Loretta Pennington
Stagecraft Director
Loretta has had an international career as a professional singer and actor on the musical theatre, opera and concert stage. As a vocal teacher she has mentored the next generation in private practice, and through NZ schools. Loretta is Director of Arts and Culture at Hamilton Girls’ High School and for 20 years Loretta has been Director of Lyrica Productions Ltd, a professional vocal performance group working throughout New Zealand and abroad in high profile events in the corporate and festival sectors. In 2019 Lyrica were invited to China to perform in the international Sister Cities Festival in Chengdu.
Alice Field
Stagecraft Tutor
Hailing from a theatrical family, Alice has a long association with Riverlea Theatre, having attended Stagecraft herself for many years. She has taken roles in various productions such as Into the Woods, Alice in Wonderland, Inside Out, The Borrowers and Sweeny Todd amongst others. Currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Music and Psychology) at the University of Waikato, Alice hopes to qualify as a music and theatre teacher for those with learning difficulties and special needs. Alice holds a Grade 8 level in Musical Theatre, and a Grade 7 in Music (Singing) from international examinations board Trinity College; works as a Disney character performer for Enchanted Entertainment, and has worked with children as a choreographer, a volunteer for the Scouting movement, and with a passion for horses (equal to her passion for Theatre!) she has also coached riding and run holiday programmes for children aged 3 to 14.
Dennis Ralph
Stagecraft Tutor
Dennis has been tutoring at Stagecraft for 10 years and is a life member of Hamilton Playbox Repertory Society. A flamboyant actor, he has performed, directed, and written in all forms of performance and in all of Hamilton’s performance venues. Active in the arts community, Dennis was on the steering committee responsible for the creation of performance spaces in Hamilton (Meteor Theatre and Gallagher Centre) and has taught Arts and Drama in the education system for 30 years. As a performer,Dennis is regularly seen at National Arts Festivals and prides himself on being the best “Mrs Claus” in the business! Dennis is also nationally known in event management.
Gabrielle De Bruijn
Stagecraft Tutor
Gabrielle is a mother, educator and performer who has completed the first year of her Bachelor in Education. Since 2015 the exuberant Gabrielle has used her dramatic talents to perform Ruben the Road Safety Bear Presenter/Mascot for the Waikato Regional Council – a role she LOVES. Gabrielle has also had a long involvement in the Hamilton theatre scene, often performing main roles including Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Anita (West Side Story), a stilt-walking witch (Macbeth) and Mrs Salt in Hamilton Playbox’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Gabrielle also participated in a production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Gabrielle has travelled extensively throughout the Waikato with Theatresports team for weekly, improvised theatre games and is looking forward to bringing all her skills together for Stagecraft.
Jane Barnett
60+ Course Tutor
Jane has been involved with theatre and education for over 40 years. She has a passion for live theatre and for passing on and creating the magic of theatre. Jane is a fully qualified facilitator. She has experience in many aspects of performance theatre, as a director, producer, mentor and actor in both musical theatre and plays. Most recently directing Calendar Girls. She and her husband are Co-Patrons of the very active Hamilton Musical Theatre. The 60+ programme has been running successfully for the last three years. Some comments from 2024 class “So fun, thanks Jane” “I loved every minute of it”. Jane has a Hamilton Civic award and a national merit award for services to Musical Theatre.
Jo-Ann Pass
Stagecraft Tutor
Jo moved from Sydney to New Zealand in 2022 after training at NIDA in acting for stage and screen. She has worked in commercials, film and theatre, including the Emmy Award-winning Hardball. In Aotearoa, her roles include The Merry Wives of Windsor, James and the Giant Peach and The Mysterious Disappearance.
Alongside her performance career, Jo is an experienced facilitator and speaker who is passionate about storytelling, connection and helping others express their individuality on stage, screen and in life.
Nathan Hancock
Stagecraft Tutor
Nathan has been engaged in Stagecraft since the age of 6 and has participated in a variety of Musicals and Drama classes throughout Childhood and High School where he also honed his Skills in Theatre Technology. After graduating Nathan gained valuable experience working with professional production companies in various Technical Roles. He is an active member of The Hamilton Theatre community, where he directs, performs and designs across diverse performance spaces in the Waikato Region. Additionally, Nathan is the Technical Advisor for Morrinsville Theatre committee. Committed to making the Theatre arts Accessible, Nathan believes that anyone with the drive can create magic both on and off the stage particularly within youth theatre.