Daniel (he/him) is an Australian based producer, director, actor and librettist from the Hunter region of NSW. Starting his career as an actor, Daniel turned his passion towards the development of young people and founded the international award winning youth based acting academy, Hunter Drama. Through Hunter Drama’s participation at the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, USA, Daniel worked with New York based iTheatrics and Music Theatre International Australasia to establish OzTheatrics, who produce the annual Junior Theatre Festival Australia, which is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere celebrating the achievements of young people in musical theatre. As producer/director, Daniel’s credits include Puffs, Things I Know to be True, The Book of Everything, Rock of Ages, Shrek The Musical JR., Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR., The BFG, Roald Dahl’s The Twits, Spring Awakening, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR., Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR., The Music Man, The Addams Family and Rent. As an actor, Daniel is a Multi-City of Newcastle Drama Award winner with credits including Endgame (Popular Theatre Company), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Popular Theatre Company), The Pillowman (Stooged Theatre), Charley’s Aunt (Popular Theatre Company) and Mamma Mia! He is also a Freddie G Fellowship recipient and has been awarded the keys to the city in North Carolina for his contributions to the development of young people in the arts. As writer, his original works include Dot and the Kangaroo, a musical adaptation of the 1899 Australian classic novel, with composer Daniel J. Mertzlufft and lyricist Kate Leonard. Daniel is a graduate from the University of Newcastle and is currently the Artistic Director of Newcastle based theatre company, The Very Popular Theatre Company. @danielstod