In Flight Entertainment

Riley Cope

Director - Riley

Riley Cope is a Sunshine Coast based performer and artistic entrepreneur. In 2014 he obtained his ATCL (Trinity College London) in Speech and Drama as well as Musical Theatre in which he topped Australia. In 2017 Riley completed his Bachelor of Music (Musical Theatre) at the Australian Institute of Music. Riley has appeared in a number of musicals including Oklahoma (Will Parker), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), CHICAGO (Mary Sunshine) and Pyjama Game (Vernon Hines) to name a few.

Riley has also undertaken three years of film and television training through the International Baccalaureate program. He has appeared on screen in “A place to call home,” “Love Child” and the Australian film “Ladies in Black.” Prior to COVID-19 Riley entertained on board Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Paradise which saw him travelling the Caribbean to Cuba and Mexico. Since returning home to the Coast Riley has enjoyed a number of successful seasons of his shows “In Flight Entertainment” and "Holy Ship" which he wrote, produced and performed himself.

Riley has appeared in the Queensland Tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (2021) and Legally Blonde (2022). In 2022 Cope Creative alongside de Jager Productions produced "Little Shop of Horrors" as apart of the Anywhere Festival (Brisbane and Sunshine Coast)

Natalie Ferris

Musical Director - Paige

Natalie comes from an international background, inspiring her curiosity of the world and love for storytelling. She was born in Tokyo, Japan, where her acting, singing, and dance training began. In 2012, Natalie moved to Australia where she began BYTES and continued to develop her deep passion for performance.

Natalie graduated in 2021 from the Queensland Conservatorium, having completed her Bachelor of Acting with distinction. At university, Natalie has had the privilege to extend her skills in roles such as Angellica in The Rover and in Queensland Theatre's The Laramie Project, directed by Lee Lewis. In Mr Burns, directed by Daniel Evans, Natalie played the role of Bart, alongside the role of Show Composer and Musical Director. Her other performance credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Julie Jordan in Carousel, Marcy Park in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and many more!

In 2021, Natalie made her producing debut with I Am Woman, Hear Me at the Anywhere Festival. Natalie had the privilege of performing in the QLD tour of Legally Blonde as Serena in 2022 as well as playing Rizzo in Grease at the Caloundra Event Centre in 2023. Natalie has recently completed her studies at Griffith Film School, studying a Masters in Film, majoring in Screen Production.

Libby Hendrie

Choreographer - Peyton

Libby has been immersed in the performing arts since her earliest memory. By the age of 14, she had completed Noosa Professional Dance Academy's Full-time Dance Programme, receiving extensive training in several genres of dance. At age 15, Libby started her professional career, performing as a soloist in many cabarets and working as a dancer for David Campbell.

Since then, Libby's career has branched out into a variety of areas in the Musical Theatre, Arts, and Entertainment Industry. She has performed in touring arena shows, theatres, stadiums, and on cruise ships and has choreographed nationally and internationally touring musicals and cabarets.

Her recent performing credits include Principal Dancer in Simply The Best (Frontrow Management), Patty Simcox in GREASE (National Arena Tour), Lou Ann in HAIRSPRAY (National Area Tour), Serena in Legally Blonde (Brisbane Powerhouse), Ellen in Holy Ship (Cope Creative), and a dancer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Libby is absolutely thrilled to be treading the boards again with the fabulous Cope Creative Team as both choreographer and performer in In Flight Entertainment.

Kirra Johnson

Ashleigh

Kirra Johnson is a Queensland based performing artist. Since graduating from a Brisbane Musical Theatre institute in 2016, Kirra has worked both locally and nationally as a singer, dancer, actor, showgirl, cabaret artist, and host.

Kirra’s most recent credits include ‘VIXEN’, a modern cabaret (Natasha Centra), ‘Simply the Best’ Tina Turner Tribute Show (Front row Management), ‘Holy Ship’ (Cope Creative), ‘Legally Blonde’ (Mad About Theatre), In Flight Entertainment (Cope Creative), ‘Rock of Ages’, ‘A Chorus Line’, and ‘CHICAGO’ (Mad About Theatre). She has also been a featured showgirl and vocalist with Burlesque L’Amour in multiple performances throughout 2022 and 2023, including their ‘White Lies’ charity show, ‘UNTAMED’, ‘GLAMOUR’, ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’, as well as their Cabaret Company’s Stadium Show.

Kirra is thrilled to be taking flight with Cope Creative for a second time and cannot wait for audiences to experience the mischief and magic of In Flight Entertainment!

Nathan Wheeler

Frank - Steve

Since Graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney (2021). Nathan was cast in the ABC Limited Drama series ‘Significant Others’ as the character ’Xavier’ (2022). As well as working on the cast recording of a brand new Australian Musical titled ‘Waterfall’ with the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra (2023).

After returning to the Sunshine Coast Nathan had the incredible experience of working with Cope Creative & DeJager Productions as ‘Danny’ in ‘Grease the Musical’ at the events centre last year. Nathan jumped on the opportunity to return to the stage with the amazing company of ‘In Flight Entertainment’ and can’t wait for you to join in on the fun of this show.

As always, Nathan wishes to thank his friends and family for their continued support and thanks you for supporting performing arts here on the Sunshine Coast.

Matty Johnston

Derek

As a performer: Grease (Cope Creative/De Jager Productions); Holy Ship! (Cope Creative); The Boy From Oz, Mamma Mia (Noosa Arts Theatre); The Wizard of Oz Arena Spectacular, Oklahoma!, Guys & Dolls, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (A Brisbane theatre company which shall not be named); The Ladies in Black (Development - QPAC/Queensland Theatre); Lightspace Cabaret Series (Oscar Theatre Company); Science Week (Perform! Educational Musicals); a childhood’s worth of musicals (Gosford Musical Society).

As something else: Nambour Place Activations (Project Officer - Sunshine Coast Council); Horizon Festival 2022 (Festival Support Officer and Kids & Families Producer - Sunshine Coast Council); Film & Television, Screenwriting and Musical Theatre Courses (Program Coordinator, Facilitator - Options Theatre Company); New Music Theatre Programming (Associate Producer - British Youth Music Theatre).

Ellie Corbet

Georgia

Ellie Corbett is a Queensland Based Performing Artist/Overall Icon. Ellie has performed locally, regionally and in her shower regularly, and also pursues her love for Pole and Aerial Arts Daily.

Ellie’s most recent credits include Legally Blonde (Mad About Theatre), Holy Ship (Cope Collective), Priscilla (Mad About Theatre) and Rock of Ages (Mad About Theatre). Ellie also holds several Pole and Aerial Awards from the past 4 years and is currently PhysiPole Studios Instructor of the Year.

Ellie is thrilled to be boarding ‘In Flight Entertainment’ for the first time and hopes the audience is ready for the ride of their lives!

Femke van der Kallen

Kate

Femke is an experienced and seasoned performer. She was born and raised in Holland. After travelling, she moved to Australia at 20 years old. Femke has always been heavily involved in theatre throughout her life. Studying musical theatre and taking multiple dance, singing and drama classes throughout her youth.

Now a local performer, performing arts teacher and choreographer. You can find her running performing arts workshops, teaching, working as characters in theme parks, hosting kids parties/events and of course on stage. Giving birth to her second baby girl only 10 weeks ago this will be a flight to remember!

Recent work and performances include; "Grease". (Cope Creative & de Jager) "Chicago". (Coolum theatre players) "In flight entertainment". Cope Creative) "Little shop of horrors". (Cope Creative & de Jager) "Two blue lines". (Web-Series) "Encore". (Noosa Arts) "Ladies in Black". (Coolum theatre) "Xanadu".(Coolum theatre) "The sound of music".(Noosa arts) "Oliver".(Noosa arts) "Funny girl".(Nooasa arts) "The voice in me".(NDIS) "A chorus line".(Mad about theatre) "Spamelot". (Coolum theatre) "Adams family".(Coolum theatre) "Side by side by sondheim".(Noosa arts)

Eva Murawski

Sophie

Eva is a versatile Sunshine Coast performer, with training in all key areas of Music Theatre. During her time in school, she has had the privilege of performing in iconic roles, such as Charity in Sweet Charity, Jane in Tarzan, Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden and numerous other productions with BYTES Youth Theatre.

As a recent graduate, she is beyond excited to step back into the professional world with Cope Creative. After her debut as the title role in the professional production of Matilda with the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Australian and New Zealand tour of Matilda the Musical. With a big love of performing, it is no surprise Eva can’t wait for Sunny Coast audiences to see In Flight Entertainment!

Jessie Kent

Emma

Jessie is a performer from the Sunshine Coast, whose passion for the stage has been nurtured since childhood. With a background of dance, musical theatre, and acting, Jessie's journey has been nothing short of dynamic. Whilst in high school, she developed as a performer with the esteemed BYTES, where she has flourished both as a performer and as a person.

Jessie’s favourite roles she has played have consisted of Elle in Legally Blonde with MSHS, Ursula in Sweet Charity, Stepmother in Into the Woods, and Paula in Catch Me If You Can. Each role has allowed her to bring the character to life and expand on her skill set. Currently balancing her passion for performing with her studies, Jessie is extremely enthusiastic and excited to perform in In Flight Entertainment.

Crew

David Hayes

Technical Director

David has had dual passions from a young age, from performing at drama eisteddfods while also taking an interest in the technological world. After entering highschool he started performing in plays and musicals, whilst also working behind the scenes. He then continued on to study at the Queensland University of Technology where he graduated with a double degree in IT (Computer Science) and Creative Industries (Drama).

David has worked on many shows over the last few years in a variety of technical roles from design through to production. Some of these works include Inflight Entertainment/Holy Ship (Cope Creative) Little Shop of Horrors/Grease (Cope Creative & de Jager), Our Place (Deep Blue Orchestra) and Young Frankenstein (Lindlane). He brings a unique perspective by combining his knowledge of drama and the arts itself with his high level technical expertise.

Jordan Jeckells

Stage Manager

Jordan is a stage manager based here on the sunshine coast. He studied at NIDA in Sydney studying a degree of Technical Theatre and Stage Management. Over his time as a stage Manager he has worked with Cope Creative on every version of In Flight Entertainment and Holy Ship. Jordan started with the company back in 2019 with the first production at The Lind theatre. As well as working with Cope Creative, Jordan was the Resident Stage Manager for BYTES for 2 years. He worked on shows such as Legally Blonde (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2019) and Honk Jr. (2018).

Jordan has also worked at the Lind Theatre as a stage manager for their 2019 Production of The Diary of Anne Frank. Jordan was also the Stage Manager for Costal Theatre Collectives inaugural production of A Chours Line which was performed here at The Events Centre Caloundra. Jordan is thrilled to be back with Cope Creative for this season of In Flight Entertainment.