Amy Lehpamer

Last updated

Amy Lehpamer
NationalityAustralian
Education Sacred Heart College, Geelong
University of Melbourne
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Musician
Years active2008−present
Known for The Sound of Music
Dusty: The Musical
The Rocky Horror Show
SpouseTom Cooney
Children1

Amy Lehpamer is an Australian musical theatre performer, known for her lead roles in stage productions of The Sound of Music , Dusty: The Musical and The Rocky Horror Show . She has also had television roles. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Lehpamer grew up in the Geelong suburb of Bell Post Hill, in Victoria, [2] in a family of Croatian background. [3] The youngest by seven years, Lehpamer often was looked after by her three siblings when her parents were out. [2]

Lehpamer attended Geelong’s Sacred Heart College, a Catholic school. She took violin lessons from the age of six, playing at a serious level in her teens. [3]

A self-taught singer and dancer, [3] Lehpamer scored a role as one of Joseph’s brothers, Asher, in her school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat within her first few months of high school. [4] From there, she performed in her school musical every year, playing Kim MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie , Anita in West Side Story and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof – complete with her violin in the latter. She was also in a local amateur production of Godspell for Doorstep Productions. [3]

Lehpamer auditioned for Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), a training ground for aspiring musical theatre performers, but was rejected twice – the second time after taking a gap year as a music teacher's assistant at a boarding school in England. [3]

When she returned to Australia, Lehpamer studied a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature and Japanese) at the University of Melbourne, [5] [3] where she got involved in student theatre productions. She played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar , winning the 2005 Victorian Music Theatre Guild award for best female performance. [3] Simultaneously, she studied violin at the Conservatorium, but ultimately decided to focus on acting. [3]

Partway through university, Lehpamer landed a summer job with Tokyo Disney in Japan, working on Big Band Beat, a live jazz review. [3] She graduated form university in 2008. [6]

Lehpamer also has an Associate Diploma in Music (AMusA) on violin. [5]

Career

Stage

Directly following the completion of her final semester at university, Lehpamer secured the role of Young Phyllis in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies with The Production Company in 2008. She then understudied the role of Simone Callahan as part of the 2008/2009 original cast for Eddie Perfect’s Shane Warne: the Musical , based on the life of Australian cricketer Shane Warne. [3]

Lehpamer's theatre career gained traction through her role as Christine Colgate in the musical adaptation of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for The Production Company in 2009. [3] She was initially cast as a supporting character but when the lead actress dropped out, Lehpamer took over the role. [4] The following year, she played the role of Sukey Tawdry in The Threepenny Opera for Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre and Victorian Opera. [3]

In 2011, Lehpamer appeared as stripper Sherrie in the rock musical Rock of Ages , which opened at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. [3] Her portrayal earned her a Helpmann Awards nomination [3] and a theatrepeople.com.au award for Best Female Actor in a Musical. [7] She then originated the title role of food writer Margaret Fulton in the premiere of Margaret Fulton – Queen of the Dessert in 2012. [8]

In 2013, four years on from her previous appearance in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels , Lehpamer once again played the role of Christine Colgate in a Theatre Royal iteration of the play – her first leading role in a Sydney production. [8] [9] [4] Her performance earned her a BroadwayWorld, Sydney award for Best Actress in a Musical. [7] [10] She also performed again in Shane Warne: The Musical – this time in the part of Donna Wright – in a 2014 Melbourne and Adelaide production, and featured on the cast recording. [3]

From 2014 to 2015, Lehpamer played Reza in Once for the Gordon Frost Organisation and Melbourne Theatre Company, [5] [11] [12] [13] [14] which also gave her the opportunity to showcase her skill as a violinist. She received a Helpmann Awards nomination for her portrayal. [3] This was followed by 2015 productions of  High Society  in which she played the part of Tracy Lord for Hayes Theatre, [15] [16] and The Rocky Horror Show as Janet Weiss, opposite Craig McLachlan. [17] [1]

She then landed the coveted lead role of Maria in the 2015/2016 Australian tour of The Sound of Music , alongside Cameron Daddo, Marina Prior and Lorraine Bayly, [18] [2] which won her a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical. [5] She followed this with another starring role as Dusty Springfield in Dusty for The Production Company, in late 2016 and early 2017, [19] which saw her nominated for a Helpmann Award. [3]

She next starred in the Australian production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical , playing Cynthia Weil, [20] [21] receiving a Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical in 2018. [22] From 2018 to 2020, Lehpamer played Principal Rosalie Mullins in the Australian production of School of Rock the Musical . [23] [24] which also toured New Zealand and China. [3] She played Mrs Webb in Queensland Theatre's 2021 revival of Our Town [3]

Lehpamer played Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, in a 2024 Australian production of the musical & Juliet , alongside Rob Mills and Casey Donovan. [14] Following her Studio Series recital The Best of Broadway and her role as host of Opera Queensland's 2024 Gala, Lehpamer performed in the solo show Amy Lehpamer Sings Cole Porter at the Opera Queensland Studio in Brisbane in August 2025. [20]

Screen

Lehpamer's television credits include The Time of Our Lives , Winners & Losers , House Husbands , Get Krack!n , Utopia and 2010 HBO war drama miniseries The Pacific . [7] [3]

Together with Brent Hill, she created and starred in the musical comedy web series Donnatelegrams for ABC’s Fresh Blood initiative. [7] She also appeared in award-winning short films Vis-à-Vis (2013) and Space: a Skate Odyssey (2020). [3]

Lehpamer has performed on live television for ABC's Mental As fundraising special and New Year’s Eve broadcast, Nine’s Candles by Candlelight and Channel 7’s Carols in the Domain . [3]

Personal life

Lehpamer met musician and hospitality business-owner husband, Tom Cooney on dating app Bumble, in 2019. [14] [25] Lehpamer moved to Brisbane, Queensland at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to be with Cooney. [26]

The couple were engaged in March 2021, married in November and had a son in June 2022. [25]

Performance credits

Stage

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
Bye Bye Birdie Kim MacAfee Sacred Heart College, Geelong [3]
West Side Story Anita [3]
2002 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Narrator Adelaide Festival Centre with Doorstep Productions [27]
2003 Godspell Doorstep Productions [3] [28]
Fiddler on the Roof Tevye (fiddler)Geelong Lyric Theatre Society [28] [3]
2004 Oklahoma! Laurey [29]
2005 Jesus Christ Superstar Judas University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association [30] [5]
2008 Follies Young Phyllis State Theatre, Melbourne with The Production Company [3] [1]
Songs for a New World GPAC, Geelong with Doorstep Productions [31]
2008–2009 Shane Warne: the Musical Simone Callahan (understudy) / Ensemble Melbourne Athenaeum, Regal Theatre, Perth, Enmore Theatre, Sydney with Token Events [3] [1]
2009 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Christine Colgate Arts Centre Melbourne with The Production Company [3] [1] [32]
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Marcy Park GPAC, Geelong with Doorstep Productions [33]
2010 The Threepenny Opera Sukey Tawdry Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne with Victorian Opera [3] [1]
2011 Rock of Ages Sherrie Comedy Theatre, Melbourne with NewTheatricals [3] [1]
2012Margaret Fulton – Queen of the Dessert Margaret Fulton Theatre Works, Melbourne / Present Tense [8] [1]
2013 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Christine Colgate Theatre Royal Sydney with James Anthony Productions [9] [8] [4] [1]
2014 Shane Warne: The Musical Donna Wright / Ensemble Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Hamer Hall, Melbourne [3] [1]
2014–2015 Once: the Musical Reza (the violinist) Princess Theatre, Melbourne with MTC / Gordon Frost Organisation [5] [11] [1]
2015 High Society Tracy Lord Hayes Theatre, Sydney [15] [16] [1]
The Rocky Horror Show  Janet Weiss Sydney Lyric with ATG / Gordon Frost Organisation [17] [1]
2015–2016 The Sound of Music Maria von Trapp Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane, Crown Theatre, Perth with Gordon Frost Organisation [18] [2] [1]
2016–2017 Dusty: The Musical Dusty Springfield Playhouse, Melbourne and Adelaide Festival Centre with The Production Company [19] [1]
2017–2018 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Cynthia Weil Sydney Lyric with Michael Cassel Group [20] [21] [1]
2018The Studio: 54 Reasons to PartyVocalist Adelaide Festival Centre with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra [34] [35] [1]
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Sibella Playhouse, Melbourne with The Production Company [36]
2018–2020 School of Rock the Musical Principal Rosalie Mullins Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, Adelaide Festival Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland, China with GWB Entertainment / The Really Useful Group [23] [24] [3] [1]
2020An Evening with Amy LehpamerSolo vocalist QPAC, Brisbane [37] [1]
2021 The Who's Tommy Mrs Walker Palais Theatre, Melbourne with Victorian Opera [7] [1]
A Night on BroadwayLead vocalist Adelaide Showground with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra [4] [1]
Our Town Mrs Webb Queensland Theatre [34] [38] [1]
The Best of Rodgers & HammersteinLead vocalist Perth Concert Hall with West Australian Symphony Orchestra [39] [1]
2022 Defying Gravity concertVocalist QPAC, Brisbane [40]
Musical Theatre GalaVocalist QPAC, Brisbane with Queensland Symphony Orchestra [1]
2023–2024 & Juliet Anne Hathaway Sydney Lyric, Crown Theatre, Perth, Regent Theatre, Melbourne & Asian tour with Michael Cassel Group [12] [13] [14] [1]
2024The Best of BroadwayVocalist Opera Queensland Studio [41]
2025Amy Lehpamer Sings Cole PorterSolo vocalist [20]
Kiss Me, Kate Lilli / Kate Foundry Theatre, Sydney with Neglected Musicals [42]
Disco Wonderland: A Night at Studio 54Vocalist Hordern Pavilion with Sydney Symphony Orchestra [3] [35]
Dusty the Musical – In Concert Dusty Springfield QPAC, Brisbane with Prospero Arts [1]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2007 The Pacific Well Wisher at docksMiniseries, 1 episode [1]
2012 House Husbands BHC girl1 episode
2013 Winners & Losers Scarlett Ford1 episode [1]
2013 The Time of Our Lives Esther1 episode [1]
2014DonnatelegramsDonnaWeb series [1]
2016 Molly Michelle HigginsMiniseries, 1 episode [1]
2017 Utopia SarahSeason 3, episode 7 [1]
2018 Get Krack!n Jane / RachelSeason 2, 1 episode [1]
2023Australian Epic (aka Stories from Oz) Schapelle Corby / various6 episodes [1]

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2013Vis a VisCindyShort film [1]
2020Space: a Skate Odyssey (aka NASA Skate)NancyShort film [1]

Awards

YearTitleAwardCategoryResultRef.
2002 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Bruce Awards (Music Theatre Guild of Victoria)Best Female Performer in a Leading RoleNominated [27]
2003 Godspell Best Female Performer in a Supporting RoleNominated [28]
Fiddler on the Roof Best Cameo PerformanceWon [28]
2004 Oklahoma Best Female Performer in a Leading RoleNominated [29]
2005 Jesus Christ Superstar Won [30] [3]
2011 Rock of Ages theatrepeople.com.auBest Actress in a MusicalWon [7]
2012 Helpmann Awards Nominated [5]
Green Room Awards Nominated [1]
2013 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels BroadwayWorld, Sydney Best Lead Actress in a MusicalWon [7] [10]
2014 Sydney Theatre Awards Best Actress in a MusicalNominated [1]
2015 High Society Glugs Theatrical Awards Nominated [1]
Once Helpmann Awards Best Supporting Actress in a MusicalNominated [1]
The Sound of Music Sydney Theatre Awards Best Lead Actress in a MusicalWon [5] [1]
2016 Glugs Theatrical Awards Best Actress in a MusicalNominated [1]
Helpmann Awards Nominated [1]
2017 Dusty: The Musical Nominated [5] [1]
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Glugs Theatrical Awards Nominated [1]
2018 Helpmann Awards Best Supporting Actress in a MusicalWon [5] [43] [1]
2019 School of Rock Glugs Theatrical Awards Best Lead Actress in a MusicalNominated [1]
2020 Sydney Theatre Awards Nominated [1]
2024 & Juliet Green Room Awards Nominated [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 "Actor profile: Amy Lehpamer". Showcast. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Bevis, Stephen (7 August 2016). "Perth stage to come alive to new Sound of Music". The West Australian .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 "Amy Lehpamer". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "5 Minutes with Amy Lehpamer". Adelaide Symphony Orchestra . 26 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "About Amy". www.amylehpamer.com. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Alumni milestones – 3010". University of Melbourne . Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "On the Couch with Amy Lehpamer". www.artsreview.com.au. 4 August 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 James, Erin. "Opening Night: Fulton Musical whipped into shape". www.aussie theatre.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – A Devilishly Good Treat!". www.dancemagazine.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  10. 1 2 "2013 BroadwayWorld Sydney Awards Winners Announced - DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Dominates!". www.broadwayworld.com. 16 January 2014.
  11. 1 2 "ONCE: Cast Announced". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  12. 1 2 Ogayar, Renata. "& JULIET: The pop culture masterpiece". Adelaide Symphony Orchestra . Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  13. 1 2 "& Juliet: Amy Lehpamer stars as Anne Hathaway in anthemic pop musical at Crown Theatre Perth". www.thewest.com.au . 20 October 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Swain, Sarah. "New musical offers a pop-tastic take on tragic tale". www.amp.nine.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  15. 1 2 "High Society". www.hayestheatre.com.au . Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  16. 1 2 "High Society". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  17. 1 2 Nolan, Paul. "Rocky Horror Show". Arts Hub. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  18. 1 2 Caton, Bec. "Inside the new Australian tour of The Sound of Music: we talk to the cast – Amy Lehpamer". www.aussietheatre.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  19. 1 2 "Amy Lehpamer Gets Back Into Dusty". Limelight . Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Amy Lehpamer and Steve Russell – Amy Lehpamer Sings Cole Porter". Opera Queensland . Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  21. 1 2 Gassin, Grace. "Lehpamer stars in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical". www.dancemagazine.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  22. ↑ Cooper, Nathanael (15 July 2018). "Helpmann's curtain raiser paves the way for a beautiful main event". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  23. 1 2 Bailey, John (22 October 2018). "School of Rock comes to Melbourne: now kids, don't play cute". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Amy Lehpamer and Adult Cast announced for School of Rock". www.artsreview.com.au. 16 July 2018.
  25. 1 2 "I knew I would find him loveable forever: Actor on finding true love on Bumble". The Courier-Mail, Qweekend . 28 May 2025.
  26. ↑ Pearce, Ash (9 April 2022). "Geelong's Amy Lehpamer counting down to birth of her baby". Geelong Advertiser .
  27. 1 2 "2002 Nominations and Recipients". Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. 1 November 2025.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "2003 Nominations and Recipients". Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. 1 November 2025.
  29. 1 2 "2004 Nominations and Recipients". Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. 1 November 2025.
  30. 1 2 "2005 Nominations and Recipients". Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. 1 November 2025.
  31. ↑ "Songs for a New World". www.doorsteparts.com. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  32. ↑ "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". www.theproductioncompany.com.au. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  33. ↑ "The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee". www.doorsteparts.com. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  34. 1 2 "Amy Lehpamer". Adelaide Symphony Orchestra . 26 October 2021.
  35. 1 2 Burdon, Peter (30 June 2018). "Celebration of the disco sensation". The Advertiser .
  36. ↑ "The Production Company Season 2018". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  37. ↑ Bryant, Eden (6 September 2020). "QPAC Unlocked: An Evening with Amy Lehpamer". www.australianstage.com.au.
  38. ↑ "Our Town". Queensland Theatre . Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  39. ↑ Cusworth, David (20 March 2021). "WASO plays Rodgers & Hammerstein with Jessica Gethin, Amy Lehpamer and Simon Gleeson at Perth Concert Hall". www.thewest.com.au .
  40. ↑ "Defying Gravity Concert: Amy Lehpamer". thefamereporter.com. 20 March 2021.
  41. ↑ "The Best of Broadway (According to Amy Lehpamer)". www.mustdobrisbane.com. 21 September 2024.
  42. ↑ "Kiss Me, Kate". www.foundrytheatre.com.au . Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  43. ↑ Ryan, Jemma (16 July 2018). "Geelong stage star Amy Lehpamer wins Helpmann Award for role in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical". Geelong Advertiser .
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