Class Act Productions is the longest running dedicated youth theatre company in Gippsland. Formed in 2001, Class Act is a non-profit organization which provides an opportunity for youth to participate in theatre.

The company was formed by David and Jan Pickburn, Mandie Black and David Williams, who were already involved in local theatre and as educators. They saw the need for a dedicated company to foster the talent of young people in Gippsland, and formed Class Act Productions to fill that niche. Since then, the company has strived to produce amateur theatre at a professional standard, and provide opportunities for young people to hone their talent and skills. Since its formation, Class Act has nurtured and trained youth who have gone on to pursue professional careers in the arts, including in theatre, music and dance.

As part of its philosophy, Class Act also seeks to mentor young people by offering roles such as Assistant Choreographers, Assistant Directors and Assistant Musical Directors. This offers further opportunity for development and leadership for those interested in extending their skills in theatre.

Current Artistic Team  

Mandie Black- Choreographer. Mandie's career in the arts has spanned over thirty years as a dancer, choreographer and educator. At fourteen years of age she was accepted into the Australian Ballet School. After graduating,she joined the Sydney Dance Company working under world renowned choreographer & artistic director Graeme Murphy. Mandie has taught all facets of dance but specialises in teaching classical ballet as part of Australian Teachers of Dancing syllabus. Her passion for ballet and mentoring young dancers has seen her recently undertake further      studies to extend her qualifications and knowledge of the ATOD methodology. In 2014 she completed several major examinations and is now a Licentiate member of the ATOD. Mandie is an experienced musical theatre choreographer, and has received numerous accolades for her work. Among her credits as a choreographer are Oliver!, Fiddler on The Roof, My Fair Lady, The Mikado, Oklahoma, Follies, Annie and Anything Goes. Through her involvement in theatre and her work as a dance educator, Mandie realised that opportunities for youth to engage in musical theatre were limited. Consequently, she was co-founder of Class Act Productions in 2001. In her capacity as President of CAP since 2010, Mandie has overseen strong growth in the organisation and instigated a number of programs to ensure continuing opportunities for youth in the performing arts. These include the exciting development of CAP expanding to 2 shows in 2016. Mandie was awarded a Life Membership from Class Act Productions in 2013

David Williams OAM- Musical Director. David graduated from Melbourne University Institute of Education with a Bachelor of Education in Music Pedagogy and later completed a Master of Arts in Performance on double bass from Monash University. He played in band that accompanied Debra Byrne, Rhonda Birchmore, Dame Kiri Te Kanewa and Peter Allan as well as playing with the State Orchestra of Victoria and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra during their education week program. David played and recorded extensively with the Cotton Club Orchestra and as a sessional bassist for recording by contemporary Australian composer Felix Werder, television and radio jingles, and the feature film “Romper Stomper” and Gippsland Country artist Steve Messer. He has extensive experience in touring, having toured throughout Europe including concerts in Italy, Germany, Singapore, Belgium and Austria. He studies conducting with Peter Clinch, Barry Bignall, John Hopkins CBE and Graham Abbott, David’s musical direction musicals includes Oliver!, Fiddler on the Roof, Wizard of Oz, Mikado, My Fair Lady, Singing In The Rain, Oklahoma!, Cats, Carmen, Seussical and Les Miserables. He is co-founder and musical director with Class Act Productions, the Latrobe City Youth Band and more recently the Gippsland Symphony Orchestra.

In February of 2015 David was went to New York to be a part of Manhattan Concert Production performance of Parade conducted by Jason Robert Brown, a truly once in a lifetime event.

David is employed as Director of Music at Lowanna College in Newborough. David was awarded an OAM in the 2012 Australia Day Honours for his services to Music Education and the Performing Arts.

Michael Mendez- Director. Michael’s passion for musical theatre and performing began at primary school, having performed in school productions. Michael auditioned for a role in Warragul Theatre Company’s Oklahoma in 2005. Scoring the lead role, Michael never looked back. Since then he has performed in many productions including Anything Goes, Annie, Cats, Seussical and Les Miserables. Michael joined the Class Act team in 2006 as assistant to the directors, he was promoted the following year to assistant director working alongside David Pickburn. In 2008 David passed his directing baton to Michael. Michael has since directed Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Oliver!, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast, Seussical and The Pirates of Penzance with Class Act. Michael has had an extremely rewarding and well rounded experience in musical theatre so far, having worked in many aspects of theatre from backstage work, work on various committees, performing on stage and directing. Michael is a primary school teacher at Commerical Road Primary School.