Richard Harris / Playwright

Born in London in 1934, Richard Harris is a prolific writer for stage and television (not to be confused with the late Irish actor of the same generation who is occasionally mis-credited with his work).

Harris began writing episodes for British television in his mid-20s and by the end of the 1960s he had contributed to no fewer than 20 series including the original runs of THE SAINT and THE AVENGERS. Throughout the 1970s a new Harris comedy would be staged almost annually.

STEPPING OUT, his most successful play, is frequently revived around the world and was filmed as a vehicle for Liza Minelli in 1991. He continued to work as a freelancer in television and helped to create a number of stand-out series of the crime and detective genre including SHOESTRING, A TOUCH OF FROST and THE LAST DETECTIVE.

In 1994, Harris won the prize for Best Situation Comedy from the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain for OUTSIDE EDGE, a series which originated as a hugely successful West End play.

Colin McColl / Director

One of New Zealand’s leading theatre directors, Colin co-founded Taki Rua Theatre in 1983 and was Artistic Director of Downstage Theatre in Wellington, 1984-1992. He has led Auckland Theatre Company as Artistic Director since July 2003.

Colin has directed for the Norwegian National Theatre and the Dutch National Theatre, as well as most leading New Zealand and Australian theatre companies.

Previous achievements include Best Director for Auckland Theatre Company’s 2001 production of ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD.

Colin has also won Best Director at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards several times - including for his 2002 production of WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?.

His many productions for Auckland Theatre Company include THE POHUTUKAWA TREE, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES, WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED, END OF THE RAINBOW, THE CRUCIBLE, HATCH OR THE PLIGHT OF THE PENGUINS, DOUBT, DISGRACE, THE DUCHESS OF MALFI, EQUUS, GOLDIE, WAITING FOR GODOT, SERIAL KILLERS, THE SEAGULL and UNCLE VANYA.

Opera directing credits include QUARTET (New Zealand International Arts Festival 2004), LA BOHEME (Wellington City Opera), THE ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and THE PRODIGAL CHILD for the NBR New Zealand Opera.

In November 2007, Colin was honoured for his artistic achievements and excellence at the eighth annual Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Awards and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June 2010.

Adam Gardiner / Actor

Adam's theatre credits include THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES, THE HOLLOW MEN, ANGELS WITH DIRTY FEET, THE OCEAN STAR, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, MR KOLPERT, LADIES NIGHT and NEW GOLD DREAM.

Film and television credits include EAGLE VS SHARK, POWER RANGERS, RIVER QUEEN, HEAR NO EVIL, THE LOST ONE, OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE, FOR GOOD, LOVEBITES and HOPELESS.

Apart from acting, Adam's work for Auckland Theatre Company has included the audio visual design for EQUUS, the sound design for THE TUTOR, and tour management for HATCH OR THE PLIGHT OF THE PENGUINS.

In 2005, Adam narrowly beat a dog and a sock puppet to win the coveted Best Actor Award at the Auckland 48hr Film Festival. Recently he performed in Raewyn Hill’s dance theatre work FINDERS KEEPERS (which toured to the Wanaka and Christchurch Festivals). He also toured throughout Australia with Queensland based dance company DanceNorth in NIGHTCAFE. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity.

Christina Asher / Actor

This is Christina’s debut performance for ATC and she likes her character Maxine, and just like her, was a bit of a dancer way back in the day. Over a number of years, Christina choreographed the Lotto ads, television shows and many theatre productions in Wellington while also directing documentaries and plays.

Her first acting gig was in TOM FOOLERY (Circa Theatre) which she also choreographed. Since then she’s mainly worked in musicals such as CHICAGO, and on screen, beginning with OPEN HOUSE and GLIDING ON.

Audiences will also remember her as a presenter on Maori Television’s ASK YOUR AUNTIES and as Karla, Mrs Munter’s mum on OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE. She will soon be seen all bearded, tight-bodiced, and gun-toteing alongside Geoffrey Rush and Kate Bosworth in THE WARRIOR’S WAY (the first ever production of a Fantasy-Wuxia-Western). When not on stage, Christina does serious things like casting television dramas and feature films including SIONE’S WEDDING, MATARIKI, SPIES & LIES plus the current series GO GIRLS.

Goretti Chadwick / Actor

Goretti Chadwick trained at UNITEC'S Performing Arts School in 1995. Acting highlights include Auckland Theatre Company productions of STRICTLY BROWN (with Kila Kokonut Krew), CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED, MY NAME IS GARY COOPER, DOUBT, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and WIT.

Acting highlights include PANI & PANI - PHAT CHIX IN THE SETTEE (Kila Kokonut Krew) at this year's NZ International Comedy Festival and THE MARKET (TVNZ). She has also featured in various Pacific plays, including FRANGIPANI PERFUME.

In 2004, she travelled to New York with 'Island Divas' to perform at PARADISE NOW? - an exhibition of New Zealand and Pacific Islands contemporary art.

Goretti is currently the Course Director for PIPA - Pacific Institute of Performing Arts/Best Pacific Institute of Education, based at UNITEC.

Hera Dunleavy / Actor

A graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, Hera has worked at all of New Zealand’s professional theatres. Auckland Theatre Company productions include STEPPING OUT, OLIVER!, THE POHUTUKAWA TREE, GOD OF CARNAGE, THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES, UNCLE VANYA, SERIAL KILLERS, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, EQUUS, DISGRACE, THE CRUCIBLE and HONOUR.

Highlights for other theatres include the original cast production of NGA TANGATA TOA, THE MASTER BUILDER, PROOF, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, TOP GIRLS, Victor Rodger’s plays SONS and RANTERSTANTRUM, DOUBLE BEAT, THREE DAYS OF RAIN and BEAUTIFUL THING (for which Hera won the Chapman Tripp Award for Best Female Newcomer).

Film and television appearances include AMADI, MANUREWA, A SMALL LIFE, BLESSED, FOR GOOD, WAITING FOR YOU, RUDE AWAKENINGS, KORERO MAI and AROHA.

Hera is a member of NZ Actors Equity.

Jason Te Mete / Actor

This is Jason’s debut performance for Auckland Theatre Company. Originally from Tauranga, Jason comes from a musical family where he was encouraged to learn classical piano from an early age. He enhanced his musicianship through studying at Victoria University of Wellington before moving to Auckland in 2002 where he works as a freelance actor, director, vocal coach, musical director and pianist.

Jason directed the National Youth Theatre Company (NYTC) productions of GREASE and ALICE IN WONDERLAND, THE RAFT (Howick Little Theatre) and most recently LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Parnell College). He has musically directed BLOOD BROTHERS (with Annie Whittle & Ray Woolf), CABARET, HAIR, BYE BYE BIRDIE, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, THE WIZ and BUGSY MALONE.

On stage he has performed in ANYTHING GOES and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (The Court Theatre), THE CONSUL (Opera Factory), KING & COUNTRY (Howick Little Theatre), RENT (for which he won the NAPTA Award for Best Supporting Male in a Musical), RAGTIME, WEST SIDE STORY and THE SECRET GARDEN. He also works regularly with the Southern Stars Charitable Trust composing songs and background music for children’s theatre (in which all proceeds go to children's charities).

Jason features in the current hit television series KAITANGATA TWITCH, based on the novel by Margaret Mahy.

Michelle Leuthart / Actor

Since graduating from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Michelle has worked in professional theatre in both Wellington and Auckland. Productions include CABARET, WEDNESDAY TO COME, SLIPPERY OPERA, ORDINARY NIGHTS IN WARD 10, THE REAL THING, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, TROJAN WOMEN and HAMLET.

Film and television appearances include PIECE OF MY HEART, THIS IS NOT MY LIFE, SHORTLAND STREET, SPIN DOCTORS, STREET LEGAL and THE HAUNTING OF BARNEY PALMER.

After working on Auckland Theatre Company’s Next Stage workshop and performances of Fiona Samuel’s GHOST TRAIN in 2009, Michelle is thrilled to be involved in STEPPING OUT, her first main bill production for Auckland Theatre Company. Michelle is a member of Actors Equity.

Olivia Tennet / Actor

This is Olivia’s debut performance with ATC and she is honoured to be part of such an inspirational team. Olivia’s previous theatre highlights have included 360, ROMEO AND JULIET, CABARET, AUTOBAHN, CHRIST ALMIGHTY!, TITUS and joining the workshop cast of THE ARRIVAL. In 2009 Olivia spent three weeks at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, attending workshops with Globe and RSC tutors as part of the Young Shakespeare Company.

Her film and television credits include POWER RANGERS RPM, SHORTLAND STREET, MADDIGAN’S QUEST, LORD OF THE RINGS – THE TWO TOWERS, BOOGEYMAN and XENA. One of Olivia’s favourite projects was the short film WATERMARK for which she won the Best Actress Award at the Drifting Clouds Short Film Festival at the age of ten.

Olivia began tap dancing lessons aged four, with Raewyn Burgess. She recently gained Solo Seal with Honours for both her tap and jazz examinations and was awarded the highest mark in Australasia for her jazz examinations for six consecutive years.

Penny Dodd / Actor

Penny Dodd is a pianist, conductor, arranger, composer and musical director of over 30 years experience in NZ, Australia and the UK. Making her professional debut in a speaking role as Mrs Fraser in this production of STEPPING OUT, her previous spoken word experience amounts to the immortal "5, 6, 7, 8" in the overture for CHICAGO, at the Mercury Theatre, and on tour in NZ in 2001.

Penny is best known for conducting musicals (such as CATS and EVITA), musically directing twelve seasons of Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, and as arranger/conductor for the APO and the CSO in Symphonic Rock concerts. She is also well known as an orchestral arranger for artistes as diverse as Dame Malvina Major, Helen Medlyn, John Rowles, Mika, Che Fu, Brooke Fraser, Hollie Smith, and The Topp Twins. But less well known is Penny's illustrious back room career as repetiteur, rehearsal pianist and dance class pianist.

Highlights have included rehearsals for Opera New Zealand including DON GIOVANNI with Dame Kiri te Kanawa, dance classes for Limbs Dance Company and London Contemporary Dance School, and assorted classes at Pineapple Studios and RADA. A particular highlight was playing for Tommy Tune (Tap Your Troubles Away) in rehearsals for Mack and Mabel at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and channelling Mrs Fraser by playing for community tap dance classes in Clapham, London in 1989.

Sandra Rasmussen / Actor

As well as performing the role of Mavis Turner, Sandra is choreographing the dance pieces in STEPPING OUT.

Sandra’s passion for theatre started at a very early age and she has a reasonable amount of embarrassing photographic evidence that confirms and details this! Since beginning her training as an intern at Christchurch’s Court Theatre, Sandra has gone on to act in over 100 plays and to become one of New Zealand’s leading musical theatre directors.

Recently she has directed and choreographed the critically acclaimed LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, THE PRODUCERS, ANYTHING GOES and I LOVE YOU YOU’RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE. Personal favorites amongst her many stage performances include GODS OF WARM BEER, THE CRUCIBLE, INSIGNIFICANCE, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and as Myrtle in THE GREAT GATSBY.

STEPPING OUT marks Sandra’s debut performance for Auckland Theatre Company and she would like to thank Colin McColl for the exciting opportunity.

Sia Trokenheim / Actor

This is Sia’s fourth appearance for ATC, following performances in STEPPING OUT, OLIVER! and SWEET CHARITY. Sia's television and film credits include THIS IS NOT MY LIFE, SHORTLAND STREET, numerous television commercials and short films, and reporting live on HYUNDAI SPORTS CAFE.

Sia took her first steps on the stage as a child in Stockholm and moved to New Zealand in 2001. She is a graduate of UNITEC and her theatre appearances include Ulla in THE PRODUCERS and Elizabeth in SKIN TIGHT at the Court Theatre, and in JANE EYRE and JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at the Fortune Theatre. Other theatre credits include HAMLET, THE LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE, BIG RIVER, JULIUS CAESAR and STOCKHOLMSBLOD for Stockholm Theatre Company.

Sia played Elizabeth in last year’s nationwide tour of SKIN TIGHT and recently featured as Jane Perry on SHORTLAND STREET and Helen on THIS IS NOT MY LIFE.

Sia is a proud member of NZ Actors’ Equity.

Suzanne Paul / Actor

Suzanne Paul first appeared on our television screens in 1992 and quickly became known as the Queen of Infomercials. Her other works include the hit shows STYLE CHALLENGE, GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER and SECOND HONEYMOON. She has also made numerous guest appearances in television shows such as OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE, INTREPID JOURNEYS and THE LAUGHING SAMOANS.

Suzanne has also been involved in several theatre productions and, in particular, enjoyed playing Queen Fanny the Fifth, in the pantomime PUSS IN BOOTS at the Corelli School of the Arts two years ago. In 2007, against strong competition, she was crowned winner of DANCING WITH THE STARS and is now the Patron of Dance Sport Auckland.

JOHN PARKER / Set and Costume Designer

John Parker is an award winning set designer and is as well respected in the world of ceramics as he is in set design. He has a long history of designing for Auckland Theatre Company.

His set designs include THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, THE WIFE WHO SPOKE JAPANESE IN HER SLEEP, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, END OF THE RAINBOW, SWEET CHARITY, DOUBT, MUM’S CHOIR, TAKING OFF, EQUUS, CALIGULA, THE BACH, MIDDLE AGE SPREAD, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, NOISES OFF, WAITING FOR GODOT, ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDERNSTEIN ARE DEAD and INTO THE WOODS.

Other works include THE SCENE, CREDITORS, IL TROVATORE, TRUE WEST, THE THREEPENNY OPERA, CHESS, ROMEO AND JULIET, TITUS ANDRONICUS, TWELFTH NIGHT, F.I.L.T.H, ASSASSINS, WAIORA, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, DECADENCE, ON THE RAZZLE, CHICAGO, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, BARBER OF SEVILLE, COSI FAN TUTTE, EVITA and TRASH TO FASHION.

Brad Gledhill / Lighting Designer

Brad designs and creates lighting and video imagery for theatre and events with the likes of Auckland Theatre Company, Nightsong Productions and Theatre Stampede, Silo Theatre, TAPAC, Tempo and Spotlight Systems. He also designs and lectures on the Performance Technology Programme for UNITEC Department of Performing and Screen Arts.

Auckland Theatre Company production design include THE WIFE WHO SPOKE JAPANESE IN HER SLEEP, THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS, YOUNG & HUNGRY FESTIVAL 09, WHO NEEDS SLEEP ANYWAY?, THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIES, DESIGN FOR LIVING, MY NAME IS GARY COOPER, THE TUTOR, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, PLAY 2 and PLAY 2.03.

Other designs include “360” for the Wellington International Arts Festival, THE LOVER, SEXY RECESSION CABERET (TAPAC), PRIME CUTS 09 (Tempo), THE CUT (Silo), HEAD (AK07 + Wellington Season), ALADDIN (AK03), MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Unitec), MINIATURES (Malia Johnston), LASHINGS OF WHIPPED CREAM, KNOCK KNOCK TURN (Chris Jannides) and CORAM BOY (Unitec).

His works for the theatre/dance genre included creating work for UNITEC with Shona McCullough, Michael Parmenter, Michael Hurst, Leo Gene Peters, Cathy Downes, Malia Johnston, Simon Ellis, Daniel Belton, Raewyn Hill, Katie Burton and Chris Jannides.

Eden Mulholland / Sound Designer

Eden's compositional work is critically acclaimed and hugely diverse. Winner of Tempo Dance Festival Best Music Award for the past two consecutive years, Eden's modus operandi has been to write music that tells a story which creates a powerful, emotive and richly layered world. His music also explores all the frailty of human emotions, creating imaginary characters and motifs that could be from another planet.

Without formal music training, Eden has been able to develop his music in a less conventional manner, enabling a very experimental, unencumbered approach to composition - the results of which are often challenging and dramatically charged.

His recent credits include STEPPING OUT, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS, FEMALE OF THE SPECIES, DESIGN FOR LIVING, MY NAME IS GARY COOPER, THE PILLOWMAN and WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED (Auckland Theatre Company), LOST PROPERTY (Fidget Company, Belgium), MINIATURES and DARK TOURISTS (with Malia Johnston).

Eden also writes for television, film and commercials and has recently co-launched Mulholland Sound Ltd. Eden is also the singer and writer for Auckland pop group Motocade.