hours Care at Richmond Primary School. She has performed in a variety of children's shows for Adlib Theatre (2001-05) as well as numerous pantomimes, comedies, musicals and plays with Mumco, PEP Productions, Monash Academy of Performing Arts, Monash University Student Theatre and AtticErratic, performing in venues such as Chapel off Chapel and Gasworks Theatre. Most recently she performed in The Legend of King O'Malley at La Mama Theatre (2014).
Tara is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Riannon Berkeley - Company Manager
Riannon began her diverse performance training with fourteen years at Glenda Reade Dance School and a role in Arena Theatre's From the Ground Up project (2005), going on to graduate from a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons.) at Monash University in 2011, having specialised in script writing, directing and research. Between 2012-13 Riannon ran From Page to Stage (script writing workshops for teens in Melbourne's southeast) and in 2012 wrote and directed the premier production of LIPS at Collingwood Underground Carpark, including an initial reading at fortyfivedownstairs' Arts Spring Clean. Riannon also co-founded the not-for-profit theatre group Rapid Eye Movement and managed their 2011 Adelaide Fringe tour of Spectroscope.
Riannon is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Riannon began her diverse performance training with fourteen years at Glenda Reade Dance School and a role in Arena Theatre's From the Ground Up project (2005), going on to graduate from a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Hons.) at Monash University in 2011, having specialised in script writing, directing and research. Between 2012-13 Riannon ran From Page to Stage (script writing workshops for teens in Melbourne's southeast) and in 2012 wrote and directed the premier production of LIPS at Collingwood Underground Carpark, including an initial reading at fortyfivedownstairs' Arts Spring Clean. Riannon also co-founded the not-for-profit theatre group Rapid Eye Movement and managed their 2011 Adelaide Fringe tour of Spectroscope.
Riannon is a founding member of Sausage Dog Productions.
Maddy Kelly - Performer
Raised by a family of artists, Maddy (not to be confused with Maddie) is a singer, songwriter, actor and musician with a special love for musicals and children's theatre. Joining the group in 2013 as understudy, Maddy previously worked as dance/drama teacher for children aged 5-16 with The Little Theatre Company, as an assistant for the Skills Plus program and a volunteer drama/music mentor for the Swan Hill Fairfax Festival. Performance credits include the touring show Go Away Mr. Worrythoughts (2013-14) and Frankston Lights (2009). Maddy is currently studying a Bachelor of Primary Teaching to combine her knowledge of children's education with her love of the arts. Maddy also fronts indie-folk band Wishful.
Maddy toured with Sausage Dog Productions for the 2014 tour of A Pocketful of Joy to the Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Raised by a family of artists, Maddy (not to be confused with Maddie) is a singer, songwriter, actor and musician with a special love for musicals and children's theatre. Joining the group in 2013 as understudy, Maddy previously worked as dance/drama teacher for children aged 5-16 with The Little Theatre Company, as an assistant for the Skills Plus program and a volunteer drama/music mentor for the Swan Hill Fairfax Festival. Performance credits include the touring show Go Away Mr. Worrythoughts (2013-14) and Frankston Lights (2009). Maddy is currently studying a Bachelor of Primary Teaching to combine her knowledge of children's education with her love of the arts. Maddy also fronts indie-folk band Wishful.
Maddy toured with Sausage Dog Productions for the 2014 tour of A Pocketful of Joy to the Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Meet our wonderful contributors
Zoe Dove - Production Manager, 2014-15
Amy Carr - Scenic Design, 2014-15
Kanomi Kawagoe - Graphic Designer / Photographer, 2012-15
Megan Kenner - Set and costume designer, 2013-15
Maddy Kelly - Actor, A Pocketful of Joy, 2014
Anastasia Ryan - Tour Manager, 2013-14
Ariande Sgouros - Stage Manager, Melbourne Comedy Festival, 2014
Mick Bell - Videographer, Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2014
Rob Dora - Videographer, Melbourne Comedy Festival, 2014
Gen Atkins - Set and costume designer, 2012-13
Colin Thiele - Assistant Tour Manager, Mildura 2013
Tom Doman - Video editing, 2013
Clare Thiele - Videographer, 2013
Tom Pitts - Sound recording, A Pocketful of Joy 2012
Fiona Haigh - Photographer, 2012
Special thanks to...
Kaarin Fairfax - Mentor, 2014
Alex de la Rambelje - Mentor, 2013
Murrumbeena Baptist Church staff (2013 performance)
Fred Wallace and the staff at the Monash Academy of Performing Arts
Drew Phillips
Amy Carr - Scenic Design, 2014-15
Kanomi Kawagoe - Graphic Designer / Photographer, 2012-15
Megan Kenner - Set and costume designer, 2013-15
Maddy Kelly - Actor, A Pocketful of Joy, 2014
Anastasia Ryan - Tour Manager, 2013-14
Ariande Sgouros - Stage Manager, Melbourne Comedy Festival, 2014
Mick Bell - Videographer, Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2014
Rob Dora - Videographer, Melbourne Comedy Festival, 2014
Gen Atkins - Set and costume designer, 2012-13
Colin Thiele - Assistant Tour Manager, Mildura 2013
Tom Doman - Video editing, 2013
Clare Thiele - Videographer, 2013
Tom Pitts - Sound recording, A Pocketful of Joy 2012
Fiona Haigh - Photographer, 2012
Special thanks to...
Kaarin Fairfax - Mentor, 2014
Alex de la Rambelje - Mentor, 2013
Murrumbeena Baptist Church staff (2013 performance)
Fred Wallace and the staff at the Monash Academy of Performing Arts
Drew Phillips
© Copyright Sausage Dog Productions 2014
