There is something powerful about watching a person find their place in the world, especially when that journey takes unexpected turns. For director, choreographer, and producer Madi Lee, a career in the arts has never been defined by a single role or destination. Instead, it has been shaped by creativity, resilience, and a deep belief in the power of storytelling to connect people.
In this episode of Showtime, Andrew G sits down with Madi to explore a career that began on stage as a performer and evolved into a life spent creating stories behind the scenes. What emerges is a thoughtful conversation about artistic growth, personal identity, and the importance of building spaces where people feel safe to be themselves.
Madi’s love for storytelling began early. Growing up with a vivid imagination and a passion for performance, she was drawn to the magic of theatre from a young age. While she initially envisioned a future in the spotlight, her father often predicted that she would one day become a director. At the time, she could not understand why. Looking back now, she realises he saw something she had not yet recognised in herself—the instinct to create, organise, and bring stories to life.
After training in musical theatre and dance, Madi expected to build a career as a performer. However, a chance opportunity to assist on a production opened the door to directing and choreography. What began as a temporary creative challenge quickly became a new calling. One project led to another, and before long she found herself discovering a different kind of fulfilment: helping performers bring stories to life rather than being the one centre stage.
Like many creative careers, the journey was far from straightforward. Madi reflects candidly on years spent touring, living out of a suitcase, and moving from project to project without a sense of permanence. While the opportunities were exciting, the lifestyle eventually became exhausting. Taking a step back from the industry allowed her to reassess what she wanted from both her career and her personal life. The break ultimately reinforced something she already suspected—storytelling was too deeply woven into her identity to walk away from entirely.
One of the most compelling parts of the conversation centres on risk. Madi recalls producing a new Australian work that required her to wear almost every hat imaginable, from directing and choreography to marketing, costumes, and production management. Driven by a desire not to let anyone down, she pushed herself beyond healthy limits. The experience was rewarding but also left her physically and emotionally depleted. It became a defining lesson about boundaries, sustainability, and the importance of protecting your own wellbeing while pursuing ambitious creative goals.
The discussion also explores her latest project, a bold reimagining of Sweet Charity. Rather than simply recreating a classic musical, Madi approaches the work through a queer and emotionally honest lens, uncovering deeper themes of identity, community, friendship, and belonging. While the original story centres on a woman searching for love, this interpretation expands the conversation to include what it means to find acceptance, safety, and connection in a world that often demands conformity.
For Madi, the enduring appeal of Sweet Charity lies in its humanity. At its core, it is a story about wanting to be seen, loved, and accepted—needs that remain just as relevant today as they were when the musical first premiered more than sixty years ago. By examining these themes through a contemporary perspective, she hopes audiences will connect with the characters on a more personal and emotional level.
Representation is another recurring theme throughout the conversation. Madi speaks passionately about the importance of seeing diverse identities reflected on stage and creating environments where people can express themselves authentically. She understands the impact that representation can have on someone sitting in the audience, particularly when they rarely see people like themselves portrayed in public spaces. For her, theatre has the ability not only to entertain but also to create belonging.
Underlying everything is a belief that the arts are fundamentally about connection. Whether through performance, direction, choreography, or mentorship, Madi sees storytelling as a way of bringing people together and helping them feel less alone. It is this commitment to connection that continues to drive her work and inspire the stories she chooses to tell.
By the end of the conversation, what stands out most is not simply Madi’s impressive list of credits or creative achievements, but her unwavering commitment to authenticity. Her journey is a reminder that success is not always about recognition or accolades. Sometimes it is about creating spaces where people feel supported, understood, and empowered to be themselves.
Ultimately, this episode is about the courage to evolve, the value of community, and the enduring power of stories to help us understand both ourselves and each other.
