SHOPFRONT

Board

CHAIRPERSON: IAIN CROSSING (Board member since 2005): Iain is an independent theatre and film producer. In the past Iain has been the General Manager for The Tamarama Rock Surfers. He has produced over 20 productions in independent theatre since 1996. He has also co-founded and developed CUT Theatre Company. Most recently he has produced the highly acclaimed Hurly Burly at the Griffin Theatre, Sydney. Iain is a business consultant specialising in workplace relations.

SECRETARY: TARA MORRIS (Board member since 2008): Tara has been a member of the Shopfront senior ensemble for several years and appeared in several productions. She is currently studying film production. In 2006 Tara was involved in RAW, a short season of new works, and was the multimedia operator on POP UP! Tara is a talented multi-media artist, and is currently employed in the television industry.

DIRECTOR / ACTING TREASURER: PAUL HEATH (Board member since 2004, Chair 2005 – 2009): Paul is a legal practitioner and business systems analyst specialising in professional indemnity insurance and commercial litigation. He has maintained a strong interest in community and youth theatre over many years. Paul was a member of the Macquarie University Drama Society from 1988 to 1993. He is also an Adjudicator for the Catholic Schools Debating Association

DIRECTOR: PETER HERMAN (Board member since 2006): Peter has been an active volunteer at Shopfront for the past 3 years, providing assistance at end of term workshop performances and assistance with electrical upgrade on the Shopfront site. Peter is currently employed as an electrician at the Powerhouse Museum, and his son has attended the Shopfront workshop program.

DIRECTOR: DAVID KIRKPATRICK (Board member and youth representative since 2009): David is a sound and multimedia artist who has worked with Shopfront, Carriageworks, Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, ATYP and PACT. His works have been exhibited at the Australasian Computer Music Conference, 1/4 Inch, Shortcuts and the UOW’s Voltage festival, and awards include the Fellowship of Australian Composers 2007 Best Composition by an Undergraduate.

DIRECTOR: KATIE SHORTLAND (Board Member since 2009): Katie is a freelance producer who has worked across all aspects of the arts; including funding, production, publicity and marketing.  Katie was the inaugural research fellow with the Centre for Screen Business, AFTRS from 2006-2009, where she developed and launched the first automated production software tool. She has also worked closely with the California University of Technology on developing predictive market theory for box office prediction. She is currently the Business Affairs Manager for Cordell Jigsaw Productions and The Wiggles International Pty Ltd.

DIRECTOR: AUGUSTA SUPPLE (Board Member since 2009): Since graduating with honours in Performance Studies from the University of Sydney, Augusta has worked extensively in theatres in Canada and Australia. In Canada she worked as a dramaturge/ assistant director on several community theatre projects, founded the Guelph Youth Theatre and wrote/directed musicals and plays for children. Since returning to Australia she has worked extensively to promote Australian writing. She is the season Artistic Director for Brand Spanking New and the Project Coordinator for Off The Shelf for Queen St Studio. Augusta  writes feature articles, commentary and reviews for Spark Online and Australian Stage.

DIRECTOR: ELIZABETH HRISTOFORIDIS (Board Member since 2010): Liz Hristoforidis has a background in commerce (marketing), law and management. Her experience has primarily involved corporate and financial services regulation with a focus on governance, policy development, compliance and risk management. Liz was previously classically trained as a singer, and maintains a strong interest in the arts. Liz was also a member and chair of Canterbury Youth Council over a number of years, is a volunteer with the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Australia granting wishes to chronically and terminally ill children, and is now a parent herself. She is a keen advocate of young people and the need to ensure that, as our future leaders, they are given the opportunity to express themselves and be heard – an opportunity that an organisation as unique and wonderful as Shopfront provides.

DIRECTOR: ALESHA MURRAY (Board Member since 2010): Having always had a passion for creative arts Alesha completed tertiary education in Cert IV Digital Arts and Media at TAFE and a Communication – Theatre/Media degree at Charles Sturt University.  After completing this training she joined Shopfront in the first year of the Artslab program (2007) and has since worked on several Shopfront productions including A City of Shadows and Ice, (lost toy story), Superperfect, RAW and several Junior Ensemble productions. Alesha looks forward to her role on the board and the opportunity to give  something back to the organisation, offering her skills and enthusiam to the improvement and evolution of the Shopfront community.