Office Staff!
Artistic Director - Toni Main
Toni graduated from the directing course at the Flinders University Drama Centre with honours in 2005. She was also the recipient of the Minter Ellison Rising Star Award (2005). She has recently returned from Paris where she studied two courses at L’Ecole de Jaques Le Coq focussing on her passion for physical theatre and mask performance. Her theatre directing credits include A Stab in the Dark by Alex Vickory-Howe (2008), Away by Michael Gow (2008), Two by Jim Cartwright (2006), Out of the Boot for Urban Myth Theatre (2006) The Bank Job by Alex Vickory-Howe(2006). Harm’s Way by Mac Wellman (2005), Dreaming by Peter Barnes (2004), After Dinner by Andrew Bovell (2004), Dreamtown by Melissa Reeaves (2003). She has a strong enthusiasm for mask performance of which she has directed and co-created two performances using the Libby Appel mask performance technique: The Hidden Family of Her (2007) and Everybody go to the Left Side of the Room (2006). She currently works for Flinders University Drama Workshop and is a tutor at SYTE and Trinity College where she delights in working with participants from 8 to18yrs. Future productions for Toni main include A Girl Story (working title) as part of Higher Ground's Hot House Residency. She is also a co founder of Instigate Theatre Productions.
Administration Assistant - Phoebe Shaw
In her time as a participant at SYTE Phoebe has been involved wherever possible. Including acting as a member of the SYTE PAC (Participant Advisory Comittee) and has previously completed two weeks of voluntary work experience in the SYTE office. Phoebe has previously volunteered for Higher Ground as a secretary. Her recent acting credits include Retaliation (2010), The Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (2010), Party House and Party House on Tour (2009-2010). Phoebe is in the process of studying a Bachelor of Arts at Flinders University and hopes to have a career in Acting and Design.
The Tutors!
Tutor - Trish Herreen
Trish has been a regular Syte tutor since 2005. Trained as an actor and instructor of Laban Acting Methodology at The Centre for the Performing Arts, also completed studies in Community Services/Disability and Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy. After performing with State Theatre, Magpie, Junction and Optima Training & Management, Trish began working as a drama tutor with Onshore, Patch Theatre, Urban Myth, Inkpot, Concordia College, Corner House, CanTeen, Tutti Kids @ Minda Inc, Raw Energy Youth Group, Southern Youth Exchange, ArtSmart and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. Trsih currently teaches twelve drama classes a week, works part time as a Child Advocate with the Care & Protection Unit of Youth Courts SA and runs a small business as Tanjella the Magical Fairy. Trish is passionate about the power of arts programs to provide opportunities that inspire young people while developing skills that ensure they meet the challenges of their own lives.
Tutor- Karen Holmes
Karen was drawn into theatre during high school and followed the desire to create by completing a BA (Drama/ English) and forming a travelling troupe called ‘Coathanger Theatre Co.’ who presented self devised performances and toured Victoria and South Australia for two years. Since 1994, she has worked with amateur and professional companies (Theatro Oneiron and Nomad Productions) to develop skills in acting, script writing, lighting design and puppetry. She completed a 12 month ‘Acting for Film and TV’ course and has completed a Bachelor of Education at Flinders Uni and works at various southern schools.
Tutor - Mieka Owens-Phillips
Meika has experience in developing, delivering and evaluating drama workshops, as she gained much of her expereince whilst working as a Residential Coordinator and as a Drama Teacher at Waikerie High School.
Tutor- Scott Hewitt
Scott Hewitt started his acting career by attending Southern Youth Theatre Ensemble from 1997-2003. From there he went on to study with the Adelaide Centre for the Arts for three years. Upon graduating, Scott hit the road with Adelaide's Splash Theatre Company for a year. Performing children's theatre all over South Australia and Victoria, he enjoyed many roles such as Hugh the Russian Camel, Twinkletoes the fairy, and ALL THREE of the 3 Little Pigs! Scott is also the creator of "The Scott and SkullBoy Show". A ventriliquist act with a difference, intergrating live action with animated footage. Scott and SkullBoy have appeared in several Adelaide Fringes and also fundraising events and comedy nights, winning 2nd prize for the Helpmann Academy Foundation Front Party in 2005. Scott has had the opportunity to work one on one with Shane McNeil, director of Smoking Gun productions, in a mentorship scheme with the Helpmann Academy. With Shane, Scott developed a self inspired character and unleashed him on the streets documenting Adelaide's very first Zombie March. After taking a break and travelling Europe for a year, Scott has come back to performing on stage, in short films and developing his passion for animation.
The Trainee Tutors!
Trainee Tutor- Phoebe Shaw
Phoebe has always taken an interest in the younger participants at SYTE, acting as stage manager and helping with warm ups during past performances. She has always aspired to have a career in drama tutoring, as well as acting, and hopes that the SYTE trainee tutor program will give her the skills and qualifications necessary to achieve this. Phoebe revels in working with Yank firstSYTE and firstSYTE, and cannot wait to have a workshop of her own to teach one day.
Trainee Tutor- Scott Milne
Photo currently not available
Scott has been a SYTE participant for five years. He has had the opportunity of working with SYTE in productions such as ‘Social Life of Butterflies’ for Come Out 2005, ‘Chill!’ in 2006 and ‘Ugliophobia’ in 2007. He also worked with SYTE in 2008 to produce an episode of ‘Online Soap’ a joint project between SYTE and other theatre companies in Australia. Scott is currently studying a double degree, Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts at Flinders University.