About
Ross Hannaford is one of Australia’s most diverse and talented musical theatre performers teachers and directors. Currently teaching at the Melbourne universities VCA. In 2017/18 Ross tackled the role of Resident Director on CATS International. Previously he played the roles of Princeton & Rod in the Australian tour of Avenue Q.“Hannaford has excellent comic instinct as well as a touching sincerity” – Daily Review. Earlier in 2016 he played the role of Skimbleshanks in Andrew Lloyd Webbers new Production of Cats – The delightful, genuine triple threat of Ross Hannaford’s Skimbleshanks” – The Age.
2015 saw Ross receive a Green Room Award Nomination in Victorian Operas production of Sweeney Todd as Tobias Ragg “Ross Hannaford sings the orphan boy with dexterity, restraint and purity of tone” – The Age.
A career highlight for Ross was obtaining the coveted role of Paul in the Australian tour of A Chorus Line – “Ross Hannaford as Paul was Heartbreaking” – Sydney Morning Herald.
2014 saw Ross complete the world premiere of two musicals, James in the star studded Beyond Desire for The Hayes Theatre Company and the highly anticipated King Kong the musical for Global Creatures.
Ross first appeared in professional musical theatre over 20 years ago playing the role of Tiny Tim in Scrooge. Since his debut, he has gone on to work extensively throughout the industry. His previous credits include the original Australian cast of WICKED, Jack in Into the Woods, Theo in Pippin, Carbo in Strange Bedfellows, Colin in The Secret Garden, We Will Rock You and SHOUT the musical. His Production Company credits include Clarius in Camelot, Junior in Little Me, Thoroughly Modern Millie & Sweet Charity.
Ross has further pursued his love of music through composing and writing his own material. He has recorded with Rockcandy productions and the Shed studios, which culminated in a top 10 listing with the Australian songwriting Association.
Ross was a finalist at the inaugural Rob Guest Endowment Concert, Performing at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne. After his initial involvement he was invited to become a member of the management team and 9 years later, mid 2019, Ross resigned as the president. Ross hopes that the Endowment can continue to learn and grow, and achieve in its mission to provide support to all young emerging music theatre artists.
Ross has achieved all his major examination syllabi in RAD including achieving his Solo Seal award in 2002, he is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and of the Victorian College of the Arts.
The Play of Dance published by Limelight magazine written by R. Hannaford in August 2020 www.limelightmagazine.com.au