Life Members

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.

Ross began his affiliation with theatre in 1965 with Nelson Operatic's Oklahoma and he has been involved ever since. Ross has performed many theatrical operations from chorus member, to follow spot, set master decorator and painter, production manager and even a touch of directing.

He joined the Nelson Musical Theatre Executive for a number of years and has been president, vice president, secretary and has also been awarded life membership.

Ross served on the MTNZ Executive from 2000 - 2019 as the Zone Four Representative and has clocked up some pretty huge miles travelling around the zone. It is the largest geographically speaking, spanning from the West Coast to wine country and Canterbury all the way down to Waimate.

Ross was awarded life membership with MTNZ in 2019.

Lesley has had a life long affiliation with musical theatre. She joined the musical theatre arm of the South Canterbury Drama League, her first show being “Zip goes a Million” and it was here that Lesley became involved in theatre administration. She also did a stint as the society secretary.

Since then, Lesley has been an onstage performer and backstage supporter for Napier Operatic Society (NOS) for 35 years. She was nominated for the committee of NOS, and Lesley spent many years as an executive member, four years as vice president, and six years as president. Lesley was also the society representative for a number of consortium shows. In 2011 NOS honoured Lesley with Life Membership.

Lesley joined the MTNZ executive as the zone three representative in 2008, and was elected to vice president in 2009. In 2014 she was elected to the role of president, following in the footsteps of her special friend and mentor, Ian Reid. The highlight for her has been the development of the MTNZ Strategic Plan.

She was nominated for life membership in 2019.

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Markham first darkened the doors of Showbiz Christchurch (then Christchurch Operatic) in the cast of Oliver! in 1973 when he was 11 years old. He has appeared in 31 further shows for Showbiz including as the Baker in Into the Woods, Gerald in Me and My Girl, Grantaire in Les Misérables, Bob in Priscilla, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, understudying Che in Evita and as the back end of the Ox in Follow the Star (which one night seemed to have urinary problems on stage).

Markham has been President of Showbiz five times since 1990, Vice-President four times and on the Board long enough to annoy everyone several times over. He was the Marketing Manager for many productions and has designed many award-winning programmes. He was elected a Life Member of Showbiz in 2007.

Markham attended the very first ‘Consortium’ meeting in Wellington in January 1994. He and Kevin Murphy were the only two wearing a suit and tie so they were elected onto that first Consortium Management Committee, along with Donna Philpott. Markham has headed (and been legal advisor to) virtually every Consortium project since then including all the productions doing the rounds at the moment and the up-coming Matilda, a role which he relishes as he can get everyone else to do all the work.

Until 2005, MTNZ did not have an Honorary Secretary. Markham offered his services and was duly elected, a role he filled until 2018. Shortly after becoming Hon Sol, Markham re-drafted our Constitution, a document which has been frequently used as a precedent by others. Markham was elected a Life Member of MTNZ in 2013. Markham is also on the Trust Board of the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.

Email: Markham.Lee@immigration-solutions.co.nz

Kate has been extensively involved in professional and community theatre for many years, both on and off the stage, in a wide range of roles. She coordinated several NZMT consortium projects and has worked with G&T Productions on Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, and, currently, & Juliet, in production and project management roles. Kate served as General Manager of Musical Theatre New Zealand (MTNZ) for 19 years, receiving both a Life Membership and a Merit Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to theatre throughout Aotearoa. She is currently a Patron of Kauri Theatre Company, a Trustee of the Musical Theatre Foundation of Aotearoa and is the NZMT Consortium Tour Manager. Beyond the arts, she brings over 30 years of experience as an event manager and executive assistant across the corporate, sport, government, and non-profit sectors.

Kevin’s contribution to musical theatre at both a local and national level has been significant.

Kevin has been a member of New Plymouth Operatic for over 45 years working primarily in administration but also has been an active backstage helper for many of the major shows. He is a Life Member and served as NPOS President from 1991 to 1996. On a national level Kevin served on the Executive of MTNZ as Vice President from 1997 – 2001 and then President 2001 – 2004. He was awarded Life Membership of MTNZ in 2006 for his outstanding service and contribution to MTNZ. Kevin was also part of the management committee, that formed the first society consortium in 1994 - staging Les Miserables and continues his involvement with the Consortium to this day.

Kevin, has had a very successful career in banking working for TSB Bank for 38 years where he rose from a shop floor teller position to the role of CEO/ Managing Director a position he held for 8 years. He now works as a Professional Director serving on several boards.

Kevin met his wife Carolyn, at Operatic and their family involvement has continued with all three of their children being involved with the society over the years.

Graeme and Diane first become involved with MTNZ in 1983 (back then NZ Operatic Society) when they were asked to attend their first MTNZ conference at the Tabard Theatre in Napier. Between them, Graeme and Diane have attended every conference since. They love being part of the MTNZ family and have made some wonderful friends and memories, enjoying the 'catch up' each year.

Graeme and Diane's business, John Herber Ltd., became MTNZ's major sponsor approximately fifteen years ago. It was their way of supporting the New Zealand theatre industry, "by supporting the national body every member benefits" they comment. John Herber Ltd. has expanded over the years, now not only servicing stage theatre and television (when television was in its prime), but the film industry and schools. John Herber has recently added acoustic specialised curtains to the product lineup. Diane and Graeme say, "we enjoy working with the societies, helping them plan their venue to become a workable safe theatre space. Checkout our website www.johnherber.co.nz".

Graeme and Diane have enjoyed attending many productions by MTNZ members, some of which have been very professionally produced.
Graeme’s favourite show has to be Les Misérables for its powerful story. Diane’s, well there are too many to choose from but one that stands out is Jersey Boys - she loves that era of music and the wonderful production.

Graeme and Diane were very honoured to be made life members of MTNZ in 2015.

Helen first appeared on stage in a Sunday school concert at a young age. Her interest in Musical Theatre was ignited while at high school and at times it has been like a huge fire that has consumed her life - and that of her family's.

Over the years she has worked in many facets of production including; props, set painting, production management, directing, stage management and committee work. 

In the 1980s Helen attended her first Musical Theatre conference and was hooked on MTNZ and what it stands for from then on. She realised the value of networking opportunities and what they can offer each society. Why reinvent the wheel when MTNZ can provide a strong foundation for others to adapt to their requirements?

She spent nine years as the MTNZ Zone 5 Representative championing for societies in the south. She has been part of many exciting changes which have taken place over that time. While MTNZ is for everyone, Helen has especially advocated for giving smaller groups with limited resources networking opportunities, and prioritisation of investment in the future of community theatre through training. She believes every group should budget every year to give their members the opportunity to upskill where possible. Helen then stepped into Vice Presidency on the national executive, followed by Presidency through the tumultuous Covid-19 years. Helen concluded her 17 years on the national executive at the 65th annual general meeting, held in Palmerston North on 15 March 2025.  She was honored with life membership this same year. 

Helen has retired to Waimate with her husband Brian, and continue to direct theatre around North Otago and South Canterbury.