Professional Theatre, Community Theatre and Musical Theatre

The judges on our Professional Theatre, Community Theatre and Musical Theatre panels bring a high level of skill and experience to their roles, gained over many years working within the performing arts sector. Our judges take on considerable responsibility, not only for the amount of time they volunteer in travelling around Tasmania to complete their assessments but also for the professional, considerate and ethical manner in which they undertake this role.

Each judging panel operates independently of the others and is responsible for the assessment of all productions registered within its particular Awards category. TCT policy requires that no member of a particular panel can be personally involved in, or connected to, any production which comes before that panel for assessment during that year’s judging period. Where any potential conflict of interest might occur, a judge will stand aside from the panel and all judging within that year.

Learn more about our Professional Theatre, Community Theatre and Musical Theatre judges below.

Best New Writing

TCT offers an Best New Writing award to recognise new, text-based works presented in the Professional Theatre or Community Theatre categories. A separate judging panel is appointed through TCT’s partnership with Australian Plays Transform to assess eligible works. Assessment is based on the script of each work rather than live performance.

Professional Theatre

ANNE CORDINER (Co-Convenor)

Anne trained at Flinders Uni and subsequently at NIDA, providing her with a broad theatrical grounding. Career opportunities enabled Anne to work in both the corporate and the theatre world. Early on she was retained by the SA government to develop a plan for Drama to be introduced as a component of the secondary syllabus.  

Anne's theatre career started with the SATC and MTC, and regular roles in the series Bellbird, Skyways and The Sullivans. She also enjoyed some early forays into corporate training, and went on to specialise in human resources. She worked in both corporate and consulting roles, including running her own HR consultancy for 12 years. During this time her love of performance kept calling and she returned to theatre, working for a number of Melbourne and regional companies, on TV in Neighbours and MDA, and the award winning feature films Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (Korea) and 41 (Australia).    

Since moving to Hobart, Anne has performed in Tasmanian Theatre Company's White Rabbit, Red Rabbit and An Inconvenient Woman, LoudMouth's The Island of Dr Moreau and Hobart Rep's The Taming of the Shrew, In The Next Room and Calendar Girls, and Bijoux's Ladies In Black. She assisted TTC director Charles Parkinson on the set of The Berry Man and produced and co-directed e-baby for TTC as part of Ten Days on the Island. Anne was a voice and monologue coach, and a reader in the Actors' Equity Foundation project "Storyville". Recently she worked on the film "Ancestry Road" which was released in 2024. 

GILLIAN UNICOMB (Co-Convenor)

Gillian spent her undergraduate years at UTAS involved in the Old Nick Company and studying. After being offered a job at the university and trying to become a sensible tutor, she found the theatre still had a firm grip on her and she moved to Sydney to become an actor.   

She worked for JC Williamsons, the leading Australian live performance company, in various drama productions and in the annual Sydney Christmas pantos.  Employed extensively by the ABC, she starred in several seasons of Reg Livermore’s weekly TV show Crackerjack and worked almost daily in radio including involvement in a variety of education broadcasts as an actor and writer. Theatre highlights included Eliza in Pygmalion, directed by Moffat Oxenbould and Ophelia in An Alternative Universe Production by Albie Thoms. Her fondest highlight is a musical version of Dion Boucicoult’s London Assurance, where she met and played opposite John Unicomb, soon to become her life partner. 

Relocating home to Tasmania, her husband John took up the position of General Manager at the Theatre Royal whilst Gillian played throughout the first season of the Tasmanian Theatre Company: starting the season with Lady Teasle opposite Sydney Conovere in School for Scandal, directed by Roger Hodgman. Retiring from the stage to start a family, she reinvented herself as costume designer for TTC, while continuing to work for the ABC in radio drama, and as producer, writer and interviewer for the Arts program. Occasionally lured into film, she acted in The Colonials and as the adult Amy in The Story of Amy Sherwin - the Tasmanian Nightingale. She took part in the 2020 Burning Desires Festival in a staged reading of Patricia Cornelius’ play Do Not Go Gentle as Maria, “a diva”. 

JANE HALEY OAM

After graduating from the University of Tasmania, Jane began her arts career as a drama teacher in Canberra and Tasmania. She literally ran away to the theatre when she joined the nationally acclaimed theatre-in-education troupe Salamanca Theatre Company. Deeply infected with the theatre bug, Jane headed to the big smoke of Sydney where she worked as education officer for Sydney Theatre Company, The Marionette Theatre of Australia, Australian Theatre for Young People and Sidetrack Theatre.

With her theatre and education experience, Jane assumed responsibility for assessing and recommending hundreds of performances for schools for the NSW Department of Education for a couple of years before returning to theatre-making at the renowned multicultural theatre group, Sidetrack. This established a pattern of working in theatre and alternating with stints trying to effect arts policy changes in government agencies. While she was in Sydney she completed her MA in Theatre Studies at UNSW.

Jane then moved to Brisbane where she was senior policy officer at Arts Queensland before getting back into business as General Manager of the (then Royal) Queensland Theatre Company. Relocating to Melbourne, Jane worked over 15 years as the Director of Arts Access, the Senior Adviser to Mary Delahunty MP, Minister for the Arts, and as the CEO of the national Australia Business Arts Foundation.

Returning home to Tassie in 2015, Jane became CEO of Ten Days on the Island where she led the reinvention of the international arts festival until December 2021. Jane is pleased to be sharing her expertise and experience through strategy advice and support to arts organisations, including Van Diemen's Band, RANT and Hive Tasmania.

JEFF KEVIN

Jeff graduated from National Institute of Dramatic Art In 1967. He obtained a Master of Creative Art, 1990, at the University of Wollongong (UOW)where he became Head of School for Music and Drama in the (then) Faculty of Creative Arts, a position he held until retired to live in Tasmania, 2003.

In conjunction with his academic work, the UOW provided him the opportunity to participate in theatrical productions from classical to contemporary; particularly a collaboration at Theatre South, Wollongong’s professional theatre company at the time. In 2004, he was made a Fellow of the University for his contribution to academia and to the Wollongong theatre community. In 2010–2015, he was tempted out of retirement to direct Shakespearian productions for the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Malaysia. Particularly of note were A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and Joe Calarco’s SHAKESPEARE’S R&J.

However, his love affair with theatre began at Forbes, NSW, in amateur theatre. Coming the full circle, Jeff is again enjoying community theatre having directed Agatha Christie’s THE STRANGER for The Hobart Rep, 2021, and he performed in its premier production of THE LAST RESORT in 2022. In 2023 he directed a highly acclaimed production of Tennessee Williams THE GLASS MENAGERIE, for the Hobart Rep that was nominated for seven Tasmanian Theatre Awards and won two: Best Actress and Best New Talent. In 2025, Jeff again directed Joe Calarco’s SHAKESPEARE’S R&J at the Peacock theatre for FloMo’s inaugural production

GEOFF DOBSON

Geoff is currently the Creative Director at Devonport City Council, where he leads initiatives that strengthen community connections and enhance the city’s vibrancy and liveability. He is passionate about placemaking and is a strong advocate for community cultural development. 

From 2017 to 2025, Geoff served as Convention and Arts Centre Director for Devonport City Council, overseeing the management of the Town Hall Theatre and Devonport Regional Gallery. Prior to this, he was Director of the Burnie Arts & Function Centre and Burnie Regional Art Gallery, Tasmania’s largest purpose-built multi-arts centre. 

In 2018, Geoff was selected for the Museum Leadership Program, an intensive residential course delivered at Macquarie Graduate School of Management, designed to equip senior museum professionals with the skills to lead their institutions into the future. In 2013, he received the prestigious Gallaugher Bequest Churchill Fellowship, investigating outstanding public and creative learning programs at leading multi-arts centres in the UK and USA. 

Geoff holds a Master of Fine Arts, majoring in Theatre Studies, and a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Tasmania’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. He also happens to be an internationally produced playwright. 

Community Theatre

NICHOLAS LAHEY (Convenor)

Nicholas is an enthusiastic arts consumer, director and educator. As a young performer he trained under Robyn Roylance studying AMEB (Drama) and performed regularly with Mummers Theatre Company and Hobart Repertory Theatre Society.

Inspired by his theatre experiences as a young person, Nick went on to complete a Bachelor of Education in Drama and English at the University of Tasmania and later, Masters in Educational Leadership.

Nick spent much of his early career teaching and directing in England, Sydney and Hobart prior to becoming a College Head of Performing and Visual Arts and instigating FUSION Arts Festival before following his current educational leadership pathway.

Nick was Co-president of Drama Tasmania Teachers Association, providing professional learning opportunities for drama practitioners as well as advising on state and national curriculum documentation and hosting state conferences. During this time, he was also a member of the Theatre Royal's Educational Advisory Committee.

Some of Nick’s favourite productions he has directed for schools and community theatre companies include: Aftershocks, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Verdict, The Musicians, Copacabana, Mirror Mirror, Away, Bugsy Malone, Babe, Skate, Up For Grabs, Calendar Girls and Blithe Spirit.

JULIENNE COLMAN

Julienne has had over forty-six years’ experience as an Arts educator and leader in Tasmania. She studied at the University of Tasmania, majoring In Drama, Music, Dance, Visual Arts and English. During her tertiary years Julienne performed in many performance projects, and in 2010 she gained her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. 

Julienne has taught in a range of schools and colleges in the Department of Education and more recently in Catholic Education. During her time in schools and colleges, she produced and directed over twenty musical productions including Oliver!, We Will Rock You, and The King and I. Her direction in Rock Eisteddfods saw her schools win state finals. Entries in the National Wakakirri Story Dance, Story Singing and Story Telling events won three National finals. 

As a life member of Centr Stage Theatre Company, Julienne was chair of the Launceston based theatre company for fifteen years. Julienne has mentored and taught many students who have gone on to perform in local, national and international drama, dance and musical theatre genres. Her community involvement in the arts is now focussed on musical theatre and local Eisteddfods. 

DR ROSE GABY  

Rose is a theatre scholar and enthusiast, and former Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania. During her years at Utas, Rose designed and coordinated a wide range of theatre-related units for the English programme, focussing particularly on Shakespeare and modern drama. She is a lifetime member of the Australian and New Zealand Shakespeare Association.

Rose completed her PhD at the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, a centre for postgraduate study that collaborates with the RSC to foster connections between theatre practice and scholarship. This experience generated a strong interest in the study of Shakespeare in performance and Rose has published widely in this field. Her publications include a history of open-air Shakespeare production in Australia, Open-Air Shakespeare: Under Australian Skies (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014) and editions of Shakespeare’s Henry IV plays for the Internet Shakespeare Editions and Broadview Press.

KATHRYN GRAY

Kathryn (Kat) has an extensive background in dance, with her speciality genres being Contemporary, Broadway Jazz and Scottish Highland. She danced professionally in Melbourne, for most of the early 2000’s, when it was everyone’s dream to be Britney Spears’s backup dancer (a dream she may need to give up on). Kathryn graduated in 2000, with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Utas) and complete a Bachelor of Teaching at Deakin University (2003).

Kathryn is the Senior Drama, Theatre and Dance teacher at Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston, and spends her days mentoring, choreographing with and directing the next generation of performers. Over her time as a secondary school teacher, she has choreographed multiple musicals and directed copious amounts of plays. Some of these include; Away (Michael Gow), Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (Simon Stephens), No Exit (Jean-Paul Sartre), Blithe Spirit (Noel Coward), Secret Bridesmaids Business (Elizabeth Coleman), Agnes of God (John Pielmeire), Numbers (Kieron Barry), The Proposal (Chekhov), The God of Carnage (Yasmina Reza), Play on! (Rick Abbot), Murder by Poe (Jeffrey Hatcher), The Dining Room (A.R.Gurney), Metamorphoses (Mary Zimmerman), Seussical the Musical, Shrek, Bye Bye Birdie and Pirates of Penzance.

Kathryn is a Tasmanian Assessment Standards Certification Examiner for Drama and Theatre Performance and is a member, and past board member, of Drama Tasmania. Kathryn has been actively involved in community theatre on and off stage for years and enjoys going to the theatre and supporting all creatives and performers as an audience member.

ANGELA WITCHER

Angela has worked as an actor, dancer, director, writer and producer in the UK and Australia. Advocating for disability and mental health, she has obtained funding and created inclusive programs enabling people of all abilities to participate in theatre as a form of self-expression and profession of choice. Angela also has experience as a consultant to arts businesses.

Angela is creative producer and founder of Tasmanian Shakespeare Company     and is currently completing an MBA.

AMANDA PHILLIPS 

Amanda has always had a love of theatre and performing. She grew up at the ABC studios in Elsternwick sitting in the sound booth watching Adventure Island being filmed in colour while the rest of Australia were seeing it in black and white; these experiences of rich and vivid storytelling during her childhood fuelled her passion for the Arts and the desire to create, and it was inevitable that she would go on to carve out a career in Theatre as an Actress, Director, and Youth Theatre Facilitator.  

Since graduating from BCA at UTAS in 2000 Amanda has taught Theatre at Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble. Over the past 21 years she has taught thousands of young Tasmanians and directed over 50 shows, including the world premiere of a bespoke local script in 10 Days on the Island (Tasmania) and the Gros Morne Theatre Festival (Newfoundland, Canada). 

Amanda has worked with a number of Tasmanian arts organisations including Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble, Mudlark Theatre, Theatre North, Centr Stage, Launceston Players, and Three River Theatre. Her acting credits include The Boys, The Bridesmaid Must Die, The Photo, Bengal Tiger at the Bagdad Gate (Centre Stage), The Bridesmaids Must Die, Bums on Seats (Launceston Players), an ensemble member in Oedipus Schmoedipus (Theatre North) and in countless play readings and corporate theatre events. 

Amanda has directed for Mudlark Theatre’s One Day Projects, recorded voice overs for audio books, freelanced as an adjudicator for the Launceston Competitions (Drama Section), and designed and installed sets for themed events. Amanda was the 2022 recipient of the Tasmanian Theatre Award for Outstanding Female Supporting Performance Community Theatre for The Bridesmaids Must Die (Launceston Players)

RAE SMITH

Rae's love affair with theatre performance began back at Launceston College in 1990 in the virtually unknown 'Beach Blanket Tempest' where she played a surfboarding genie named Gidget. Since then, Rae has performed in lead and ensemble roles in numerous professional and community theatre productions, both here and in Western Australia. 

Some of her most notable lead performances were in The Laramie Project (React Theatre Hobart), Nuncrackers (Launceston Musical Society), Blood Brothers and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (both Encore Theatre Company). In 2018 Rae was honoured to be named the recipient of the Theatre Council of Tasmania's 'Best Female Lead in Musical Community Theatre' for her emotional performance as Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers. 

Rae is not one to shy away from a challenge, hence why she chose to revisit The Laramie Project in 2024, however this time proudly wearing the cap of debut Director. Rae is a committed Theatre Council of Tasmania (TCT) board member and is so happy to be returning to the TCT Community Theatre Judging panel in 2026. The love affair with theatre continues stronger than ever.

Musical Theatre

JEFF HOCKLEY OAM (Convenor)

Jeff has been an active member of the theatre arts community since arriving in Tasmania in 1972, and has acted in 39 productions, directed 36 productions – mostly musicals – and lit 46 productions.

He was Musical Director and conductor for Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady and Cabaret (Launceston Players), as well as the world’s first community production of Evita. He has also played keyboard in the orchestra for five musicals, including Les Misérables, The Boy from Oz and The Sound of Music.

His workshops and summer school classes in directing or voice studies have been held state-wide, and he has also taught at the Modena Theatre Company in Italy. He is a graduate of Indiana University (directing and stage lighting), and NIDA, with a post-graduate degree in voice studies.

He directed the Tasmanian premiere’s of Deathtrap, Dimboola, As Long as You’re Happy, Lipstick Dreams and Eurobeat, and has directed other big and small musicals ranging from Les Misérables, Rent, Spamalot, Avenue Q and Into the Woods to works like I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Assassins and intimate revues, while dramas range from Amadeus to Dad’s Army.

At a management level, he has been on the boards and committees as a member, secretary, Vice-President or President of the Launceston Arts Council, Regional Arts Tasmania, the Arts Council of Australia, the Launceston Community FM Group, and the Launceston Players. He was also on the board of the Theatre Council of Tasmania as a member, and as a judge in the professional theatre awards team.

The arts and civic community have honoured him with a Life Membership to the Launceston Players; the 2000 Citizen Award for Community Service, through the National Australia Day Council; the Paul Harris Fellowship medal for community engagement through the arts, and he is one of the 21 Living Icons of Launceston. In 2023 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honors list for services to the arts and community theatre.

EMILY BRAITHWAITE

Emily is an experienced performing arts educator with a strong background in musical theatre. She earned her Master of Teaching from the University of Tasmania in 2021 and holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts from the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music. Her additional qualifications include a Diploma and Certificate IV in Musical Theatre, as well as a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management from Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance in Melbourne. 

Emily has taught performing arts in school settings for over five years and is looking forward to commencing a new role at St Michael's Collegiate in 2026. Since 2019, she has also taught singing and musical theatre at The Singing Hub within House of Dance. 

With more than 20 musical theatre performance credits, Emily's professional experience spans corporate engagements, large-scale events, and television advertising. Her appearances include the AFL Grand Final Footy Show, the Victorian Flu Campaign, the Australian Open, and ANZ. Since returning to Hobart, she has worked extensively as a freelance vocal director or choreographer on numerous productions such as Newsies Jr, Annie, and & Juliet for John X Presents; A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder for the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society; and A Chorus Line: Teen Edition and CATS: Young Actors Edition for Venus Creative. 

Emily is honoured to serve as a musical theatre adjudicator for the Theatre Council of Tasmania this year. 

Dr AMANDA HARPER

Amanda has been involved in the theatre community since the early 1980s when she was first introduced to musical theatre. She quickly became involved as a regular in pit orchestras, playing flute and piccolo for 13 shows for various companies.  

After completing her Bachelor of Music (Education) at The University of Tasmania and commencing her career as an educator, Amanda returned to the theatre scene primarily as a musical director for 19 stage musicals, including The Secret Garden (Summer Stock, 1999), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Gilbert & Sullivan Society, 2001), Chicago (Pierrot Productions Australia, 2002), Patience (Gilbert & Sullivan Society, 2002), Jesus Christ Superstar (Pierrot Productions Australia, 2003), Grease (Pierrot Productions Australia, 2004), Fiddler on the Roof (Hobart Repertory Theatre Society, 2013), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Mainstage Theatre Company, 2014), and Iolanthe (The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, 2015).  

Amanda was also the Vocal Director for Hobart Carols by Candlelight (2004), the 60th Anniversary Concert for VP Day (2005), and was Vocal Director and Orchestral Conductor for Carols by the Bay (2008). 

Launched in 2004, Amanda also authored the beautiful popular history book, Treading the Boards, which traces the development of Hobart’s historic Theatre Royal and highlights the many theatrical icons who performed there. The book also investigates the place of the Theatre Royal Light Opera Company and other Tasmanian companies in the generation of the rich theatrical culture that now exists in Tasmania. 

More recently Amanda has completed additional study, gaining a Grad Dip (Psych) from the University of New England, a Masters and PhD (Gifted Education) from the University of New England and the University of Tasmania respectively, and a Grad Cert (Research) from the University of Tasmania. Amanda is currently a Senior Lecturer and Course Coordinator of the Bachelor of Philosophy, a companion degree for Gifted and High Achieving students at the University of Tasmania.

BIL HEIT

Bil is a versatile performer, with regular voice-over work and experience on stage, on camera and as a workshop leader, acting coach and director.  

Her musical theatre credits include Guys & Dolls, The Wiz, The Full Monty, The Sound of Music, High School Musical, Minefields and Miniskirts, DIVAS, Into The Woods, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, and Vocal Direction for Children of Eden. Other featured roles include Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Tinkerbell in Peter Pan, Mrs Claus in the MYER Christmas Pantomime and Kate in The Taming of the Shrew. Other Shakespearian trots across the stage include Twelfth Night, Romeo & Juliet, The Comedy of Errors, Romeo & Juliet, and the original cast of The Works of William Shakespeare (by chicks). 

Bil was a soprano in The Australian Voices, touring Australia and internationally for four years. As a flautist her skills have featured in several musical productions. Bil has had the good fortune to be involved in the creative development and performance of a number of new works over the years, including Fort Lytton At Night (a promenade theatre piece based on site in QLD), Any Moment (Bradley McCaw) and The Tuckshop Kid (THAT Production Company).  

With various qualifications – a Bachelor of Arts (Drama) from QUT in Brisbane, an A.T.C.L. (Teacher’s Certificate) and a Master of Human Services (Childhood Studies) from Griffith University - Bil enjoys working as a Children’s Librarian (currently studying) and coordinates the Little Learners program at Channel Christian School. 

Most recently, Bil has worked as Director and Assistant Director for school productions Hoodwinked (2019), Peter Pan (2021), The Fall of Robin Hood, The Road Home, and The Greatest Show (all 2023). On stage she was last seen as the Old Woman (The Old Man and the Old Moon), Mrs Potter (and others) in The Adventures of Peter Rabbit and as Peta Quince in Roger Hodgman’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

LOUISE PETERS

Louise began her career as an Arts educator in 1980 after graduating from UTAS, majoring in Drama, Dance and English. During university years, she founded a small company, Playpen Theatre, bringing performances to local primary schools.  

She has performed in many productions with local companies including Launceston Players, Launceston Repertory Society, Centr Stage Theatre Co and Encore. A career highlight was 30 years as a Royal Oak Joker; alongside fellow actors, she wrote political satire and comic sketches and performed in the annual Christmas Revue which always played to sold-out houses. 

 Louise has worked as a Festival adjudicator, Drama Moderator for North/NW Tasmania and, since 1996, a TASC examiner and panel chair.  

She recently retired from Launceston Church Grammar School as Learning Area Leader for the Arts, Head of Drama and many years as Director of the School Musical.  

A Life Member of the Launceston Competitions Association and Speech and Drama sub-committee convenor, Louise is dedicated to providing young people with opportunities to perform. 

Judges 2025

Professional Theatre: Leigh Oswin (Convenor), Adam Dear, Gillian Unicomb, Jane Haley, Mel King

Community Theatre: Nicholas Lahey (Convenor), Jenifa Dwyer, Dr Rose Gaby, Kathryn Gray, Ross Hay, Amanda Phillips, Rae Smith

Musical Theatre: Jeff Hockley OAM (Convenor), Jules Coleman, Bil Heit, Anne Cordiner, Dr Amanda Harper

Best New Writing:  Ayah Tayeh (Dramaturg & Producer), Alison Mann (Playwright) and Erin Taylor (Dramaturg and Director)