2022- 2023 Committee
Read below to meet your committee for the 2022/2023 year!
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President:
Peter Hodges |
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Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
Community theatre has been my passion since I was 9 years old, and this was a no brainer.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Easy one. Opening night of King and I (I was the King) in 2011. Opening scene, all the kids come in and I pick up the second youngest (who happened to be my actual daughter Emily), and my pants fell down. Needless to say, for future shows there were many more scientific safety pins.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
The committee is here to serve you. We have no hidden agendas. We are literally here because we want community theatre in Coffs Harbour to thrive.
Community theatre has been my passion since I was 9 years old, and this was a no brainer.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Easy one. Opening night of King and I (I was the King) in 2011. Opening scene, all the kids come in and I pick up the second youngest (who happened to be my actual daughter Emily), and my pants fell down. Needless to say, for future shows there were many more scientific safety pins.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
The committee is here to serve you. We have no hidden agendas. We are literally here because we want community theatre in Coffs Harbour to thrive.
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Vice-President:
Dee Tune |
Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
I have spent years doing theatre and feel that it's important to make the next step to provide opportunities for others of our theatre community to have fun. Being a member of the committee is actually about listening to the members and providing them with a voice in the future of the company. Anyone who goes onto the committee quickly learns, that the role is very much about ensuring members have the opportunity to have fun doing theatre.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Performing with Vanessa Crossley in Mary Poppins and working out how to improv getting the prematurely smashed vase fixed and back on stage before it was actually meant to be smashed... Gotta love thinking on your feet.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Be diverse. Volunteer to be backstage, usher, involve yourself in something more than just being cast in a show. It gives you a more rounded view of what it takes to get a show to the stage and helps you appreciate those who consistently take on the thankless background roles which are still vital to making those onstage look good.
I have spent years doing theatre and feel that it's important to make the next step to provide opportunities for others of our theatre community to have fun. Being a member of the committee is actually about listening to the members and providing them with a voice in the future of the company. Anyone who goes onto the committee quickly learns, that the role is very much about ensuring members have the opportunity to have fun doing theatre.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Performing with Vanessa Crossley in Mary Poppins and working out how to improv getting the prematurely smashed vase fixed and back on stage before it was actually meant to be smashed... Gotta love thinking on your feet.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Be diverse. Volunteer to be backstage, usher, involve yourself in something more than just being cast in a show. It gives you a more rounded view of what it takes to get a show to the stage and helps you appreciate those who consistently take on the thankless background roles which are still vital to making those onstage look good.
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Treasurer:
Dave Tune |
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Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
I have been a volunteer for most of my life, and have a passion for community theatre, so my drive is to improve community theatre for everyone and to work towards an inclusive and supportive community.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
When the leading man of a show turned up so drunk he could barely stand up I ended up going on stage to replace him draped in a curtain and holding a life sized mannequin with a broom handle taped to its back, attempting to move it in some sort of realistic fashion as the prompt read the lines from backstage....
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Community theatre is both challenging and rewarding, and often the most fun comes from being in the ensemble rather than having a leading role. I would also like the wider theatre community to be aware that without people volunteering to take on a wide range of background jobs like Directors, Production Manager, Stage Manager, Musical Directors, committee members, front of house people, tech specialists, set and prop designers and builders, costume makers and coordinators, choreographers, make up specialists and a whole raft of other tasks, theatre would not happen. There are always jobs for anyone who wishes to volunteer.
I have been a volunteer for most of my life, and have a passion for community theatre, so my drive is to improve community theatre for everyone and to work towards an inclusive and supportive community.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
When the leading man of a show turned up so drunk he could barely stand up I ended up going on stage to replace him draped in a curtain and holding a life sized mannequin with a broom handle taped to its back, attempting to move it in some sort of realistic fashion as the prompt read the lines from backstage....
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Community theatre is both challenging and rewarding, and often the most fun comes from being in the ensemble rather than having a leading role. I would also like the wider theatre community to be aware that without people volunteering to take on a wide range of background jobs like Directors, Production Manager, Stage Manager, Musical Directors, committee members, front of house people, tech specialists, set and prop designers and builders, costume makers and coordinators, choreographers, make up specialists and a whole raft of other tasks, theatre would not happen. There are always jobs for anyone who wishes to volunteer.
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Secretary:
Fiona Shaw |
Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
I want to make changes! I want to give back to my community in a way that I know I can. I believe it doesn't matter if you have 1 year or 100 years experience in theatre, you can ALWAYS offer something in return.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
My first EVER time back stage at Into the Woods... I was passed the large staff that one of the cast had and I placed it carefully on the table... it then proceeded to FALL off the table, onto the ground, echoing throughout the stage and auditorium. During Wizard of Oz, a black out and needing to grab a stump which was less than a meter from me. I then tried to grab it and my eyes hadn't adjusted. The lights came back up and I was spotted searching madly for the stump with my hands out stretched.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Theatre is for anyone and everyone. It does not matter who you are, where your from or your previous experiences, you can have a role in theatre. Volunteering is amazing, and if you have the chance to give it a go, I implore you to!
I want to make changes! I want to give back to my community in a way that I know I can. I believe it doesn't matter if you have 1 year or 100 years experience in theatre, you can ALWAYS offer something in return.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
My first EVER time back stage at Into the Woods... I was passed the large staff that one of the cast had and I placed it carefully on the table... it then proceeded to FALL off the table, onto the ground, echoing throughout the stage and auditorium. During Wizard of Oz, a black out and needing to grab a stump which was less than a meter from me. I then tried to grab it and my eyes hadn't adjusted. The lights came back up and I was spotted searching madly for the stump with my hands out stretched.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Theatre is for anyone and everyone. It does not matter who you are, where your from or your previous experiences, you can have a role in theatre. Volunteering is amazing, and if you have the chance to give it a go, I implore you to!
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Committee member:
Annemarie Cohen |
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Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
I have been involved with CHMCC for a while having been in one production and helping front of house. I want to use the skills that I have obtained from my time on other committees to serve this committee and its members.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
I remember when the "bridge" that Lewis was standing on in "Into the Woods" broke. He handled it with such professionalism.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
There is a place for everyone. It is a wonderful way to connect and form friendships. As the word says it is a "community" and is about making community and being there for the community and needs community for things to happen.
I have been involved with CHMCC for a while having been in one production and helping front of house. I want to use the skills that I have obtained from my time on other committees to serve this committee and its members.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
I remember when the "bridge" that Lewis was standing on in "Into the Woods" broke. He handled it with such professionalism.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
There is a place for everyone. It is a wonderful way to connect and form friendships. As the word says it is a "community" and is about making community and being there for the community and needs community for things to happen.
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Committee member:
Courtney Bannon |
Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
I love being in a position where I can help bring amazing shows to the community and create a supportive and welcoming environment.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Oh too many to mention haha but one was forgetting when I had to be on stage, and when I got told I was meant to be on stage, I bolted up the stairs (in heels and a giant hoop skirt) keeping running straight onto the stage and had to pretend I was breathing heavily and was totally fine 🤣
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
That it's more than just a fun time. You meet people that become life long friends, make memories that last a lifetime and bring joy to all the people within the coffs community.
I love being in a position where I can help bring amazing shows to the community and create a supportive and welcoming environment.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Oh too many to mention haha but one was forgetting when I had to be on stage, and when I got told I was meant to be on stage, I bolted up the stairs (in heels and a giant hoop skirt) keeping running straight onto the stage and had to pretend I was breathing heavily and was totally fine 🤣
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
That it's more than just a fun time. You meet people that become life long friends, make memories that last a lifetime and bring joy to all the people within the coffs community.
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Committee member:
Emily Cooper |
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Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
Wanted to give back after being in shows in the past and generally want to help, after steel magnolias I helped out a little with Sharon and I really enjoyed it. During mamma Mia even though I didn’t need to help backstage I did and I actually enjoyed wanting to help out and it’s become so important knowing how much goes on backstage and the committee to makes amazing show like this happens.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
During Steel Magnolias when Mel’s character Ouiser walks in with the apples She accidentally dropped one and it slowly rolled towards the front stage and finally dropped off the stage and it took a lot of power to not laugh and break character. And hearing about Matt from mamma Mia falling asleep back stage mid show 😂
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
That hard work behind the scenes can be just as much appreciated then being an actor onstage Actors cannot make shows happen without Backstage crew and Ushers and the committee to help with promotion 😁
Wanted to give back after being in shows in the past and generally want to help, after steel magnolias I helped out a little with Sharon and I really enjoyed it. During mamma Mia even though I didn’t need to help backstage I did and I actually enjoyed wanting to help out and it’s become so important knowing how much goes on backstage and the committee to makes amazing show like this happens.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
During Steel Magnolias when Mel’s character Ouiser walks in with the apples She accidentally dropped one and it slowly rolled towards the front stage and finally dropped off the stage and it took a lot of power to not laugh and break character. And hearing about Matt from mamma Mia falling asleep back stage mid show 😂
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
That hard work behind the scenes can be just as much appreciated then being an actor onstage Actors cannot make shows happen without Backstage crew and Ushers and the committee to help with promotion 😁
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Committee member:
Emily-rose Dalton |
Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
I was in the committee last year and I love being part of something new.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Assistant Directing Priscilla. Just all of the laughs and inside jokes the cast have during rehearsals is hilarious.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
It is honestly so much fun, singing, dancing and acting are my 3 favourite things and I’d be lost without them. The theatre brings a new person out in me.
I was in the committee last year and I love being part of something new.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Assistant Directing Priscilla. Just all of the laughs and inside jokes the cast have during rehearsals is hilarious.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
It is honestly so much fun, singing, dancing and acting are my 3 favourite things and I’d be lost without them. The theatre brings a new person out in me.
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Committee member:
Mel Winkler |
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Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
To share all I’ve learnt and experienced on the stage for the past 30 yrs
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Turning up at emergency after The Mikado and trying to explain to the staff that Troy had accidentally hung himself. We got some epic face expressions. (The prop that was supposed to look like he hung himself malfunctioned)
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
No role is too small. No person is "not talented enough". We can all learn and benefit from each other and if you set your mind to it, you can do anything!
To share all I’ve learnt and experienced on the stage for the past 30 yrs
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
Turning up at emergency after The Mikado and trying to explain to the staff that Troy had accidentally hung himself. We got some epic face expressions. (The prop that was supposed to look like he hung himself malfunctioned)
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
No role is too small. No person is "not talented enough". We can all learn and benefit from each other and if you set your mind to it, you can do anything!
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Committee member:
Tom Madden |
Tell me about why you wanted to be a part of the committee?
I have been on committees before and knew I had something to offer this committee - plus, Fiona asked me really nicely.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
When the set piece of the "bridge" collapsed during a performance of Into the Woods.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Giving it your best try is all that is asked! Community theatre is a place for everyone to grow and is an awesome place to make new friends and memories.
I have been on committees before and knew I had something to offer this committee - plus, Fiona asked me really nicely.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you while being involved in a show (either on stage, backstage, FOH etc)
When the set piece of the "bridge" collapsed during a performance of Into the Woods.
What do you want the theatre community to know about working in theatre?
Giving it your best try is all that is asked! Community theatre is a place for everyone to grow and is an awesome place to make new friends and memories.
