AnneVeitch – President

Anne has a passion for Theatre that started as a child, writing plays at school and performing in shows from her teens which still continues today. Anne has worked backstage: Assistant Stage Manager, Props Co-ordinator, Cast Caller, Principals Dresser and Front of House Manager. Anne performed for WTC in 19 Shows with principal roles. She has performed with Woodstock Theatre, Mosman, THE Theatre, Zenith and Chester Street Theatres. Annie was Assistant to the Director for Les Miserables, AD for Me & My Girl & Pickwick, Director for A Little Bit of Broadway, Anything Goes, Jerry’s Girls, Footloose, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Gypsy, Cabaret, Thoroughly Modern Mille, Sweet Charity, Children of Eden and recently Co-Directed Best of Broadway and Director, The Sound of Music. She serves on the CMS Committee as President and is delighted to be a part of this friendly society and is firmly committed to bringing people the best that Amateur Musical Theatre can offer its patrons.

Expert Tip:
Enjoy yourself!!

MattCater – Vice President

Matt Cater first joined Chatswood Musical Society in 1998 as an ensemble cast member of the Count of Luxembourg. He was then invited to join the CMS committee in 1999. Since 1999, Matt has served on the Committee in the capacity of Public Relations Officer, Membership Officer and President (2008 – 2011). Matt has extensive experience in performing, directing, administration, production management, back-stage, front of house and coordinating many different types of events. By day, Matt works for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) as the Instructor Development Administrator and Travel Coordinator for the Asia-Pacific region. Matt has completed a Musical Theatre course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Along with Matt’s administrative and performance experience as well as his love of musical theatre in general, it was Kismet that made Matt as passionate about CMS, when he was an audience member, over 15 years ago.

Expert Tip:
In musical theatre, there is no such thing as over-acting..... Just under-commitment!

JudyRoy – Secretary

Judy has been a member of CMS since 1992 & has appeared on stage singing, dancing & acting in numerous musicals & gaining the experience of all facets of theatre work including crewing backstage, set building, props, Front of House, ticketing & being on the committee. Judy enjoys being involved especially meeting people from all walks of life.

Expert tip:
Be committed & have fun

PaulineLazarus – Assistant Secretary

Pauline arrived in Australia from the UK 12 years ago. Having always sung in community choirs Pauline first foray into Musical theatre was Children of Eden a joint venture between Chatswood Musical Society and North Shore Temple Emanuel. Since then Pauline has played a Jewish Nun in The Sound of Music. Behind the scenes, Pauline was the production assistant for Miss Saigon. Pauline has joined the committee as assistant secretary.

Expert tip:
You only get out what you put in!

GrahamBone - Treasurer

Graham has been involved with music since he was a young boy, a trait he inherited from his maternal Grandfather, himself part of a large musically talented family. From singing in a duo during an Easter parade in 1st class to performing in front of over 2,000 people at a Scout Jamboree, Graham has performed in a variety of situations and styles over the past 30 odd years. Gilbert & Sullivan, Rogers & Hammerstein, Sondheim and many more and for the past eight years with Chatswood Musical Society, a length of time only surpassed with Cumberland Gang Show where he spent 24 years in total, onstage and on the production team. With his work career in finance Graham was more than suitable for the Treasurer’s position which he has taken onhaving previously been Membership officer.

Expert Tip:
Never say you’re sorry. Whether rehearsing or performing in a show, if you fluff a line or forget a production or dance movement, carry on as if nothing happened.

JamesWallis – Assistant Technical Advisor

James arrived in Australia in January and in an effort to make friends promptly joined CMS as he works locally. Involved with Amdram in the UK, James has many years of involvement on and off stage, from taking roles in shows such as 42nd Street and Godspell, to lighting productions including We Will Rock You and Footloose.

Expert Tip:
Always find your light and remember to smile, that way you’ll definitely be the centre of attention!

TroyJodzio – Membership Officer

Troy is not like other committee members... he works during the day in the IT industry...and doesn't have endless musicals on his iPod playlists.  In fact, Troy's first foray into musical theatre only happened recently when he was invited to help with a past CMS production, Thoroughly Modern Millie with Front of House duties, while his friends performed on stage.  Seeing the enjoyment his friends had throughout the show performance period, ensured Troy was back for more and helping out with the following CMS production.  Troy has enjoyed being involved with Chatswood Musical Society and learning the ins and outs of theatre ever since.  His current role on the CMS committee is Membership Officer, and although he is relishing being part of such a vibrant community theatre company, he's decided that his talents would be best served behind the scenes, for now anyway...his musical iPod playlists however, are increasing!

Expert Tip:
Get Involved and Have Fun.

AlanRoy – General Member

Alan’s trade background is Photography and has been involved with CMS taking Promo,Program & Show Photo’s for about 19 shows since 2002. He is also experienced in Ticketing and Front of House.As a handyman Alan is involved in Set & Prop building.Alan likes a challenge building with minimal budgets, utilising recycled or free materials wherever possible.

Expert Tip:
Research & plan a project thoroughly before starting.

MelWarwick – General Member

Mel has been performing and choreographing various styles of dance for over 10 years. She has studied and completed RAD examinations in tap and has competed in the Ceroc and Modern Jive Australasian Championships. Mel has been involved with teaching Modern Jive in schools and to adults, throughout Sydney, since 2001 and has featured on instructional DVD's. She has also studied piano forte and completed AMEB examinations. Mel's passion for community musical theatre began in 2000 with a role in Iolanthe. She began choreographing musicals in 2001 as assistant choreographer for Eastwood Uniting Church Musical Society's production of Call Me Madam. Since then she has been involved with the choreography for many productions including The Music Man, Oliver, Anything Goes, HONK, and Peter Pan. On stage she has featured in Iolanthe (Fleta), Oliver (Charlotte Sowerberry), The Boyfriend (Dance Captain), Call Me Madam (Stella Phillips), Love Begins at Fifty (Annabel Wickson), and Oklahoma. Mel has always had a passion for RENT and was delighted to have the opportunity to choreograph this inspiring and thought provoking show as her first production with CMS in 2011.

Expert Tip:
Anyone can Dance

LauraBethWood – General Member

Laura Beth has studied dance and performance at Masters and PhD level. Her postgraduate studies took place at the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) and The Place – London Contemporary School of Dance – Royal Ballet. Her thesis interest included a specialism in Russian Imperial Ballet/ Choreographic techniques, Idiosyncracy and habitual movement vocabulary, Irish Dance and Musical Theatre.
Laura Beth has lectured in dance and performing arts at Institutions across the UK and directed, choreographed and artistically led numerous professional projects. She was a spinal rehabilitation specialist in London while also working at the Hackney Empire Theatre in Publicity and Arts Management. As a principal dancer, Laura Beth has worked and performed with the following companies; Pina Bausch: Tanztheater Wuppertal, Retina Dance Company, The Cholmondeleys, Rambert Dance Company, Motion House Dance Company, Vincent Dance Company and DV8 Physical Theatre as well as the West End. In addition to dance Laura Beth has played lead roles in Shakespeare productions affiliated to the Royal Shakespeare Company, numerous Pinter, Artaud and Stanislavsky productions and of course – more musical theatre performances than she cares to remember. In addition Laura Beth is a grade eight flautist – which has taken her on National tours.

Expert Tip:
Always believe in yourself, never say I can’t – the best performances arisefrom passion and engagement.