Alaine is Board Chairman and founder of the company. Her background is varied bringing years of experience in running her independent theatre company. As well as her artistic background in theatre and music she duxed her business degree from RMIT. She is the main playwright for the company and has produced her plays from idea/concept to fully toured productions. She is excited when working with youth, creating a unique youth drama program, Say it Out Loud.

A graduate of QUT Academy of the Arts, Phil has worked in the performing arts industry for the past 30 years. He has performed around Australia and overseas in numerous productions. Phil has worked with Essence Productions since 2011, as a performer, director and dramaturge through development of new works. He is keen to be part of the development of Essence Productions and its growth to full potential.

Scott Jackson completed his Bachelors in Acting at Federation Uni in 2008 and has expanded his training in Stage Combat. He has worked for the Australian Shakespeare Company for over a decade, working on numerous shows as an actor and Fight Choreographer

Scott completed his Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping and is currently studying for his Diploma of Accounting at Victoria Uni Polytechnic.

Jeff has been a veterinarian for over 40 years, and the past 18 as owner and then director of clinics in Hoppers Crossing and Werribee. He is married to Ann and they have interests in theatre, local opera groups and the arts. Jeff has supported Essence for many years and is keen to see it grow and help the arts community develop in Wyndham and the West.

Tyson is a Founder of Melbourne Cultural Consultants, and the Programs & Services Manager of Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aborignial Corporation. He is also the current Chairperson of Nga Matai Purua Inc (a Wyndham based Māori non profit organisation). He recently connected with Alaine and her company through the recognised sharing of passion for working with youth, story telling and embracing cultures. There is a close synergy with his own work and the Essence company values and mission and is keen to help Essence in all aspects of cultural diversity and community work.

Laura has been a Drama and English teacher at Werribee Secondary College for 8 years. She worked closely with Alaine for 6 years running the after-hours drama club at the school. She has a passion for working with young people and fostering their creativity within the performing arts. Laura’s role within Essence Theatre Productions is the Education Co-ordinator. In this role she networks with schools and ensures teachers are aware of opportunities for students to engage with performances and workshops run by ETP.

Kevin has worked in the Australian entertainment industry for over 30 years mainly as an actor and director and more recently a teacher, pioneering Graduate Players for the Australian Shakespeare Company. He has been an ensemble member of the Australian Shakespeare Company for almost 20 years, and more recently as a teacher with young actors, pioneering their Graduate Players Program (which has toured to Prague Fringe since 2016).

For Essence Productions, he has worked as an actor and director for almost 15 years, on a variety of projects, and more recently in assisting development of new works.

Eleanor is the owner and director of Sassy Red PR - a Melbourne-based publicity and marketing business. Created with a strong focus on working with independent artists and companies, not-for-profit, and other small to medium arts organisations. She has worked in the industry for over 20 years as a professional actor, producer, publicist, and committee member in the field. Since its launch, Sassy Red PR has worked with hundreds of companies, shows, and thousands of artists, offering creative and cost-effective PR and marketing solutions.

A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts, she has worked extensively across Australia as a professional actor in theatre, film and TV, and voice-over.

Richard has a proven record in leadership, project management and implementation across the performing arts sectors and arena. He has established a reputation for pushing the boundaries of innovation while ensuring the projects that he creates, and or supports, have a foundation that is financially viable, responsible and sustainable without impacting on the creative processes or outcomes.

Amongst his list of achievements, including an extensive period as a contributing cartoonist for The Age, Richard was the creator of the 6PAC touring program that delivered over forty professional performances, from theatre to live music, throughout the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres and commercial stages. Including re-established the MEMO Music Hall in St.Kilda. Richard has produced work for the Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Recital Centre and MOFO Hobart that includes partnerships with the ABC