David Wynen (B. A, M. A)
DAVID WYNEN’s theatre credits include the Australasian tour of 42nd Street, Hocus Pocus, Showstoppers, and The Australian Opera as well as in the Australian cast of Billy Elliott. He has performed for the Olympics and was featured in the movie Blonde and Brenda Bufalino’s Last Rehearsal Hall (USA). David also presented his cabaret: David Wynen Unplugged and Untapped to sold-out audiences. He is constantly in demand as a Director, Choreographer and Music Theatre educator. David has choreographed Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate, Working, Company, Prodigal, Merrily We Roll Along, Sweet Charity, The Witches of Eastwick, The White Rose, Smash Hit and Godspell. In addition, he directed and choreographed The Life, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sweet Charity, Addams Family and 42nd St. He also produced, choreographed and directed Cabaret in the Deluxe Spiegeltent. Most recently David choreographed Merrily We Roll Along for Watch This.
He has also been awarded the EJ Barker Fellowship, the Dean’s Award and the Vice Chancellor’s’ Award for outstanding leadership in his field. David was awarded the Australian Government Citation for Learning and Teaching for his ground-breaking international work on Tap Rhythm—the first online tap syllabus of its kind: taprhythm.com. Most recently in December, 2015, David choreographed for a tribute to Luigi at Symphony Space in New York featuring Broadway veteran, Rachelle Rak.
He has lectured at the VCA, Lehman College (NY), and Carnegie Mellon University (USA), and until June 2017 was theSenior Lecturer, and Program Leader of Music Theatre at Federation University, Australia. In August 2017, David will join the faculty of the State University of New York.
David has been instrumental in teaching and mentoring students and professionals, working in such diverse fields as: film, TV, event management, choreography, direction, writing and performance. His students have appeared in international productions such as: Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Jersey Boys, Matilda, Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, Cats, Strictly Ballroom, Chorus Line, Lion King and The Producers.
Christopher Prank (ASS DIP MUS (JAZZ))
Christopher’s two great passions are Jazz and the instrument he plays – the piano. Not surprising he is both a musician and piano technician.
He honed his skills in improvisation in numerous blues and jazz bands in the 1970’s. He became involved with cabaret performances and performed in both the 1984 and 1986 Adelaide Fringe Festival with The Tap Dancing ensemble “TAPPERUCCIS”. Around this time he commenced employment as dance and vocal accompanist for The Centre of The Performing Arts, and was assistant MD for their productions for Fiddler On The Roof and Oh What A Lovely War and Monk On His Feet, an original Jazz / contemporary dance event for The Jazz Action Society.
Christopher moved to Melbourne in 1990 and was classical and contemporary dance accompanist for The Australian Ballet School for five years. Around this time he met David Wynen during a production of Hocus Pocus, and began
producing specifically designed backing tracks for David’s
private students.
Through the 1990’s Christopher performed in 1990 and 1992 seasons of Nightcap Dinner Theatre and in 1994 and 1996 Tuxedo Fleas – Richard Lewis Sings The Music of Tom Waits at Budinskis Theatre Carlton. From 1995 to 1999 he was dance accompanist for The Victorian College Of The Arts.
With his partner Wayne Comley he helped produce original children’s entertainment for Nestle, Myer & David Jones Christmas Shows.
He was Assistant MD/ pianist and conductor for Ballarat University’s 2002 production of “Working The Musical”.
In 2006 he collaborated with David in the two person cabaret show “David Wynen Unplugged and Untapped” at The Butterfly Club in South Melbourne.
For the last 3 years Christopher together with David Wynen have collaborated on the development & production of “Tap Rhythm.”
