So, what is Beyond The Curtain?

Hey! Thanks for asking!

Beyond The Curtain (or BTC as we like to call it) is a podcast with a simple aim to connect the performing arts through human stories.

Why, do you ask? Well, we care about people and truly believe in the power of stories.

The performing arts is buzzing with a myriad of talented, incredible human beings. We want to showcase these people and provide a platform to get to know who they are behind the ‘performer’, or position that they hold in the industry. So much can be learned and gained through hearing every human being’s different life course. Every journey has its ups and downs! Isn’t it wonderful when we can hear about those from trailblazing, successful people that we aspire to?!

I (your host Samantha Laurence) cannot do it alone though, and everything is more fun and rewarding when shared right?!

I have been truly blessed with an incredible team of kick ass gal pals.

MEET THE TEAM

 

SAMANTHA LAURENCE

FOUNDER and host

Samantha Laurence is a creative from Melbourne with over a decade of an eclectic mix of design, marketing, event management, media, performing and vocal coaching experience. After graduating as College Dux, Samantha went on to complete a Bachelor of Communication (Creative Advertising) from RMIT University where she majored in Literature and Philosophy. Samantha furthered her studies in the performing arts on a scholarship at Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance. With extensive experience in the Arts industry, Samantha has worked with Boom Media and Collaboration The Project, and was the original Event Manager assigned to Undrgrnd Melbourne, touring it to Sydney and Brisbane. Currently, Samantha works as a Marketing Manager for Supreme Hotel Group and owns a successful graphic design business called Reverlust Design. Samantha has experience hosting multiple podcasts and has a true passion and interest in connecting with people through human stories.

 

KARA BERTONCINI

PARTNERSHIPS AND MEDIA ADVISOR

Kara Bertoncini is currently a Media Advisor at Arts Centre Melbourne and the Australian Music Vault. Kara has had a career in the media industry as an arts, film and travel journalist/editor for The AU Review; a music journalist/editor for Acid Stag and Vulture Magazine, and was a copywriter for music label Mammal Sounds. In addition to this, Kara was an associate producer and presenter for Big Review TV covering high profile red carpet events including the ARIA Awards, TV Week Logie Awards and opening nights of The Lion King, Dirty Dancing and Cirque du Soleil’s Totem. Recently, Kara started her own PR business called Bee Connected and her current roster of clients include the Artists of Colour Initiative, Australian Cricket Institute, Australian Premier League, Beyond the Curtain podcast, Brisbane Premier League, Clovelly Fox, Moira Finucane and TELL. Kara has a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Journalism and Italian from Monash University and has a Diploma in Dance/Musical Theatre from Dance World.

 

ALLY KALLIS

AUDIO PRODUCER

Ally Kallis is a Melbourne-born audio producer with almost a decade of production experience behind her. She completed a Post-Graduate Diploma of Arts - Commercial Radio after leaving school, which led her over the bass straight to Hobart for her first commercial production role with Sea FM and Heart 107.3. She has since worked in several audio production and commercial production roles in Albury NSW and Central NSW with Southern Cross Austereo. In 2018 Ally landed her dream role as a commercial producer with Nova Entertainment in Melbourne. For the past 2 years, she has begun to grow her freelance business in audio and podcast production, consistently and currently working with several different podcasts as an editor. In 2019, Ally was awarded an Australian Commercial Radio Award for 'Best Station Produced Commercial - Campaign'.

 

LUCY WONG

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Lucy Wong is currently working as Production Assistant on an internship with Beyond The Curtain. Hailing from Queensland, Lucy is a talented dancer who has performed on multiple contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines after completing her full time training at Transit Dance in Melbourne. She has experience working as an Event Manager on various dance events and in 2020 commenced her tertiary degree, Bachelor of Media and Communication - Swinburne Online.