September 2022
From the President, Peter Hodges
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the CHMCC newsletter! We’ve got lots happening so let’s get into it!
We are in the final five weeks of rehearsals before the grand opening of “Priscilla Queen of the
Desert” and we are so excited! Vanessa, Maureen, Gabby and team are putting countless hours of time and energy into bringing this iconic Aussie musical to our humble little stage. Tickets are on sale now and this is one show you do not want to miss out on. See later in this newsletter for a report from Vanessa and some behind the scenes pictures.
We must thank our friends at CHATS, who hosted the annual James Hall Memorial Variety Night last weekend. By all accounts it was a wonderful evening of outstanding talent, with money raised going towards helping out people on their cancer journey on the Coffs Coast. We miss James deeply and it is so good that his legacy lives on in this annual event.
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2023 season in the next week or so! We are VERY excited about the upcoming year and can’t wait to share the excitement with you!
That’ll do from me for now.
See you at the theatre.
Peter Hodges
President
Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company
We are in the final five weeks of rehearsals before the grand opening of “Priscilla Queen of the
Desert” and we are so excited! Vanessa, Maureen, Gabby and team are putting countless hours of time and energy into bringing this iconic Aussie musical to our humble little stage. Tickets are on sale now and this is one show you do not want to miss out on. See later in this newsletter for a report from Vanessa and some behind the scenes pictures.
We must thank our friends at CHATS, who hosted the annual James Hall Memorial Variety Night last weekend. By all accounts it was a wonderful evening of outstanding talent, with money raised going towards helping out people on their cancer journey on the Coffs Coast. We miss James deeply and it is so good that his legacy lives on in this annual event.
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2023 season in the next week or so! We are VERY excited about the upcoming year and can’t wait to share the excitement with you!
That’ll do from me for now.
See you at the theatre.
Peter Hodges
President
Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company
From the Secretary, Fiona Shaw
Hi all!
I would first like to thank Samantha Fauchon for all her work as Secretary for the company these past years - they have not been easy years, and I congratulate her on her work during this time! Thank you so much Sam!
For those who do not know me, I am Fiona Shaw. I am relatively "fresh" to the the world of theatre. My first role in theatre was volunteering backstage and ushering for Into the Woods in May 2021. Since then, I have been involved with several productions, both with CHMCC and NAIDU/ WPAS.
December 2020 was the first time, at 30 years old, that I was on stage, as the very hated Jemma Jones for the WPAS Adult TPP production of Naughty or Nice, and most recently I appeared in the WPAS production of Heartbreak Mixtape, where I sung my very first solo (it was terrifying, I loved it!).
I have always enjoyed going to the theatre, but I especially enjoy volunteering my time there. I think its my calling in life (outside of my professional career) to volunteer however I can. I have previous experience with committees, specifically Southern Cross University's Coffs Harbour Students' Association, where I was the President for 2.5 years. Many of the skills from that role are transferrable to my work within this company.
Being a volunteer is immensely enjoyable, and I implore all of the community to "give it a go" at some point in their lives. We are always on the lookout for new ushers and stage hands, so if that sounds like something you'd be interested in doing, email us!
I have several goals for my time as the secretary. Some of these are minor fixes to the website and internal processes, whilst others involve the membership, such as updating the constitution or re-establishing community links with our theatre family. One of my goals is to establish processes and procedures which will stand the test of time, but are malleable and easy to update/ change if needed. With the support of the new committee and the membership, I am positive that 2022-2023 is going to be an outstanding year for CHMCC and the theatre community!
Over the coming weeks I will be establishing a monthly social get-together for the community. This may be as simple as a BYO BBQ of a weekend, to bowling, to karaoke or trivia! However, I am ONE person, and I cannot do everything (although I would love to believe I can, that's just unrealistic). If you would like to be a part of the organisation committee for the social group, PLEASE reach out to me! We are looking for members who are beyond those in the committee to volunteer their time and knowledge to helping us re-establish community links.
I am so excited for the next 12 months as a part of the CHMCC committee, and I would love to see each and everyone of you involved in some way. The community we have here in Coffs is one-of-a-kind and you are all so talented and knowledgeable in your own way. Lets encourage each other, remain kind and Ill see you at the theatre!!
Lots of love xx
Fiona Shaw
Secretary CHMCC
I would first like to thank Samantha Fauchon for all her work as Secretary for the company these past years - they have not been easy years, and I congratulate her on her work during this time! Thank you so much Sam!
For those who do not know me, I am Fiona Shaw. I am relatively "fresh" to the the world of theatre. My first role in theatre was volunteering backstage and ushering for Into the Woods in May 2021. Since then, I have been involved with several productions, both with CHMCC and NAIDU/ WPAS.
December 2020 was the first time, at 30 years old, that I was on stage, as the very hated Jemma Jones for the WPAS Adult TPP production of Naughty or Nice, and most recently I appeared in the WPAS production of Heartbreak Mixtape, where I sung my very first solo (it was terrifying, I loved it!).
I have always enjoyed going to the theatre, but I especially enjoy volunteering my time there. I think its my calling in life (outside of my professional career) to volunteer however I can. I have previous experience with committees, specifically Southern Cross University's Coffs Harbour Students' Association, where I was the President for 2.5 years. Many of the skills from that role are transferrable to my work within this company.
Being a volunteer is immensely enjoyable, and I implore all of the community to "give it a go" at some point in their lives. We are always on the lookout for new ushers and stage hands, so if that sounds like something you'd be interested in doing, email us!
I have several goals for my time as the secretary. Some of these are minor fixes to the website and internal processes, whilst others involve the membership, such as updating the constitution or re-establishing community links with our theatre family. One of my goals is to establish processes and procedures which will stand the test of time, but are malleable and easy to update/ change if needed. With the support of the new committee and the membership, I am positive that 2022-2023 is going to be an outstanding year for CHMCC and the theatre community!
Over the coming weeks I will be establishing a monthly social get-together for the community. This may be as simple as a BYO BBQ of a weekend, to bowling, to karaoke or trivia! However, I am ONE person, and I cannot do everything (although I would love to believe I can, that's just unrealistic). If you would like to be a part of the organisation committee for the social group, PLEASE reach out to me! We are looking for members who are beyond those in the committee to volunteer their time and knowledge to helping us re-establish community links.
I am so excited for the next 12 months as a part of the CHMCC committee, and I would love to see each and everyone of you involved in some way. The community we have here in Coffs is one-of-a-kind and you are all so talented and knowledgeable in your own way. Lets encourage each other, remain kind and Ill see you at the theatre!!
Lots of love xx
Fiona Shaw
Secretary CHMCC
From the Director of Priscilla, Vanessa Crossley
With just over 5 weeks to go until opening night, the cast are working extremely hard to present the best show possible to our audiences.
Although a fun and visually stunning show it is also a show full of challenging harmonies and big dance numbers which have challenged all involved.
Gabby Shanks, our choreographer, has been working hard to prepare the cast to perform 15 huge dance numbers involving the ensemble and our very talented group of 8 dancers, 6 of whom are aged 16 and under.
The wonderful Maureen Burgess has assembled a fantastic band of musicians who have been practicing on Saturdays in preparation for our Sitzprobe on October 10th.
The rehearsal period has not been without the usual challenges of cast illness, a COVID outbreak with 10 cast members being out of action, dance injuries (both with dancers and our assistant director), cast absentees both planned and unplanned and the challenge of finding Size 14 heels to fit out male leads and then to learn to dance and walk in them.
Fingers crossed our costumes will arrive next week in time for our mass fitting on October 9th which involves over 250 costumes. They are spectacular and the audiences will love them.
Our bus is in the process of being built and no doubt will be great.
We all look forward to bringing all the colourful characters to life in November. See you all aboard the Priscilla Bus then.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert Director, Vanessa Crossley
Although a fun and visually stunning show it is also a show full of challenging harmonies and big dance numbers which have challenged all involved.
Gabby Shanks, our choreographer, has been working hard to prepare the cast to perform 15 huge dance numbers involving the ensemble and our very talented group of 8 dancers, 6 of whom are aged 16 and under.
The wonderful Maureen Burgess has assembled a fantastic band of musicians who have been practicing on Saturdays in preparation for our Sitzprobe on October 10th.
The rehearsal period has not been without the usual challenges of cast illness, a COVID outbreak with 10 cast members being out of action, dance injuries (both with dancers and our assistant director), cast absentees both planned and unplanned and the challenge of finding Size 14 heels to fit out male leads and then to learn to dance and walk in them.
Fingers crossed our costumes will arrive next week in time for our mass fitting on October 9th which involves over 250 costumes. They are spectacular and the audiences will love them.
Our bus is in the process of being built and no doubt will be great.
We all look forward to bringing all the colourful characters to life in November. See you all aboard the Priscilla Bus then.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert Director, Vanessa Crossley
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Volunteers - Backstage and Ushers
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If you have ever wanted to Usher or try backstage work, please reach out! CHMCC are looking for a variety of people to fill these ever important roles for the upcoming production of Priscilla.
If this sounds like something you would like to try, please email us! |
AGM outcome 2022
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The August 2022 AGM brought in a few new faces to the CHMCC Committee, along with some returning committee members. We sadly say 'see you later' to Samantha Fauchon as Secretary, but welcome in Fiona Shaw to this role.
Tom Madden and Annemarie Cohen were also welcomed in to the committee at the AGM, and at a recent meeting the vacant position was voted in to be held by Emily Cooper. Returning committee in the same roles are Peter Hodges as President, Dee Tune as Vice President, David Tune as Treasurer and General Committee members Mel Winkler, Courtney Bannon and Emily-rose Dalton. |
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Upcoming events
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CHATS presents
Midsummer Night's Dream Staring many new and old theatre faces. Make sure to head along to see this Shakespeare classic reimagined. Directed by Lily Tasker and Manny Lagettie. October 7th - 16th ONLY Tickets |
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The Criterion Theatre Grafton presents
Evie and the Birdman. Jacinta Bentley (The Dragon in Shrek, The Witch in Into the Woods and Donna in Mamma Mia) directs this fast-passed Australian musical aimed at young adults or those who remember being young. Starring Chantelle Thorn and Wesley Chegwhiddon, who have both started in several CHMCC musicals. October 6th - 9th ONLY Tickets |
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Make sure to click the links to purchase your tickets today!
2023 May show announcement!
Information on auditions will be released within the coming month. Keep an eye out on our social media, and sign up to our newsletter to keep up-to-date!
