Zara Stanton

Biography

Zara Stanton (she/her) is an award-winning Music Director, Composer, Arranger and Performer. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Most recently, Zara was Music Director/Arranger for the World Premiere of Eddie Perfect’s new musical, Tivoli Lovely (WAAPA) and Music Director for the 2025 Australian tour of In The Heights (JRP).

In 2026, Zara will be Music Director for Head Over Heels (Well Done Creative), Gutenberg! The Musical! (Hayes Theatre Co.) and The Addams Family (JRP). She will then serve as Music Director for the world premiere of Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical with Sydney Theatre Company/Michael Cassel Group.

Other recent credits include; Music Director for the Australian Premiere of Dear Evan Hansen (STC/MCG), Music Director/Arranger/Orchestrator for BLOOM (MTC) and Music Supervisor/Vocal Arranger/Orchestrator for the UK premiere of FANGIRLS. Zara’s work on FANGIRLS in Australia yielded an ARIA nomination (Best Musical Theatre Album), and a Green Room Award nomination (Best Music Direction).

Zara is the Composer, Orchestrator and Music Director for Metropolis (Little Eggs Collective), which had its world premiere season at the Hayes Theatre in April 2023. For her work on the show, Zara received the Sydney Theatre Awards for Best Composition for an Independent Production and Best Music Direction.
Zara also earned Sydney Theatre Award nominations for Best Music Direction for Dear Evan Hansen and for the Hayes Theatre Co. production of HMS Pinafore.

Further credits as Music Director include Send For Nellie (Sydney Festival), The Boomkak Panto (Belvoir St. Theatre), Bonnie & Clyde (Joshua Robson Productions), Every Musical Ever (Adelaide Cabaret Festival/Wyong Art House) and The Deb (Australian Theatre for Young People). Zara was also Associate Music Director for A Chorus Line (Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House) and the Australian premiere of Choir Boy (National Theatre of Parramatta).

Zara’s career to date has largely centred on the development of new Australian work. She has provided Music Direction and Arrangements for a number of workshops over recent years, including Oblivion (Sydney Theatre Company), Light (Hayes Theatre Co.), Nails Must Be Kept Short (Fruitbox Theatre), Alphabetical Sydney (Critical Stages), and Jack of Clubs (The Joan).

Zara is incredibly passionate about promoting representation in musical theatre, particularly for artists of Asian heritage and for female and non-binary musicians and creatives.