Our people are everything.

Ben Jackson – Managing Director

An experienced performer, Ben’s mission in life is to bring experiences to people to make a difference. As managing director, he oversees most areas of the business, including Tour Managing most tours, marketing, script writing, and most other areas of production; as well as performing on stage as well! He is particularly passionate about the direction Alpha has taken, under his leadership, towards creating events that are more than just ‘kids shows’; rather, integrated events that create life changing experiences, new understandings and feelings of joy and love. Ben is committed to making your theatre experience a truly magical one, and looks forward to coming back year after year to once again exceed your expectations!
Alpha Membership Profile
ben@alphashows.com.au

Katja Glieson – Artistic Director

Katja has been passionate about performing, acting and singing for as long as she can remember. As well as numerous musical theatre leading performances, Katja is also dedicated to her singing and recording pursuits, as well as her acting and screenwriting. She joined Alpha for their 2007 production of Cinderella, playing the title character, and has since tackled more challenging roles such as the villain, Maleficent, in Sleeping Beauty and other comedy characters – being one of our few female performers capable of varying her style and actually being funny! She has been in every Alpha Show except Aladdin, sometimes as different characters. She loves Alpha, as it gives the audience an amazingly fun and exciting experience, as well as learning and awareness through fun and entertainment!
Alpha Membership Profile
katja@alphashows.com.au

Nicole Whittorn – Administration Manager

Nicole manages everything of an administration and logistical nature in Alpha Shows. Without her work, Alpha would cease to function – literally! She is an invaluable member of the team and both our customers and actors look to her to support the continued running of Alpha. From costume washing every week, mail outs, calling schools to confirm, and managing the entire administration needs of the company, Nicole works extremely hard – as she is also a mother of 2 and does a wonderful job raising them. nicole@alphashows.com.au

Ingrid Beilharz – Head of Costume

As Alpha’s Head of Costume, Ingrid is not only responsible for updating, repairing and managing all our costumes as well as replacing outdated ones with skilfully made and rugged new creations, she was also the creative force behind our most ambitious and most strikingly beautiful costumes to date, in the new Alpha Show The Little Mermaid! After completing her Diploma in Costume for Performance, Ingrid uses her passion for costume in all areas of the industry. Having extensive experience in all film, television and theatre, she shows her love of detail and perfection with her work at Alpha Shows. At Alpha she uses her imagination and skill to create all manner of costumes from animal characters to ball gowns and all in between. ingrid@alphashows.com.au

Kyle Rowling – Fight Director

Kyle has assisted Alpha since 2008, teaching us professional stage combat skills, choreographing many of our on stage hand to hand and sword fights, as well as making really beautiful armoury and speciality costumes for certain characters. Ben & Katja have been trained by Kyle, who choreographed all the light saber fights in Star Wars Ep II and III as well as doubling for Count Dooku, to intermediate level which means they can now also choreograph the fights for Alpha’s shows and ensure all stage combat is safe and effective. 
Sydney Stage Combat website

kyle@sydneystagecombat.com

Phil Jackson – Production Executive & Set Designer/Painter

Phil has been intricately involved with all aspects of production for all of Alpha’s shows. The amazing sets and the backdrops, the style of which has become well known to all who see one of our productions, have all taken weeks and weeks of incredibly detailed and painstaking work. Phil also oversees, maintains and invents all aspects of a technical nature in Alpha’s shows, including ingenius props and special effects.

Info on set painting
phil@alphamedia.com.au

Julie Jackson – Administration

A caring mother and wife, Julie is an experienced and former Primary School teacher, with many other friends and colleagues in education. After running the very successful Alpha Computers in Mornington for fourteen years, she now owns and operates WhiteChapel Receptions (where Alpha Shows is based) in Langwarrin, as well as the Administration and other essential roles within Alpha Media and Alpha Shows.. julie@alphamedia.com.au

Tracey Stranger – Marketing Manager

Tracey is passionate about inspiring and empowering people to unite and create a better world. She sees children as a key to our future and The Alpha Shows as a transformational journey of life-changing fun, entertainment and educational values that truly engage and empower children. Joining Alpha in 2011, Tracey is an inspiring author with a Degree in Microbiology, Diploma in Marketing and over 24 years in Corporate Business Development, continually fascinated by the extraordinary possibilities, for both children and adults, born from inner confidence, creativity, love and respect. When passionate corporations and individuals come together magic truly does happen and can most certainly shape the amazing future that we all dare to imagine.
tracey@alphashows.com.au

Elle Richards – Education Marketing Executive

Elle Richards recently graduated from the University of Ballarat with both a Bachelor of Arts – Music Theatre and a Graduate Diploma of Education, where she performed in numerous productions. Elle then toured with ‘Alpha Shows’ in their production of ‘Hercules’ in which she played ‘Pegasus’ and ‘The Muse’ and had such a fabulous time that she stayed on to work with the company and is now their Education Marketing Executive.

In the education field Elle has previously worked as an Inclusion Support Assistant to two young autistic boys which she believes has enabled her to expand her skills as both a teacher and as a person and has truly opened her mind. She has also worked as the Aboriginal Homework Centre Co-ordinator and I.T.A.S Tutor for the Aboriginal Students. Elle also had her own music school ‘Musically Brilliant’ which focused on the teachings of Kodaly. Elle enjoys both music and education and believes every child should have the opportunity to be involved in the arts as they are a great tool in encouraging children’s confidence and promoting positive social interaction.

elle@alphashows.com.au