Founder and Director
The Melbourne Musical Theatre Studio was founded by one of Australia's leading Musical Directors and Vocal Coaches, Geoffrey Castles.
Geoffrey has over twenty years' experience working in all areas of Australia Musical Theatre, including casting, education and performance.
Geoffrey has a longstanding relationship with Cameron Mackintosh, serving as Musical Director for Australian and International tours of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Mary Poppins. Other credits as Musical Director include the Australian premieres of Waitress (Crossroads Live), and Aladdin (Disney Theatrical Australia). Geoffrey was the Associate Musical Supervisor for the 2021 Korean language production of Wicked (S&Co).
Geoffrey has also worked as Musical Director for various independent productions including the Australian premiere of The Bridges of Madison County (Neil Gooding Productions/Matthew Management/Hayes Theatre), Aspects Of Love (Hayes Theatre/Walk This Way Productions), Songs For A New World (Blue Saint Productions/Chapel Off Chapel), Hello Again (Gaiety/Darlinghurst Theatre) and Godspell (Lambert House).
Additionally, Geoffrey has worked either as a member of the music department or orchestra pianist for productions of Sweeney Todd (Life Like Co.), Wicked (GFO/Universal), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (James Anthony Productions), Disney’s High School Musical (Jacobsen/RUG), Guys And Dolls (Donmar Warehouse/Ambassador), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (TEG Dainty), Frozen (Disney), Ragtime (The Production Company), Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (GFO), Muriel’s Wedding (Sydney Theatre Company/Global Creatures), A Chorus Line (TML Enterprises), Into The Woods (ANZ/Rob Guest Endowment), Mamma Mia (Louise Withers), Pippin (Kookaburra), Spring Awakening (Sydney Theatre Company), Priscilla Queen Of The Desert – The Musical (GFO/Back Row Productions) and Altar Boyz (Ovations Live).
A natural-born teacher, Geoffrey has been working with singers for over twenty years, preparing them for auditions and live performance and instilling a love and curiosity for craft and process. Geoffrey has been a guest lecturer or tutor for musical theatre courses at institutions including the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), the Wester Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Transit Dance, Patrick Studios, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Federation University.
Geoffrey's formal training includes a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, an A.Mus.A in Piano from the Australian Music Examinations Board, and he is currently undertaking a Masters by research through the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) analysing trends in musical theatre singing.
Geoffrey also holds a Victorian Working With Children Check.
How can the Melbourne Musical Theatre Studio help you?
Whether you are a seasoned professional, or at the start of your journey, Geoffrey is here to help with all your musical theatre performance needs.
Geoffrey is an expert in repertoire and style and can guide you in choosing repertoire for performances and auditions, understand the different styles found in the musical theatre repertoire and help you share your performance through text work, musical interpretation and vocal technique.
Geoffrey has prepared hundreds of artists for auditions and can help you in organising your audition book or filming self tapes. Having watched thousands of auditions, Geoffrey knows how to guide you to present your most prepared and authentic self.
For early career to established performers Geoffrey can help you at any stage of your path.
For the pre-professional, Geoffrey can assist you in your preparation for an audition for a tertiary course, including choosing your songs, creating appropriate cuts and filming your audition. If needed, Geoffrey is also able to connect you with industry professionals who can work with you on your monologues and choreograph your dance audition, ensuring that you are fully supported up until your final audition.
If you are a musician aspiring to a career in musical theatre Geoffrey can support you by offering mentoring and education, including repertoire exploration and conducting technique for pianists.
Hercules - Reception and Administration
Hercules is a 7-year-old Coton de Tulear who loves meeting old and new friends at the Melbourne Musical Theatre Studio. Born in 2019, he is proud to be the first Coton born in Victoria.
Upon your arrival you can expect a warm greeting from Hercules. He loves a scratch under his chin or on his butt, but he doesn't like being patted on top of his head. Once your lesson commences, he will settle down and patiently observe, keeping an eye on the clock, and ensuring your lesson runs smoothly.
When not maintaining professional standards at the studio, Hercules loves to get outside on a sniffari, or going on an adventure in search of the perfect wide-open space for zoomies.