When Michelle’s mum took her to see a travelling production of The Importance of Being Earnest at Taree High School hall, she was so smitten that she spent the next couple of weeks pretending to the Lady Bracknell to the cows in the milking shed. When the great god, Gough Whitlam gave her an English/History teaching scholarship for Newcastle University she signed up for the brand new Drama course instead and made it her major and performed in university productions and theatre restaurant shows.
Teaching followed and Michelle was there for the introduction of the School Certificate in Drama in 1985 and HSC Drama in 1993. She wrote and directed countless productions, acted in a few, created site and theme specific theatre for various events and community groups, became Star Struck Drama Director and created Hunter Youth Drama Ensembles, putting on productions of HSC Drama text. She also produced 3 daughters and completed a Master of Theatre Arts Degree, taught HSC Drama 18 times and became an examiner for HSC Drama.
Now retired, Michelle is still involved in Star Struck and is also one of 5 City of Newcastle Drama Awards (CONDA) judges, viewing approximately 60 -70 shows per year produced by the thriving theatrical community in Newcastle. Michelle is proud to be part of this passionate and dynamic community and is grateful to be able to share some of her experiences on this website.
“It was a school anti-bullying program that became a lightning rod for culture warriors and conservative MP’s – Safe Schools was either protecting gay kids from bullies or trying to sell Marxism in the playground, depending on who was talking”…
Production photography by Waygood Photography.
Religion and beliefs. Some of the most magnificent buildings are monuments of worship and some of the most epic wars have been over differing belief systems.
Every culture has or had their mythology/religion, a belief …
My eldest daughter’s first word was ‘Don’t’.
I was changing her nappy and happily singing away when this little emphatic one syllable contraction was directed at me. I ignored it, thinking that couldn’t be an intentional word, let alone …
When you were at school where did you fit? Were you one of the nerds, a jock, an insecure loner, a leader, badass, bully, bullied, teachers pet or just disinterested and desperate to leave. I used to call them …
Back in the day a friend and I were travelling in Mexico and had arrived at the top of the Baja Peninsula, accompanied by another young Aussie who had attached himself to us on the boat over from the mainland. …
If you’re a sucker for a good collection of original songs, daahlings, sweetie, one that takes you on a journey through different styles and moods, telling stories, plucking at your emotions and showcasing the virtuoso skills of the musicians and …
I have never won a trophy! Not one. Not even a plasticky tacky “Most Improved” or anything.
Loads of certificates and stuff, but no real, honest to goodness “I won” hold aloft bit of pleasure. So I take great joy …
In a side street in Newcastle’s CBD sits Australia’s oldest surviving theatre, the grand old Victoria Theatre. It also still contains the first fly tower in Australia. It’s in a sorry state now, full of junk and detritus from years …
Disneyland! I couldn’t wait for the Sunday night castle with its arc of stars, the theme music and welcome into the wonderful world of Disney. Fantasia, Mary Poppins, Jungle Book. The Love Bug! And of course, Cinderella, …
Back in the early 90’s anyone seen walking down a street chatting into a small brick sized device held to an ear, was seen as a ‘poser’. I remember some friends being concerned that the overnight charging of the said …