Meet our Judges
2026 CONDA Judges
Joanna Andrew
Joanna Andrew is a seasoned performer, vocal coach, and director with experience in opera, musical theatre, dramatic plays, and oratorio. She began in the NBN Television Children's Choir, performing at events like the Sydney Opera House and Carols by Candlelight, and won numerous Aria competitions across NSW, VIC, and QLD. Over 40 years, she has played diverse roles, including Marmee (Little Women), Mercedes (Carmen), and Valencienne (The Merry Widow), with professional credits in Aida (International Opera Festival), Wagner's Ring Cycle (Sydney Symphony Orchestra), and oratorio performances such as Handel’s Messiah. Jo holds an Advanced Diploma in Arts (UNE), a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, and is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education. An accredited member of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW and ANATS, she directs youth productions and has coached students who have gone on to study at institutions like NIDA, WAAPA, and the VCA, achieving success in television, film, and theatre.
Marika Aubrey
Marika has worked in television, film, cabaret, theatre, voiceover, and features on 5 album releases. She is best known for the role of Mrs. Wormwood in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Australian production of Matilda the Musical.Other career highlights include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Songs for A New World, The Last Five Years, the Lincoln Center's South Pacific at Sydney Opera House, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha.More recently, she played Captain Beverly Bass in Come From Away, on the 1st National Tour and on Broadway. Last year, Marika played Cynthia in Dear Evan Hansen for Pioneer Theatre in SLC, and will soon return to Aussie screens in the hit TV series Colin From Accounts.
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Brooke Charlton
Brooke Charlton completed a Bachelor of Creative Industries at the University of Newcastle in 2022 and has been actively involved in the Newcastle theatre community both on and off stage since her first role as Bird in TWISTED: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier in 2022. In the years since, she has had the privilege of working with a number of local theatre companies, including UoN Musos, Stand and Deliver Co., What Theatre, Maitland Musical Society, and Singleton Theatre Association. On stage, Brooke has performed in a variety of musical theatre roles, including Ursula in The Little Mermaid (Singleton Theatre Association, 2025), Gretchen in Freaky Friday (Maitland Musical Society, 2025), Underling in The Drowsy Chaperone (UoN Musos), and Jennifer Gabriel in The Witches of Eastwick (Stand and Deliver Co., 2023). Behind the scenes, she has worked across numerous productions as a Production Assistant, Stagehand, and Stage Manager for both adult and youth theatre throughout the Newcastle region. Passionate about community theatre and creative collaboration, Brooke is always looking for ways to support and celebrate the local performing arts scene. After a particularly busy 2025, she decided to contribute to Newcastle theatre in a new way by joining the CONDA judging panel.She is excited to be the youngest member of the judging team and looks forward to championing the vibrant talent and creativity that defines the region’s theatre community, while also hoping someone soon takes that “youngest judge” title from her.
Christine Fletcher
Christine completed a Master of Theatre Arts in 1996 at the University of Newcastle. She was a specialist drama teacher at Hunter School of the Performing Arts from 1998 to 2013 and lectured Drama courses at the University of Newcastle. Christine is a performer, playwright and director as well as an arts administrator. She was the coordinator of the Hunter Primary Drama Festival for the NSW Department of Education and the theatre school principal for YPT for several years.
Christopher Hopson
Following 10 years performing in Newcastle, Christopher made his Sydney debut in the NSW premiere of Les Miserables for Miranda Musical Society. Shortly thereafter, he played Jack in the NSW premiere of Into the Woods for Rockdale Musical Society. Chris performed in the Sydney season of Director Vittorio Rossi’s touring production of Turandot and was selected for The Happy Prince and The Little Mermaid, (featuring as the King) for Opera Australia - OperAction. Chris studied voice with Graeme Hands (After 5) Christopher Allan (Newcastle Conservatorium, Opera Australia) and Jodie Gillies (Les Miserables, Chess, Aspects of Love). On his return to Newcastle, Chris performed many roles most notably J. Pierpont Finch -H2$, The Dentist - Little Shop of Horrors and Bernardo - West Side Story. Chris was appointed by the University of Newcastle as Technical Officer and Production Coordinator with the Conservatorium of Music. He was then appointed by City of Newcastle as Technical Officer - Major Venues Civic Precinct. Jump to 2013, Chris was accepted into the Bachelor of Dramatic Art - Production - NIDA. Following NIDA,Chris developed his own production company, HopAbout Productions and Installations (HAPI) and has worked on Adele & Justin Bieber Australian tours, Farmer Wants a Wife, Dream Genie Films and Triple J amongst others, in a technical or stage management capacity.
Wendy Leis
Wendy was a recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Theatre CONDA award in 2015. She enjoyed a successful career as a drama specialist teacher and was assistant principal at Hunter School of the Performing Arts from 1993 to 2014. Wendy was the artistic director of Young People's Theatre, where she volunteered for decades, sharing her skills to inspire and educate generations of emerging artists. As a practising artist, Wendy has years of experience as a writer, director, producer and theatre educator.
Dan Stranger
Dan Stranger is a performing arts teacher, director, and writer with extensive experience in theatre, film, and screenwriting. Originally from the UK, he holds a BA in Scriptwriting & Performance and has worked with Hunter Drama, Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, and Maitland Repertory Theatre. Dan has directed productions like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Alice in Wonderland Jr., and The Tempest and has had his writing showcased at international festivals. A skilled stage manager and technical designer, he has also contributed to productions at the Edinburgh Fringe. Passionate about youth theatre, he founded Broken Leg Theatre Company, mentoring young performers in acting, technical production, and creative development.