Pine Rivers Musical Association Inc.

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About PRIMA

Committee Members

President - Melissa Beilby

Melissa is a classroom music teacher for a local primary school and also teaches singing part-time from home. She has had ten years vocal training and recently returned to the piano after a 15 year break. Melissa has performed in a number of amateur productions in New Zealand including "Evita", "Les Miserables", and "Singing in the Rain" as well as many theatre restaurants, variety and benefit concerts. She was also involved in the 1999 professional production of "Little Shop of Horrors" in NZ, understudying the three Ronnettes' roles, working with the sound technicians, and operating two of the plant puppets.

Melissa has been associated with several local musical theatre groups since arriving in Australia from New Zealand in 2000. In 2003, she joined with like-minded friends and husband, Mark, in PRIMA's first theatre restaurant, "Just One of Those Songs". Melissa has since been involved with the society in the roles of production manager, choreographer and performer.

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Immediate Past President - Mark Beilby

Mark lived in New Zealand until he moved with his family to Brisbane in 2000. He has been a member of PRIMA since it's inception in 2003.

Marks association with theatre dates back to 1968 when he was involved with the Thames Operatic Society's Junior Group. The wealth of knowledge Mark lends to PRIMA, has been shaped by his experiences with many companies and over eighty productions. His involvement has been varied including backstage, lighting, pianist, musical arranger, musical director, and sometimes even performer.

Mark considers the highlight of his career to date to be the prestigious role as Musical Director for Dunedin Operatic Society's professional/amateur production of Les Miserables in 1994.

In 1999, Mark's ability and talent led him to the role of musical director for the New Zealand professional production of Little Shop of Horrors.

PRIMA's past theatre restaurants "Just One of Those Songs", "Viva Oz", and "It's Moment's Like These..." have all been performed under Mark's masterful musical direction.

Mark has worked extensively as a vocal accompanist for competitions and concerts. He has also been involved with brass bands as a player, arranger, accompanist, and conductor.

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Vice President - Gordon Ball

Gordon Ball was born in Sydney a long time ago worked as a Dental Technician and retired due to unforseen circumstances and then he and his wife Doreen moved to Brisbane in September 2001.

Gordon started in musical theatre in the early 1960s and has had leading roles in many varied productions since; he has served on a number of committees in Sydney and has been directing since the late 1980s

Gordon was delighted to learn about PRIMAs incorporation and attended the 1st General meeting and was pleased to be elected to the committee.

Gordon was PRIMA’s director for there first production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and went on to direct Annie PRIMA's second major production. He has since directed Cabaret in Brisbane and looks forward to using his vast knowledge of musical theatre to help PRIMA become one of Brisbanes top musical theatre companies.

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Secretary - Melissa Nolan

Melissa developed her love of music at an early age and started performing in musical theatre productions about 5 years ago. She joined PRIMA in 2007 for their major musical production 'Grease' and has enjoyed performing in a number of theatre restaurant productions as well. Melissa loves being a part of the PRIMA community and is looking forward to being Secretary for PRIMA for 2008.

In most cases, Melissa is the first point of call for any PRIMA enquiries.

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Treasurer - Doreen Ball

Doreen Ball has been involved in musical theatre in Sydney for some 20 years. After moving to Brisbane September 2001 I joined PRIMA along with my husband Gordon at their first annual meeting.

For most of my working life I have been working as a financial controller for various accountancy firms and have also been treasurer of a number of different organisations over the years, thus with my vast knowledge of bookkeeping and account management I feel that I can bring to PRIMA this professionalism as their treasurer.

Having never been on stage, except to sweep it, I have in my time been assistant stage manager, stage crew, props, dresser, makeup, costumes and now and then mother confessor, I have also been front of house manager and all other tasks involving front of house. My assets as a painter etc have never gone astray during set building.

It is my aim to assist PRIMA to grow as a professional society especially during these first few difficult years.

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Committee Member - Judy Howard

Judy has spent 40 years in amateur and pro-am theatre, from choirs and eisteddfods as a child, to drama and musicals as an adult. She became a member of Aspley Little Theatre in 1969, performing in plays, pantomimes, festivals and concerts as well as acting, singing and dancing. Judy developed her stage management and directorial skills during shows such as "Barefoot in the Park", "Norm", and Elsie’s "MacBeth".

Judy performed in "Once Upon a Mattress" with Brisbane Arts Theatre and later in La Boite's rock opera "MacBeth". She also appeared as Aphrodite in their world premiere of "Fetch Me a Figleaf".

Over the past 10 years Judy has enjoyed affiliations with Queensland Musical Theatre, Ocean Theatre, and Act 1. She is now proud to be a part of the team at PRIMA.

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Member - Sandy Bloodworth

Sandy has served as PRIMA's treasurer since it's inception in 2003. She brings much committee experience to PRIMA from her positions as Treasurer, President, Vice-President and Committee Director in various local community groups. She has also been a leader with the Guide Association for fifteen years.

Sandy studied for two years in adult tap and jazz. During the past eleven years, Sandy has performed with various local amateur musical theatre groups including Beau Belle Minstrels, the Sandgate Theatre Company, and PRIMA. She has enjoyed various roles in variety and cabaret style shows and has performed in each of PRIMA's theatre restaurant productions to date.

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Member - Jane Moroney

PRIMA is Jane’s first foray, aside from school productions, into the world of musical theatre. Jane has been involved in every PRIMA production since joining in 2005. This is Jane’s first committee experience.

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Member - Kym Whittington

Dance and musical theatre is a big part of Kym's life. She has been performing since age 5, doing ballet, tap & jazz, and began vocal training 18 months ago. She has been in PRIMA's productions of Annie, Grease, and On Broadway, where she also co-choreographed the show, assisted backstage for Joseph, and is now the Production Manager for PRIMAs newest theatre restaurant That's Entertainment. After 10 years as a Property Manager, Kym now prefers to be a full time mother caring for her three children Kiara (6), Haidyn (2) and Lachlan (1 month), in addition to being a full time university student aiming to complete her education degree. Kym is the Marketing Manager for Prima, and has been responsible for the advertising, programmes and ticket sales, for the past four productions. Her husband Greg is also involved in PRIMA, as the lighting technician, so being involved with the society is certainly a family affair.

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