Meet our Artistic Director
Richard Marrett
Richard is well-known for his work throughout the country as a musical director, vocal coach, pianist, arranger and conductor. Previously, he worked as manager of the degree programmes offered by the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) and Ara Music Arts.
His musical direction credits for The Court Theatre include My Fair Lady; South Pacific; The Rocky Horror Show; The Sound of Music; Jerry’s Girls; Oliver!; Guys and Dolls; The Producers; La Cage Aux Folles; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!; Anything Goes; Cabaret; Side By Side By Sondheim; Grease; End of the Rainbow; Blood Brothers; Mary Poppins; Legally Blonde the Musical; Songs For Nobodies; Chicago; Jesus Christ Superstar; Jersey Boys; Little Shop of Horrors; Rent and Next to Normal.
Further musical direction credits include Mame; The King and I; Sweet Charity; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; West End to Broadway I, II and III; Les Misérables; 42nd Street; Fiddler on the Roof; Annie; Into The Woods; Jesus Christ Superstar; Urinetown; Beauty and the Beast; The Witches of Eastwick; Cats; Curtains; Buddy; Avenue Q; Hair; Spring Awakening; The Phantom of the Opera; Miss Saigon; Mamma Mia!; Hairspray; Ragtime; Evita; Wicked; We Will Rock You; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Matilda.
Richard’s work with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra has included seasons of Starry Nights and Classical Sparks in Hagley Park and the popular concert productions Oh, Danny Boy; Broadway Broads; Rodgers and Hammerstein; Bernstein and Sondheim; The Magical Music of Disney and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was also responsible for the musical supervision, keyboard programming, tracks and arrangements for several New Zealand touring productions and is often found working as producer and arranger on multiple recording projects. Richard has been Artistic Director of the popular choir, The Vocal Collective for the past four years.
Fresh from this year’s highlight season conducting My Fair Lady with The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Showbiz Christchurch, he will follow the hilarious Something Rotten with the equally fabulous, Kinky Boots.
Facebook Page: Richard Marrett MD
Meet our Assistant Music Director
Caelan Thomas
Caelan was originally trained as a classical pianist and achieved his ATCL in 2015 before moving into musical theatre, choral, and accompaniment work. He has been involved in musical theatre shows in Kirwee, Halswell, Ashburton, Rangiora, Rolleston and Riccarton, and has worked with The Court Theatre, NASDA, CIMTSS, Blackboard Theatre Collective and the New Zealand Singing School, as well as adjudicating at the South Canterbury Drama League. Caelan is currently Musical Director for the Darfield branch of the Selwyn Community Choir, spent a few months leading the Mid Canterbury Choir in Ashburton and is thoroughly enjoying working as the accompanist for The Vocal Collective.
Caelan is very fond of dark chocolate, post-it notes, sleeping in, bacon, feeding his pets too much, waffles, fluffy socks, and Michael Bublé, and is much less fond of running, traffic, being late, capsicum and mopping.
Meet our Choir Coordinator
Annie de Senna
Annie has been involved (behind the scenes) in performing arts and events in Õtautahi since the late 90s. Her involvement with Showbiz Christchurch, Court Theatre, NZ Opera and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra have fuelled her passion for anything musical. Her regular work with the Buskers Festival, Akaroa French Festival and WORD Christchurch Festivals give her a broad and eclectic range of interests and skills both in the production and stage management areas. Whilst you won’t see her performing, you’ll often find Annie joining in on vocal warm ups or humming along during rehearsals…just don’t tell her you can hear her!
Annie’s pride and joy is her son Charlie. You're more than likely to see him as her trusty sidekick at events. Annie is thrilled to join The Vocal Collective whānau.