Experience

Northern Ireland Opera

• United Kingdom
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive & Artistic Director

  • Oct 2020 - Present

  The National Opera Company situated in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The National Opera Company situated in Belfast, Northern Ireland.



Victorian Opera

• Australia
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Stage Director - Salome by Strauss

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  A new production produced by Victorian Opera at the iconic Palais Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne Direction by Cameron Menzies. Conductor Richard Mills, Set Design Christina Smith, Costume Design Anna Cordingley, Lighting Design Gavan Swift, Choreography Elisabeth Hill Cooper.

• Stage Director

  • Jan 2015 - Present

  I am assisting on the innovative production of Wagner's The Flying Dutchman in collaboration with the Deakin Motion Lab for the 3D set. Then I am directing a new commission for an opera The Grumpiest Boy in the World and the Kurt Weill Bertolt Brecht masterpiece The Seven Deadly Sins - starring Meow Meow.

• Assistant Director - Nixon in China

  • May 2013 - Present

  Assistant Director to Roger Hodgman. Nixon in China by John Adams for Victorian Opera 2013 Season at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne.

• Director

  • 2012 - Present

  Directing The Magic Pudding a new opera for children composed by Calvin Bowman and libretto by Anna Goldsworthy. Designed by Chloe Greaves. This piece will premiere in the Merlyn Theatre at the Malthouse and then tour Victoria in 2013.Cameron has been nominated for Best Director in the prestigious Green Room Awards. Chloe Greaves has also been nominated for Best Set and Best Costumes and Peter Darby for Lighting Design and our Conductor Daniel Carter for Best Conductor.

• Stage Director

  • Jan 2017 - Feb 2017

  'Tis Pity: An Operatic Fantasia on Selling the Skin and the Teeth.

• Lucia di Lammermoor - Director

  • Apr 2016 - Apr 2016

  Stage director for the state company in Victoria Australia - Victorian Opera. Starring in the title role is Internationally acclaimed Australian Soprano Jessica Pratt.

• Lucia Di Lammermoor

  • Mar 2016 - Apr 2016

  Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor starring International Soprano Jessica Pratt in the title role. Richard Mills conductor, Cast: Jessica Pratt, Carlos E. Barcenas, Jose Carbo, Jud Arthur, Shakira Tsindos, Michael Lapina and the Victorian Opera Chorus. Head of Music Phoebe Briggs and repetiteurs Phillipa Safey and Simon Bruckard.

• Lucia di Lammermoor - Director

  • Apr 2016 - 2016

  Director of Donizetti's masterpiece Lucia di Lammermoor for the state opera companu in Victoria Australia - Victorian Opera. Starring internationally acclaimed Australian Soprano Jessica Pratt.

• Director

  • May 2013 - Jun 2013

  Directed Victorian Opera's Education Program. Directed El Gato con Botas and the Green Room Nominated production of The Magic Pudding.

• Director - El gato con botas

  • May 2013 - Jun 2013

  Director of El gato con botas (Puss in Boots) for Victorian Opera at Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne. 2013.

• Director - El gato con botas

  • 2013 - 2013

• Director

  • 2012 - 2012

  Cenerentola - Education Program

• Assistant Director

  • 2012 - 2012

  The Marriage of Figaro



Hair The Original Tribal Rock Musical (50th Anniversary Australian National Tour)

• Director

  • Aug 2019 - Present

  Hair The Original Tribal Rock Musical. Touring Australia (50th Anniversary Production) David M. Hawkins and Sydney Opera House Hair The Original Tribal Rock Musical. Touring Australia (50th Anniversary Production) David M. Hawkins and Sydney Opera House



All The Queens Men

• Event Director: Coming Back Out Ball

  • Nov 2016 - Present

  The Coming Back Out Ball is a spectacular, social event celebrating a generation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) elders. Hosted by much loved, Australian icon Robyn Archer, The Coming Back Out Ball will open 2017 Victorian Seniors Festival and close the 3rd National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Conference. Created by All The Queens Men and held at the Melbourne Town Hall, on Saturday 7th October 2017. The Ball features the artistic talents of Robyn Archer, Deborah Cheetham, Toni Lalich, Gerry Connolly and conductor Kathleen McGuire. Created in collaboration with LGBTI elders, the long-term vision is that the event to become an adored event on Melbourne’s social calendar; understood for its inclusivity and cultural significance. The Coming Back Out Ball is inspired by pioneering research revealing that some LGBTI elders conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity when they access aged care services – because they believe they are not safe. These LGBTI elders have lived through a time when being LGBTI could result in imprisonment, enforced medical ‘cures’, loss of employment and rejection by family and friends. For many of these elders (the first generation to fight for LGBTI equality) impending old age means going back into the closet, or risk being deprived of companionship and quality care when they need it most. But much has changed over the course of their lifetime. The Victorian Government has expunged gay convictions and apologised to older gay men for the treatment they received. Aged care service providers are embracing strategies to become more LGBTI inclusive and Victoria will soon receive Australia’s first LGBTI Pride Centre. The Coming Back Out Ball sends an important message to LGBTI elders as it acknowledges their experiences and celebrates their lives. Show less



Enlighten Festival

• United States
• Entertainment Providers

• Writer/Creator/Director: Finale event for the Enlighten Festival Canberra

  • Jul 2017 - Present

  The creator of a 45 minute spectacle performed in Canberra as the closing feature for Enlighten 2018. Written, designed and tailored for and with the people of Canberra. The creator of a 45 minute spectacle performed in Canberra as the closing feature for Enlighten 2018. Written, designed and tailored for and with the people of Canberra.



Diva Opera United Kingdom

• Stage Director

  • Apr 2017 - Present

  Stage Director for Diva Opera's new production of Puccini's La Boheme for Britains foremost touring chamber opera company. This year the production premiered and opened the Festival de Musique du Sully & du Loire, 2017.

• Associate Artist (Director of Productions)

  • Nov 2017 - Dec 2017



Victorian Opera - The state opera company.

• Director of Die sieben Todsunden Weill/Brecht

  • Jul 2015 - Present

  Cameron is the Director, Production Concept and Designer of Die sieben Todsunden starring International Cabaret artist Meow Meow. Cameron is the Director, Production Concept and Designer of Die sieben Todsunden starring International Cabaret artist Meow Meow.



Diva Opera

• United Kingdom
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Stage Director

  • Mar 2015 - Present

  Stage Director of the 2015 Opera Season for Diva Opera, Britain's foremost chamber opera company. Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) and Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart)

• Stage Director

  • Apr 2017 - Apr 2017

  Staging a new production of Puccini's La Boheme for Britain's foremost touring opera company Diva Opera. We will be rehearsing in London, but this year the production will premiere in the beautiful Sully usr-loire, France.



Strange Bedfellows: Under the Covers

• Stage Director

  • Jan 2015 - Present

  Multiple Helpmann and Green Room Award winners Jacqui Dark and Kanen Breen detonate across the footlights in a debauched riot of musical abandon. Recently profiled in Good Weekend’s ‘The Two Of Us’, their merciless character assassination sets the tone for an evening of dubious ditties, salacious story-telling and shameless one-upmanship. Climb into bed with this diabolical duo as they take a midnight journey through the mean streets of Kurt Weill’s Weimar Berlin, down the dark alleys of verboten Broadway, and into the insidious underworld of their own original material, exploding the boundaries of good taste with a hydrogen C-bomb. Show less



Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

• Australia
• Music
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Melbourne Symphony Orchestra - Symphony Banquet - Creative Director

  • Jul 2014 - Present

  Creative Direction for the MSO Annual Fundraising Gala Ball at the Melbourne Town Hall. Featuring the stunning Melbourne Symphony Orchestra lead by conductor of the Boston POPS Orchestra Keith Lockhart, Star of Stage currently starring in Les Miserables, Trevor Ashley and Star and Icon Rhonda Burchmore. Photography: Matt Irwin. Creative Direction for the MSO Annual Fundraising Gala Ball at the Melbourne Town Hall. Featuring the stunning Melbourne Symphony Orchestra lead by conductor of the Boston POPS Orchestra Keith Lockhart, Star of Stage currently starring in Les Miserables, Trevor Ashley and Star and Icon Rhonda Burchmore. Photography: Matt Irwin.



The Tait Memorial Trust

• Artistic Panel

  • May 2014 - Present

  Artistic Panel Member for the The Tait Memorial Trust. The Tait Memorial Trust was formed in 1992 by Isla Baring OAM in memory of Sir Frank and Viola, Lady Tait and the Tait brothers who played such an important part in the establishment of theatre and the performing arts in Australia. The Trust offers awards/grants for postgraduate study, performance opportunities to young Australian musicians and performing artists and general help in the furtherance of their careers while resident in the UK. Show less



DivaOpera United Kingdom

• Stage Director

  • Dec 2013 - Present

  Directing and conceptualising a brand new production of Mozart's masterpiece Don Giovanni. This new production will premiere in London and then tour throughout the United Kingdom, France, The Channel Islands, for Festivals, Lulworth Castle, The Marble Hall at Holkham. Une troupe qui a de l’aplomb "The staging of Cameron Menzies uses few resources in his interpretation yet he finds the climax in the final confrontation between the Don and the Commendatore , it is a marvel of emotion and grandeur." Classic Toulouse: Festival de la Vézère - Don Giovanni, August 2014. "ingeniously staged.... Revenge hit. The curtain falls and the public trembles with the salient applause" Review- La Montagne, France Brive - Don Giovanni, 2014 Show less



STATUS Consortium

• United States
• Medical Practices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Producer and Stage Director

  • Feb 2014 - Present

  STATUS is an all access performance exploring the complexities of HIV stigma. Born from Living Positive Victoria’s ENUF campaign, STATUS engages people living with, affected by or associated to HIV through interviews canvassing their life experiences. These contemporary accounts are transcribed into a dramatic script and presented to the public by professional actors. The esteemed nature of the artistry is the device employed to deliver community development goals of people living with HIV. These include human rights, advocacy, support, education and a society-wide response that seeks an end to the HIV epidemic. Such is the versatility of the performance; STATUS, it can be performed in traditional theatres, academic class rooms and medical lecture halls around the globe. PERFORMANCES STATUS is being developed for a world premier season during the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014 - Stepping Up The Pace) in Melbourne, Australia, July 2014. Over 14,000 delegates are expected to attend the conference, highlighting the diverse nature of the Asia Pacific’s HIV epidemic and the unique responses to it. Venues are currently being investigated. STATUS is available for a showcase (short) presentation in the Global Village on a daily basis during the conference. With technical ease, STATUS is able to share a stage space with other timetabled events. STATUS CONSORTIUM Executive Producers: Michelle Barber (Stand Up Straight, JOY 94.9, “8” The Play) Responsible for accounts, contracts, venues and ticketing Stephen Barber (‘8’ The Play, STATUS Preview Midsumma “8”The Radio Play) Responsible for fundraising, sponsorship, patronage and NFP relationships, production, budget, Cameron Menzies Director: (Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, Malthouse, STC) Responsible for artistic and technical delivery, artistic direction, Script Creation. Show less


Freelance
• Egypt
• Human Resources
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Stage Director and Teaching Artist

  • Oct 2006 - Present


Ali McGregor - Adelaide Cabaret Festival

• YMA SUMAC - The Peruvian Song Bird

  • 2017 - 2019

  Cabaret show starring Helpmann nominated Ali McGregor starring as the 1950's exotica superstar Yma Sumac - The Peruvian Song Bird. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "five stars really do not fully import the wonder that is this show, Don't miss it" The clothesline, June 2018 "The production, directed by Cameron Menzies is excellent... First class, and top shelf. There's no reason why Yma Sumac, The Peruvian Song Bird shot not tour all over the world. It is that good." The Advertiser, June 2018. Cabaret show starring Helpmann nominated Ali McGregor starring as the 1950's exotica superstar Yma Sumac - The Peruvian Song Bird. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "five stars really do not fully import the wonder that is this show, Don't miss it" The clothesline, June 2018 "The production, directed by Cameron Menzies is excellent... First class, and top shelf. There's no reason why Yma Sumac, The Peruvian Song Bird shot not tour all over the world. It is that good." The Advertiser, June 2018.



Australian International Opera Company

• Stage Director

  • Feb 2017 - Apr 2017

  Director of Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. National tour of China. Director of Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. National tour of China.



City of Stonnington

• Australia
• Government Administration
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Artistic Director, The Classics: Opera 2018 - 2020

  • Jul 2017 - 2017

  Artistic Director of The Classics Opera for the City of Stonnington. A free outdoor operatic event that attracts in excess of 5000 people to Victoria Gardens, Armadale on the first Saturday in February. Artistic Director of The Classics Opera for the City of Stonnington. A free outdoor operatic event that attracts in excess of 5000 people to Victoria Gardens, Armadale on the first Saturday in February.



Short Black Opera Company

• Director for First Australian Indigenous opera, Pecan Summer.

  • Jan 2016 - Sep 2016

  Pecan Summer is written and composed by Deborah Cheetham AO and is produced by the National Indigenous opera company Short Black Opera. It tells its story across a few time periods from the creation of the Dhungala (Murray) River by the goddess Biama, 1939 Walk off from Cummeragunja Mission and to Federation Square 2008 at the Kevin Rudd Apology Speech. I have been a part of this production since its premiere in Perth 2012 as the Associate Director and then took the directorial reigns for the newly designed Sydney Premier at the Sydney Opera House 2016. This production won 9 awards from BroadwayWorld.com Sydney Awards. Cameron won for Best Direction of an Opera. Show less



Diva Opera UK

• Cosi fan Tutte

  • May 2016 - Jun 2016

  Directed a new production of Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte for Britain's foremost touring opera company for their 2016 season. Directed a new production of Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte for Britain's foremost touring opera company for their 2016 season.

• 2015 Season Director

  • Oct 2014 - Oct 2014

  Cameron is directing the 2015 Season for Britain's Foremost Chamber Opera Company DivaOpera. He will be directing a new production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. These productions will premiere in London and then tour the United Kingdom, The Channel Islands, France and Monte Carlo. Cameron will be directing for Diva Opera from March til June in London 2015. http://www.divaopera.com Cameron is directing the 2015 Season for Britain's Foremost Chamber Opera Company DivaOpera. He will be directing a new production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. These productions will premiere in London and then tour the United Kingdom, The Channel Islands, France and Monte Carlo. Cameron will be directing for Diva Opera from March til June in London 2015. http://www.divaopera.com



Tiriki Onus and Cameron Menzies

• William and Mary

  • Feb 2014 - Feb 2014

  Yorta Yorta Baritone, Tiriki Onus leads us through the lives of his activist grandparents William and Mary Onus and their son Lin Onus and all the larger than life characters that have been a part of forming and informing this extraordinary artist. Woven throughout this theatrical storytelling is the famous song cycle THE SONGS OF TRAVEL by Ralph Vaughan Williams with poetry by Robert Louis Stevenson. Direction and Concept by Cameron Menzies with Technical Design by Russell Goldsmith. Yorta Yorta Baritone, Tiriki Onus leads us through the lives of his activist grandparents William and Mary Onus and their son Lin Onus and all the larger than life characters that have been a part of forming and informing this extraordinary artist. Woven throughout this theatrical storytelling is the famous song cycle THE SONGS OF TRAVEL by Ralph Vaughan Williams with poetry by Robert Louis Stevenson. Direction and Concept by Cameron Menzies with Technical Design by Russell Goldsmith.



Linda Britten, Australia

• Creative Director - Operette

  • Mar 2012 - 2014

  OPERETTE: LEGATO Fashion Designer Linda Britten, Opera Director Cameron Menzies and the Australian Ballet School come together to perform OPERETTE: LEGATO featuring Linda Britten’s Couture Collection for 2014. Now in its third successful year, OPERETTE under the creative fusion of acclaimed Fashion Designer Linda Britten and award winning Opera Director Cameron Menzies OPERETTE presents its fresh new offering in OPERETTE: LEGATO. This year, adding in the exciting new element of Ballet with the worlds of Opera and Couture Fashion this promises to be a unique feast of classical disciplines coming together to create a fresh new look in the Cultural Program for the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival 2014. Linda Britten’s 2014 Couture collection brings together her vision of the arts through a synthesis of opulence, modern fabrications and sculptural silhouettes. Establishing in 1978, the Linda Britten brand is a testament to the longevity of her understanding of the art form. Cameron Menzies comes to OPERETTE with his strong design and creative background as an Opera Director and as Creative Director of OPERETTE sees this performance as a wonderful progression for the art forms combing the truly classical training in Opera, Ballet and Fashion whilst coming at each of our very different disciplines to create a seamless line on stage. Legato means in Italian to move from moment to moment smoothly and in a connected fashion with no intervening silence. Cameron says “ It is like going back to the 19th century where Opera and Ballet were always under the same impresario and adding Fashion into this theatrical mix feels very much like a renaissance but with a 2014 edge”. Linda and Cameron are both very excited and privileged to welcome onboard Leigh Rowles, Resident Choreographer from The Australian Ballet School to choreograph for Legato and to feature twelve of the finest young Ballet Dancers in Australia. Show less

• Artistic Director / Stage Director - Il Trovatore

  • Nov 2008 - 2014

  A Spectacular outdoor event featuring one of Verdi's Masterpieces - Il Trovatore. Conductor: Rebecca Anne Hicks Singers: Michael Lewis OAM, Liane Keegan, Linda Thompson, Michael Lapina and Teresa Duddy. Narrator and Compere for the evening: Angus Grant The Opera in the Park Orchestra. Free Event held by City of Stonnington on February 1, 2014 at 7:30pm. Victoria Gardens, High Street Armadale, Victoria A Spectacular outdoor event featuring one of Verdi's Masterpieces - Il Trovatore. Conductor: Rebecca Anne Hicks Singers: Michael Lewis OAM, Liane Keegan, Linda Thompson, Michael Lapina and Teresa Duddy. Narrator and Compere for the evening: Angus Grant The Opera in the Park Orchestra. Free Event held by City of Stonnington on February 1, 2014 at 7:30pm. Victoria Gardens, High Street Armadale, Victoria



The Opera Studio Melbourne

• Chief Opera Director - The Opera Studio, Melbourne

  • 2009 - Sep 2013

  Chief Opera Director - 2009 - 2013. Chief Opera Director - 2009 - 2013.



Gertrude Opera

• Director - Cendrillon by Jules Massenet

  • Jul 2013 - Jul 2013

  Cendrillon by Jules Massenet Cendrillon by Jules Massenet



the Arts Centre, Melbourne

• Entertainment
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • 2012 - 2012

  CONTACT! - A Netball Opera. World Premiere of the full work CONTACT! - A Netball Opera. World Premiere of the full work



Opera Australia

• Australia
• Performing Arts
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Director - OzOpera Schools Tour

  • 2012 - 2012

  The Magic Flute - Victorian Tour. The Magic Flute - Victorian Tour.

• Associate Director

  • 2012 - 2012

  Directed the Perth Season of the first Indigenous Australian Opera composed by Deborah Cheetham - Pecan Summer. Directed the Perth Season of the first Indigenous Australian Opera composed by Deborah Cheetham - Pecan Summer.



Netherlands Opera for the Melbourne International Arts Festival

• Assistant Director

  • 2012 - 2012

  Afterlife - by Michel van der Aa. Afterlife - by Michel van der Aa.



Melbourne University, Conservatorium of Music

• Stagecraft for Singers Lecturer.

  • 2007 - 2012

  Taught "Acting for Singers" and "Stagecraft" Taught "Acting for Singers" and "Stagecraft"

• Assistant Director

  • 2006 - 2006

  Assistant director on Il Trovatore and I Capuleti e i Montecchi Assistant director on Il Trovatore and I Capuleti e i Montecchi