Vice-captain of Bentley Park College in 2006, Mike Elliot turned his love of Drama into a career. At school, he loved performing in Rock Eisteddfods, Theatre Sports competitions and school productions such as the annual Big Night Out. After graduating, Mike performed in local productions of 'Macbeth' and 'Falling Petals' at JUTE and began working as a Drama teacher at The Young Company Theatre for Children and Young People (TYC) in Cairns until 2025.
Taking over as TYC Artistic Director in 2011, Mike ran week classes and school holiday programs, as well as directing major company 'Main Stage' productions and facilitating interschool improvisation competitions and the Fringe and Platform youth theatre festivals. Mike also performed in and directed a locally written play, 'Wishfly' by Dr Jane Modric, at high schools for Year 7 students transiting into high school. In 2019, Mike co-directed TYC's sold-out production of 'Seussical the Musical Jr' at Cairns Performing Arts Centre – a career highlight.
