London - Committee
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Jacquie StedmanRegional Councillor / COUNCILLORjacquie.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.
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Ann Hertler-SmithREGIONAL SECRETARY / YOUTH ADVISER / Youthanniedirectchoreo@hotmail.com
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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David EvansREGIONAL TREASURER
david.evans@noda.org.uk
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Anthony SweeneyREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L01)
tony.sweeney@noda.org.uk
I have been the Regional Representative for Central London for nine years and in that time have seen some amazing changes in the increasingly polished approach of our members. I have been involved in a number of initiatives especially those supporting the annual awards’ day.
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Zena WigramREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L02)
zena.wigram@noda.org.uk
I trained at the South African College of Music and (on a scholarship) Hertfordshire Theatre School, and gained the LLAM (LAMDA) Gold medal with distinction. I performed professionally for some years, which was great fun and included some interesting experiences (touring digs, anyone?), but eventually decided that self-employment was not for me.
I now have an enjoyable ‘real’ job as marketing manager, and am hugely lucky that it lets me continue my involvement in theatre. I perform professionally part-time, including as a member of the cast of Grim's Dyke Opera, and teach singing (I have an ABRSM teaching diploma) and acting. I also get involved in amateur theatre as Director, MD or performer, (I was delighted to win the NODA London ‘Best actress in a musical’ award in 2014 for HLOC’s ‘The King and I’).
I’ve been a NODA rep since the end of 2011. I’m so grateful for the wonderful people it has let me meet and work with, not least Jacquie and my fellow reps.
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Des WilbyREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L03)
des.wilby@noda.co.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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Phil WilcoxREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L05)
jandpthespians2@gmail.com
This year marks my half century of treading the boards in musicals and drama. Over the years I have played seemingly everything from a horse (Equus) to a pantomime villain in full green make-up (King Rat), via Shakespearian comedy (Flute/Thisbe, Midsummer Night's Dream) and Daddy Warbucks (Annie) and the Sheriff (Best Little Whorehouse In Texas). I began my journey singing operetta with Wimbledon Light, where I met my wife, a fellow thespian who frequently performs my song parodies. I have devised and written major shows performed at Epsom Playhouse and the Ashcroft in Croydon and am a Little Theatre Guild rep. My current company is the 90-year-old Wimbledon-based Carlton Theatre Group, where I am currently vice chair and social secretary. As a "newbie" I am thoroughly looking forward to my latest role: representing NODA!
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Andrew RogersREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L06)
andrew.rogers@noda.org.uk
I have been a member of amateur dramatic societies for 35 years. In that time I have acted in almost 60 shows, have directed over a dozen, been a stage manager, in charge of props, designer of sets, sound effects, done FOH, sold programmes, served behind the bar and been part of the set building team. I was Chairman of my current group - Loughton Amateur Dramatic Society - for seven years and have served on the play reading and general committees for many years. In my third year as a NODA rep I have found it an excellent way to put back some of what I have learnt over the years and to encourage NODA members to be always reaching for as professional a standard as possible. Amateur theatre is challenging but tremendous fun, leading to lifelong friendships and life enhancing experiences and I can't recommend it highly enough.
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Tony AustinREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L08)
anthony.austin@waitrose.com
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 recent demise. I became a Regional Rep in 1995 and I’m still here enjoying almost every minute. I now get my fix reading at sight out-of-copyright shows (usually Edwardian or Victorian) with the George Edwardes Musical Comedy Society <www.musicalcomedysociety.co.uk> twice or three times a year in central London where without an audience I am still allowed to undertake the juvenile roles.
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Bill BaynesREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L09)
bill.baynes@noda.org.uk
I have been involved in amateur theatre for more than fifty years. Coming from Cumbria my initiation was in 'Morecambe Amateurs’ playing in the grand Winter Gardens Theatre.
Leaving Cumbria in 1972, I moved to the London area and have performed leading roles in various societies at least twice a year since then until about two years ago. In later years I have enjoyed a directorial role on several occasions.
In the past, I recorded several novels for The National Listening Library and to date record items for ‘Hear-Abouts’ - a regular magazine service available for the blind and partially sighted.
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Judith WatshamREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (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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Rob BertwistleREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L12)
rob.bertwistle@noda.org.uk
I has been involved with amateur theatre for more years than I care to remember and have taken many principal roles with the musical societies with which I have been involved as well being a chorus member on numerous occasions. A retired music teacher and now free-lance actor I spend a good deal of my time involved with NODA work and recently directed my local society in a production of 'Annie'.
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Jeanette MaskellREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L13)
jeanette.maskell@noda.org.uk
Having started my stage career as a dancer at the age of 14, I have gone on to enjoy every aspect of musical theatre. I have performed both as a principal and chorus member, enjoying many diverse characters. I have choreographed and directed over 50 musicals, working with children and adults. I have also made my mark backstage on the crew and props team and been front of stage as a lighting technician. Having become a Regional Representative three years ago, I am thrilled at the wealth of talent there is within the region and enjoy visiting all my groups.
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Susan BoobyerREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L14)
I became the Regional Representative for District 14 in 2016 where I am enjoying seeing the huge variety of drama on offer. Trained in dance since the age of 5 I have performed on stage from 11. I have been actively involved in Drama at all levels, performing, directing and on committee, most recently as Chair, and actively promote development in performance, production and technology for all society members.
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Terry HuntREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE (District L14)
terry.hunt@noda.org.uk
My involvement in both amateur and professional theatre goes back 40 years...not counting the school nativity. I've covered most aspects of theatre, on stage and off, but it was as a scenic artist I spent many contented hours. I gave it all up to fly for a living, but have remained very active in production with the British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society. In Sept 2016, I became joint NODA rep for East Berks and very much enjoy encouraging the groups in our area to strive for excellence.
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Frances ChalkwrightMEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
frances.chalkwright@noda.org.uk
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Nick FordWEBSITE EDITOR / REGIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERnick.ford@noda.org.uk
I have been involved in musical theatre since I was 10 and have performed, MDd and Directed over 70 productions. I was also Chairman of my 'home' Society, Havering Music Makers, for 10 years and so am very well acquainted with the trials and tribulations of running a Society. I have built and run websites for a variety of different groups and look after the NODA London pages of the website in addition to looking after Social Media activities and mass email communications. In my day job, I am a qualified actuary and am therefore very well acquainted with a spreadsheet...
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Harvey KesselmanAWARDS SECRETARY
harvey.kesselman@noda.org.uk
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Rosemary RobertsMagazine Editor
roberts.noda@btconnect.com