Committee - London
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Pam ArmstrongRegional Councillor / Councillor / Volunteerpam.armstrong@noda.org.uk
What an honour it is to be representing NODA London Region as your Councillor. I have been involved with NODA London for a number of years primarily as their Treasurer and was also fortunate to serve Jacquie Stedman in the role of Event Treasurer for the Presidential Gala and AGM 2018 when Jacquie (then Councillor) became President of NODA. My own background and experience in the performing arts has been long, varied and joyous performing in principal roles, both singing and acting, as a dancer and in chorus and undertaking executive and administration roles encompassing Vice President, Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Secretary.
What a joy our common interest is to all of us, and it is no exaggeration to say, when I embraced it, it was life changing. I look forward to “embracing” you all once we are free of this dreaded virus and our lives and hobbies can return to a more familiar pattern and our beloved theatres re-open. We are living through an era which none of us have experienced – uncertain times abound, but remember, NODA London is here to help and serve you and together we will get through these choppy waters.
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Annie Hertler-SmithRegional Secretary / Youth Coordinator / Youth / Volunteerannie.hertler-smith@noda.org.uk
Annie trained as a dancer from the age of 3 focussing on classical ballet most of the time. However, her last 3 years of training were in jazz dance and tap as well as ballet at the London Dance Centre under Gillian Gregory and guest teachers such as Arlene Phillips and Matt Mattox. After many years as a performer Annie turned to Directing and Choreographing and has since then worked on over 150 shows. In addition, Annie attended the Ripon Summer School for 25 years both as a student and Director/Choreographer. Annie has also run ROS StageWorks and Summer School for 13 years teaching Musical Theatre to children aged from 7-19 years old. Annie's Summer School productions have won several NODA London awards. In 2009, Annie joined the NODA London Regional Committee as Youth Advisor and really enjoys going to Youth productions around the region. She is now also the Secretary.
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Margaret PartridgeRegional Treasurer / Volunteermargaret.partridge@noda.org.uk
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Des WilbyRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L03)des.wilby@noda.org.uk
I first became involved in Am-Dram approximately 9 years ago and since then have always been involved either onstage, directing or working behind the scenes. I’ve served as both a Committee Member, and Publicity Officer, for both ELOC (Epsom Light Opera Company) and WALLOP (Wallington Operatic Company). My acting experience has included musicals, murder-mysteries, comedies, period dramas and various 1-act evenings. Most recently I was involved in WPDS’s ‘Garden Party’ which played both in Epsom, Surrey and at the barn at Smallhythe in Kent.
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Robin KellyRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L04)robin.kelly@noda.org.uk
Starting his amateur career in his native Manchester in 1967, Robin trained at the Central School of Speech & Drama after which he taught Drama for a number of years, working in both Youth and Adult settings. After years of performing, directing, writing, lighting, managing ticket sales, front of house management and society committee membership, he was keen to offer his services at regional level. He is particularly interested in finding ways to improve standards of performance & production in amateur theatre.
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Paul DaynesRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L06)paul.daynes@noda.org.uk
My first introduction to amateur theatre was via my parents’ church drama group in Norwich. In the early 1980's I moved to Woodford, Essex and joined a new drama workshop, Studio 80. Here I directed in musicals, pantomimes and plays including Grease, Chicago, Bugsy Malone, Godspell and Charley’s Aunt. I also performed and directed for other local societies directing Chicago for Thistles at the KMT at the age of 20 and Yeoman of the Guard for Loughton Operatic Society Centenary Production. I really enjoy drama and have taken roles in plays by Shakespeare, Wilde, Ayckbourn and Joe Orton. More recently I have directed for Theydon Bois directing The 39 Steps and Wind in the Willows. I enjoy working back stage and have held Chairman and Treasurer roles. I am delighted to be taking on to role as the NODA Representative for District 6 and looking forward to meeting and getting to know the people that have a love and a shared passion for local theatre.
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Robert MurrayRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L07)robert.murray@noda.org.uk
I have been involved in theatre for years and was privileged to be on television in my younger years. I am also very proud to have watched my son in numerous productions including his West End debut with the British Youth Music Theatre; we have also performed together in Kiss Me Kate. My most recent theatre credits include Apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar and Newcomer and chorus in Avenue Q with Radlett, I played Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate with Elstree followed by a run with Mill Hill playing Sweaty Eddie in Sister Act, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof and most recently the role of Bill Snipson in Me and My Girl which was by far the most challenging role I have ever played. I look forward to giving back to NODA and working with District 7 in the future.
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Tony AustinRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L08)tony.austin@noda.org.uk
An avid theatregoer from a young age, my practical involvement didn’t start until I was in my twenties when I wrote words and music for Revues, played G&S baritone roles and appeared in some straight plays. I then discovered Harrow Light Opera Company and played in their large scale productions at cinemas including the Gaumont State at Kilburn and stayed with them appearing and working in various capacities, including a spell as President, until their demise. I became a Regional Rep in 1995 and I’m still here enjoying almost every minute. In acknowledgement of my 25 years of service to the London Regional Committee, in 2020 I was awarded Honorary Membership of NODA.
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Judith WatshamRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L11A)judith.watsham@noda.org.uk
I got involved with amateur theatre many, many years ago through my late husband, rather on the basis of the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" principle. My main interests lie on the technical side rather than the performing side of productions and I have ‘propped' a wide variety of shows ranging from opera to one act plays via concerts, drama, musicals and compilation affairs. I have also directed several times and stage managed on a couple of occasions. I love the genuine enthusiasm to be found in amateur groups and the way people of varying ages, abilities and backgrounds work together to present what is often top-class entertainment.
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Andrew WalterRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L12)andrew.walter@noda.org.uk
Andrew first appeared on stage exactly 50 years ago, singing Little Buttercup in a concert performance of HMS Pinafore. Since then he has played a wide selection of roles from the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, including appearances on the Oxford Playhouse stage as The Judge in Trial by Jury and as a last minute understudy for Inez in The Gondoliers. His involvement in musical theatre has primarily been as a Director, and his work for Oxford Operatic Society includes The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls and Cabaret. Since 2006 he has directed shows for Abingdon Operatic Society where his work includes Kiss Me, Kate, The Wizard of Oz, Top Hat, and The Gondoliers, which won the Dorothy Lawson award in 2013. He has also worked with various schools, youth groups and village players, taking roles including Musical Director, Deputy Stage Manager and Set Designer.
Andrew started reviewing productions when working for “Daily Information” in Oxford, and freelanced for “The Oxford Times” before its arts coverage was brought in house. He hopes to be able to draw on this experience to support and encourage operatic and dramatic societies in Oxfordshire.
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Nick HumbyRegional Representative / Volunteer (District L14)nick.humby@noda.org.uk
Nick is a retired qualified Accountant (working in TV, Sport and Theatre) with a lifelong passion for Theatre since working on his first amateur productions in the nineteen seventies.He has had an active involvement in all aspects of producing and staging a play with societies in Romsey, Southampton, Byfleet and Reading. His personal highlights are designing the sets and staging productions of Oliver, My Fair Lady and the Importance of Being Earnest (which was written up in a 4 page article in the Guardian weekend supplement) as well as many pantomimes (one of which he wrote). He has worked on over 40 amateur productions and seen over 1000 professional productions. In recent years he has reviewed professional shows for Pocket Sized Theatre and West End Wilma and been a judge for GB Pantomime Awards. He served as a Non Executive Director on the Board of The Ambassadors Theatre Group from 2000 to 2009 and the Arts Council audit committee from 2011-2015. His father was a NODA rep for Surrey for many years.
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Frances ChalkwrightMembership Secretary / Volunteerfrances.chalkwright@noda.org.uk
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Paul M HolgateWebsite Editor / Regional Committee Member / Volunteerpaul.holgate@noda.org.uk
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Jackie LackAwards Secretary / Volunteerjackie.lack@noda.org.uk
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Jacquie StedmanCouncillor / Magazine Editor / Past President / Volunteerjacquie.stedman@noda.org.uk
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.