Stagecoach Performing Arts Manager Ellen Ebbs, from Stagecoach Leichhardt and Annandale in Sydney, is starring in the Australian premiere tour of the multi-award winning musical Fiddler on the Roof and recently invited her students to experience the production during its Sydney season.
Produced by Trafalgar Theatre Productions, the production arm of global live-entertainment business Trafalgar Entertainment, Fiddler on the Roof is one of the most celebrated musical revivals in recent years. Following record-breaking, sold-out seasons in London and across the UK, the critically acclaimed production is now touring Australia visiting Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
Among the Australian cast is Ellen Ebbs, Manager of Stagecoach Leichhardt and Annandale, who has been part of the Stagecoach family since 2023, and was excited to share this special milestone with the students she teaches and mentors each week.
“My Stagecoach journey began way back in 2023 in Perth, where I was the drama teacher whilst studying Music Theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). My favourite part about teaching drama was directing the major production. I had so much fun collaborating with both the singing and dance teachers and working with the students on character development and storytelling,” said Ellen.
“In 2025, I moved back home to Sydney and became the manager of the brand-new Stagecoach Leichhardt and Annandale. I was excited and scared! I knew I wanted to create an inclusive environment where students could feel comfortable to be themselves, daring to be bold and make mistakes.”
“We started with a humble six students, and now we have more than 50 students across the school. I absolutely love the Stagecoach motto of teaching, ‘Creative Courage for Life’, because nothing gives me greater joy than seeing a student’s growth in confidence and social skills, as well as improving their performance abilities.”
“Every week, I am so inspired by the students, and I am so proud of the community we have created at Stagecoach Leichhardt and Annandale,” said Ellen.
When Alison Tasker, a Stagecoach Principal in Australia, decided to expand her portfolio by taking on the Leichhardt and Annandale territory, she immediately recognised Ellen as the ideal person to lead it. Having worked closely with Ellen for two years while she taught drama at Alison’s Como and Kardinya schools, Alison had seen first-hand her exceptional ability to connect with students in a nurturing, supportive and genuinely caring way.
As Ellen completed her studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and prepared to return to her home state of New South Wales, she was looking for a new challenge while maintaining her strong connection to Stagecoach, making the opportunity a natural fit.
“Ellen had taught drama at my Como and Kardinya schools for two years, and throughout that time I saw first-hand her extraordinary ability to connect with students in a nurturing, supportive, and genuinely caring way,” said Alison.
“As she completed her studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and prepared to return to her home state of New South Wales, she was looking for a new challenge while maintaining her strong connection to Stagecoach.”
“It truly felt like the perfect partnership. Under Ellen’s leadership, our Leichhardt & Annandale school has thrived, and I could not be prouder of what she has achieved,” said Alison.
Ellen invited Stagecoach students and their families to attend the Sydney run of Fiddler on the Roof last month, offering a unique opportunity for the young performers to see one of their own teachers starring in a major professional production.
Houri Tapiki, General Manager of Theatre Royal Sydney, said the experience would be particularly inspiring for Ellen’s students, especially since Ellen also worked as an usher and bar attendant at Theatre Royal Sydney since February 2025.
“We were delighted to welcome Ellen and the cast of Fiddler on the Roof to Theatre Royal Sydney. Ellen’s journey from working in our theatre and nurturing young performers at Stagecoach to now appearing in this extraordinary, award-winning production perfectly demonstrates where creativity, dedication and passion can lead,” said Houri
“It was incredibly special for her students to see their teacher performing on one of Australia’s leading stages, and we hope it inspires the next generation of performers to pursue their own dreams.”
For Ellen, appearing in Fiddler on the Roof is not only a personal career highlight but also an opportunity to show her students that the skills they develop through performing arts can open doors to exciting possibilities.
Stagecoach Performing Arts is now expanding globally, Australia now has schools across Perth South, Perth Central, Sydney and Melbourne run by Alison with new schools opening this term in Adelaide with our new principal Kerry Sampson. Look out for future openings in Poland and Dubai.
Founded in 1988, Stagecoach Performing Arts has grown into a global organisation teaching more than 70,000 students through over 3,000 schools and classes each week across the UK, Canada, Germany, Malta, Spain, Gibraltar and Australia. In 2026, the brand was named the UK’s No. 1 franchise in the Elite Franchise Top 100, becoming the first children’s services brand ever to top the prestigious ranking.
Fiddler on the Roof continues at the Theatre Royal Sydney until 3 October, before touring to the Glasshouse Theatre – QPAC, Brisbane, from 9 October, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, from 31 October 2026, and His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth, from 7 January 2027. For more information, visit: www.fiddlerontherooftour.com for details.
Images: Ellen Ebbs in Fiddler on the Roof – photos by Daniel Boud