MEET THE TEAM

OUR SHOWTIME CREATIVE TEAM

Zoe Fifield – Director

Zoe’s passion is musical theatre and she has performed in a number of productions over the years including most recently fulfilling a dream of being a ‘big kid’ in Matilda the Musical, in the G&T production at The Bruce Mason Centre,  the principal role of Annie in the professional UK touring production and as Ballet Girl, Sharon Percy, in the NZ premier of Billy Elliot. Her favourite recent roles have been playing Wendla Bergman in Spring Awakening, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Rosalie Mullins in School of Rock, Sandy in Grease, Demeter and Bombalurina in Cats, Morticia in The Addams Family, Maria in The Sound of Music and Sharpay Evans in High School Musical. She enjoys working closely with the talented students and the wonderful creative team at APAA and is looking forward to continuing her APAA journey throughout 2025 and beyond.

Tom Talbot – Musical Director

Tom is in his second year studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Music (Creative Practice: Composition) at the University of Auckland. Specialising in theatrical composition, Tom is currently writing his second original musical. He is a passionate vocalist and is the Choir Director of Murray’s Bay Intermediate School and a member of the Auckland Youth Choir. Studying under Jonathan Cohen, Tom has played clarinet for various ensembles across Auckland. After being APAA’s Music Intern in 2024, where he also performed the roles of Mr Banks in Mary Poppins and the Guard in The Wizard of Oz, Tom has thoroughly enjoyed stepping up as Musical Director for Oliver! He looks forward to continuing to work with the Creative Team and all of APAA’s passionate performers in future productions.

Leah Morley – Choreographer

Leah enjoys her current roles of being an Occupational Therapist in child and youth mental health as well as choreographer for APAA. Prior to this, she took on the role of Dance Intern at APAA for 1.5 years. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and has completed dance exams and competed with solo, duet, and troupe numbers in the styles of jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre, and more. She has been part of APAA since 2021 taking on the roles of Head Cheerleader in High School Musical, Mister Mistofelees in Cats, Cha Cha in Grease, Lead Back-up Dancer in School of Rock, and Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde.

COMPANY DIRECTORS / OWNERS

Lesley Fifield – Co-Founder / Co-Owner / Producer

Lesley has a wealth of experience in production and operations management in performing arts, particularly with children and young adults. She is currently Performing Arts Administrator at Kristin School in Albany, where she is also Production Manager of their four major annual productions and manager of the itinerant music programme.

For many years, Lesley has worked as a volunteer for a number of performing arts organisations in NZ, where she has assisted and gained extensive experience working behind the scenes in a variety of areas, including being a Trustee Board Member. She was the Managing Director of the Broadway Dreams Foundation NZ, where she was instrumental in ensuring the success of their inaugural Auckland Summer Intensive programme in 2018 and the expansion of the programme for 2019 and beyond.

Patricia Holden – Co-Owner

Patricia is an avid volunteer, a supporter of the arts in general, a mother of 5 adult children ranging from 19 to 37 years old, and a “super fan” of youth theatre. Patricia believes that giving young people an opportunity to express themselves creatively is an excellent avenue for personal growth and achievement. Theatre is a great way to instill self-awareness and self-confidence in our young people, helping them to break out of their comfort zones, push their own boundaries, and challenge them to try new things. Performing arts enhances self-discipline, teaches teamwork and responsibility, and builds communication skills and self-respect while achieving a sense of pride and accomplishment. Patricia has watched her own children blossom through performing arts, so when asked, she jumped at the chance to get involved as co-owner of this fabulous theatre company.