BABYTEETH By RITA KALNEJAIS
Description
A group of more or less ordinary Sydneysiders go about their lives: Anna makes toast, Henry dresses for work, Milla catches the train to school, Moses deals drugs – that kind of thing. But hovering above this unholy parade of life is the sobering fact that Milla will die before her 15th birthday.
About the Writer:
Rita Kalnejais is an Australian playwright, screenwriter, and actor of Latvian heritage. She studied acting at Victorian College of Arts, graduating in 2001, and has worked extensively as an actor at Belvoir, Griffin, Malthouse and Sydney Theatre Companies. Her first major play, B.C., directed by Simon Stone, was nominated for Best New Australian Play at the 2009 Green Room Awards. In 2012, her play Babyteeth had a successful season at Belvoir Theatre and was later adapted into a feature film of the same name.
This is an amateur production Licensed by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates Limited.
The 16th Street Directors Apprenticeship culminates in a showcase presenting each student’s original work - a final project that champions our directors as they demonstrate their unique interpretive vision, seamlessly combining independent practice, professional development and collaborative rehearsal experience.
CW: This production contains mature themes and terminal illness. Recommended for audiences 14+
Cast and Creative Team
Will Hutchins - Director
Will Hutchins is an actor / director and graduate of 16th street. Best known for leading four seasons of the comedy series 'Single, Out' (directed by Lee Galea, streaming on Here TV), Will also co-starred in the feature film 'Pure Scum' (directed by Gideon Aroni), which premiered and won the Audience Choice Award at Fantastic Film Festival Australia 2025, and appeared in a supporting role in David Fields feature film 'The Kink', which premiered at the Melbourne Greek Film Festival 2025. Will made his theatre directorial debut with the CGPC's 2024 production of ‘Blackrock’ (by Nick Enright). Other stage credits include 'Splinter' (by Callum O'Mara) and 'Gruesome Playground Injuries' (by Rajiv Joseph), both of which he co-directed in 2024. Recently, Will was Dramaturg on Harry Haynes' production of 'Miss Julie' at fortyfive downstairs and directors attachment on Nadia Tass's production of 'Job' (by Max Wolf Friedlich) at Red Stitch.
Ilsa Fogg - Actor
Ilsa Fogg is a Melbourne-based actress with a passion for bringing compelling characters to life on stage and screen. Trained at 16th Street Actors Studio, Howard Fine Acting Studio, and NIDA, she has performed with the Geelong Repertory Theatre and Pony Cam Theatre Collective. Her film credits include a co-lead role in Blueback, directed by Robert Connolly. Ilsa is thrilled to be part of this production.
Lachlan Sproul - Actor
Lachlan Sproul is a Melbourne based actor and graduate of 16th St Actors Studio Full Time Program and Extension Program. His screen credits include Pure Scum directed by Gideon Aroni, Hedgehog directed by Jasper Caverly and Gearstick directed by Bianca Georgievska. In Will Hutchins' directorial debut, Lachlan also played Ricko in Nick Enright's Blackrock. Alongside work as an actor, Lachlan is also a performing musician who has released music with Faun Haus and under his own name.
Joshua Ryan - Actor
Josh trained at the Victorian College of the Arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Acting) in 2009. Between 2013 – 2019 he stepped back from performance and became a Buddhist monk. He returned to the stage in 2023 as Horatio in Hamlet (Campbell Thompson). Most recently he has trained in Clown and Mask with Fabio Motta and Dr Budi Miller. Josh’s theatre credits include Manbeth (Tanya Gerstle) and Permanence (Samara Hersch). He devised and performed Maybe Tonight: A Clown’s Cabaret (Cabaret Showcases). For TV he has appeared in Tangle (Foxtel) and Australia on Trial: Mount Rennie (ABC). His film credits include Van Dieman’s Land (Jonathan Auf Der Heide). Since 2019 he has taught at Preston High School and is passionate about teaching Drama to the next generation of artists.
Emily Thomas - Actor
Emily graduated from VCA (Acting) in 2009 and from QUT (Drama) in 2006. She has continued training at 16 th Street with Iain Sinclair, Kim Krejus, Kerry Armstrong and Larry Moss. Career highlights include working with John Cleese on Michael Coppel’s Australian tour of Fawlty Towers Live on Stage (2016-17) directed by CJ Ranger, performing bilingually in French and English in Tanya Gerstle’s visceral physical theatre production of Robert LePage’s Polygraph (2018) and being directed by Gary Abrahams in Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre’s acclaimed The Laramie Project: 10 years Later (2011). A lifelong lover of Shakespeare, Emily spent two years performing the contrasting roles of Lady Macbeth and Juliet with Complete Works Theatre Company (2012–14), and toured Australia and New Zealand as Hermia in Essential Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2013–14), directed by Bert La Bonte. Emily is delighted to be returning to 16 th Street for Will Hutchins’ production of Babyteeth to express the ‘beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart’ as it is her two young children who have taught her more than anything in life.
Alex Chiarelli - Intimacy Coordinator
Alex Chiarelli is a Melbourne/ Naarm based actor and intimacy coordinator. Having graduated from 16th Street actors studio in 2024, she has found passion in working as an Intimacy Coordinator. Priding herself in creating a safe and collaborative space for actors, allowing them to build their confidence and knowledge around their own boundaries to assist in making truthful intimate moments for stage and screen. Recent credits are, The Blue Room (stage), Lavender (short film), The Good Husband (Short film), Just a Taste (Short Film), Dingo (Short Film). Alex strives to continue training and developing her skills to ensure she can be adaptive and provide the best support to her actors and fellow creatives when developing intimate moments for stage and screen.
MJ - Stage Manager
Molly (MJ) is an experienced stage manager with a passion for circus. Molly has worked in various artforms and theatres across melbourne and the UK, most recently at Adelaide Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe festivals.
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