KATE LINDSAY (FINE THYME THEATRE COMPANY)
Katie Lindsay is originally from Melbourne, where she grew up in a family deeply passionate about music and performance which fostered Katie's early appreciation for the arts. Starting in the school orchestra supporting school musicals, Katie initially preferred being the behind-the-scenes. However, after discovering her love for singing she was eventually persuaded onto the stage, where she discovered a newfound passion for performing. After school, Katie transitioned from performer to audience member, and while her move to New Zealand initially left her apprehensive about leaving Melbourne's vibrant theatre scene she soon realised the exceptional calibre of theatre companies across the OSTA region and New Zealand, quickly easing her concerns. In 2019, after a significant hiatus, Katie reignited her passion for performing. She has since worked with companies including ShowBiz Queenstown, Waitata Theatre, and Fine Thyme Theatre Company, where she is an active member. Not limited to the stage, Katie often takes on roles such as Production Manager, which provides her with a deep understanding and appreciation for all aspects of theatre production. Katie firmly believes in the positive impact of the arts on mental well-being and finds joy in witnessing others discover their passion, whether on stage or behind the scenes. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to become an OSTA judge, reflecting her dedication to fostering the arts community and recognising the collaborative effort required to bring a show to life.
weddings and social functions over the years for friends and family.
MAXINE RAKIRAKI (MUSICAL THEATRE OAMARU)
Member of Oamaru Rep and Oamaru Operatic Sociery, now MTO, since 1979. Directed and acted for Rep until 2010s. Directed school musicals for many years for WGHS. Been involved in all but 2 major shows for MTO as dancer, actor, crew. Have directed and written theatre restaurants and in the most recent years been involved as crew, mainly with lighting and then sound.
Maxine is a life member of MTO.
GLORIA REID
Gloria has been actively involved in the Performing Arts in Dunedin for over 60 years. This began with an extensive background in studying and teaching ballet, learning Pianoforte and Theory and performing in Musical Theatre. She was instrumental in establishing the first Theatre Restaurant for Dunedin Operatic Society (MTD) and went on to compile, direct and choreograph twelve very successful productions. This is now a well supported, regular event that MTD have continued to grow and raise the standard of local talent. Other shows Gloria has directed and/ or choreographed are Oliver ( Taieri Musical Society) Annie ( South Otago Society) Vicar of Dibley (Taieri Dramatic Society) and Social Climbers (Dunedin Repertory Society). Some of the highlights of her career have been producing, directing and choreographing various fundraising community productions for Child Cancer, Christchurch Earthquake Appeal ,NZ Geneology Conference and Hospice. Gloria is an experienced Production Manager and Stage Manager on major MTD productions which has included Les Miserable, Miss Saigon , Singing in the Rain , Evita, Me and My Girl and Anything Goes. Gloria is fully experienced in all aspects of stage work including sound, properties, set design and wardrobe and has completed 2 x fulltime residential Director Schools with MTNZ. • Past President and Life Member of Musical Theatre Dunedin • OSTAS Judge (2018-2019)
JOY RAMSAY - ALEXANDRA MUSICAL SOCIETY
I have been involved in the many and varied aspects of theatre for over twenty years, as an active member of both the Alexandra Musical Society and Clyde Theatre Group.
For those of us bitten by the theatre bug, it is more than an interest, it is a fundamental way we express ourselves and our unique personalities. I have given a lot to theatre as a committee member, actor, director, front of house helper, makeup applier, ticket seller, poster putter-upper and hall cleaner. But I have also gained so much from theatre- confidence, companionship, skills, purpose and laugher. We are a team, a family, and it is by working together that we succeed.
I feel my experience within the theatre environment should equip me well to support others through the OSTA experience. I am also a teacher by training and am used to creatively assessing others. As a wedding and funeral celebrant, my work as a validator in the Celebrants Association of NZ qualification programme, VCANZ, has also given me another opportunity to observe and assess the work of fellow celebrants.
Over the years I have tried to attend as many fellow theatre societies, groups and companies’ productions as possible. This is for three main reasons- supporting the work of others, learning from each experience and enjoyment.
I look forward to putting my skills and enthusiasm to use within the OSTA family.
MARNE HENDRIKS - GORE MUSICAL THEATRE
I arrived in New Zealand in 2002 and joined the South Otago Theatrical Society in 2011 after watching a range of shows in Balclutha and Gore.
In my first roll I was casted as the Wicked Witch of the West – This totally got me hooked on theatre and I have had a range of minor roles over the years such as “Are you being served”, “Death and Taxes”, “The Addams Family” and “Ladies for hire” as well as off stage. I was Musical Director for “Nunsense” and “a Little bit of what you Fancy” as well as Production Manager for “Annie”. When my family located to Gore I joined GMT and have been involved both on and off stage. I was part of the cast for a few Theatre Restaurants. I was Production Manager for “Chicago” and “Seussical Jnr” and most recently MD for their latest Theatre Restaurant “Last Boarding Call”. I have been involved off stage helping with sound, lighting, make up and set building as well as being stage manager. As being part of the GMT committee I feel privilege to have been given the opportunity to learn and develop a deeper understanding of what goes on behind the scenes as well as on stage.
In my other life away from theatre I have been involved in school productions as I am an teacher. Over the years I have been part of various school productions where I have been in charge of the set design and building, choreography and directing - I’ve been teaching since 2008 and I started at Blue Mountain College in Tapanui in 2023 where amongst other subjects I’ll be teaching The Arts.
I have developed a passion for theatre and all it brings and would love to bring my skills and years of experience to the judging panel. I’m also looking forward to be amazed by the awesome talent we have in our region. I am always blown away when I go watch the shows on offer and to see how people bring magic to life. Theatre gives you the opportunity to be part of a family where we all have one thing in common – Our love for performing.
KIM SALMOND-McKECHIE
I am relatively new to the performance side of Musical Theatre. I got into it after answering a call in 2021 from a frazzled music director on the hunt for some Boylan Sisters. I was incredibly nervous, as most of us are, but I’ve well and truly succumbed to the lifestyle. I have now added my contribution to 4 shows, including both The Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables. A long-time fan of listening, watching, and privately singing along to musicals throughout my youth – it didn’t take much convincing to bring me round to performing! I love all aspects of being part of a theatre group. The anxiety and anticipation of waiting for your turn onstage, the camaraderie of the “family” you grow to love during the season, all the technical and behind the scenes magic. I am a firm believer that every performer needs to spend time in the backstage/tech crews – it really gives you a new respect for how hard everyone works to put on a show. I manned a make up chair during the last WOTS show. Without a single member of the cast and crew these shows will not run anywhere near as well. It takes a village to raise a curtain! I am keen to delve even deeper into supporting local theatre. Becoming an OSTA judge is one way I might be able to do this. I have been a member of local choir so I have an ear for the music, I love costuming and seeing how hair and makeup can make or break a character. I’m a photographer, so I always look to see how the lighting and set dressing is adding value to a show. It’s all so much fun and it’s interesting to see the different ways a show can be interpreted. I can’t wait for next season to roll around.
If you are interesting in applying to be an OSTAs judge please email OSTAs secretary Donna Osborne for an application form
