We are pleased to announce our judging panel for Playmates Illawarra IX. With a wealth of professional experience (over 100 years between them), our judges this year know what makes a great scene, and will be demanding only the best improvised comedy scenes this year!

Our judges this year are Michael Sheridan, Geoffrey Sykes and Lou Belancic.

MARK SHERIDAN

Mark’s professional career began in 1970 at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in the U.K., following two years at Guildford School of Acting. A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he has worked extensively in theatre, film, television and radio in a career spanning more than forty years.

His recent credits include “Noah’s Ark” with John Voight and Mary Steeburgen, “Deadly Women” for Channel Television, “Skylight” at the Theatre Centre, Canberra, a five week Sydney season of “The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell, and local appearances in “Proof” at WWT, “Art”, “Pippin” and “The Merchant of Venice” at the Phoenix Theatre.

He is currently rehearsing the title role of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” for local audiences next year, and has just completed filming a guest appearance in the new Indo-Australian film “Unindian”, starring Brett Lee, which will have an international release in 2015.
LOU BELANCIC

“If I had one super power, it’d be the ability to Fly. I hate walking.”

Lou has had an extensive career in the professional music industry, appearing in about a dozen professional bands as drummer from 1967 to 1990 including well respected groups Freshwater, Tree, The Works, The Jet Johnson Band, The Great Bite and Anvil.

As well as performing in numerous venues throughout Sydney including the famous Chequers where his band performed alongside famous rock group ACDC. Lou’s band Tree won the Wollongong battle of the bands and earned great respect, becoming the first glam-rock band in the Illawarra.

After 1990, Lou moved into live production where he was in very high demand. His move from Rock’n’Roll to setting up corporate events further entrenching him in the music industry. He ran high profile events such as the 50th anniversary of the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney and the opening of the IBIS Hotel Darling Harbour before installing and running several dance clubs in Sydney, including Players Nightclub – southern Sydney’s only hardcore dance club which he ran for ten years.

In 1995, Lou set up and ran The Back Room which operated out the The Illawarra Hotel until 2001, before launching his latest endeavour – The Vault Entertainment Venue Port Kembla which has been home to over fifty productions of The Vault Cabaret, several Jazz evenings, CD launches, functions and this year was the home of Black Box Theatre’s Illawarra premiere of Irvine Welsh’s TRAINSPOTTING.

GEOFFREY SYKES

“If I had one super power, it would be to possess the power of prestidigitation.”

Geoffrey Sykes has lived in the Illawarra, at Stanwell Tops, for over 25 years. During that time he has taught at a local boys’ secondary college, and at the University of Wollongong in the School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication, in the Faculty of Arts.

Geoffrey has maintained a longstanding commitment to theatre – as a writer and producer. He has had over 25 professional production credits, with commissions for the Art Gallery of New South Wales; the Museum of Contemporary Arts, Sydney; the National Gallery of Canberra; and the Powerhouse Museum. His stage credits include La Mama Melbourne; Theatre South Wollongong; Bridge Theatre; Old Fitzroy Theatre Sydney; Holden Street Theatre Adelaide; Riverside Theatre Sydney; Wollongong Art Gallery; Roo Theatre; and the Tap Gallery Sydney. He has had showcase productions or readings including Alliance Francaise, Parnassus Den, Sydney, Darwin Theatre Company; Canberra Youth Theatre; Hazlehurst Gallery, Gymea Sydney; Ensemble Theatre, Sydney; Crossroads Theatre, Sydney; and the National Gallery of Victoria.

In recent years he has managed a small studio performance venue (Bushland Chapel) in Helensburgh. In addition to his own work the venue has assisted over 30 local performers and hosted a number of independent productions. His mid year Sydney productions “Tales of Kabbarli” and “Walk in Beauty” received outstanding press reviews.

Geoffrey is also a producer of video, with broadcast credits including ABC, SBS and Foxtel. His most recent work “Black in Time” (2014) has received considerable acclaim in the Illawarra. A further full length documentary featuring an Illawarra narrative is ready for release in January. Geoffrey enjoys the possibilities for docu drama on video.

Geoffrey works under the Playscript banner, and is always interested to meet keen and talented theatre practitioners, in acting and production and marketing.

www.merrigong.com.au/learning/drama-studio.html
dramastudio@bigpond.com

The Drama Studio is an internationally leading Youth Theatre Company providing premier acting training and performance opportunities for young people. It provides an enriching educational foundation in the dramatic arts for school aged students. It strongly believes that theatre provides a unique platform to inspire and engage young people, develop confidence and nurture their artistry, which in turn, can have a lasting impact on their lives.

The Drama Studio exists to deliver high quality drama tuition and performance experiences to foster creativity and a lifelong passion for the arts.

The Drama Studio made their Playmates debut in the 2012 showcase and made the Grand Final round in their first appearance, narrowly missing out on taking home the trophy to the triumphant Roo Theatre team.

Last year they returned and again made the grand final round against the university team, this time however they refused to go home empty handed. The judges voted The Drama Studio team the Playmates champions of 2013, and this year they return to defend their trophy.

2014 Playmates team: Evan Kerr (captain), Maddie Diggins, Mathew Latham and Lachlan Grogan

2014 Playmates Team

EVAN KERR

If my life were a book, it would be called ‘Mein Kramp’

Evan – The Drama Studio

Evan has been the leading man in The Drama Studio team for Playmates since it entered the showcase in 2012, and displays an uncanny ability for improvisation, and was last year voted by his peers as the inaugural Player’s Player.

Evan is a Pianist, Accompanist, Composer and has been Musical Director for The Drama Studio @ IPAC since 2010.

While working with the Drama Studio, he has written 5 musical shows and 3 scores for The Shakespeare Project, which is a sister-school type initiative with Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. He will be working with the London National Theatre next year on the production, ‘The Edelweiss Pirates’. He loves Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain.

I’m looking forward to working with new teams, new contestants, and new games. I’m super keen for any of the physical games, such as Mime and Murder Endowments. There aren’t any games I don’t want to play, I want to do all of them!

MADDIE DIGGINS

If I had one super power, it’d be to make my university assignments complete themselves while I procrastinate.

“I have been putting on fake American accents while playing with my Barbies and my sister ever since I can remember.”

Maddie Diggins returns for her third Playmates experience with defending champions The Drama Studio. She has persued her love for performance and drama all throughout high school, while also attending The Drama Studio since year 10. She is currently studying High School Drama teaching at UNSW and assists in drama classes at the Drama Studio.

“I am really looking forward to having lost of fun and to relive the amazing energy on the Playmates stage! I love getting up there and making myself look like an idiot all for the benefit of the audience.”

Despite her modesty, Maddie impressed the Playmates audience immensely and showed fantastic composure, commitment and teamwork – crucial ingredients in the success of the art of improvisation. Although she is eagerly awaiting the chance to jump back into Playmates, she still feels the nerves that has faced every Playmates actor since it started.

“I may or may not projectile vomit from nerves…”

With over a dozen new improvisation games on offer in Playmates 2014, Maddie has great faith in her team, and their ability to captivate an audience.

“I hope we get Song, Evan is the music maestro. He turns any sort of story line into musical gold! I am worried about the new game Sentences From The Floor, I may lose it if I have to pick up a super funny line.”

Maddie remembers last years narrow victory in the Grand Final round, and is keeping a close eye on her former challengers.

“University were really tough competitors last year, i’m thinking they may come back this year even stronger. But I’m watching out for Wollongong Comedy too, even after pulling people from the audience to be in their team they were hilarious!”

“I had such a fun time last year that i was pretty much begging them to let me come back…..also to have a repeat win for the drama studio….not that i’m competitive or anything…”

LACHLAN GROGAN

If my life were a book, it would be called World’s Biggest Forehead: the untold story of the boy connected to the monster.

Lachlan has been involved in Wollongong High School of the Performing Art’s productions of The King and I and The Pirates of Penzance, as well as playing Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Lachlan was also lucky enough to perform at the State Drama Festival this year, and also competed in the state level of the National Theatresports Competition.

Lachlan is looking forward to his first Playmates, and wants to assist his returning team mates to achieve back-to-back Playmates victories. However he is a strong believer on the overall Playmates philosophy of friendship between the companies, and sharing the fun with the audience.

“I look forward to the rush and excitement that you can only feel when a paying audience sits in their seats to watch you create a scene out of practically nothing. I am also very excited to see the fantastic relationship that is built between the players and the audience, and the other teams marvellous creations.”

When asked if he is excited or nervous about making his Playmates debut, Lachlan says:

“A swirly, unsettling mishmash of the two. I am so excited to perform and watch the show, but the sense of unease and unawareness is terrifying.”

Lachlan has been looking over the Playmates games closely, and is hoping very much he gets the chance to play one game in particular, the four minute game Opera.

“I hope we play Opera something severe. I love the musical element, and I just think this game is a whole lot of fun.”

Team captain Evan Kerr has stated that Lachlan is the one to watch out for this year, and Lachlan is eager to jump head-first into the unknown with Playmates.

“Any opportunity that I get to make a goof out of myself and just have fun with other talented people is a good opportunity. I am thrilled to have been asked to participate in The Drama Studio’s team this year, and to be a part of such a close, comfortable, and incredibly great competition.”

Team mate Mathew Latham returns for his second Playmates, and shares his outlook on the other teams this year.

“They’re all pretty strong teams and from what I’ve seen I’m guessing that it will go down like a classic sports film: newbies enter the race feeling super pumped and overestimating their skills before being torn down by veteran opponents only for a series of crazy and wacky training regimes to get them ready for the next game and just before the game begins they lose their best player to injury and so they enter the game demoralized but halfway through they realize their strengths and fight back until then score is equal and they are taken into extra time and they do some crazy and absolutely radical action that somehow works and they win.” – Mathew Latham

PLAYMATES ILLAWARRA

8pm Friday 28th November
City Diggers Club Wollongong

All TIckets $15 visit blackboxtheatre.org

Produced by Black Box Theatre in association with Roo Theatre Company, Stanwell Park Arts Theatre, University of Wollongong School of Creative Arts, The Drama Studio, and Wollongong Comedy

W – http://www.roo-theatre.com.au/
E – roo_theatre@optusnet.com.au

Located in Shellharbour Village, on the corner of Addison Street and Wentworth Street.

Roo Theatre, a foundation team for Playmates Illawarra have grown to be one of the most popular Playmates groups. In 2011 and 2012, Roo Theatre’s all-boys team were crowned back-to-back Playmates champions. They return for their ninth Playmates appearance and are presenting a cast boasting an exciting mix of both youth and wisdom. Popular Illawarra theatre veterans Tom Hadley and Tim Collins join forces with the youthful and energetic Sam Lovell and Clair Higgins.

Roo Theatre Company Inc. is a community based non-profit organisation whose vision is to bring theatre to the general public at a price they can afford and to allow all members of the public, who have an interest in the arts, to become actively involved. To this day Roo maintains its philosophy of working together as a team to develop their vision of theatre into a reality.

Since its establishment in 1987, Roo Theatre has managed to maintain and improve its service to this growing community through the hard work of members and friends to the point where it has grown into a major arts organisation and has earned respect for its professionalism and innovative works. Along with Broadway Musicals and Classic Drama, Roo has gained a reputation for community inspired new Australian works.

Playmates Team: Clair Higgins (Captain), Sam Lovell, Tom Hadley and Tim Collins

Roo Theatre’s winning team, 2011-2012

2014 Playmates Team
CLAIRE HIGGINS
If I had one super power, it’d be the ability to manipulate probability. What’s the probability that someone will drop $20,000 at my feet? Let’s make that 100%

Clair first discovered theatre when she was conscripted into her year seven School production. Since that fateful day, she has been in every one since, from Hating Alison Ashley to The Tempest. Clair is currently taking drama classes with Roo Theatre and took on the role of Captain Smolsky in Bugsy Malone.

The thought of a high pressure improvisation performance is an exciting prospect for Clair, and she does admit to being a little nervous. She has high dreams and great ambition of achieving success, and is relishing all opportunities that can give her more experience in a professional acting environment.

“It’s baby steps toward a big dream. Acting is my passion. I think Playmates will be a good learning opportunity, and, you know, fun!”

Although Clair is only young, she has already started to make a name for herself within the ranks of the Illawarra’s actor ranks. She is eager and hungry to show off what she can do on stage.

“I want to get myself out there! I’m tired of getting kicked off the set because the music class needs the classroom.”

TOM HADLEY

If I had one super power, it’d be the ability to perform in theatre and get paid enough to live.

Tom Hadley supports his team mate in last year’s Playmates, on the Wollongong Comedy team.

Tom has been a regular member of the Playmates cast over the years, and now looks to represent his third company, showing his versatility and popularity within the Illawarra region.

Tom Hadley has treaded the Illawarra theatre boards for a long time, and has become one of the most loved individuals in the Wollongong Theatre Community. This talented Welsh actor has taken on countless roles with Wollongong Workshop Theatre including Giles Corey in The Crucible and Captain Mainwaring in Dads Army.
He appeared as the hapless George in Roo Theatre Company’s farce, Cash on Delivery and the Badger in SPAT’s production of Alan Bennett’s Wind in the Willows. He also played the role of Bottom in A Midsummer Nights Dream. He is a singer with a tenor voice and trained as a clown and at Sydney Acting School and street theatre at Theatre Unlimited in Sydney. He has also presented music on an interview show on local community radio and appeared in (and presented) several corporate training videos.

“I’m in absolute trepidation about being in Playmates again, but it’s like surfing for me. I always come off stage exhilarated.”

Although Tom has become comfortable with the games that has been a regular on the Playmates stage, he is thrilled at the opportunity to play some new and exciting content.

“I hope we don’t get the games that require tight rope walking or major acrobatics, my joints are a bit old now. I’d much prefer the ones where I get to be nude. Don’t worry. I’m joking.”

SAM LOVELL

If my life were a book, it’d be called “Learn To Pimp 2: Electric Boogaloo” and it’d be a cookbook.

Sam Lovell (Left) at the 2014 Playmates Training Day BBQ

Ever since Sam lost his sense of shame from the Emu accident of 98, he has always wanted to act. And so he did. Playing such important roles as the Big bad wolf (TM) in the year 2 “have a go show”, winning “LIFE” magazines 2006 person of the year award, performing in several IPAC plays and also a couple of other minor productions that he doesn’t really remember.

In his first Playmates appearance, Sam is looking forward to “Laughs, Improvisation” and “laughing at improvisation. How can it fail?”

“I’m excitedly nervous! But I can’t tell the other teams that, so like if you’re another team, forget what I said and act really surprised when I act nervous. That would really help me.”

Sam is looking forward to the entire experience and all the games available, and impressed his peers with his evergy and ability to think on the spot, as well as his sharp wit and bubbling energy.

“Improvisation involves a lot of on-the-feet thinking and need a variety things to succeed. Such as mood, alertness and nervousness, so there is really no way to tell who could win. Well there probably is. But im not going to make a graph or anything. That’d be ridiculous. Also I can’t, I tried.”

PLAYMATES ILLAWARRA

8pm Friday 28th November
City Diggers Club Wollongong

All TIckets $15 visit blackboxtheatre.org

Produced by Black Box Theatre in association with Roo Theatre Company, Stanwell Park Arts Theatre, University of Wollongong School of Creative Arts, The Drama Studio, and Wollongong Comedy

STANWELL PARK ARTS THEATRE
PLAYMATES 2014

http://www.spat.org.au/

Stanwell Park Arts Theatre, known as SPAT started 40 years ago by a group of Stanwell Partk residents who were eager to build a community culture and an opportunity for their children to be on stage. Operating out of the CWA, the group has recently celebrated 40 years of theatre shows, pantomimes and movie nights and have gathered a loyal following in the north of Illawarra.

A Playmates foundation company, SPAT have been a highlight of every Playmates production since it started nine years ago, and this year sees the return of their most popular personalities who are hungry to take the trophy north for their first time. Last year, SPAT were voted as People’s Choice winners, the favourite team as voted by audience judges.

Captain Rebecca Barrow’s team look very strong, and are fearless, electric, passionate and experienced in the Playmates arena.

Team: Rebecca Barrow (Captain), Cameron Campbell, Bernadette Le Mesurier and Mark Rylander.

SPAT fires up for Playmates VI (2011)

2014 Playmates Team

REBECCA BARROW

If my life were a book it would be called “I’ve got this idea…”

Rebecca Barrow (right) with Bernadette in Playmates VII(2011)

Rebecca performs with a variety of theatre groups in the Illawarra and has earned great respect for her ability on stage and her fun, professional nature. Her home is with SPAT however, as that is where she first became involved with the theatre as an adult. She has performed in a variety of shows from blackbox theatre,  musicals to dramas.

“I love the theatre and everything it offers to those who both perform and watch.”

Rebecca has been one of the highlight performer in Playmates, and now returns for her third experience at the improvisation showcase. She is always fired up for battle, and loves the friendly rivalry that has made Playmates a special production.

“I’m looking forward to getting back together with our original team and trying to stick it to the Roo Theatre! It’s great fun to get all the local theatre groups together “competing’ in such a fun way. It’s low key, great for audience participation and the competition is done in the spirit of entertainment. It also means we get to perform like a goose on stage and who doesn’t love that?”

While still daunted by some of the challenging Playmates games such as Opera, she loves the opportunity to test herself under pressure, and never fails to satisfy! This year, she sees victory within her grasp, but always keeps an eye on that famous Playmates team from the south, who she believes are always a chance of taking the trophy home.

“It’s always Roo who fire up at Playmates. They have a brilliant team and the they always shine. They are a well oiled machine and very funny. They have always deserved their wins, and I love watching them in action.”

CAMERON CAMPBELL

If I had a super power, I’d love to be able to fly. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to fly?

Cameron Campbell (Left) in Playmates VI (2011) with Wayne Turner

Cameron has been involved in theatre since he was in primary school and continues his passion for performance. In recent years, Cam has been heavily involved in community theatre in the Illawarra, not just out of his home company in Stanwell Park but also for many other groups, particularly Wollongong Workshop Theatre (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Migratory V). For over 13 years he has been involved in various productions being pantomimes, full length productions and one act plays. This year he has taken on the challenge and the important role of President of SPAT, taking over from much loved Wayne Turner who has helped steer the SPAT ship. Cam has earned the respect of his peers and looks forward to guiding the group into new directions.

Not only has Cameron been a part of community theatre he has also had a strong influence at school where he teaches musical theatre as part of the schools creative arts curriculum. This year he directed and produced a production that involved 550 students. A thoroughly enjoyable, albeit tiring experience for Cameron.

Cameron has appeared in more Playmates than any other person since its inception, and is preparing for his 7th appearance in the show.

“I can’t keep away from Playmates, I’ve come back for more. Playmates is fun, challenging and everyone gets to have a good belly laugh! It’s great fun.”

BERNADETTE LE MESURIER

“If I had one super power, I’d want the power to see into the future and make changes which will make a better life for everyone.”

Bernadette’s acting career began at age 11 when she was cast in the feature film “Ginger Meggs”, and shortly after had a walk-on part in “Burke and Wills”. These led to a larger part in a Transport NSW information film “Dangerous Journey.” She performed in two school musicals “Dazzle” and “Pirates of Penzance”, and was in the chorus of a local production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. After that she became an adult and decided to work in the real world for a while. Finding the real world somewhat wanting, she rekindled her acting career with Stanwell Park Arts Theatre in 2008, and they haven’t been able to get rid of her since. She’s been a chorus member, a puss in boots, an evil cardinal, several somewhat disturbed females, and a wannabe lesbian as well as assorted other characters which all seem to have extraordinarily weird names, and sometimes hideous costumes.

She’s been known to sing and dance on stage (often at the same time!) whether or not anyone particularly wanted her to at the time. She started improvisation theatre in 2011, twice appearing on the SPAT team for Playmates. She’s also declared herself Queen of Australia, and can be found holding court on Facebook. She’s currently seeking a suitable tiara.

Returning for her third Playmates appearance, she is excited at the prospect of all the games including the new options available to the teams.

“Every year, all the teams pull off some fantastic work. I could be cheesy and say ‘we’re all winners just for being there’, but the thing is, if we have fun and we feel like we’ve performed well, that’s what the show’s about for me. Having said that, SPAT is going to nail it.”

Bernadette is an exciting, vibrant personality with a big heart and an ever-lasting imagination. When asked how she would spend the last day of her life, she says:

“Exploring the Egyptian pyramids, and skiing in Austria or Japan, and starring opposite Johnny Depp in some movie blockbuster, and rereading all the ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ books. So, it would have to be a fairly long day. Or could it be Groundhog day? So that it really was just one day, but I had plenty of time to do all that stuff.”

PLAYMATES ILLAWARRA

8pm Friday 28th November
City Diggers Club Wollongong

All TIckets $15 visit blackboxtheatre.org

Produced by Black Box Theatre in association with Roo Theatre Company, Stanwell Park Arts Theatre, University of Wollongong School of Creative Arts, The Drama Studio, and Wollongong Comedy

UNIVERSITY TEAM PROFILE
PLAYMATES 2014
University of Wollongong School of Creative Arts

University, a Playmates foundation team, made their first Grand Final appearance last year in 2013, narrowly conceding victory to fellow training institution The Drama Studio. This year, the University team are looking like strong opposition again, and are looking to being the first University team to be crowned Playmates champions.

Traditionally, Playmates has been a chance for Graduate Actors who have entered the industry to celebrate the quality of the School of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong. This year, our team of young emerging professional, all first year Creative Arts students, are looking to fill the City Diggers Club theatre with energy and more importantly, great amounts of laughter.

2014 Playmates Team: Alexander Cuff (Captain), Arthur Tamer, Sam Sweeting and Madeleine Stewart.

ALEXANDER CUFF
If my life were a book, it would be called “A Series of Awkward Events.”

Alexander first realised he wanted to be on stage around the time his sisters were dancing outside of school hours. He knew he wanted to do something performance based in his extracurricular life. He didn’t want to dance, but fortunately for Alexander, he found a well suited alternative medium suited to his abilities. Since then, he has continued his dream at University of Wollongong’s School of Creative Arts where is currently in his first year studying Performance.

University life is an interesting experience for Alexander as he learns many new performance techniques not just from the course material but off his peers as well.

“It’s very different from high school drama. It’s fantastic studying what I love with people who share my passion.”

Alexander has hand picked his team out of current first year Creative Arts students and is enjoying his role as team captain in Playmates 2014. He has impressed his peers at his intelligence and performance ability and welcomes the challenge of a show without a script.

“It’s freeing to not have to memorise lines for a stage show for once.”

ARTHUR TAMER
“If I had a super-hero power I’d be the ability to make inanimate objects sing about their existence.”

Arthur is currently a first-year student studying Performance in University of Wollongong’s School of Creative Arts. Arthur has done quite a few short films and some music videos, some serious and some truly hilarious. His last film shoot saw him get intimate with a skeleton and killed with a barbeque fork for Halloween. He has also acted in two plays – one as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as a multitude of roles in 1914: It’s A Lovely War. He has more plays and films lined up in the near future and he super excited to be a part of Playmates and get knee-deep into some improvisation!

“The experience of getting up on stage, not knowing what the hell I’m going to do and then seeing what happens is an amazing prospect.. Maybe it’ll be awesome, maybe it’ll crash and burn. Finding out is the fun part.”

Arthur’s composure and stage presence is a solid anchor for his team, and his enjoyment of his craft is obvious to those who watch him work. A modest young man with a big heart and a love for the enjoyments of life, Arthur is one to watch out for in Playmates 2014.

“I’m looking forward to Playmates, just the fun and experience of it. To force myself to get creative and perform on the spot.”

MADELEINE STEWART

“She’s going to be one of those names, in years to come, you’re going to think ‘I saw her!!’” – Adam Hills

Madeleine has been performing stand up comedy since she was 17 and is currently studying Performance at UOW’s School of Creative Arts. Having been encouraged by Adam Hills to pursue a career in Stand-up Comedy, she wasted no time in following his advice by appearing in the prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival Class Clowns competition and was a National Grand Finalist on her first set. She was also a state finalist and has been performing in various clubs throughout Sydney such as The Comedy Store, the Old Manly Boatshed, Oatley hotel, The laugh Stand, Jurassic Lounge and Comedy Corner.

Madeleine has taken comedy as an opportunity to reveal to her audience real issues involved with being classified as ‘disabled’, by sharing her delightfully wicked adventures and pranks. Madeleine is often daring when it comes to pranks and has been discussed by various comics, most notably on Wil Anderson’s TOFOP after ‘contributing’ to one of his shows. His respect for young Madeleine has lead to their paths crossing on many occasions, including 2013 when he invited her to open the second half of his acclaimed show ‘Happyism’. Hills has also worked along side Madeleine while filming television Program “My24” ABC3.

“I’m excited to work with a team. I’m very much a selfish performer so sharing the spotlight will be a pleasant experience. And if it all goes badly I have someone to blame. It’s never my fault.”

Set for her improvisation debut, and although she admits to being a little terrified, she is welcoming the opportunity to be a part of an energetic and witty team.

“I’ve never attempted improv. It terrifies me. in fact, I tried it once on my 19th birthday and my audience threw their chairs at me. I ended up singing Les Mis and smearing Nutella on hipster comedians. True story, I have pictures.”

When looking at the games board, one game stands out more than most for Madeleine.

“Show stopping number looks neat. I sing after most things I say anyway. It’s one of my annoying little habits. I’m glad it’s coming to some use. I also spotted Opera which made me happy, Iim opera trained. Do I get points for fabulous resonance?”

SAM SWEETING
If my life were a book, it would be called “Dinosaurs Are Cool, and I Need a Girlfriend …”

Sam is a first year student studying Performance at University of Wollongong School of Creative Arts, and is enjoying his new-found love of acting and the performing arts. Sam has a great performance energy and loves to throw himself into a good comedy. In high school, Sam was involved in a couple of plays in high school and also a dance where he mimed the lyrics to ‘Don’t stop me now’ by Queen for a talent night. He also recited a slightly redacted version of everything Cave Johnson says in the entirety of Portal 2 for his HSC Drama performance.

“I never really did a huge amount of dramatic stuff in school until the later years, but I’ve always been a very theatrical person.”

Sam is looking forward to taking on many of the improvisation on offer in Playmates. He has taken a strong liking to classic Playmates games Play In The Style Of… and Character Rollercoaster as well as new games Party Quirks, Moving Bodies and Sentences From The Floor.  When asked by the producer what games he is hoping he won’t get, Sam shows wisdom above his years.

“I know full well that if I mention a game I don’t want, then that’ll increase my chances of getting lumbered with it. I’m on to Luke’s tricks.”

 His first Playmates appearance doesn’t daunt him in the slightest, and is expecting to have lots of fun alongside some of his fellow creative arts performance fellows and the other four companies on stage. He has been a huge fan of the TV series Whose Line Is It Anyway? – the show that originally inspired Playmates nine years ago. The unknown excites him, and his love for all things funny seem a great match for this young emerging actor.

 “I think drama and theatre are one of a few things that I’m really good at, particularly anything comedic. Apparently I’m very funny, although I’m not entirely convinced myself.”

PLAYMATES ILLAWARRA

8pm Friday 28th November
City Diggers Club Wollongong

All TIckets $15 visit blackboxtheatre.org

Produced by Black Box Theatre in association with Roo Theatre Company, Stanwell Park Arts Theatre, University of Wollongong School of Creative Arts, The Drama Studio, Wollongong Comedy and the Illawarra Youth Arts Project.