PEOPLE
Directors / Performers
Artistic Director Sarah Sutherland
Associate Director Carolyn Bock
Company Manager Kate Kahn
Creative Facilitator Maddie Nunn
Musician/Facilitator Tim Knowles
Guest Director (Film) Rory Kelly
Past co - director/Consultant Jess Huon
The Management Committee
President Jarrod Briffa
Vice President Emily Harms
Company Secretary Krissy Huxley
Treasurer Fiona Crombie
Parent Representative Fran MacDonough
Member Michael Hole
Member Jacinta Parsons
Member Jeswynn Yogaratnam
Artistic Director
Sarah Sutherland
Sarah Sutherland completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in psychology and literature (University of Melbourne) before studying acting at the National Theatre Drama School. In 2007, Sarah completed her Masters (RMIT) in integrated drama and therapeutic methods. Sarah is an ensemble member of Red Stitch Actors Theatre, and has worked extensively as an actor in theatre, film and television. Acting credits include Red Sky Morning,The Realistic Jones and Desert 6.29 pm for Red Stitch, Dead Man’s Cell Phone and The Water Carriers for MTC, and Angry Boys for ABC, BBC, HBO.
Creative Facilitator
Madelaine Nunn
Madelaine Nunn is a Melbourne-based actor, writer and theatre maker, graduating from the VCA in 2015 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre Practice). Madelaine is the 2018 recipient of the Rebel Wilson Theatremaker Scholarship and was the 2014 recipient of the Irene Mitchell Award for an outstanding actor. Since graduating Madelaine has been nominated for two Green Room Awards and cofounded the female led theatre company, Three Birds Theatre. Madelaine has written for, and performed in many theatre festivals including, Poppy Seed Theatre Festival, CRACK, Metanoia, the Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Fringe and has toured multiple times with Regional Arts Victoria.
Associate Director
Carolyn Bock
Since graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts, Carolyn’s diverse career has encompassed dance, theatre, television and film. In theatre, she has worked with the MTC, Playbox, La Mama, Stork Theatre, and on a myriad of independent productions. Recent credits include Penelopiad by Margaret Attwood for The Stork Theatre and The Girls In Grey co –written and produced with Helen Hopkins for their company The Shift Theatre, which they created in 2009. Recent TV includes, Dr Blake Mysteries, INXS:The untold Story, Winners and Losers, Neighbours and City Homicide. With numerous film credits, Carolyn also works with children and youth devising dance- theatre experiences.
David Baker
David completed Ignition theatre Training (2005, NMIT), VCAL Arts and Multimedia (2007, Swinburne TAFE) followed by a Diploma of Theatre Arts (2009, Swinburne TAFE). Following completion of his Diploma course, David has been regularly employed as a stilt walker and balloon artist at Community Events. In 2011 David completed a two year Internship at Red Stitch Actors Theatre, he was ASM for their productions of “The City” and “The Laramie Project Ten Years Later,” returning as ASM when this production was remounted at the Fairfax Studio, Melbourne Arts Centre in 2012. David is a founding member of Rollercoaster Theatre, is a volunteer with FOG Theatre, is a member of RAG Theatre and Dream Theatre. David also volunteers with DMA (Disability Media Australia) as a Camera Operator and Floor Manager. In 2013 he was a member of the cast of “Casa Del Crip,” a pilot sit com about people with disabilities. He was honored to be selected for a Professional Development opportunity at the Unlimited UK Arts Festival in London in 2012. David is employed as an Usher at The Melbourne Arts Centre.
Michael Buxton
Michael graduated from Ignition Theatre training (NMIT) in 2005 and is an original member of Rollercoaster Theatre. He now works extensively in theatre with companies including FOG, DVA, and Rawcus and has performed in Tall Words (DVA 2010), Small Odysseys (Rawcus 2011), Cumulus Nimbus (FOG 2011), realeyes (Rollercoaster 2011), The Noah’s (Rollercoaster 2013) and Shine a Light (FOG 2013). He is currently developing a new work, Catalogue (Rawcus 2015) and was selected as one of only 9 performers from all over Australia to be part of Weave movement Theatres inclusive workshops with Caroline Bowditch (2014). His short film credits include Rodney (dir. Andrew Coyle) and Wake (VCA).
Shea MacDonough
Shea has a long performance history, beginning when she was just 10 years old. It’s just what she loves. Her most recent performance was in Monster Pies, a feature movie directed by Lee Galea. She has completed a number of short video/commercial projects with the Department of Health & Community Services, produced by Suitcase Murphy, and performed in the Big Idea, a video project directed by Sarah Barton and screened at Signal Theatre. Shea hosts the Club Wild Dance Parties at Arts House @ North Melbourne Town Hall and is also a Committee member of Freeza. She attended Ignition Theatre at NMIT and was mentored by Leesa Nash, learning stage & lighting and was a member of Family Dog Theatre for many years, performing at suburban festivals. Shea is a member of emotion21 dance group and Rollercoaster Theatre, where she learns as much about acting and dance as she can.
Ryan New
Ryan describes himself as a physical performer. Ryan hopes to be able to perform overseas both in mainstream and disability theatre and one day be able to go on tour and take his own show about his life experiences on Autism to a wider audience. Ryan has performed extensively with Rawcus Theatre Company, Weave Movement Theatre, Family Dog Circus, Platform Youth Theatre Company, Ignition Theatre and Chamber Made Opera.
Erin Pocervina
Erin studied with Ignition Theatre Training at NMIT in 2002-03, performing in The Lounge and It Was Something That Happened the Day Before. She is a founding member of Rollercoaster Theatre and has performed in Gawk (2006), Real Eyes (2011), Born as a Frog and The Noahs (2013). She acted in a short film, Lost in Confusion (2011) for Grand Media. Erin worked at Club Wild and sang as part of the group ‘Wild Divas’, writing a song about her feelings towards the word 'disability' and how people are treated. The song is called Differently. Erin is also a member of the Laverton Community Choir.
Melissa Slaviero
Melissa graduated from Ignition Theatre Training (NMIT) in 2007. She joined Fog Theatre in 2008 and has performed in Forest of the Gongs (2010) and Cumulus Nimbus (2011). As a member of Rollercoaster Theatre (2010) she has performed in Realeyes (2011), The Noahs (2013), For the love of Pina (2015), and Fish (2017) at the Melba Spiegeltent. Melissa has studied rhythmic gymnastics (Australian Champion Special Olympics), voice, piano and dance. Currently she is a dance member of e.motion 21 and travelled to India and performed at the World Downs Syndrome Conference in Chennai, the Australian Embassy in New Delhi and at the Taj Mahal (2015). “When I perform on stage inside of me is like a star and my heart comes out”.
Cameron Stanley
Cameron delights in performing. He studied Ignition Theatre Training at NMIT and is a founding member of Rollercoaster Theatre. He has also worked with Just Us (Melbourne), Break of Day Players (Warrnambool), and the Awakenings Festival (Horsham). Cameron specialises in mime and has twice performed solo at L'Arche Fundraising Dinners. He was one of three actors in 'Public Spaces Private Places' performed at Memo and directed by David Baker. For Rollercoaster Theatre, Cameron has performed in Big Life, Real Eyes, The Noahs, For the Love of Pina, and Fish.
Andrew Tresidder
Andrew Tresidder graduated from Live Production, Theatre and Events (Ignition Theatre Training, NMIT). He has also completed a mentorship with the Darebin City Council’s Kite Festival as a member of the Event Management Team and completed a Stage Management Mentorship for the Ignition 2008 Major Performance. In 2009 Andrew joined Family Dog Circus to train and be mentored as a Performing Facilitator. He joined Rollercoaster Theatre company in 2009 and is loving every minute of it.