Peter Blackburn (Director of Edinburgh Tour & Dramaturg)
Peter Blackburn is a highly regarded acting coach, theatre maker and film director.
Peter holds a Masters of Directing from The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), as well as degrees in Literature, Film and Education. He was a recipient of the prestigious Mike Walsh Fellowship for Directing through the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 2019, which he used to attend the UCLA Film-making program.
As an acting teacher, Peter has been on faculty at institutions such as NIDA, VCA, 16th Street Melbourne and The National Theatre Drama School.
As a coach, Peter works with a range of artists – from professional actors, to artists new to the industry. Peter’s approach is ideal for individuals wishing to engage with their passions, to make it enjoyable and challenging; a journey of self-discovery by honouring the work as always being bigger than ourselves.
Peter has relocated to the United States after first working in Los Angeles in 2014, assistant directing alongside renowned acting coach Larry Moss.
Photo Steph Girard
Leah Patterson (Director & Producer of World Premiere)
Award-winning Australian director Leah Patterson works in theatre, film, and the voice over world. She was the first in her family to attend university, attain a passport, and travel.
In 2021, she was one of eight global filmmakers selected for the Australian Screen Forum’s Women in Screen Workshop. She is a Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Episodic Directing Fellow, and was named a Top 10 Women In Film To Watch by Diversity In Cannes.
Her film Bridget and Iain, starring Vivienne Powell, was based on the play of the same name by Norelle Scott. Damian Sommerlad won Best Actor at Diversity in Cannes. She previously directed the play and was awarded Best Director of the 60+ play festival, Best Play, the People’s Choice Award presented by the City of Los Angeles at the Short+Sweet Festival.
Leah works as a Dubbing Director and has directed 50+ episodes for English localisation. All work is currently on Netflix, including breakout Korean hits Physical 100 and Zombieverse.
She was the Literary Manager for LA based Australian Theatre Company, curating and producing its popular annual Summer Reading Series. She graduated from the University of New South Wales with a BA (Theatre/Film & Philosophy) and from William Esper Studio, an acting conservatory in New York City. www.leahpattersondirector.com
United Stages
Originally founded as the Australian Theatre Company (ATC) in Los Angeles in 2014, United Stages has evolved from its Australian roots into a dynamic arts organization dedicated to amplifying global voices and fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
Guided by the belief that storytelling transcends boundaries, United Stages unites artists, audiences, and cultures to create innovative and impactful theatre experiences. The company showcases compelling stories that reflect the richness of human experiences—ranging from original works to bold reimaginings of classics. Each production seeks to challenge conventions, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire audiences to view the world through fresh perspectives.
United Stages thrives on collaboration, partnering with playwrights, directors, designers, and performers from around the globe. Beyond the stage, its commitment to education and community engagement is reflected in workshops, outreach programs, and initiatives that nurture emerging talent and connect with audiences of all ages. Notable masterclasses include Pulitzer Prize, Tony, and Academy Award-winning writer and director John Patrick Shanley, held in both Los Angeles and New York. The company also proudly produced a masterclass with the late Elizabeth Kemp, the celebrated Co-Associate Artistic Director of The Actors Studio in New York, before her passing in 2017.
Based in Los Angeles—a global hub for entertainment and a melting pot of diverse voices—United Stages continues to enrich the world’s theatre and arts communities with its visionary work.
Past Productions
Under the banner of the Australian Theatre Company, United Stages produced:
Holding the Man (2014)
Speaking in Tongues (2016)
Ruben Guthrie (2016)
Grey Nomad (2017)
Swansong (2018)
As United Stages, the company has produced:
The 7 Stages of Grieving (2019)
Diva (2024)
Amber Louka (Producer of Edinburgh Tour)
Amber Louka is an Egyptian-Australian actress based in Naarm (Melbourne), whose performances span theatre, film and television. Her work is driven by a dedication to capturing the depth of human experiences.
In 2024, she gained significant exposure for her role as the lead in a highly successful commercial for Drumstick. Additionally, she starred in several independent short films and made her debut at the Melbourne Fringe Festival with the critically acclaimed production He Had It Coming, which will continue its success with future productions in 2025.
While studying at The National Theatre Drama School, she was awarded the esteemed 2021 Cybec Scholarship in recognition of her exceptional professional potential.
DIVA the play will be her first professional producer credit.
Kim A. Tolman (Production Designer)
Originally from Germany's rural North Sea coast, not far from Bremen and the famous town musicians, Kim set aside her original trade as a furniture maker to attend art & design college.
She relocated to the beautiful media city of Cologne in her twenties, bringing her first big-city exhibitions and press. She was soon designing sets and costumes for theatre and opera. The passion for design and theatre soon became a full-time engagement.
In the late 90s, she met her husband. Joining him in San Francisco in 2001, she designed and worked on hundreds of theatre productions in the Bay Area and nationally, winning several awards for her designs.
Moving to Los Angeles in 2010 opened up opportunities to work in themed entertainment. She's worked with the biggest names in the entertainment industry including Walt Disney Imagineering, NBC Universal, and Universal Studios Japan. Her TV work has included McDonald's, DreamWorks, Pepsi Cola, and L'Oreal.
Kim has been a fine art painter (kimatolmanfineart.com) since her teens with exhibits in both Europe and the U.S. She paints large format and her abstract, expressive work emphasizes texture and color. She recently started a new direction, painting imaginary, moody, slightly surreal subject matter, as evidenced by her new Lost Highways series.
She is also the owner and creator of a contemporary art venue in greater Palm Springs called MAD.KAT Gallery.
Production design: kimtolmandesign.com
Tori Beaudoin (Lighting Designer)
Tori Beaudoin is an LA-based lighting designer and multi-talented artist who’s been lighting up the live music scene in more ways than one. Recent projects have seen her create stunning visuals for artists like Macy Gray, Aloe Blacc, and Eric Bellinger. After moving to LA six years ago, Tori has sharpened her skills in every aspect of live concerts and production, from A&R to events management and stage production. A graduate of Emerson College with a degree in theatre and performance, she’s not only a behind-the-scenes creative but also an artist and musician herself, bringing her unique vision to every project she touches.
Check out her artist site at www.torithomasmusic.com
Nova Meza (Sound Designer)
Nova Meza is a versatile Audio Engineer based in Los Angeles. Her sound is known as Nuva Sound, the post-production company she founded early in her career, providing a variety of audio services including sound recording, editing, designing and mixing.
Nova’s artistic approach to every project, sets her apart from other engineers of her generation, her experience in different sound disciplines creates a unique sound that fits her clients’ vision.
Her sound design and mixing for short films include “Stay”, where she got her first nomination for Best Sound Design at the Idyllwild Film Fest 2024, and “Who The Hell is Michael”, Best Picture award winner at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2024.
Nova pursued graduate studies in The Los Angeles Recording School in 2017. During her academic journey she developed her craft working on renowned films such as “Jiu Jitsu” starring Nicholas Cage and “Moonage Daydream”, a documentary-film about David Bowie.
Kate Bergh (Costume Designer)
Kate Bergh designs costumes for many venues. Starting her career in the Chicago theater scene, she moved to Los Angeles and was introduced to a new world of designing costumes for film, commercials, celebrity photo shoots and outdoor advertising and animation. And then came back to her first loves – theater, opera and dance.
She designed A Little Night Music (LADCC Award), Ragtime (Ovation Nomination) Casa Valentina (LADCC Award, Ovation Nomination) It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Art, Sleepless in Seattle, Amahl and the Night Visitors for the Pasadena Playhouse. Other theaters include The Geffen Playhouse, The Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, The Delaware Theatre Company, The Laguna Playhouse, Ensemble Theater in Santa Barbara, The Industry, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Rogue Machine, Boston Court and The Australian Theatre Company.
Kate has consulted for animation studios at Walt Disney Studios, Warner Brothers, and Nickelodeon. Her editorials for Vanity Fair, ESPN Magazine, Premiere Magazine, Time and Life Magazines have included sports figures, film actors, and war veterans. Commercials include American Express, Philip Morris, Toyota, Morgan Stanley, AT&T.
Felicity Jurd (Sydney cast Audio Director & Dialect Coach)
Felicity trained full time at the Atlantic Theater Company, NYC. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (English/French) and has spent extended time living in the UK, USA, NZ & France.
Coaching credits include;
Furiosa (Australian Accent coach to Tom Burke & Voice Coach to Charlee Fraser, dir: George Miller, Warner Bros), The Last Anniversary (Russian Dialect Coach, dir: John Polson, Blossom Films/Made-up Stories), Last Days of Space Age (Russian & Italian Dialect Coach, Disney+), Total Control S3 (Blackfella Films), The Wonder Gang (ABC), The PMs Daughter (ABC/Fremantle), Misery Loves Company (Northern Irish Dialect Coach, dir: Mat Lee), A Very Expensive Poison (Russian & UK Accents Coach, dir: Margaret Thanos), Labyrinth (US Accent Coach, dir: Margaret Thanos), Olivia Lee Comedy Show (Dialect Coach, Tiger Aspect London), Zoo Story (NYC Accent Coach, dir: Olivia Costa), Random & Whacky (UK Accent Coach, Ambience Ent.), Half Time (US Accent Coach, dir: Helen Dallimore), Lion King (Disney AU).
Jean-Louis Rodrique (Alexander / Animal Work Coach)
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Jean-Louis Rodrigue is a movement director, acting coach, and senior teacher of the Alexander Technique. For over 40 years, he has worked professionally in Los Angeles and New York in theatre, film, television, and digital media; his unique approach to character movement and improving the levels of performance has brought international recognition.
Jean-Louis is also a world-renowned speaker. He has given talks at the Berlin International Film Festival, Generation Campus in Moscow, Verbier Festival in Switzerland, Universidad de Comunicacion in Mexico City, Berlinale Talents in Guadalajara, USC School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney, and DLD Women (Digital-Life-Design) in Munich. https://alexandertechworks.com/
Caley O’Dwyer (Artwork)
Caley O'Dwyer (caleyodwyerart.com, @caleyodwyerart) is a Los Angeles-based painter and poet, a therapist in private practice, and for twenty-five years a teacher in Southern California universities (USC, UC Irvine, Antioch University LA). In these endeavors, in daily life, and in the pools of memory that delight and haunt experience, he finds the inspiration for his work. Recent paintings feature figurative approaches that have stakes in both abstraction and graphic art—flattened, simplified forms in saturated colors that become stages for patterns and mark-making. Caley's paintings often start from photographs or digital work that are then rendered in oil or acrylic or both.Through painting he aims to evoke playfulness and wonder, and to encourage human tenderness and goodwill.
Megan Reed (Production Stage Manager)
Megan Reed is delighted to be a part of DIVA! She has worked professionally with various companies in California, including Broadway at Music Circus, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, and South Bay Musical Theatre. Megan is currently finishing her BFA degree in Stage Management at the University of Southern California. Merde!
Jacqui Rathner (Front of House Manager)
Jacqui is a dedicated and highly regarded member of our theatre community. Her warm and welcoming presence greets our valued guests, including high-profile patrons and sponsors, making everyone feel at home.
Jacqui's problem-solving skills are unmatched; she effortlessly handles the complexities of front-of-house operations while mentoring volunteers to develop their skills. Her professionalism and personal touch foster a positive environment, allowing our creative team to focus on their tasks with confidence.
Her commitment to excellence and hands-on approach are unmatched. Jacqui is a natural leader whose grace and ability to connect with others leave a lasting impact. We are grateful she is a part of our team. Anyone fortunate enough to work with Jacqui will find their professional network enriched by her presence.
Jacqui works with visionary entrepreneurs and professionals to translate, then transform vision into action, impact, and purpose. More here: jacquirathner.com
Leila Murton Poole (Script Consultant)
Leila is a writer/director who is currently an MA Directing Fiction student at the National Film & Television School in the UK. She recently returned from a round the world trip where she travelled from London to New Zealand (and back again) without flying; a journey which constantly inspires her work. In the middle of the Indian Ocean, she decided to pursue film more formally and applied for Sydney Film School where she graduated from in 2019.
She was lucky enough to work with Vivienne Powell on the award-winning short Le Miroir, which finished a successful festival run, screening at 30+ festivals all over the world including at the BAFTA/Oscar qualifying Flickerfest. During lockdown, she focused on writing and has since won four NYC Midnight writing competitions—the first person to do so. She loves helping to bring stories to life and has since worked as a consultant on a number of wonderful scripts, including DIVA.
Find out more about her work at https://www.leilamurtonpoole.com
Sean O’Byrne (Script Consultant)
Sean O’Byrne is an accomplished Canadian screenwriter, producer, and director based in Los Angeles. A graduate of Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts, Sean has built an impressive career working with major studios and network television. He is best known for his work on the critically acclaimed film Mystery, Alaska, starring Russell Crowe, and for contributing to the iconic series Picket Fences with David E. Kelley.
Throughout his career, Sean has garnered multiple prestigious accolades for writing, producing and directing, including the Canadian Gemini Award for Best Film for 100 Days in the Jungle, and a Best Film nomination for Burn: The Robert Wright Story. He has also earned the British Columbia Film Award for Best Screenplay for AABSHAR and the Telefilm Canada Premiere Scriptwriter’s Award for The First Mountie.
Sean’s creative vision extends internationally, with multiple projects in development across Los Angeles, Canada, and Australia. He runs BonnieBlue Productions alongside his wife, Kym Wilson, an award-winning actor and producer. Together, they continue to craft compelling narratives for global audiences.
Sean is grateful to be a part of the DIVA team.
Yannick Lawry (Sound Engineer)
Yannick Lawry is a broadcaster, actor, voice actor and sound engineer. Setting up Studio Under The Stairs in Redfern (Sydney, Australia) in 2013 as a base out of which to deliver his own work as a voice actor he soon saw an opportunity to pass on the skills he'd learned in this niche industry to others. The studio offers coaching to those seeking to break into the voiceover industry as well as being a studio for hire to creative and performing artists across the spectrum for a diverse and exciting range of projects. Yannick has been delighted to provide his services and studio as a small contribution to the epic and beautiful production of DIVA!
Sandra Kuker PR (Publicist)
Sandra Kuker-Franco is an Award-winning Publicist with over four decades of experience has created a client list of diversity and successful campaigns. Film highlight: A World Away (Mark Blanchard). Stage: I’m Not A Comedian, I’m Lenny Bruce (Ronnie Marmo, Director Joe Mantegna), Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground (Tony Winner John Rubinstein), Elephant Man, My Child Mothers Of War (an all-star cast),
Adventures In The Great Beyond, Voice Lessons (Laurie Metcalf, French Stewart & Maile Flanagan), Write Act Repertory 15+ Production Campaigns, Panic! Productions: Footloose The Musical, plus 8 others. Crimson Square TC/BHP: Outrage + 8 other shows. Utilizing the strength of relationships, social media and traditional PR. www.SandraKukerPR.com