Council

• 
  John Barnes

  Chair

  South East

  Landline: 01580 830 830
  Mobile: 07803 905000

  First involved with Am Dram at school when I took the lead in Nicholas Nickleby; unable to get involved again until 1996 when I joined a society; attended NODA Summer School since 1998 both as student and more latterly as Summer School Committee member; served as South East Area Regional representative; elected South East Regional Councillor 2009; Vice President of NODA 2013-14; President of NODA 2014-15. Member of Council since 2009; Life member on Council and currently Interim Chairman of NODA until AGM in September 2017.
• 
  Nick Lawrence

  President

  South West

  Nick started working for NODA in1987 when he took over from Harold Masding. He served as a Regional Representative covering Siuth Devon from Brixham to Tiverton. When he gave up as a Rep Mary Hobbs talked him into being Regional Editor. He produced magazines until they were moved entirely online when Gerry Branton persuaded him to become Membership Secretary. When Gerry was elevated to the Presidency Nick became Councillor travelling all over the South West in support of amateur theatre. Currently he is serving as National President but continues to be our Membership Secretary    
• 
  Michael Hastilow

  Immediate Past President

  West Midlands

  My first appearance was in a village pageant, at Grammar School I took part in 3 G & S productions , I once played before Dr Beeching ( of Railway cuts infamy). I took a break whilst I qualified as an Accountant and ultimately became an acting and dancing member of West Bromwich Operatic Society , here I became part of the Societies Management Committee taking various roles, Programme Editor, Social Secretary, Treasurer and Business Manager. I was invited by Neville Cook to be Midlands Area Treasurer and have had an active involvement in my local NODA Region culminating me becoming Regional Councillor in January 2010. I became President September 2016. Other interests include books and heritage railways.
• 
  Bert Lumsden

  Life Member

  Scotland

  I have never appeared on stage in a show so all my service has been administrative. Secretary and President of Dundee O.S. for 21 years led to my becoming Regional Rep. in Scotland Region No2 for 19 years. One time Chairman of Regional Reps, on committee for NODA Centenary Celebrations in 1999 and member of Management committee. Became Councillor for Scotland 2003-2008 then National President 2008-2009 and again 2013-2014. Presently serving as Life Member on Council
• 
  Don McKay

  East

  I have been involved in amateur theatre for 20 years in every aspect from society committee chairman to front of house manager, stage manager, lighting and sound operator, pit musician, director and actor, performing many lead roles during this time in both musicals and dramatic plays. I became a NODA East Regional Representative for District 1 in 2010 and was in post for three years before becoming a National Councillor. My professional background for the past 40 years has been in the electrical industry as an engineer. I am married to Maxine and have four grown up children and six grandchildren. Family career and NODA take up almost all of my time, however I do like to squeeze in the odd onstage performance or directing role when possible.
• 
  Nanette Lovell

  East Midlands

  I have been Councillor for the East Midlands for 6 years.  Prior to this I was a representative and secretary for the East Midlands.  I first knew of NODA when I joined Northampton Amateur Operatic Company (now Northampton Musical Theatre Company) in 1974.  I was in numerous musical theatre productions starting in the chorus and moving through the ranks to playing leading roles – my favourite being the classic “Mrs Higgins” in “My Fair Lady”.  I still enjoy performing as well as seeing so many wonderful productions throughout the East Midlands.
• 
  Jacquie Stedman

  London

  I am privileged to have served the London Region on Council for the last 11 years and during that time the standard of amateur theatre has risen out of all recognition. 

  Having served my time on the stage performing in both musicals and plays, and then donning the director's mantle, I had to stand down due to pressure of work and came to NODA to continue that involvement which is at the heart of all we do. Having been 'promoted' from being a Regional Rep for seven years to the post of Regional Councillor eleven years ago, I became the Chairman of the NODA Theatre Summer School seven years ago. Having been a performer and director over the years I advocate amateur theatre as a life skill for all walks of life - especially for young people.
• 
  Gordon Richardson

  North

  Gordon has been involved with amateur theatre since before he was born - his mother taking him to shows and his local society rehearsals whilst she was pregnant - it was a matter of assumption rather than informed choice that once he become old enough to take to the stage he did so - his first experience being as a young prince in 'King and I' at the age of 8. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since those first steps onto the stage and now some almost 60 years later he has just received his 45 year LSA.

  In those years he has appeared in more musicals than he cares to mention and a multitude of plays. He is the first to admit that given his singing voice (somewhere between the cracks of the keys...) his first love is drama and loves nothing better than to act.
  His other love, somewhat masochistically, is the politics of amateur theatre and hence the role of Regional Councillor is such a great fit for him as he loves the 'cut and thrust' of committee discussion and decision making. Although Gordon has been interested in NODA since he joined his local society over forty odd years since it is only in 2010 when he was elected as a regional rep (having twice lost out to other opposition). In 2012 in Cardiff at the national AGM he was honoured to receive the 'Presidents Cup' by then retiring president Fred Piggford. This inspired and motivated him to standing for election to the Regional Councillor position in 2013, a role he was proud to be elevated to. He continues to love the friendships he has made through visiting societies and will continue as long as he is able.
  Fun Fact - he once shook hands with the, then, President of the USA.
• 
  Leslie Smith

  North East

  I have been involved with Noda societies for almost 50 years, during that time I have worked with many societies in both South and West Yorkshire plus understudying for one North Yorkshire society.

  I have been a Regional Rep. for Noda North East for 6 years until becoming Noda North East Councillor in September 2017.
• 
  Christine Hunter Hughes

  North West

  I was proud to be elected as Councillor for NODA NW in 2011 having served for the previous 3 years as Regional Representative for District 2.  I have literally been involved in theatre my entire life having originally ‘followed in my father’s footsteps’ and briefly joined the Oldham Repertory Theatre as a drama student, but left ‘the rep’ to join the WRNS.  Since then I have played a wide range of roles from Lady Macbeth in the Scottish Play, to a Fairy Godmother in pantomime, and all points in between.  Now – in the” autumn of my life” I am still inspired by Amateur Theatre and proud of the privileged to serve on Council as the NW Councillor, and a member of Mancom.  
• 
  Kay Rowan

  South East

  Landline: 01420 83076
  Mobile: 0771 5629935

  Kay has been involved in singing and amateur theatre since she performed in Aristophanes 'The Frogs' at school. She has been involved both on stage, backstage, in the orchestra, and on society committees for more years than she cares to remember. From Chairman to tea-lady, from Business Manager to cleaner there are very few society jobs she has not been involved in. Kay joined the NODA Council as Regional Councillor in 2014 having previously served as a regional rep. She relishes the opportunity that being on the Council gives her to serve the societies of the south-east.
• 
  Graham Liverton

  South West

  Born in Sidmouth, Devonshire, and proud of it, Graham became interested in drama and performance while at school from singing in choirs to acting. "Let's make an Opera" by Benjamin Britten was his first show, taking the part of The Little Sweep aged 11!

  Graham began his working life as a trainee chef and worked in London for a while but changed to the largely 9 to 5 life in the retail busiess. This gave him time to pursue his hobby of treading the boards - acting and singing in many musicals, plays and pantomimes (usually the Dame role) and directing on the odd occasion (including producing a potted panto at his chulrch with a completely untried cast!)

   
• 
  Jordan Spencer

  Wales & Ireland

  Jordan began performing at a young age whilst attending a private stage school in South Wales, little did he know that this would see him work professionally on TV and stage. Jordan was also involved in amateur theatre companies where he played a number of leading roles. At the age of 15 Jordan felt that theatre schools were not totally inclusive and therefore he started a group which supported various students from all different backgrounds helping with their physical and emotional needs whilst at the same time teaching them about performing arts.

  Aged 14 Jordan made a name for himself within Wales performing on the Clubland circuit working for a leading entertainments agent. At the age of 17 Jordan managed to secure a professional contract and worked as an Assistant Entertainments Manager for a South Wales holiday park before leaving a year later to take the post of Entertainments Manager for a leading holiday company in Southern England.

  Since returning home in 2014 Jordan has continued to perform both in theatre and also as a cabaret performer for corporate events and he was fortunate to sign a recording deal for a label in Soho, London. In 2015 he became a Regional Representative for District 6, an area which he served for 18 months before being elected to office as Regional Councillor for Wales and Ireland. Jordan was recognised for his achievements in 2016 and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in November 2015.

  Currently Jordan is studying at Ridley Hall, Cambridge where he is reading Theology, Ministry and Mission in the hope that he will go on to become a Priest in the Anglican Communion.

  Fun fact – Jordan was recognised for his voluntary contribution to society at the young age of 14 years old by the Prime Minister, this saw Jordan and his family attend Number 10 for the reception.
• 
  Ian G Cox

  West Midlands

  In the world of amateur theatre and associated arts and music, Ian has been involved both on stage and behind the scenes for over 50 years!!! In an administrative and management capacity, Ian was chairman of Bromsgrove Operatic Society for 25 years. When in 2016 Ian became the Society President. 
  Being elected Regional Councillor in 2016 after only 5 years as a NODA representative has been an honour and privilege, and Ian relishes the opportunity to apply his experience and knowledge to help and encourage others.
  Ian very much appreciates the strength and commitment contributed by the regional team as we seek collectively in supporting the aspirations of NODA members here in the West Midlands. 
  Ian and his wife Karen look forward to your invitations for your forthcoming productions.