BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
Jane Forrest - Chair
Jane Forrest, the founder of Vim Arts & Events has been fully immersed in the arts as a performer, administrator, technician, manager, director, writer, planner, and enthusiastic patron her whole life. Jane is an experienced arts administrator with an eclectic background encompassing marketing, human resources, events, stage management, project management, governance, strategic planning and grant writing. With a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Theatre) and a Graduate Certificate of Business Management, plus 10 years of corporate, not-for-profit and arts industry experience, Jane has a unique mix of skills which allows her to understand the creative process and how to develop the inherent creativity of an arts organisation into strong management practices.
Megan Jolly - Deputy Chair + Treasurer
Megan studied theatre and education at UTAS then taught Drama, English and Dance in Australia and England. Following time in London she moved to the United States and worked as an event planner for several years. She returned to Tasmania in 2008 and in 2009 graduated from UTAS with a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts in Theatre. In 2010 she worked as the Program Manager for Junction 2010, the Regional Arts Australia national conference that was held in Launceston. The conference included the inaugural Junction Arts Festival. In 2011 she graduated from UTAS with a Master of Contemporary Arts in Theatre. She has been actively involved with local community theatre companies as an actor and director since her return to Tasmania. She currently works as an Electorate Officer for Senator Peter Whish-Wilson. She is a current participant in the Tasmanian Leaders Program.
Darren Willmott - Secretary
Darren has worked extensively in theatre production as stage manager and operator, production and operations management, lighting, set and sound design. Darren is currently the Production Manager and a Lighting Designer for Tasdance, recent productions including, Voltage, Identity , Cross Currents, Artery, Image, Heart Matters, and Pulse, and has toured to extensively Victoria and NSW, Regional Tasmania, Bass Strait Islands and New Zealand. Darren is also an artistic associate for Mudlark Theatre and recent productions include The Sea Project, Beautiful, Dancing Back Home, Action and Cross. Previous roles include, Scotch Oakburn College’s Performing Arts Centre Coordinator, Production Manager (UTAS School of Visual and Performing Arts), Head Technician/Operations Manager (Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre,) Production/ Company Manager (Ten Days on the Island), Lighting Design and Technical Direction (Slipstream Circus, Circus Risque, Three River Theatre, Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble, Musical Society and Encore). Darren is a graduate University of Tasmania, Bachelor of Performing Arts.
Zoë Vandervelde - Board Member
Zoë is a local artist who has a rich involvement with the Tasmania Theatre scene. She completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts at the University of Tasmania in 2014 and has gone on to stage manage, design, direct and perform for many of the local theatre companies. Most notably having stage managed for Mudlark’s 2015 production of The Possum.
In 2017 she worked with Launceston Christian School on their ‘Musical of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, and as stage-manager for Three River Theatre Companies production of The Season at Sarsaparilla. More recently she has performed with Encore Theatre Company, Launceston Musical Society and Three River Theatre. She also has directed for a number of Mudlark’s One Day productions. Her experience as a theatre maker and her professional work in various management roles gives her a great foundation for working in creative development.
In 2017 she worked with Launceston Christian School on their ‘Musical of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’, and as stage-manager for Three River Theatre Companies production of The Season at Sarsaparilla. More recently she has performed with Encore Theatre Company, Launceston Musical Society and Three River Theatre. She also has directed for a number of Mudlark’s One Day productions. Her experience as a theatre maker and her professional work in various management roles gives her a great foundation for working in creative development.
Sheryl-Lee Schuh - Board Member
Sheryl-lee is a partner in a local boutique law firm. Originally hailing from Brisbane, she moved with her young family to Launceston in late 2002 for a change of pace and climate. She began her career in Crown Law in Brisbane then worked in a number of government departments in legal and policy roles. Upon arrival in Tasmania she had a slight change in career, working for two Tasmanian Senators before returning to the law and eventually setting up her own firm.
Outside of the office Sheryl-lee is passionate about yoga, bushwalking, her garden and family. Whilst she says she does not possess an ounce of artistic talent she has always had a great love of the arts, particularly art house and foreign films, theatre, ballet and music of many genres.
Outside of the office Sheryl-lee is passionate about yoga, bushwalking, her garden and family. Whilst she says she does not possess an ounce of artistic talent she has always had a great love of the arts, particularly art house and foreign films, theatre, ballet and music of many genres.
Brooke Everingham - Board Member
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After graduating with a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Theatre) from the University of Tasmania, Brooke has spent over 15 years working in the Arts across Australia. Brooke has worked as an actor in theatre and film and television, including for Mudlark Theatre in their 2015 work, The Possum. Brooke has taught acting to people of all ages (in particular to children and young people) in Tasmania, Queensland and Romania. She was Artistic Director of Riverland Youth Theatre, SA, in 2014. For 7 years Brooke worked in Outback Queensland as Program Manager and Festival Director for the Shockwave Program, mentoring rural young people in event management and creative practice. Currently, Brooke works in Philanthropy for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and is completing her Masters in Primary Teaching at UTAS.
Brooke has experienced first-hand the life changing impact creativity has on our health, wellbeing, and sense of belonging – no matter who we are or where we're from. She’s thrilled to be part of the Mudlark board. |
Maeve McKenna - Board Member
Maeve is currently a Social Media Content Creator at The University of Tasmania. Her professional background has centred around media communications in Tasmania and her homeland of Ireland.
She has worked as a journalist at The Examiner, where she covered arts and events and built-up connections in the theatre and arts community in Launceston. Maeve is very much a lover of the arts from afar, apart from a brief stint on stage as Tybalt in her school production of Romeo and Juliet.
With more than ten years of experience, she brings a unique blend of skills from digital communication and social media management to newsroom experience.
She has worked as a journalist at The Examiner, where she covered arts and events and built-up connections in the theatre and arts community in Launceston. Maeve is very much a lover of the arts from afar, apart from a brief stint on stage as Tybalt in her school production of Romeo and Juliet.
With more than ten years of experience, she brings a unique blend of skills from digital communication and social media management to newsroom experience.
STAFF
Cheyne Mitchell - Artistic Director
Cheyne graduated from the UTAS School of Visual and Performing Arts in 2006 with a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts, majoring in Theatre, also completing a BCA with Honours in 2007.
He has worked for a number of Tasmanian theatre companies in varied roles including Mudlark’s Rooted, Action and The Possum. He is the ‘most capped’ actor in Mudlark’s exciting One Day projects and has also directed multiple works for the event. Cheyne performed on serval occasions for the former CentrStage Theatre Company in Love, Tamar Tidings, Who’s Afraid of Working Class?, Some Girl(s), Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Osama the Hero, When the Rain Stops Falling, The Goat, and the Australian premiere of Stephen Sewell’s The Photo.
Cheyne has performed with the Cue Theatre Company presenting the Port Arthur summer play series. He has worked with Three River Theatre Company in Twelve Angry Men, performed with Launceston musical society, and played Dr Dillamond in Encore Theatre Company’s award winning production of Wicked.
Cheyne has directed major musical productions for Launceston College since 2011. He has also been the Artistic Director and a founding member of the Relevant Theatre Company, where he has directed and performed in both Pronoun and WILD as part of the 2017 and 2018 Junction Arts Festivals.
He has worked for a number of Tasmanian theatre companies in varied roles including Mudlark’s Rooted, Action and The Possum. He is the ‘most capped’ actor in Mudlark’s exciting One Day projects and has also directed multiple works for the event. Cheyne performed on serval occasions for the former CentrStage Theatre Company in Love, Tamar Tidings, Who’s Afraid of Working Class?, Some Girl(s), Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Osama the Hero, When the Rain Stops Falling, The Goat, and the Australian premiere of Stephen Sewell’s The Photo.
Cheyne has performed with the Cue Theatre Company presenting the Port Arthur summer play series. He has worked with Three River Theatre Company in Twelve Angry Men, performed with Launceston musical society, and played Dr Dillamond in Encore Theatre Company’s award winning production of Wicked.
Cheyne has directed major musical productions for Launceston College since 2011. He has also been the Artistic Director and a founding member of the Relevant Theatre Company, where he has directed and performed in both Pronoun and WILD as part of the 2017 and 2018 Junction Arts Festivals.
Corey Ackerly- General Manager
Corey holds a Degree in Commerce, and completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tasmania in 2004.
Corey has career experiences in a number of managerial and operational positions in both private and public sector industries.
Corey’s experience includes over 10 years branding and marketing experience with the iconic Boags Brewery. During his time his responsibilities included developing the extremely successful national advertising campaign “Who is James Boag?”, managing sponsorship partnerships of events such as Festivale, Victorian Beer and Wine Festival, Moonlight Cinema’s and Good Food & Wine Shows nationally.
After leaving Boags Corey worked for Tourism Tasmania on Destination promotion and wholesale tourism product development before moving to the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development , Export and Trade Unit. Corey worked with Tasmanian enterprises to increase their internal capacity and opportunities to export interstate and overseas. Corey developed and managed trade missions to overseas markets to support businesses in the agricultural, mining and Food & Beverage sectors.
Most recently Corey was employed as the Operations Manager for the Launceston Tornadoes Basketball Club where he oversaw all operational aspect of this highly visible, community supported professional sporting club.
Corey has also been extensively involved in a variety of local community organisations in administrative and volunteer roles.
Corey has career experiences in a number of managerial and operational positions in both private and public sector industries.
Corey’s experience includes over 10 years branding and marketing experience with the iconic Boags Brewery. During his time his responsibilities included developing the extremely successful national advertising campaign “Who is James Boag?”, managing sponsorship partnerships of events such as Festivale, Victorian Beer and Wine Festival, Moonlight Cinema’s and Good Food & Wine Shows nationally.
After leaving Boags Corey worked for Tourism Tasmania on Destination promotion and wholesale tourism product development before moving to the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development , Export and Trade Unit. Corey worked with Tasmanian enterprises to increase their internal capacity and opportunities to export interstate and overseas. Corey developed and managed trade missions to overseas markets to support businesses in the agricultural, mining and Food & Beverage sectors.
Most recently Corey was employed as the Operations Manager for the Launceston Tornadoes Basketball Club where he oversaw all operational aspect of this highly visible, community supported professional sporting club.
Corey has also been extensively involved in a variety of local community organisations in administrative and volunteer roles.
Indea Quinn - Junior Associate
Indea Quinn (indeaquinn.com) is a freelance multi-disciplinary performer, theatre maker and arts practitioner currently based in Launceston. In 2018 Indea graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Hons.). In 2019 she undertook a residency with Frantic Assembly (London), training in their physical theatre methodology and creating a performance with practitioners from around the world. Earlier in 2022 Indea was employed as an actor for Mudlark’s production of Girl Running, Boy Falling (directed by Bindy Stephens, adapted by Kate Gaul). In 2021 Indea was engaged as an artist for Soliloquy (RANT Arts) as well as being selected as a writer for the Fresh Ink National Mentoring Program (Australian Theatre for Young People) and Multitrack, a program operated by Theatre North (in collaboration with Mudlark, Tasdance and Junction Arts Festival). In September 2021 Indea undertook the position of Nightlight Coordinator with Junction Arts Festival. Indea serves on the board of Sawtooth A.R.I. and with a background in classical ballet (R.A.D Advanced 2), she teaches with the Tasdance Public Program.
Kimberley Pease - Finance Manager
