BRYCE IVES, Director

Bryce Ives directed the Australian Premiere of CALL GIRL THE MUSICAL by Tracy Harvey with Doug MacLeod. The workshop season leading man was NEIGHBOURS very own Alan Fletcher and featured a cameo phone call from Bert Newton. The show has already gained a cult status as a new Australian musical and has enjoyed a recent season at Chapel off Chapel with rave reviews.

He directed YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN! at Cromwell Road; Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK both in the wonderful Geelong Performing Arts Centre; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM for the Ballarat Begonia Festival; ONCE ON THIS ISLAND for Westbourne Grammar School, TANGLED UP IN BLUE, THE BLACK BOOK AND KAREN for Theatre Movement. His next project will be directing FINDING HOME a unique one woman show starring one of his favourite performers Laura Burzacott.

He is currently employed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as the Coordinator of the HEYWIRE program, a flagship ABC project that engages young media makers across Australia. HEYWIRE produces stories for ABC Radio, ABC TV and online, and stages a yearly youth issues forum for young people in Canberra.

Recognised nationally as one of Australia’s leading youth media makers, in 2004 The Australian Newspaper commented, “Ives represents a generational shift in how media is being produced and managed” and that he is a “mover and shaker in the youth media world.” Bryce was one of the driving forces behind SYN Melbourne, Australia’s leading youth media participation project across Radio, TV and online. He served as General Manager for a number of years, building it into the successful position it is in today.

Bryce produced and hosted a number of large scale youth television programs including the award winning DAWNS CRACK, PLUCK, SYN TV and SYN CITY for C31 Melbourne. He received national notoriety during his teenage years for being a doco maker on the ABC’s RACE AROUND THE CORNER. He was also the front man of the innovative interview series BUSKERAMA and THE ROAMING COUCH on Foxtel.

Bryce has presented radio programs on ABC Radio across Australia, 3RRR, SYN FM and 3BBB Ballarat. For five years he sat on the national Board of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia representing the 300 community radio stations in Australia, and is regularly in demand as a media lecturer and commentator.

MARGARET FISK OAM,
Production Manager

With an event management background spanning over 30 years, Margaret has organised everything from concerts, product launches, major conferences, events and now theatre and musical productions.  Margaret’s day job is as the National Coordinator of the Defence Special Needs Support Group, a volunteer organisation founded by herself and her husband with a membership base of over 3000 families and 25 local support group coordinators based across Australia.  In 1996 Margaret was awarded an Order of Australia for her work on behalf of people with disabilities and their carers and families. 

She is the Manager of THE CHOIR and the CHOIR OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION (formed with the original members of the Choir of Hard Knocks).  Margaret was the Executive Producer for the Australian Premier of CALL GIRL THE MUSICAL at the Phoenix Theatre and was the Company Manager for the Back by Public Demand season at Chapel off Chapel. 

She is thrilled to be working with such a wonderful cast and production team on THE HISTORY BOYS for Boroondara Theatre Company.

DAMIEN CALVERT, Technical Director

Damien has been working with theatre companies all over Melbourne in technical and design roles. Whilst he's prized as a technical troubleshooter, he is an accomplished lighting designer and also enjoys the occasional dabble in scenic design, both of which have earned him nominations and commendations.

He recently worked on the Australian Premiere of CALL GIRL THE MUSICAL in the workshop season and the return season at Chapel off Chapel.
Other recent shows include the highly successful season of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN with Melbourne Musicals and BAT BOY with Octave Theatre.

KARLA ENGDAHL, Lighting Designer

Karla has completed a Diploma of Live Production, Theatre and Events at Box Hill TAFE in 2006.  Karla’s experience ranges from professional employment at a lighting hire and production company, production and stage management for theatre shows and events, and lighting design for many musical and theatre productions.  Her many lighting design credits include A FRACTURED FEELING for the Adelaide and Melbourne Fringe Festivals, VINCENT RIVER for Think C.O.N.T.E.M.P Productions, STILL HOLDING at La Mama, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN! at Cromwell Road, CALL GIRL THE MUSICAL Australian Premier at Phoenix Theatre and CALL GIRL THE MUSICAL Back by Public Demand at Chapel off Chapel.

As well as the THE HISTORY BOYS for Boroondara Theatre Co during 2009,  Karla is also currently working on WEST SIDE STORY with ARC and BEAUTY & THE BEAST with Aitken College.

In 2008, Karla’s lighting design for THE LAST FIVE YEARS, Devanesan Productions received a Victorian Guild Commendation and her design for INTO THE WOODS for Limelight Theatre received  both a Lyrebird  Nomination and a Victorian Guild Commendation.

JEREMY BAILEY-SMITH, Set Designer

Jeremy graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2004 with a Bachelor in Dramatic Art, majoring in Design. While at VCA Jeremy designed a number of productions for the Dance, Drama and Opera schools., including a number of premiere new Australian works.  In 2003 he travelled to Prague to exhibit at PQ03, The International Exhibition of Scenography and Theatre Architecture Design.  

After graduating the VCA Jeremy continued his involvement with the VCA working with the Music Theatre department as Production Manager working on various productions including BABY, IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL and INTO THE WOODS. He also worked as Tour Manager for the regional Victorian tour of Anthony Crowley's SUPERFREAKS.  

Recent design credits included TRIBE (VCA), SUPERFREAKS (VCA), SERIOUSLY - THE PET SHOP BOYS REINTERPRETED (Midsummer Festival), A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, THE KING AND I AND OLIVER (Melbourne Light Opera Company), THE WIZARD OF OZ (Catchment), CALAMITY JANE (Babirra) and OKLAHOMA (Mountain District Musical Society). He has received a number of nominations from the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria for his set and costume designs.  

WILL ROSS, Assistant Director

The History Boys is assistant director Will Ross’s first position in a production team. He has taken a particular interest in the direction of smaller scenes, individual character development, and attention to dramatic continuity in this production. In previous productions, Will has appeared in WITCHES OF EASTWICK (ARC), GUYS AND DOLLS, CRAZY FOR YOU (CMTC), and DANCE WITH THE DEVIL (UMMTA). He has toured Australia and Europe with various choral groups, and has received formal training in dance, choral music, and voice. He lives and works in Melbourne, and would like to thank Bryce and Margaret for the opportunity to be a part of such an exciting project.

GRAEME McCOUBRIE, Administrator
Boroondara Theatre Company

As Administrator of Boroondara Theatre Company has been involved in a diverse range of community service that includes Amateur and Community Theatre while spending some professional time as production manager of a State Theatre Company. He is founder and director of Camberwell Youth Theatre, of the former Camberwell Youth Orchestra and prior to that was founding Producer of Camberwell Showtime for nine years for Scouts Victoria.

Graeme has been a Tutor in “Theatre Management Practices” at CAE and TAFE and currently is a committee member and past Vice President of the “Victorian Drama League Inc”. As Chair of the Kew Court House Arts Association he is working towards the establishment of the Boroondara Arts Centre@ Kew Court House. Professionally his Project Management on diverse levels includes being Treasurer of the Walhalla Crown Reserves Board of Management under the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

His stage production, performing and directing credits are numerous having started out as an "all dancing, all singing performer" but quickly shifted to Technical and Directing.

ANDREW LOMAX, Administration Logistics
Boroondara Theatre Company

Andrew’s background encompasses a wide range of effective leadership and core roles

in Event Management.   As a qualified Event Manager he has worked on many communityand commercial events such as: Australia Day Celebrations, Midsumma Festivals, Moomba Waterfest and many more.

His experience over several years with major events both community and professionally is invaluable in his role as a Committee Member for Boroondara Theatre and Camberwell Youth Theatre and particularly in the staging of the various theatrical  seasons and management of future development.

Andrew is also a Umpire with the Eastern Football League, serving as both a Goal Umpire and  a Junior  Field Umpire. He also has served a term as President of the  Victorian Student Representative Council.

Recently Andrew was the Team Leader, Front of House Logistics for our recent season of BLOWING WHISTLES. He holds First Aid qualifications, a benefit and a resource for the Theatre in the successful staging of productions and particularly when he is part of the

event management team for the forthcoming Great Victorian Bike Ride in late November.