Meet the Team
It takes a great team to teach great students! Whilst we’ll have many new faces through our Guest Teachers throughout the year, here below are some of the constant creatives involved behind the scenes at Mad About Development.
Madison Thew-Keyworth - Founder / Artistic Director
Madison has worked professionally as a Director and Choreographer between Australia and New Zealand for the past 15 years. Prior to stepping on to the production side, Madison trained as an Actor with NIDA through their YAS program, and in classical ballet from a young age. Madison was part of the Australian National Tour of Calendar Girls, as well as having appeared in Gigi, Hello Dolly!, Cabaret, A Dream Play and The Gingerbread Lady.
On the production side, Madison’s show credits include Disenchanted, Legally Blonde, Chicago and My Brilliant Divorce (MAT Australia), Mamma Mia!, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Salute to Broadway (VTA New Zealand). Madison is also thrilled to spend her time instilling a love for the performing arts with up and coming talent at Sunshine Coast Youth Theatre (Australia) and cannot wait to extend this teaching and expertise now to the performers at Mad About Development.
Madison is excited to be working as Creative Producer on the new Australian musical, Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers, which will premiere at The Powerhouse in January 2025.
Courtney Johnston - Course Director / Head of Voice
Courtney Johnston's love for dance and music has been evident since the age of three. Growing up, she studied dance full-time completing her CSTD and RAD exams in dance in jazz, ballet and her favourite, tap! However Courtney’s love and passion laid in her community theatre productions and she realised she had to pursue musical theatre as a career. After studying musical theatre full-time in Brisbane, she joined the Australian tour of ‘Hairspray: The Arena Spectacular’, playing Shelly and covering the role of Tracy. After Hairspray, Courtney worked consistently in the Australian musical theatre industry with some feature titles including ‘Roxie Hart’ in ‘Chicago’, ‘Val Clarke’ in ‘A Chorus Line’ and ‘Cinderella’ in the Australian Premiere of ‘Disenchanted’. In 2019, Courtney’s life changed course when her and her husband Wade welcomed their first daughter.
Over the past five years, while raising her three children and running a successful business, Courtney has continued working in musical theatre as a Music Director for the thriving youth theatre scene on the Sunshine Coast and a Vocal Director with Mad About Theatre on their renowned professional seasons. She has also continued to furthered her education through workshops and courses with prestigious institutions such as NIDA, Oxford University, Open Yale, Broadway Vocal Coach Academy, and the Institute of Vocal Advancement.
Now, Courtney is excited to bring her expertise to Mad About Development, where she looks forward to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of performers in the Australian Musical Theatre industry.
Nicole Kaminski - head of dance
Nicole grew up in Perth, WA, before moving to Victoria to complete studies at FedUni Ballarat, graduating in 2015 with university credits including Urinetown, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and the Title role in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
After graduating, she performed predominantly in educational theatre, touring Australia with Alpha Shows. While living in Melbourne, she appeared in productions of Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, Heathers, Les Misérables, and the 2016 National Tour of The Sound of Music.
Since moving to the Sunshine Coast, Nicole has appeared in Mamma Mia! The Musical and Legally Blonde, and choreographed Noosa Arts Theatre’s production of The Boy From Oz.
ALLY HICKEY - head of ACTING
From a young age, Ally has involved herself in the performing arts in any way possible. Over the years, she has grown into a passionate and dedicated performer, aiming to tell stories of importance and influence.
In 2020, she graduated with a Bachelor of Acting from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. After graduating, she started her own theatre production company, Apt.13 Productions, which made its debut performance at the 2021 Anywhere Festival, winning the Young Emerging Theatre-Maker Award from Queensland Theatre.
In addition to her work in contemporary theatre, Ally has a strong background in musical theatre, having performed in various productions such as Gynecia cover in Head Over Heels and Scaramouche in We Will Rock You. She is also a drama instructor for Shake & Stir Theatre Co., where she nurtures the next generation of young performers, as well as a musical theatre tutor for Brisbane Arts Theatre, helping students develop their skills in singing, acting, and dancing.
Through her teaching and performances, Ally continues to inspire and impact the vibrant arts community and is excited to bring her skills back to her home town on the Sunshine Coast.
