Meet the Team
It takes a great team to teach great students! Whilst we’ll have many new faces through our Guest Teachers throughout the year, here below are some of the constant creatives involved behind the scenes at Mad About Development.
Madison Thew-Keyworth - Artistic Director / head of acting
Madison has worked professionally as a Director and Choreographer between Australia and New Zealand for the past 15 years. Prior to stepping on to the production side, Madison trained as an Actor with NIDA through their YAS program, and in classical ballet from a young age. Madison was part of the Australian National Tour of Calendar Girls, as well as having appeared in Gigi, Hello Dolly!, Cabaret, A Dream Play and The Gingerbread Lady.
On the production side, Madison’s show credits include Li’l Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers, Disenchanted and Legally Blonde (MAT Australia), Frozen (Stoddart Entertainment Group), Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia! and The Wizard of Oz (VTA New Zealand), and Love, Actually? A Musical Parody (DV Live).
Madison is also thrilled to spend her time instilling a love for the performing arts with up and coming talent at Sunshine Coast Youth Theatre (Australia) and cannot wait to extend this teaching and expertise now to the performers at Mad About Development.
Courtney Johnston - Director of courses / Head of Voice
Holding a Masters of Music (Vocal Pedagogy) from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for musical theatre voice to her teaching.
With over a decade of experience as both a professional performer and music director, she draws on her industry insight to deliver dynamic, real world training in the classroom at Mad About Development.
Dedicated not only to vocal excellence but also to mentorship, Courtney is committed to helping each student unlock their full technical, artistic and personal potential.
chelsea halliwell-herbert - head of dance
Chelsea is a versatile performer who has worked in Australia and Internationally. She has trained in all disciplines of dance from the age of two at competitive schools across the mid-north coast. At the age of twelve her interests changed to the world of Musical Theatre where she has been training and working in since. In 2021, she began her full time studies and graduated from Queensland College of Dance in 2023.
Some of her musical credits include Donna in Mamma Mia!, Perfomer/Snow Princess for Lapland Safaris (Finland), Isle in Spring Awakening, Featured Ensemble and Dance Captain in Boy From Oz, Jesus in Godspell, Ballet Chorus in Oklahoma!, Ensemble and U/S Barfee in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and more.
She also has credits in stand alone pieces and showcases, independent films, plays and multiple dance prominent productions.
Chelsea has always had a passion for teaching and has taught dance and musical theatre in Australia and the UK. She also has creative credits as Assistant Choreographer, Dance Captain, Assistant Director and Assistant Musical Director on numerous projects.
Chelsea is committed to giving each student the individual tools they need to shine and progress in their journey.