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
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.
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.
Alison Tuskin - Treasurer
Details to follow...
Alexander Wells - Secretary
Alex graduated from UTAS with a Bachelor of Arts and Laws with First Class Honours in 2016. Upon completion, Alex returned to his home town in Launceston and completed his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia at the end of 2017. He now works predominantly in civil litigation, criminal law and commercial law with Bishops Barristers and Solicitors.
Beyond being a lawyer, Alex has always had a passion for the arts. He began performing when he was the tender age of 5 through what was then P.C.Y.C Youth Theatre. He has also been involved in numerous productions with Encore Theatre Company.
Alex is exciting to be a part of the wonderful team at Mudlark and to be able to combine his two passions: the Arts and Law.
Beyond being a lawyer, Alex has always had a passion for the arts. He began performing when he was the tender age of 5 through what was then P.C.Y.C Youth Theatre. He has also been involved in numerous productions with Encore Theatre Company.
Alex is exciting to be a part of the wonderful team at Mudlark and to be able to combine his two passions: the Arts and Law.
Darren Willmott
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
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.
Rebecca Jee
Rebecca has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theatre and English and a Masters in Creative Writing, both from UNSW. She is at home both onstage and off, having performed in, stage managed, directed, written and designed several shows while at UNSW. She recently performed with Launceston’s Encore Theatre Company in The Sound of Music and Strictly Ballroom.
Rebecca has extensive experience working in publications, design, marketing, and social media. Her freelance business clients range from self-publishing authors through to national charity organisations and international real estate companies. She currently works as a graphic designer, photographer and videographer.
Rebecca has extensive experience working in publications, design, marketing, and social media. Her freelance business clients range from self-publishing authors through to national charity organisations and international real estate companies. She currently works as a graphic designer, photographer and videographer.
Peter Day
Peter has over 35 years experience in Business Consulting and 10 years across Not For Profit and Community Services. Peter has sat at both senior executive and board level. He has had major success in assisting organisations to realise their strategic directions. Peter has a Masters of Strategy from Monash and holds numerous accreditations and certifications across both Business and ICT areas. Peter has an extensive background in coaching executives in both Business and ICT components across a number of industry segments including Government, Utilities, Telecommunications, Health, and Not For Profit.
Peter is an Artist, Musician and supporter of the Arts and is the Director of Sandbox Studios in Melbourne, an organisation focussed on providing space for artists to grow and develop.
Peter is an Artist, Musician and supporter of the Arts and is the Director of Sandbox Studios in Melbourne, an organisation focussed on providing space for artists to grow and develop.
Maeve Macgregor
Details to follow...
