January 2021
A note from the Treasurer... Welcome to 2021.
How amazing that we were able to overcome the disruption of a global pandemic and still emerge with a healthy theatre community and a healthy income.
Ordinary Days and Back to the Theatre netted the company nearly $8000 in our exciting return to the stage in November, marking our first profitable show season since 18-19 financial year.
We are continuing to work as a Committee to get the books in order. An ongoing problem we face is that, while we are making profitable shows, it has been some years since the profits have covered the cost of running the organisation. We have identified several areas in which we can tackle expenditure and have been experimenting with changes in practice to see how expenses can be minimised.
Additionally, the Committee is seeking to create a register of assets so that there is an understanding of what we own, use and need, and how depreciation is also affecting the Company's books.
However, the changes we are implementing are not limited to how we manage the books. This year has brought to light the need for the Company to engage with its members outside our regular shows. We are investigating the steps to create a digital platform, applications and community that allows you to engage with the Committee and with each other.
The first and most immediately obvious step was to digitise current processes. It's why our membership this year has moved online. You won't need to fiddle with paper forms and cash anymore. For both Ordinary Days and Into The Woods, the entire audition booking system occurred online and occurred with tremendous efficiency. Step by step, we are modernising and looking at best practice as we look to our half century as a Company in 2028.
We are very excited about the upcoming year in theatre and look forward to having you on board. Don't forget to read Peter's report on upcoming productions and click HERE to renew your 2021 membership online.
Here's to a prosperous year ahead in community theatre.
Paul McLeod
Treasurer, CHMCC
Ordinary Days and Back to the Theatre netted the company nearly $8000 in our exciting return to the stage in November, marking our first profitable show season since 18-19 financial year.
We are continuing to work as a Committee to get the books in order. An ongoing problem we face is that, while we are making profitable shows, it has been some years since the profits have covered the cost of running the organisation. We have identified several areas in which we can tackle expenditure and have been experimenting with changes in practice to see how expenses can be minimised.
Additionally, the Committee is seeking to create a register of assets so that there is an understanding of what we own, use and need, and how depreciation is also affecting the Company's books.
However, the changes we are implementing are not limited to how we manage the books. This year has brought to light the need for the Company to engage with its members outside our regular shows. We are investigating the steps to create a digital platform, applications and community that allows you to engage with the Committee and with each other.
The first and most immediately obvious step was to digitise current processes. It's why our membership this year has moved online. You won't need to fiddle with paper forms and cash anymore. For both Ordinary Days and Into The Woods, the entire audition booking system occurred online and occurred with tremendous efficiency. Step by step, we are modernising and looking at best practice as we look to our half century as a Company in 2028.
We are very excited about the upcoming year in theatre and look forward to having you on board. Don't forget to read Peter's report on upcoming productions and click HERE to renew your 2021 membership online.
Here's to a prosperous year ahead in community theatre.
Paul McLeod
Treasurer, CHMCC
President's Report
Hello everyone and welcome to the first newsletter for 2021.
By now, most of you would have heard the news about the passing of one of our beloved members, James Hall. James fought a long battle against cancer, finally succumbing to this insidious disease last Sunday morning. He will be remembered for his many and varied roles with both CHMCC and CHATS; I personally was lucky enough to work with James on a number of occasions and was always in admiration of his work ethic and commitment to his roles. Those who worked with him will remember his habit of learning all the other actor’s lines, as well as his own, before they did! Taken far too young, James will be sadly missed by all of the Coffs Harbour theatre community. Beckley Vincent and Rex Madigan are currently working on a tribute to James – details to come soon. Vale James William Hall.
We were very pleased to be able to put on two shows in November, with both ‘Ordinary Days’ and ‘Back to the Theatre’ proving to be just the tonic for the crazy times we currently live in. Thank you to everyone who came to support something a little different to what we normally do. On a personal note, I was absolutely thrilled that I was able to direct a ‘passion project’ of mine with OD and I offer my sincere thanks to the brilliant cast of Josh, Fiona, Yasmin and Sam, the incredible Brandon as MD, the indefatigable Jake as stage manager / production manager / everything else, Sheydan for her professionalism as Jake’s offsider, and the tech team of the always-reliable Brett and Greg, for all their work in bringing this little-known but entertaining show to our humble stage. ‘Back to the Theatre’ was a huge amount of fun and I thank John, Josh, Donna and the cast for all their hard work in making this production a success also. Whilst ticket sales weren’t what we would have hoped (for both shows), the uncertainty around the ever-changing COVID-19 situation was certainly an obvious issue.
We have received resignations from two of our committee members in recent weeks - John Greene, who has served on committee for a number of years, and Josh Vucicevic, who while only new to committee had already proven to be a valuable contributor. John is taking some time away from the theatre to pursue other projects, while Josh is relocating back to Victoria to be closer to family. We thank John and Josh for their hard work and wish them all the best – hopefully we will see them both return to the company in the not-too-distant future.
Josh’s departure opens the door for a new director to take the reins of ‘Into The Woods’, and we are very excited to announce that Tim Gibbs has agreed to step into the role. Tim has a wealth of experience as both a professional actor and director, originally from London and cutting his teeth on the West End. Tim has recently moved to Coffs Harbour from Port Macquarie, where he directed ‘Into The Woods’ in 2017. He knows the show intimately and has some very exciting plans for bringing it to the Jetty Theatre stage. Welcome Tim! Rehearsals get back under way this Sunday 31 January and we look forward to bringing it to the stage in May.
That’s it from me for now. As always, we are your committee, so please get in contact with me or any of the rest of the committee if we can do anything for you – our contact details are at the end of this and every newsletter.
See you at the theatre!
Peter Hodges
President, CHMCC
By now, most of you would have heard the news about the passing of one of our beloved members, James Hall. James fought a long battle against cancer, finally succumbing to this insidious disease last Sunday morning. He will be remembered for his many and varied roles with both CHMCC and CHATS; I personally was lucky enough to work with James on a number of occasions and was always in admiration of his work ethic and commitment to his roles. Those who worked with him will remember his habit of learning all the other actor’s lines, as well as his own, before they did! Taken far too young, James will be sadly missed by all of the Coffs Harbour theatre community. Beckley Vincent and Rex Madigan are currently working on a tribute to James – details to come soon. Vale James William Hall.
We were very pleased to be able to put on two shows in November, with both ‘Ordinary Days’ and ‘Back to the Theatre’ proving to be just the tonic for the crazy times we currently live in. Thank you to everyone who came to support something a little different to what we normally do. On a personal note, I was absolutely thrilled that I was able to direct a ‘passion project’ of mine with OD and I offer my sincere thanks to the brilliant cast of Josh, Fiona, Yasmin and Sam, the incredible Brandon as MD, the indefatigable Jake as stage manager / production manager / everything else, Sheydan for her professionalism as Jake’s offsider, and the tech team of the always-reliable Brett and Greg, for all their work in bringing this little-known but entertaining show to our humble stage. ‘Back to the Theatre’ was a huge amount of fun and I thank John, Josh, Donna and the cast for all their hard work in making this production a success also. Whilst ticket sales weren’t what we would have hoped (for both shows), the uncertainty around the ever-changing COVID-19 situation was certainly an obvious issue.
We have received resignations from two of our committee members in recent weeks - John Greene, who has served on committee for a number of years, and Josh Vucicevic, who while only new to committee had already proven to be a valuable contributor. John is taking some time away from the theatre to pursue other projects, while Josh is relocating back to Victoria to be closer to family. We thank John and Josh for their hard work and wish them all the best – hopefully we will see them both return to the company in the not-too-distant future.
Josh’s departure opens the door for a new director to take the reins of ‘Into The Woods’, and we are very excited to announce that Tim Gibbs has agreed to step into the role. Tim has a wealth of experience as both a professional actor and director, originally from London and cutting his teeth on the West End. Tim has recently moved to Coffs Harbour from Port Macquarie, where he directed ‘Into The Woods’ in 2017. He knows the show intimately and has some very exciting plans for bringing it to the Jetty Theatre stage. Welcome Tim! Rehearsals get back under way this Sunday 31 January and we look forward to bringing it to the stage in May.
That’s it from me for now. As always, we are your committee, so please get in contact with me or any of the rest of the committee if we can do anything for you – our contact details are at the end of this and every newsletter.
See you at the theatre!
Peter Hodges
President, CHMCC
2021 Season
CHMCC is excited to announce our full 2021 Season!
Our postponed productions of 'Into the Woods' and 'Mamma Mia' will proceed as planned with a few changes in the production teams as mentioned by Peter in his report. We look forward to seeing these shows come to life on the Jetty Theatre stage.
CHMCC JR. are excited to announce that 2021 will see the addition of a third season in September 2021. We are thrilled for the Junior’s to have the opportunity to produce the Wizard of Oz (Young Performers' Edition) under the gifted hands of Director and Musical Director Billie-Jo Dukes.
CHMCC JR are looking for volunteers to assist with the production side of things, specifically: sound, lighting, props and costuming.
If you are interested, please send them an email here
Be sure to keep an eye on our social media for information on auditions!
Our postponed productions of 'Into the Woods' and 'Mamma Mia' will proceed as planned with a few changes in the production teams as mentioned by Peter in his report. We look forward to seeing these shows come to life on the Jetty Theatre stage.
CHMCC JR. are excited to announce that 2021 will see the addition of a third season in September 2021. We are thrilled for the Junior’s to have the opportunity to produce the Wizard of Oz (Young Performers' Edition) under the gifted hands of Director and Musical Director Billie-Jo Dukes.
CHMCC JR are looking for volunteers to assist with the production side of things, specifically: sound, lighting, props and costuming.
If you are interested, please send them an email here
Be sure to keep an eye on our social media for information on auditions!
