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NIKKI GAERTNER
(Website & Events Manager)

Nikki would generally describe herself as a "techie" who loves the limelight! She has worked in the Information Technology industry since 1998 and has been involved in both large and small IT projects.

Nikki first stepped on stage at the age of 5 with Allegro School of Dance, and was involved in a number of productions with the company, including Hansel and Gretel and Mary Poppins.

Nikki's favourite theatre roles include Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls for Marie Clark Musical Theatre, Helene in Sweet Charity for Hills Musical Company, Glinda The Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz for Northern Light Theatre Company and Maureen in Time of My Life for Galleon Theatre Group. She has appeared in numerous other shows with Northern Light, Galleon, The Met and Marie Clark.

Nikki is thoroughly enjoying being able to combine her love of performing and theatre with her IT flair in her role as Manager of the Adelaide Theatre Guide.
JAMIE WRIGHT
(Reviews Editor)

Having moved to Adelaide from the somewhat culturally-starved northern Queensland in late 1997, Jamie's life was changed forever by the arrival of the 1998 Fringe Guide in his letterbox. From then on he became a dedicated theatre-goer, and, despite having the desire to try his luck at performing, the demands of work and study kept him on the other side of the stage. But at the end of 2002 he found himself with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and Communication in one hand and a sudden increase in spare time in the other.

Since being cast in his first production, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' with Burnside Players, Jamie has rarely been away from the theatre for more than a few weeks. While the majority of roles have been with Burnside - including their ATG 'Curtain Call' award-winning 2006 production of 'The Crucible' - he has also performed with The Rep, Therry, SALOS, Marie Clarke and Unseen Theatre Company/Insight Presents. When not on stage he can often be found backstage, having worked as one or more of stage manager, production manager and crew for nearly every Burnside Players show in the last few years, and even found time to move things around for Northern Light on a couple of occasions.

Reviewing combines two of his great loves - theatre and writing - and he's rarely happier than when scribbling notes on the back of programmes in the dark. Reading his own handwriting afterwards, of course, is another thing entirely...
KYLIE PEDLER
(Assistant Reviews Editor)

Dancing at 3. Performing in musicals at 7. Kylie’s ardor for the stage has always been evident in her smile. Often recognized for her dancing in the chorus, Kylie has played minor roles in ‘The Boyfriend’ and ‘Music Man’. Involved in a variety of companies over the years, her favourite productions include ‘HMS Pinafore’, ‘Copacabana’, ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar’ and ‘Shout’.

A qualified CSTD teacher, Kylie has taught dance for 17 years. While fulfilling her love for travel, Kylie studied at the Broadway Dance Centre, took classes with the Radio City Music Rockettes, and performed at the Martin Luther King Theatre (NYC). Combining her teaching experience and love for dance and theatre, Kylie had no hesitation about choreographing a large children’s ensemble for ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’….twice! She has also choreographed ‘Guys and Dolls’.

Having already completed a Diploma in Arts and a Bachelor of Education, Kylie competed a Bachelor of Writing and Creative Communication, with a major in editing and publishing and is excited to share her skills with the Adelaide Theatre Guide as an assistant editor.
TONY BUSCH
(Reviewer)

Tony Busch began his theatrical journey at age 10 in Melbourne and has been around the Adelaide theatre scene since 1999. He has appeared regularly as an actor with St Jude's Players, Adelaide Repertory Theatre and Therry Society, and, along the way, with Red Chilli, Adelaide University Theatre Guild and independent companies. Most recently, he played six characters in the Rep's production of "The Woman in Black". Tony is also an experienced writer, having worked as a copywriter and creative director of several multi-national agencies in Adelaide and Melbourne.

When he's not reviewing for ATG, other interests include presenting on local community radio.
BEN CRISP
(Reviewer)

Ben has written, produced and directed a number of films that have screened in festivals around Australia. He has performed on stage and screen, and is completing a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.
FRAN EDWARDS
(Reviewer)

Fran has been involved in amateur theatre in South Australian for almost thirty years. That involvement has spanned just about every aspect of productions. She has notched up 118 productions doing everything from set and costume design, operation of lights and sound, stage management, publicity, front of house, direction and, of course, treading the boards.

Fran has directed a number of award-winning productions for Northern Light Theatre Company, including Annie and The King and I.

Whilst studying drama at Adelaide University she was asked to review for On Dit the campus newspaper, which she did for 5 years, continuing after she graduated as the editors were short of willing reviewers. When she heard that ATG was asking for experienced reviewers she gladly volunteered because she believes that critics and reviews are another important part of theatre and every show deserves balanced feedback.
BRIAN GODFREY
(Reviewer)

Brian has about 40 years experience in the Adelaide amateur theatre scene, having started at the delicate age of 9. Over that time he has acted, directed, stage managed and worked back stage.

Where acting is concerned, Brian specialises in comedy roles having played many leads in many farces. But when he tries his hand at drama he prefers meaty roles such as psychopaths, serial killers and "not nice" guys.

Brian has worked with many Adelaide companies and would be well recognised by any regular Actad patron. In 1993, he won the Advertiser Oscart award for Best Actor for his role as real serial killer John Reginald Christie in "Christie In Love" and for his performance in the one person show "Harry's Christmas".

After being involved for so long on and back of the stage, he feels the time is now right to try his hand at reviewing and so far is enjoying every minute of it.
AARON MACDONALD
(Reviewer)

Aaron has worked as a journalist and writer for 10 years; he got his start in the industry by writing theatre reviews for street press rags. He recently left The Advertiser and now works as a public relations consultant and writer.

He auditioned for a musical a decade ago on a dare, and found the rush of being on stage unlike any other; since then, he has notched up a few dozen plays, musicals and performance pieces.
KELLY MILDENHALL
(Reviewer)

As a keen writer/reviewer plus conversation collector and film fanatic, reviewing for ATG is the ideal role for Kelly, who used to attend shows merrily unaccompanied, rather than miss out on the possibility of being inspired.

After enjoying acting in high school and University productions, Kelly turned her attention to teaching English and Drama full time. She is also undertaking Professional Writing at TafeSA, with reviews, poetry and script writing at the top of her agenda.

Kelly looks forward to the day when she can see a Tim Burton-inspired theatre show, as this would combine two of her favourite things. She is eager to get cracking with reviewing for ATG, because although she's never needed an excuse to write a review, it's lovely to have a reason.
EMMA SIZE
(Reviewer)

Emma likes nothing more than pina coladas and getting caught in the rain - oh, and writing reviews.

Although she is currently studying graphic design, her heart will always belong on the stage (or on the street when she's doing her amateur break dancing). After joining the Australian Girls Choir at six years old, Emma sang her way around the east and west coast of the U.S.A, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and most of Australia. Her time with the choir included performances with Hugh Jackman in "The Boy from Oz", a concert for Pope Benedict XVI, and the chance to perform for and meet Barry Gibb, Andre Agassi and John Travolta.

While she has also performed in local productions such as "The Cagebirds" and "The Jungle Book", she is most well known for approaching everything with eccentricity and a couple of jokes. She was nominated for both Class Clown and Biggest Gangster awards at her high school graduation and exercised her funny bone at the grand final of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's Class Clowns stand up comedy competition.

Emma can't be happier that she has the opportunity to combine her love of writing and theatre at ATG, and in her own words "seriously guys, who doesn't love pina coladas?"
CELESTE VILLANI
(Reviewer)

Enrolled in dance lessons to be like her older cousins, many people thought that performing would only be a phase for three-year-old Celeste. Seventeen years later that phase is still in full swing and has seen Celeste perform across Australia and overseas.

A self-confessed addict to sequins, glitter, and pink, Celeste started her performing arts career at the Mighty Good Talent School, and later moved to Innis Performing Arts Academy where she was trained in jazz, tap, hip-hop and contemporary dance. She ventured into musical theatre at the age of eleven as an ensemble member for Swamp Fairy's production of 'A Night on Broadway'. Since then she has been involved in many shows with Shane Davidson Presents, Pelican Productions and Marie Clark Musical Theatre.

In 2007, Celeste successfully auditioned into the Australian Drill and Dance Team, which saw her sing and dance in Disneyworld, Florida. She also took numerous classes at Broadway Dance Centre and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. In December 2011, Celeste travelled to Singapore for a month to perform in Star Mission's production of 'Cabaret Pink'.

Other than performing, Celeste is a competitive cheerleader and is currently studying a Bachelor of Journalism/Bachelor of Arts (Writing and Creative Communications).
LUKE WAGNER
(Reviewer)

Luke has been part of theatre in SA for several years now. Currently serving as president of Venture Theatre Company, Luke has acted and directed with the company since 2008. Luke has performed with several amateur groups around and loves seeing a production grow into something special.

In 2010, Luke directed Venture's award nominated play, The Murder Room. He has also played characters from bumbling detectives to handsome prince and loves to try something new. Luke is a fan of theatre in all forms, everything from the large scale of shows like Wicked to those by small theatre companies that have given him the chance to develop his skills.
JOHN WELLS
(Reviewer)

Since being released from a Moroccan gaol in 1988 (where he was held on trumped-up gun-running charges), John Wells has dedicated himself to all facets of the theatrical arts. John has a wide-ranging, practical knowledge of theatre. An experienced stage actor and writer, he has, in recent times, worked as a director. John brings a breadth of experience and knowledge to his role as a reviewer, having been in many hugely successful shows and his fair share of productions that should have closed at interval.

A lawyer by day and a critic by night, John is sorely disappointed that although he is the same age as both Russell Crowe and Shane Warne, he has not made the millions of dollars our Russ has, nor has he sent as many text messages as Warnie.

John does not own a mobile phone, writes with a fountain pen, drives a 1961 Rover, eats a lot of blue cheese and listens to Stravinsky. He has no idea who The Veronicas are.
MAGGIE WOOD
(Reviewer)

Maggie is a theatre and comedy junkie, both as performer and audient! She started in her native Scotland as a part time drama student, ploughing through the drama exams of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and gained experience with MSD Productions in a variety of roles.

The move to Australia soon delivered the dream gig of reviewing Adelaide Fringe comedy for the SAFM Breakfast show, which in turn led to her somewhat erratic but nonetheless satisfying comedy career, which was topped off by a Peoples' Choice award at Fringe 2007 for the ensemble all female standup show, Titters!

Returning to theatre after a (literally) pregnant pause of 11 years, she resumed her theatrical activities in 2005, including roles as actor and Production Manager, and most recently, Producer of her own comedy room at the Griffin's Head Hotel, commencing January 2008.
RICHARD FLYNN
(Adjunct Reviewer)

With a love of theatre spanning some six decades, Richard has acted in plays and musicals, and directed heaps more - from Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, Shaffer, Ayckbourn, Brecht, Wilder and Wilde to Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.

He founded a theatre company for young people wanting to continue their association with theatre on leaving school - Adelaide's first such theatre, the Court Theatre Company, existing for 22 years up to 1997. Now there are many such companies in SA.

Richard was a teacher of Senior Secondary School English and Drama, and in retirement remains an editor and theatre critic for print and online publications. He joined ATG in 2007 as Reviewers' Co-ordinator; increasingly poor health forced him to step down this year from all except some reviewing.



Photography by Butterfly Expressions (www.butterflyexpressions.com.au) ©2005