Meet The Team
At Shine Performing Arts Academy , our vision is to create a safe, inclusive space where people of all ages can grow, express themselves, and be truly heard. We’re committed to nurturing every individual’s unique talents within a supportive environment, guided by qualified, passionate teachers who inspire creativity and confidence. Shine is more than just a performing arts academy, it’s a community where everyone belongs and every voice matters.
Paula Mary-Camilleri is a Brisbane-based playwright, composer, lyricist, director, and educator with over 30 years of experience in theatre. She has worked in all aspects of the performing arts, from directing professional touring productions in Western Australia to composing, writing, and voice acting. Her versatility and passion for storytelling have made her a distinguished figure in the Australian theatre community. Paula Mary is a teacher and theatre-maker with a diverse skill set. She teaches drama and art and has a passion for creating engaging theatre for audiences. An award-winning director and playwright, in 2024 play The Magpies became a finalist in the National One-Act Playwriting Competition, winning the Nancy Cato Audience Choice Award. In 2024, The Magpies collected 23 awards on the festival circuit, solidifying her reputation as a vibrant new voice in Australian theatre. Beyond her stage successes, Paula Mary has written over thirty plays and three musicals, many of which have been performed by theatre companies across Australia. She has also had her work presented at conferences, served as an experienced adjudicator, and composed a song for World Teacher’s Day that was performed at the Brisbane Convention Centre. As a high school teacher and reviewer for Theatre Haus, Paula continues to nurture the next generation of creatives. She is celebrated for her ability to encourage, mentor, and champion others—ensuring that the voices of emerging artists are heard alongside her own.
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What sets Paula Mary apart is not only her extraordinary talent but also her generosity of spirit. She is a wonderful person who allows everyone’s light to shine so brightly. From writing musicals with her son Eli, to supporting Teagan in her playwriting journey, to having the story captured and celebrated across social media platforms by Lauren, and bringing the stage to life through beautifully choreographed movement, Paula Mary ensures that every collaborator feels valued and every production shines as a true team effort.
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Teagan is a teacher and theatre-maker with a diverse and evolving skill set. She teaches both drama and art, bringing her creativity into the classroom and inspiring students to explore their own artistic voices. With a passion for creating engaging theatre that resonates with audiences, she has established herself as both an award-winning director and an accomplished playwright.The 2022 play Garbage became a landmark success, winning twelve awards across the South East Queensland Drama Festival circuit. This recognition not only highlighted Teagan’s gift for crafting meaningful and original stories but also her ability to connect deeply with audiences and adjudicators alike. Over the years, Teagan’s directing and playwriting have been consistently celebrated. From 2019 through to 2024, she has received multiple awards for Best Director, acknowledging her vision, leadership, and ability to bring out the very best in her casts and creative teams. Her original works have likewise earned Best Original Script awards across the same period, marking her as a bold and innovative voice in contemporary theatre.
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​Eli J Ball is a dynamic and accomplished musician, conductor, and performer with a deep passion for musical theatre. Since 2016, Eli has been actively involved in the performing arts, working on over 70 musicals and honing his craft through formal training. His extensive experience in theatre has led him into choreography, musical direction, and directing—both professionally and as a volunteer. In 2024, Eli embarked on a Bachelor of Music degree, specialising in composition and piano, while simultaneously contributing to the arts community in multiple roles. He serves as a Wakakirri story-dance facilitator, is the conductor of the Redcliffe City Choir, teaches singing and piano, and collaborates with schools on arts projects. His long-term creative partnership with Paula Mary on When the Wind Blew reflects their shared belief in storytelling as a powerful connector across generations.
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Chloe is a passionate and versatile dancer with extensive experience across ballet, lyrical, tap, contemporary, and musical theatre. Having trained rigorously from a young age, she has performed in numerous productions and is now expanding her skills into choreography. In 2023, she assisted with choreography for On The Hunt For ABBA and is currently contributing her artistry to Frozen Jr. Her presence adds an energetic and expressive physicality to the group, complementing the writing, directing, and musical talents of her peers.
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Lauren is a dedicated performer and creative, currently undertaking a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Teaching. A proud advocate for youth theatre, she collaborates with organisations such as Shine Performing Arts and Stage School Australia to inspire young people through the performing arts. Offstage, Lauren brings expertise in stage management, set and prop creation, musical direction, marketing, and photography. In founding Bullseye Creative Arts, she has created a platform to elevate and support local theatre. Her work demonstrates the group’s shared vision of building community and creating opportunities for emerging artists.
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Together, Paula-Mary, Eli, Teagan, Chloe, and Lauren represent the richness and diversity of Brisbane’s creative scene. Each brings unique skills—writing, composing, directing, performing, choreography, and arts leadership—but it is their collaboration and mutual support that make their work shine so brightly. Individually remarkable yet collectively unstoppable, they embody the true spirit of theatre: storytelling, connection, and shared creativity that inspires audiences and future generations alike.
