🎭 MAMMA MIA!
🗓️  7 June to 21 June
📍 BUNJIL PLACE THEATRE
🎟️  windmilltheatre.com.au/mammamia

This episode of the Showtime podcast features a warm and insightful conversation with Emily Toby, a talented singer, actor and dancer who is currently lighting up the stage as Sophie in Windmill Theatre Company’s production of Mamma Mia. With sincerity and enthusiasm, Emily walks us through her journey in the performing arts, reflecting on how a passion born in school musicals and community productions has evolved into a more layered and disciplined craft. For Emily, performing has always been more than just a creative outlet. It has been a place to belong, to grow, and to connect with others who share the same drive.

From her earliest stage moments, Emily found that being part of a theatre production offered a kind of magic that was only possible through collaboration. Whether it was the camaraderie of rehearsals or the collective thrill of opening night, these moments fuelled her commitment. As her experience deepened, she came to value the full scope of what makes theatre happen. It wasn’t just the leads and the chorus. It was the entire village of creatives, technicians, mentors and peers who work together to bring a story to life.

Emily speaks candidly about the challenges of juggling multiple roles in her life. Outside of rehearsals, she teaches with the Australian Girls Choir and is completing university studies. Balancing these responsibilities while maintaining her vocal health and energy levels has taught her discipline and self-awareness. She talks about being mindful of when to rest her voice, how to warm up effectively, and the importance of mental focus. These are the same lessons she imparts to her younger students—particularly the message that striving for perfection should never overshadow the joy of performing. Her aim as a teacher is to foster confidence and a sense of achievement in each student, rather than imposing unreachable standards.

When it comes to Mamma Mia, Emily feels a strong connection to Sophie’s story. She describes the character as more than the cheerful, spirited young woman that audiences often see on the surface. Sophie, she says, is navigating real emotional complexity—figuring out who she is, seeking answers about her family and facing big decisions about her future. For Emily, these themes echo real life, especially for young people discovering who they want to be. She is particularly drawn to the moments when Sophie’s vulnerability shows through. Her favourite number in the show is “Under Attack”, a high-energy but emotionally rich piece that captures the confusion and anxiety Sophie feels in the midst of her journey.

While “Dancing Queen” is another favourite, thanks to its sheer joy and the wave of nostalgia it carries, Emily is especially proud of how she’s brought her own interpretation to a role that many audience members may already be familiar with. There’s a pressure that comes with playing a well-known character in a beloved musical, but Emily approaches it with a fresh lens. She is not trying to copy any previous Sophie. Instead, she is telling this story truthfully from her own perspective, grounded in the relationships she’s built with her castmates—particularly the incredible women playing Donna and the Dynamos. Emily draws a lot of inspiration from Stephanie, who plays Donna, noting how her focus, poise and warmth have made a deep impression on her both onstage and off.

Throughout the conversation, Emily returns to the importance of connection. Whether it’s the bond between cast members, the lessons passed down from more experienced performers, or the unspoken contract between actor and audience, these relationships are at the heart of why she performs. In a world that can feel increasingly disconnected, theatre provides a space where people come together to feel, to laugh, to cry and to remember what it means to be human.

The conversation also touches on the theme of mentorship. Emily acknowledges how much she has grown by working alongside people who bring different skills and perspectives to the table. These relationships help shape her both as an artist and as a teacher. She hopes to pass on not just technique, but also values—like humility, teamwork and resilience—to the next generation of performers.

The magic of Mamma Mia, Emily believes, lies in its timelessness. The music, the characters and the themes remain just as powerful today as they were when the show first opened. Ideas like forgiveness, family and self-discovery resonate with audiences of all ages. And in this current moment, where face-to-face connection is something many people crave, musicals like Mamma Mia provide more than entertainment. They remind us of who we are and what really matters.

Emily’s episode on Showtime offers a beautiful portrait of what it means to be a performer who leads with heart, discipline and authenticity. Her love for the craft is evident not only in the way she speaks about the role of Sophie, but also in her commitment to the people around her—her cast, her students and her community. Her reflections are not just for those in the theatre world. They’re for anyone trying to find their place, their voice and their purpose in a collaborative and often unpredictable world.