Stephen is well known in Canberra for his long and varied theatrical career as director, producer, writer, and performer, as well as a dedication to nurturing new talent He first stepped onto the stage in 1978 as part of the chorus for Tempo’s production of Calamity Jane. He appeared subsequently in Oh, What A lovely War, Man of La Mancha and Grease, Godspell, Hair, Joseph in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Peter (and understudied Jesus) in Jesus Christ Superstar and Og in Finians' Rainbow. A highlight of Stephen’s performing career was having the opportunity to play the lead role of Jean Valjean in the two seasons of the record breaking Canberra Philharmonic Society's production of Les Misérables, winning the Canberra Area Theatre Award for best actor in a musical.
In 1982 Stephen purchased his own restaurant The Bellows where The Sweet Shock Company performed over 400 performances of a unique blend of cabaret and comedy. In 1990 he opened the award winning Tarzan’s Theatre Restaurant where he produced, directed and/or performed in over 14 shows. Stephen has recorded his own CD entitled This Is My Moment. Stephen also directed the 1997 and 1998 Finale Concert for the Canberra Festival, and was Artistic Director for the 2000 National Christmas Tree and Carols in front of Parliament House and has worked on many corporate functions.
His most recent work includes directing the world premieres of Duncan Ley’s plays The Burning, In Cold Light and When in Rome. Musicals include Pride and Prejudice, Chicago and Return to the Forbidden Planet. He joined the CAT Awards as a judge in 1997 and has directed all the annual Awards night since then.