Elly Poletti- Support Material
ABOUT Elly Poletti
Elly Poletti is a Melbourne-based performer known for her powerful, soulful vocals and dynamic stage presence. She regularly headlines her own shows, performing the music of artists such as Amy Winehouse, Adele, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and has appeared at major festivals including the Melbourne Jazz Festival, Wangaratta Jazz Festival and Melbourne White Night.
Elly has performed at many of Melbourne’s most iconic venues, including John Cain Arena, The Forum, Federation Square, The Athenaeum Theatre, The Paris Cat and Chapel Off Chapel.
Her work in community theatre has been recognised at the Bruce Awards, where she received Best Female Support, Best First on Stage Performance and recognition for her work as Assistant Musical Director.
In 2023, Elly reached the Top 6 on Guy Sebastian’s team on The Voice Australia and has supported artists such as The Black Sorrows, Clare Bowditch, Kate Ceberano, Steph Strings, Diddiri, and Kingswood. Elly was invited to sing in a private concert for Robbie Williams and her voice is featured on the album ‘With a Grain of Salt’ by Daniel Young Aka Muph, ‘Circling Time’ by Kutcha Edwards and singing alongside Kasey Chambers on Harry Hook’s album ‘A Beast Is Me’.
Artistic Support MateriaL- eLLY POLETTI
synopsis
The whY?
The Show- The Feed
A circle of new mums, and one dad, gather each month to share the messy, hilarious and heartfelt realities of life with a newborn. Their sessions are filled with laughter, chaos, questionable parenting hacks, and the constant internal and external “feeds” shaping their every move.Kasey, a driven single career woman, struggles with her shifting identity and her mother’s judgement about working mums. Charlotte, exhausted after her IVF journey, clings to podcasts for guidance while battling breastfeeding challenges, as Talia produces enough milk for half of Brunswick. Bryce, parenting in a same-sex relationship, brings warmth and comic relief while navigating sleepless nights and public judgement, forming an unexpected bond with quiet, gentle Steph.Though Steph says little, her polite smile masks a fragile truth, the darker side of becoming a parent. When she finally shares her grief, the group begins to understand that while their journeys differ, every parent is shaped, confused and comforted by both the world around them and the voices within.
The purpose of this project is to explore what it means to enter parenthood in 2027, in a world where social media, constant advice and digital comparison shape how we experience ourselves. It explores how external feeds can easily influence our internal feeds, focusing on how mothers can find this overwhelming when they are already navigating a new identity, isolation and pressure (whilst juggling a baby and lack of sleep). The show intends to build emotional solidarity amongst new parents, and challenge the narrative of ‘the perfect mother’, the generational scripts of ‘this is how it is done’, and also reflect on the reality that caregiving exists across diverse family structures with a focus in this show on single parents, same-sex parents and older parents. The show also gives an insight into the IVF process, infertility and miscarriages, all in all highlighting how strong women are.
what i want to achieve
This project aims to raise awareness of the things we don’t always see when we see someone holding a new baby; exhaustion, self-doubt, identity shifts, and quiet resilience. I want to foster greater social cohesion within the community by shining a light on women and their strength, their unwavering love for their children, and the everyday challenges they navigate in order to do the best they can.
While support systems for new parents are often health-based and clinical, this project aims to complement that network by offering art as a form of support. Through storytelling and music, it will create a space where parents feel seen, understood, and less alone, using creativity to nurture connection, conversation, and mental wellbeing.
The characters
Charlotte: A career driven, single woman, who accidentally gets pregnant. She chooses to go back to work early, leaving her baby with her opinionated mother Susan who believes that women should stay at home and look after their children. She is torn, she needs her mother to help her with day to day duties whilst she continues to climb the corporate ladder to support her child but also finds her mothers judgement leaving her feeling guilty and ashamed. The two share a duet in the show that highlights the love they have for each other wrapped in the insecurities they both feel.
Marlene: An older mum in her 40s, went through the IVF process to get her baby, is addicted to podcasts for expert advice particularly on breast feeding something that she is struggling with. She feels isolated because all of her friends have already had kids long ago and now spend their days wining and dining. She sings a song about waiting for this sense of completeness, she has waited so long to have a baby and should be celebrating, but being older has made her feel displaced and alone.
Talia: a free spirited, goes with the flow kind of mum. From the outside, everything looks great, the baby eats, sleeps, hitting all of the milestones, and she has a great support system with family close by and keen friends to help out. But these rapid changes in her life have made her feel like a pale imitation of who she is. She does not feel like this is her body anymore, it is a function for the baby rather than this sexy, healthy, feeling great woman. She feels worse when scrolling through instagram where she compares herself to other women and their post partum bodies. She sings a song about losing your identity when you become a mother and how your name changes from ‘babe’ to ‘mum’.
Bryce: Bryce and his partner Chris went through the surrogate process to get their baby. Bryce chose to stay at home, taking on the typical mother role, whilst Chris has gone back to full time work. Bryce decides he wants to attend a mothers group despite advice from friends and family that it won’t be appropriate for him to be there. He embraces the sessions, chiming in when he feels appropriate and forming connections with the women as they embrace him. He sings a comical song about taking on the role of a mother and the highs and lows of the judgement he receives in public.
Steph: quiet, withdrawn, the mystery mum. She is always worried about her baby with every bump, rash, discolouration, cough or sniff. The other mothers tell her she needs to relax and stop consulting doctor google. But she can’t relax, because behind the worry is the darker side to pregnancy. It is revealed later on that Steph lost her first baby during the birth and has left her feeling like a paranoid mess. She tries her hardest to join the group but cannot help but feel resentment towards the positivity amongst the women.
Stella: The maternal health nurse who runs each mothers group session. Although incredibly knowledgeable, Stella does not have any children and later reveals she is unable to have children due to having endometriosis. She is at peace with this, and loves that she is still able to be a support for other women who have had their babies.
MOOD BOARD
Minimalistic Set
Song Draft
Sung by the character ‘Steph’ who reveals in the show that she previously lost a baby during birth.
Use of projection- images, text, social media templates
Set is designed to be a Mothers Group Session
lyrics- shade of blue
Verse 1:
I’m so sick of tired of having to explain myself, I’m so tired of not knowing what to say
Eyes upon me, like I’m insane, voices in my head telling me I’m not ok
Verse 2:
It was a warm summers day when I found out, that you were coming along
I couldn’t be happier, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face
Months went by, I was so impatient, I slowly put everything in place
Here, this is where you’ll sleep, and here, mummy will sit and wait for you to close your eyes
Drive me to the hospital, you are on your way, I’m so excited to meet you, finally its the day
One push, two push, take a deep breath
And the world went silent, as I waited for your first breath
Piano Interlude:
Chorus:
And I see you, there in my arms a shade of blue, people running around I’ve got no clue, all I know is I must hold onto you
And I see you , there in my arms a shade of blue, you were gone before I could tell you, how much your mummy loves you
Instrumental Interlude:
Bridge:
Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?
Take me back to the place in my head, where you are there, laughing and smiling, holding you close, pictures together memories unfold
Chorus:
And I see you, there in my arms the shade of blue, people running around I got no clue, all I know is I must hold onto you
And I see you, there in my arms so soft and new, my head is telling me this is true, that’s ok, I still love you.
CVs & Bios
Collaborators
karen milkins-hendry
rose wray-mcann
Jordan Murray
Rose Wray-Mcann is a passionate and dedicated contributor to the South Gippsland theatre community, known for her creative vision and having an eye for detail. She has choreographed a range of beloved productions, including Chicago, Les Misérables, The Boy from Oz, Grease, and Witches of Eastwick, bringing energy, precision, and storytelling flair to each performance. In addition to her choreography work, Rose has performed in the ensemble for numerous productions throughout South Gippsland, showcasing her versatility and commitment to local theatre.
Yve Blake wrote the book, Music and Lyrics for FANGIRLS, which premiered at Queensland Theatre and Belvoir in 2019, before touring in 2021, playing the Sydney Opera House in 2022, and premiering in London in 2024, produced by Sonia Friedman Productions.
Prior to that, she lived in London for three years where she wrote and produced a STACK of fringe theatre, including four solo shows. Yve was lucky to present her own work at Soho Theatre, Southbank Centre, and The Barbican - and to score development support from Old Vic New Voices, the Bush Theatre, and the National Theatre Studio.
'Sugar Sugar' a play she developed through the Royal Court Young Writers' Programme premiered at MKA Theatre of New writing in Melbourne in 2014, and her monologue 'Prince Willy' developed through the Fresh Ink National Studio has been published by Currency Press.
Jude is a multi-award winning singer, songwriter and comedian based in Melbourne. Texas born, but Melbourne bred; Jude has created a name for herself by writing and performing hilarious, yet brutally honest, stream-ofconsciousness style lyrics, set to undeniably catchy and well-crafted songs. "These songs are not only funny, but infinitely better composed than many of the songs on commercial radio" (AU Review).Jude has written and performed 6 solo comedy shows, winning 3 Green Room Awards for Best Original Songs. Her 5th show ‘I Have A Face’ won her a 4th Green Room Award for Cabaret Artiste as well as Best Cabaret at Melbourne Fringe 2018. Earlier this year Jude performed their 6th solo show Participation Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and made their debut performance on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.
Jude is also an accomplished music artist; In 2013, Her debut single “Girls & Boys” received regular airplay on commercial radio all over Australia (including Fox FM and 2Day FM). Her debut album “Modern Times” was produced in LA by Grammy Award winning Engineer Brian Paturalski (Outkast “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”). Whilst in LA Jude also worked with Colin Hay (Men At Work) recording her album track “Canyon” with him at his studio and singing backing vocals on his album “Next Year People”. In 2016 several of Jude’s songs were featured in the internationally acclaimed documentary “Embrace” from activist and Body Image Movement founder Taryn Brumfitt. In 2022 Jude is continuing to tour Participation Award to celebrate the release of her new album of the same name.
James millar
Karen Milkins-Hendry is a Victorian-based performing arts practitioner and writer with a long track record of creating bold, community-centred theatre. She is an experienced actor and director with the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group, where her work has been recognised through winning multiple Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards, alongside multiple nominations for Direction with the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria.
Karen has also built a strong reputation in school-based theatre creation, writing, directing and producing six original musicals for Newhaven College. Her work is grounded in ensemble-building and story-driven performance, bringing together performers of diverse ages and backgrounds to deliver productions with high artistic standards and strong community impact.
Extending beyond traditional stage work, Karen has created and performed an original cabaret, and continues to explore music theatre in forms that are intimate, inventive and audience-connected. In 2018, she wrote and directed a musical for the Fringe Festival, staged at Chapel Off Chapel, which achieved a profitable season—demonstrating not only creative leadership, but practical capability in producing and delivering viable performance work.
James Millar is a celebrated Australian actor, singer, writer and lyricist known for his dynamic work across musical theatre, cabaret and original theatre writing. Born in Sydney, Millar trained in writing at the University of Technology Sydney before completing performance studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2004.
Millar’s stage career spans leading roles in classic and contemporary musicals, including Oklahoma!, The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Company, and the Australian premiere of Matilda the Musical, where his performance as Miss Trunchbull earned him the Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Musical in 2016.
In addition to his work as a performer, Millar is a creative force behind original musical theatre. He wrote the book and lyrics for the critically acclaimed musical The Hatpin, composed the song cycle LOVEBiTES, and co-wrote the semi-autobiographical musical A Little Touch of Chaos.
Millar also performs and writes in cabaret and has been featured on BBC Radio 2’s Voice of Musical Theatre. His contributions to the Australian theatre scene have made him a respected figure both onstage and behind the scenes.
Jordan has established a strong reputation as a diverse performer in the music industry, playing in jazz, pop, funk, soul and salsa bands, symphony orchestras, TV studio bands, theatre pit orchestras and recording studios. He is also a sought-after arranger and orchestrator, having arranged for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.
He has performed throughout the world with international artists such as Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, The Temptations, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, Frankie Valley, Michael Buble, Kylie Minogue, Hans Zimmer, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, Lisa Simone and Ricky-Lee Jones. He has also performed with leading Australian artists such as John Farnham, Hugh Jackman, Tina Arena, Jon Stevens, The Teskey Brothers and The Cat Empire at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Jordan is very proud to have been invited to work as a performer, musical director, and arranger on Australian indigenous projects:
The Black Arm Band featuring Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Kucha Edwards, Mark Atkins, William Barton and Paul Kelly
Musical Director for 1967 – Songs In The Key of Yes celebrating the Australian 1967 referendum
Musical director and arranger for David Arden’s Meerta performance in collaboration with the Wilin Centre, Melbourne University and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at the 2023 Yirramboi Festival (Melbourne)
