The Electro-Brass-Pop Musical!
Elena Ephgrave
Writer & Producer
Elena is a classically-trained, neurodiverse musician, producer and story-teller who writes entire compositions in her head before programming. Elena worked professionally in musical theatre before she began writing her own music. Years of playing saxophone in big-band orchestras lead to the creation of her distinct, electro-brass-pop sound. Her debut single won the hearts of British DJs up and down the country and, subsequently, reached No.14 in the commercial pop charts UK. Elena has collaborated with world-renowned production and publishing companies such as 7th Heaven, Audiofreaks and Sony; some of which still earn her royalties today.
Silas Blackburn
Music Director & Orchestrator
Raised in a musical family in Wales where he was brought up on a steady diet of live folk, soul and rock and roll, Silas has been writing music since he started to talk. Taking full advantage of rural isolation to make as much noise as possible he developed his talents as a fine guitarist and singer songwriter.
Now based in his recording studio in Bristol as a composer & music producer, Silas has written soundtracks for picture, produced artist records, recorded concerts, scored Mario tunes and sampled Manhattan's nightlife. With extensive experience and equipment there’s no project that can’t be done!
Taylor Jay
Co-producer & Marketing Director
Upcoming producer Taylor Jay has joined the STAR-PLAY team as Co-producer and Marketing Director. His accolades include co-producer of UNHEARD, a concert at the Arts Theatre West End and a reproduction of BJW Production's ISLAND SONG in New York. Taylor runs his own theatre company and also works as marketing manager at Greenwich Theatre - London.
Hope Thain
Director
Hope is a director/theatre maker who works across the UK, predominantly
throughout the South West and London. Her work, whether that be adaptations of
classics, new writing, or musicals, explores the intricacies of human relationships with thoughtfulness and guts; she cannot resist stories with an element of magic! Movement and music are key elements of the work she creates.
Hope is a faculty member of the Higher Education department at Shakespeare’s
Globe and a practitioner in the Engagement Department at Bristol Old Vic Theatre. She has experience of working as a director, movement director, facilitator and dramaturg, and enjoys working with actors in training (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Bristol School of Acting, East 15, Syracuse University). She graduated Bristol Old Vic Theatre School with a masters in Drama Directing and a BA in English Literature from the University of Bristol.
Recent/Upcoming credits include:
The Ballad of Maria Marten (Director) – The Station, The Roaring Girl (Director) -
Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Anna Karenina (Associate Director to Polina
Kalinina) – Main House, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Much Ado About Nothing –
(Director) - Syracuse University, Shakespeare’s Globe, Montague Terrace (R&D,
Tobacco Factory), Kyoto (director) -The Wardrobe Theatre, Gaze (Assistant Director
to dir. Tilly Branson) - Northern Stage, Three Seagulls (Assistant Director to Sally
Cookson) – Main house, Bristol Old Vic Theatre.
Verity Morris
Choreographer
Verity Morris is a neurodivergent dancer and choreographer, renowned for a unique blend of commercial, jazz, and hip-hop styles. From an early age, Verity became immersed in diverse dance forms including ballet, tap, modern, and jazz. At 19, Verity's craft was honed at a prestigious musical theatre college in London, specializing in dance and musical theatre. This intensive training sparked a passion for commercial dance and prompted an expansion of repertoire with hip-hop, heels, house, and litefeet.
Verity's choreography credits feature the acclaimed music video "Angel" by Branwell Black; dance credits include a BBC short film, various stage performances, music videos, TV, and vibrant shows at Gay Pride events.
Deborah Vogt
Dramaturg
Deborah is an award-winning writer and dramaturg that specialises in development for new musical theatre.
She has spent the last ten years helping writers create compelling new work through personalised development plans and inspirational feedback so they can make the biggest impact with their stories and music.
Deborah was selected as one of the writers for the UKTV female comedy writers initiative with Comedy 50:50, and her script The F Word was one of nine out of a thousand applicants to be awarded a script commission by the channel. She is now in the process of pitching The F Word and has another musical project in development with Film Nation.
Her musical Little Sausage premiered at The Other Palace in March 2022.
As a comedy director/dramaturg, Deborah has worked with John Hastings, Séan Burke, and Andrea Jin.
Deborah has a Masters in Writing for Performance and Dramaturgy from Goldsmiths University and a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.