Executive

MTNZ Vice President 2004 - 2009
MTNZ President 2009 - 2014

Ian has attended at least 45 MTNZ AGMs and Conferences.

Ian joined the Napier Operatic Society in 1967 while serving as an electrical apprentice with the Napier City Council - starting as a lighting board operator for ‘ Little Mary Sunshine’ and moving on to props for later productions. Whilst Ian decided that behind the scenes was where he would contribute most, he did appear in a number of minor roles in shows such as ‘Me and My Girl’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Les Misérables’.

Ian served on the executive committee of Napier Operatic Society for circa 25 years, holding the position of secretary for 19 years between 1984 and 2003. He also represented the society on the Musical Theatre Consortium for 8 years.

Ian was awarded Life Membership of Napier Operatic Society in 1994, and in 2003 he received a Merit Award from MTNZ for services to Musical Theatre. This was followed by Life Membership of MTNZ in 2015.
During his term as President of MTNZ, Ian helped build solid relationships with both Entertainment Technology New Zealand (ETNZ) and Entertainment Venues Association (EVANZ) at a national level.

In 2016 Ian was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International for services to the arts and community. Then in 2024 he was awarded Life Membership of EVANZ; an organisation he was a member of during his career as Venue Manager at the Napier Municipal Theatre until his retirement in 2017.

The 2025 New Year Honours List saw Ian appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to musical theatre. Ian has been, and continues to be, an inspiring and outstanding mentor within the theatre community, whether it is at a national or grassroots level.

Emma was pretty much born into theatre as her mother was rehearsing a show whilst she was pregnant.
Emma spent the first 19 years as an active member of both Opera Otago and Dunedin Operatic, with highlights being performing in the 1994 Consortium of Les Miserables and 1995 Merry Widow with Dame Malvina Major.
Emma attended Otago University as a voice student of Honor McKellar but relocated to Nelson to attend performing arts school as it became apparent that musical theatre was her number one passion. Here she gained a Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre).
She moved to Auckland in 1998 following a stint as Columbia in Rocky Horror for the Nelson Arts Festival.
Emma trained as a performing arts teacher specialising in Music gaining a Bachelor of Education (Primary) & a Post Grad Diploma in Music Education and then went on to complete her Masters in Dance Education.

Emma spent 15 years as a full time educator before leaving to establish her own company StageAntics based in Tamaki Makaurau whilst offering quality theatre training and programmes across the motu.

Emma has been a member of a number of Zone One societies including PLOC, MPA, HARLEQUIN, PTC and AMT. She was on the executive of PTC for three years and was on the Executive committee at AMT for six years including three years as Chair. She was the Consortium Rep for AMT/AMICI on EVITA and MAMMA MIA.

Emma was the MTNZ Zone One Representative for four years, VicePresident for three years and is now in the second year as President.
Emma is also a past President and Life Member of Drama NZ the subject association for teachers of Drama in Education.

Emma has a vast experience in all facets of theatre including performing, directing, choreography, musical direction, vocal coaching, Lighting design, set design, costume design, and marketing having received a total of 4 NAPTA nominations and 27 nominations for AMI now iTicket Showdown awards including winning Best Costumes three times, best Lighting, best sound, best set and best direction. E

Emma's passion for Musical Theatre and its importance in education has seen her producing the Junior Theatre Festival NZ since 2017 as well as being a part of the Junior Theater international whānau teaching faculty at JTF Atlanta, JTF West, JTF Europe & JTF Oz.

Email: Emma@mtnz.co.nz

Sonya lives in Napier and enjoys being involved in all aspects of theatre. Until recently Sonya was the Zone 3 rep for 6 years. A role she loved - meeting many of our MTNZ whānau along the way.

Taking on the role of administrator was a natural progression where Sonya can utilise her many years experience as a society secretary for Napier Operatic with portfolios of production management, consortium rep, publicity and an avid promotor of youth theatre establishing the Napier Operatic Theatre School in 2000.

In 2012 Sonya received the Music Theatre New Zealand Merit Award for services to theatre followed by Life Membership to Napier Operatic in 2018. The Napier City council honoured Sonya with a civic award in 2025 for services to youth in theatre. This was followed by the inaugural award for outstanding services to youth theatre in Aotearoa from Junior Theatre Festival NZ in 2025.

Phone: 0273896903

Email: office@mtnz.co.nz

Gavin was recently elected as the new Vice President for Musical Theatre New Zealand after serving as Zone 4 Rep for 7 years.

Gavin has had a long association with musical theatre over the years, starting at high school in Timaru during the ‘90s and has been doing it ever since then! He had worked in a variety of roles in both in New Zealand and overseas productions.

Gavin is involved in a number of theatre groups in Canterbury and am currently the Vice President of the North Canterbury Musical Society. During the day he works as a building specialist with the Christchurch City Council. If If not at work, or being involved in the theatre, he loves to get out and see different shows in the community around the country. Gavin also loves walking and getting out and seeing the beauty of New Zealand and helps out with a local civil defence rescue team when needed.

Gavin primarily works in stage management but will help wherever needed. He has a strong focus with health and safety, including looking after the wellbeing of everyone in a show, along with a focus on governance.

Gavin has had the privilege of travelling around the zone over the last couple of years meeting new people and seeing some amazing shows and looks forward to seeing many more over the next year. Theatre plays such an important role in our society, being people together from various backgrounds to achieve a common purpose and allow audiences to see local/national talent and the see the results of all the time and energy that many volunteers have given to their production.

He looks forward to working with you all and seeing theatre grow in New Zealand.

Email: Gavin@mtnz.co.nz

Matt has spent the last 10+ years in the Musical theatre space. Originally starting back in 2015 as a lighting technician for Playhouse Theatre in Glen Eden, Auckland, he has since directed 4 shows, been a lighting and sound designer for well over 100+ shows across Auckland, been on executive committees, and for the last 6 years has been a trustee for the Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre Trust.

By day, Matt is the Chief of Staff for a large travel and tourism company based out of the United States. Prior to this he spent most of his early 20's running his own businesses with most of his effort focused in the youth space, mental health advocacy, and working with neurodivergent organisations across Aotearoa to bring awareness and change for these often neglected and forgotten communities.

A dedicated member of the Musical Theatre community, Matt is excited to work with the Zone 1 communities and societies to continue to advocate, bring people together, and particularly work with the next-generation of performers and creatives to highlight the incredible talent and passion that our young people have.

Email: matt@mtnz.co.nz

Mike has been interested in performing since childhood and actively involved in theatre for as long as he can remember. The way he describes it, playing make believe was always his favourite occupation.
His early experience came from school productions in Putaruru (one act plays, classroom activities etc) and he did his first musicals with Putaruru Theatre Players while still in his teens. He attended The NZ Drama School (Toi Whakaari) in 1976 and after graduation worked at Court Theatre in Christchurch on contract for a year.
The following year he moved into radio, starting as a journalist for Radio NZ. Announcing and programming followed, and he has remained in the industry (in various capacities) ever since – more than 40 years!
That work took him to Nelson and he spent almost 27 years there, where (after a long hiatus) he continued his love of theatre, becoming involved with Nelson Musical Theatre and Nelson Repertory Theatre, as well as a couple of smaller production groups which were operating at the time (for both musicals and plays).
Since relocating to the Waikato in mid-2015, Mike has been even busier, immersing himself more fully in the space he calls his happy place. He has worked with Hamilton Operatic Society, Hamilton Musical Theatre, Bold Theatre, Hamilton Playbox Theatre, and not content with that, he has featured in a range of productions in Morrinsville, Cambridge, Matamata, Tauranga and Rotorua. Mike has become a very familiar face as both an actor and director these days, and is also current President for Hamilton Musical Theatre.
He says he is grateful to have had the opportunity to perform in some demanding and rewarding productions, taking on characters that have stretched him. He lists Judge Turpin as one role he has particularly enjoyed recently, but there's also a bucket list... Mike says he has always felt it important to do whatever he could to be ‘of service’ to the organisations he have been involved with and to the theatrical world he loves so much.

Email: mike@mtnz.co.nz

Cheryl has been a performer most of her life, as a toddler being Lower Hutt’s answer to Shirley Temple, right through to the present.
Cheryl became fully immersed in Community theatre in 1991, after spending 3 years at Wellington Teachers College and performing each year in musical productions during that time.
Porirua Little Theatre became Cheryl’s first experience at Community musical theatre where her main input was through props, stage management and work on the Committee. Over many years she branched out into all other aspects of theatre from wardrobe, to publicity and everything in between! Including 5 years, across 2 periods, as President for PLT.
This also led to involvement as a performer, crew, and production management in many companies around Wellington. Highlights have included touring with Kevin Baddiley and Centastage Productions as a performer and stage manager, dressing for WMT in several productions from 2002-2007, and stage managing several musicals for Upper Hutt Musical Theatre. As a performer with the Company of Musical Players, Cheryl continued to hone her performance skills and form life long friendships.
In 2014 it became evident that opportunities for women of a certain age were very limited, so, along with other like minded innovators, Cheryl became part in the inception of Kauri Theatre Company. In 2017 Kauri Theatre held its initial AGM and Cheryl was elected as their first President, a position she has held through to the present.
Building a new theatre company from the ground up has been a huge undertaking however Cheryl is incredibly proud to be part of a vibrant and lively theatre company that punches way above its weight. Leading by example and having a can do attitude is the cornerstone to Cheryl’s theatre involvement!
By day, Cheryl is a teacher who also incorporates her passion for performance into her classroom and has produced many school productions over the years.
However theatre does not live on the efforts of one. Being part of a team, working collaboratively and having the courage to step up and make a difference are key aspects Cheryl brings to the Zone 3 role. A role that will reflect the needs and wants of the community we work with in.
He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa.

Email: cheryl@mtnz.co.nz

Email: tom@mtnz.co.nz

Katie lives in Cromwell, Central Otago with her husband and their two sons. Originally from Melbourne, she grew up surrounded by the performing arts, an influence that has shaped her lifelong passion for music and theatre.

After settling in Central Otago, Katie reconnected with this passion through her local theatre group and has since become deeply immersed in the community theatre scene. Whether she’s onstage, behind the scenes, in production, helping in the kitchen, or simply enjoying a performance from the audience, Katie is a familiar and enthusiastic presence.

By day, Katie works as a Grants Advisor, bringing a strong background in governance, funding, and relationship building. She is particularly passionate about connecting communities, sharing resources, boosting knowledge through workshops and training and supporting organisations to protect and enhance sustainable, thriving arts groups.

A dedicated advocate for the performing arts, Katie is known for her energy, generosity, and unwavering support of the sector. She firmly believes in the vital role the arts play in strengthening communities and enriching lives.

Katie is thrilled to continue her mahi as a representative of MTNZ and contribute to the vibrant performing arts landscape across Aotearoa.

Email: katie@mtnz.co.nz

Ngāti Pahauwera, Matthew is a 2024 graduate of the Master of Creative Practice program at Ara, Te Pūkenga, earing his degree with distinction for his dissertation titled- Nā Whakarongo Mai: Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Māori in Devised Theatre of Aotearoa. He is a 2021 graduate from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. He made his professional theatre debut in Frankenstein at The Court Theatre in Christchurch in 2021.

He started performing at the age of five, Matthew's first community theatre show was with Papakura Theatre Company in 2013. Since then he has performed with JK Performing Arts, NASDA, Youth Theatreworks, Saint Kentigern College, and Pukekohe Performing Arts. Matthew also appeared in the TV series I Am… (Screentime NZ) in 2018.

Matthew is also a stage manager, having stage managed shows for the Junior Theatre Festival NZ in 2023 and 2024, StageAntics, Luminaires, North Shore Music Theatre, Saint Kentigern College, and Showbiz Christchurch's WayOff Broadway Concerts from 2019 to 2021. He has also directed Disney's Alice in Wonderland JR for Glass Ceiling Arts Collective and Whiskered as part of the Harlequin Musical Theatre's intern program. In 2024, Matthew returned to NASDA to stage manage the 2nd year musical and whole school finale.

Since graduating from NASDA, Matthew's career has been heavily involved in performing arts. He has taught classes for StageAntics and Glass Ceiling Arts Collective. He is currently an usher at Little Andromeda, a theatre in Christchurch, and also works as a medical simulation actor.

He is honoured to be a part of the MTNZ exec as the Nextgen Representative.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi - with your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.

Rongowhakaata/Ngāi Tāmanuhiri/Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Pikiao

Originally from a small rural town south of Gisborne called Manutuke. She is no stranger to the world of performing arts as she comes from a family known for kapa haka and music.

Bobby holds a Bachelor in Māori performing arts (Music) and a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary).

She is trained in jazz vocal and is an accomplished composer and musician.

Her passion lies in the accessibility to Arts within the Community. She has spent the last over 15 years in the community and youth sector, incorporating her arts practice to engage vulnerable families and individuals with high social issues. The Arts has a way of breaking down barriers in the most non-invasive way.

Bobby is an active part of the Rotorua Arts scene as a gigging musician, choir director, event manager and governance member for local clubs such as Bay of Plenty Blues Club, Jazz Rotorua and she is currently the president for Rotorua Musical Theatre. She has been part of the organisation for local events such as the Rotorua Youth Festival, Rotorua Christmas Day Community Lunch and Rotorua NZ Music Month.

Being inducted on to the MTNZ executive as Cultural Advisor she counts as a privilege, especially for those who don’t have a voice or are fearful to speak up. Bobby’s youth work and social work background helps to identify the barriers between different social groups and be able to find strength based and solution focused ways to bridge the gap. Incorporating Kaupapa Māori within theatres should be normal in this day and age but the reality there is some apprehension.

The role of the cultural advisor is to help assist and provide as much education and connection with the right people to support our theatres nationally around diversity and inclusion of Māori and other nationalities.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini

My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, it was not individual success but the success of a collective

This whakatauki acknowledges team effort, that one’s success is due to the support and contribution of many. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes community/a team to enable an individual’s success. It’s a good whakatauki to use when wanting to acknowledge the support of many.