Committee - East Midlands

• 
  Jules Jones

  Regional Councillor / Councillor / Volunteer

  jules.jones@noda.org.uk

  I have over 40 years experience of amateur dramatics. Music Hall, choirs, pantomimes, musicals and plays.  I have lived in Surrey, West Sussex and now Lincolnshire.  I have probably been involved with 10 different dramatic societies or choirs over the years and been a member of NODA for the almost 20.  I have taken on many roles within the societies I have been a member of, both on and off the stage.  I particularly enjoy directing, but can turn my hand to set design, backdrop painting, lighting and my favourite hobby is making props and costumes.  I used to dance and can appreciate challenges in choreography as well as directing music based shows.  When I get an opportunity to act I tend to throw myself into the role and enjoy experimenting with a character and imagining a whole backstory to enable me to give the best performance.  Even with a non-speaking walk-on role!  I find myself getting involved with fund raising and the running of the society I belong to, currently Secretary for St Nicolas Players who recently became a charity. I have also acted for medical based emergency training scenarios and GP training for which I travel all over the UK.  Being involved with NODA is an opportunity to experience productions and shows from many other groups, to get to know theatrical communities, and meeting with amateurs who share my passion for the craft.  It is also a privilege to pass on my experience in the form of a show report which will hopefully be appreciated by all members of NODA and the societies involved.

   
• 
  Alison Roberts

  Regional Secretary / Regional Secretary / Membership Secretary / Volunteer

  alison.roberts@noda.org.uk

  My interest in amateur dramatics started when I was quite young, being taken to local productions by my mum and her dotty aunts.  In the Sixth Form at school I enjoyed being on stage in several school productions and as part of a dance group.  At 18 I had my first part in a play with my church drama group – well, they needed someone to play a girl doing her A Levels!  

  Moving to Northampton, as a student I loved my studies of both Modern Educational Dance and Drama as part of my Combined Studies degree, and helping out backstage with the annual G&S production.

  After I had my two daughters, I joined the admin staff at a large secondary school, working initially for the Expressive Arts team, where I became very involved in the school shows.   I choreographed “Bugsy Malone”, “Joseph” and “Little Shop of Horrors”, and costumed “Evita”, “We Will Rock You” and “Beauty and the Beast” (which nearly finished me off!).  I spent my last 8 years at the school as Clerk to the Governors. 

  I first joined Hardingstone Players 22 years ago, after a friend roped me in to help front of house.  My first part was playing Vera in “Stepping Out”, which was very scary but such great fun.  I’ve been a member of Players ever since and have held the post of Treasurer for several years now.  As it’s a very small group I enjoy the challenge of multiple roles, from tea lady to costume making, prompt to Director (and often at the same time!).

  I am a regular attender (and great fan) of NODA Summer School - not least because it gave me the courage to first try my hand at directing.

  I’ve been Secretary of NODA East Midlands since July 2017.
• 
  Kelly Taylor

  Regional Treasurer / Volunteer

  kelly.taylor@noda.org.uk

  I joined amateur theatre in 2021, after being told all my life I was a drama queen! I have performed with my local group, St Nicolas Players, in 2 plays, debuting in “A Bunch of Amateurs” in 2022, and more recently “Fight them for the Beeches” in 2023. I was also able to takes St Nic’s first panto in many years to the South Holland Centre stage in Spalding in March of 2024, as the whimsical “Professor Whimsey”, from Kei Bailey’s “Mother Goose”.  I also performed at the Blackfriars Art Centre in Boston, with cameo roles in “Lady in the Van” and with BOS in “My Fair Lady” in 2023.  I have also been involved in filming with local horror film group “Horror Horde”, and in the dark thriller “15 & Killing it” with “The Holbeach film company”.  Away from stage and screen, I work as a finance manager for national horticulture firm, and have 3 children and a long-suffering husband, who all encourage my hobbies, with my daughter joining me on screen, and my two sons supporting me from the audience.
• 
  Adam Collishaw

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM01)

  adam.collishaw@noda.org.uk

  I started performing when I was a young boy at the Nottingham Arts Theatre and have had the honour to perform with a number of local companies and continue to enjoy treading the boards.

  My family have been involved in amateur theatre for many years and we all appreciate the commitment that is required. I met my wife when we performed together in West Side Story 20 years ago and our children also enjoy performing and helping backstage.

  I have a wide range of experience on stage, backstage, on committees and every area of the amateur theatre world.
• 
  Joyce Handbury

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM02)

  joyce.handbury@noda.org.uk

  I first became involved with amateur theatre in 1956 when I both acted in and produced plays with Ripley Players. In 1967 I joined Ripley Cooperative Operatic Society, which became Ripley & Alfreton Operatic Society and then Ripley & Alfreton Musical Theatre Company, performing as a chorus member and playing cameo roles. I have produced pantomimes and choreographed numerous school shows. I was Treasurer and Ticket Secretary for the Ripley & Alfreton group for 49 years, Front of House Manager for 18 years and also for many years, I was involved with the publicity and production of show programmes.
• 
  Martin Holtom

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM03)

  martin.holtom@noda.org.uk

  Martin first experienced performance as part of the South Humberside School’s Brass Band playing for the Queen and Prince Philip at ‘Brigg Fair’ as part of the 1977 Silver Jubilee celebrations, before moving into drama at school and 6th form college. This included acting, directing and writing his own material in several end of term ‘satirical revues’ which ‘have luckily have never since seen the light of day…’

  Martin has subsequently appeared in and directed, a variety of plays and musicals from ‘Little Shop’ to ‘Much Ado’ with his one claim to fame being the ‘face’ (well silhouetted body), of the 2012 RSC Open Stages National Showcase in Stratford where he played Oberon in ‘The Pocket Dream’ at the Swan Theatre.

  In June 2015 he became NODA East Midlands Region 3 District Rep and is very much enjoying this great opportunity to experience the different types of theatre across Nottinghamshire and is constantly delighted by the quality and enthusiasm he sees in all the productions throughout the year.
• 
  Julie Addison

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM04)

  julie.addison@noda.org.uk

  Hi, I’m Julie your NODA East Midlands Region 4 representative.  I have been involved with amateur dramatics since joining Maltby Musical Theatre Group for their 2010 production of 'South Pacific' and then went on to play some wonderful character parts such as Fruma Sarah in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and Hold me Touch Me in the ‘Producers’.  Originally from Bradford (a Yorkshire lass at heart) I have been living in Lincoln (with my partner David Ridout, NODA Awards Secretary) for over 10 years.   I have performed in various other roles with local societies and drama groups including CAODS ‘Sister Act’, Starring Lincoln’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and ‘Oliver’, pantomimes with Saxilby Drama Circle and Penfold Players and Mrs Bradman in ‘Blithe Spirit’ with the Asylum Players.  Since 2021 I have directed and performed in Waddington Dramatic Society’s productions, including our NODA award winning production of ‘The Flint Street Nativity’, and have performed in many shows since.  I am also currently Publicity Officer for Waddington Dramatic Society.

  I have a real passion for amateur dramatics - whether it’s acting directing or helping behind the scenes or creating stage sets and making props, so I have background knowledge of what it takes to make a great show.   Hope to see you soon at your next production!
• 
  Kei Bailey

  Regional Representative (District EM05)

  kei.bailey@noda.org.uk

  I've been involved with theatre for over 30 years now and worked professionally in the industry for 10 years before becoming a teacher. During the course of these 30 years, I have written, directed and performed in countless productions and feel amateur dramatics is the backbone of theatre in this country. 

  For many years, I was a youth theatre director and, although I am no longer directly involved, I am a huge advocate for young people involving themselves in performance arts. I also believe theatre should be accessible to all and, through my work with Stardust Theatre Company, champion inclusivity on the stage. 

  I love acting and some of the favourite roles I have played include: Edward Kynaston in Nell Gwynn, Canon Throbbing in Habeas Corpus, the March Hare in Alice in Wonderland, Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest, the Narrator in Flint Street Nativity and Mr Humphries in Are You Being Served?. I adore pantomime and have performed as a dame in ten pantos. 

  My biggest passion is script writing. I have written over fifteen pantomimes which are performed throughout the UK. I have also written full-length plays, one-act comedies, short films and monologues, many of which have won awards.  

  I am looking forward to exploring the world of amateur dramatics further in my new role as a NODA rep. 
• 
  Colin Blackler

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM06)

  colin.blackler@noda.org.uk

  Colin had his first experience of musical theatre playing the non-speaking role of The Boy King in Ivor Novello's King's Rhapsody, at the age of 12, in Bristol. At about the same time, still a treble in his local Church choir, he sang the part of Mabel in a school production of G&S's Pirates of Penzance.  Some years later, having relocated to Oxfordshire, he followed his parents' passion for stage musicals by appearing in Oklahoma! in Banbury.  Since then, Colin has appeared in over 100 productions, most recently at Hinckley Concordia Theatre, in Leicestershire. Colin has played in almost all the Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, and taken leading roles in many stage musicals, favourite parts being the title role in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.  Colin's interest in musical theatre followed a family tradition; his mother and father having been active in stage musicals for most of their lives.  Coincidentally, he carried on another family interest in becoming an East Midlands Noda Rep in 2023, his mother having performed that role in the West Midlands several years earlier.  Professionally, Colin spent most of his working life in NHS management, and in recent years has worked as a Consultant in various NHS organisations.
• 
  Yvette Bougourd

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM07)

  yvette.bougourd@noda.org.uk

  I have spent many years performing in amateur shows as well as working behind the scenes on the sound desk, backstage, choreography and costumes. Theatre has been a huge part of my life since childhood and I’ve been lucky enough to also work professionally in this field. I’m looking forward to representing my district and supporting local groups with their productions. 
• 
  Caroline Jervis

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM08)

  caroline.jervis@noda.org.uk

  I have been involved with amateur dramatics since 1977, as a performer with Kettering Youth Theatre Group, Kettering Operatic Society, Kettering Hillside Theatre Group, Corby Amateur Theatrical Society, Market Harborough and Bonkers Theatrical. I have also been a Properties Mistress and Assistant Stage Manager. I was the Treasurer for Kettering Youth Theatre Group for five years and their Chairman for three years. I love all genres of theatre and am very proud to represent East Midlands District 7. I am also Regional Treasurer.  
• 
  Claire Collishaw

  Assistant Regional Rep / Volunteer (District EM01)

  claire.collishaw@noda.org.uk

  I have performed on stage since I was at School and had the pleasure of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. From then on I had the bug and have performed with a number of local groups. I continue to enjoy this wonderful hobby. It is such a pleasure to meet so many wonderful people who are all committed to produce great productions and also have lots of fun whilst meeting this end goal. I love performing with my family on stage and assisting backstage with props, chaperoning, staging and Front of House.  

  I am the secretary and child protection officer for an amateur youth group and have experience assisting with the directing of a number of youth group productions.
• 
  Amanda Hall

  Youth Coordinator / Youth / Volunteer

  amanda.hall@noda.org.uk

  Lives in Nottingham where she is Director of Spotlight Theatre School. Member of the NODA Youth Advisors’ Group.
• 
  David Ridout

  Awards Secretary

  david.ridout@noda.org.uk

  Hello, I am David, the Noda East Midlands Region awards secretary and Social Media and Web editor.  I have been involved with theatre since studying drama at school and, decided that a 'behind the scenes' role was best for me.  I have a PhD in electrical engineering, and I am also the current chairman of Waddington Dramatic Society.  I have been doing FOH sound for numerous groups in the Lincoln area since moving here in 2012 and have also been Stage Manager and Production Manager for the Starring Lincoln productions of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ and ‘Oliver.’  I love everything theatre based and with my partner, Julie Addison (your region 4 rep) I will no doubt see many of you in your productions.  If you have any queries or want advice about NODA long service awards, or have anything interesting for the NODA Today magazine, please get in touch with me.