L-R front:Geraldine Broderick, Penny Guy, Sarah Oemcke, Beryl Smith. Middle: Larissa Allen, Christine Giddens, Margaret Douglas. Back: Barbara Webb, Dallas Baker, Dyllan Martin. Photo/George Novak
"I don't know how she does it!"
Work, home, partners, kids, friends. Twenty-first century life for the average woman is a high-wire juggling act that demands the smarts of Stephen Hawking, the energy of a supernova and the multitasking skills of a seven-armed robot. Women know at the end of each full day, there is little time left for themselves.
It comes as a surprise, then, to meet seven women who have managed to fly in the face of convention and follow their passion for the stage at 16th Avenue Theatre, Tauranga. Why do they do it and how on earth do they find the time?
The Grande Dame:
"My daughter said to me, 'Mum, I am going to bury you with a script.' I said, 'Fine. But it better be a good one!'"
Christine Giddens has been a part of 16th Avenue Theatre in Tauranga for 44 years. "I came to New Zealand by boat in my teens," says Christine.
"When I moved to Tauranga, I didn't know anyone, so I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined the theatre. My first show was Charley's Aunt and I haven't looked back since."
A veteran of hundreds of shows, Christine regularly helps with front-of-house duties and bar management at the theatre, but says her "true love" is being up on stage in the spotlight and she has even played 36 characters in a one-woman show.
The Seasoned Actress:
"I was told, 'You look good but sound terrible'. In the end, I got married on stage."
Relief teacher, flower farmer and self-confessed theatre addict Geraldine Broderick has "played almost every role, onstage and off".
A member of 16th Avenue Theatre for four years, she was press-ganged into a part as Dora The Beautiful Dishwasher at just 20 by then NZ Theatre Federation president, Bob Carter. "Bob said I was perfect for the role," says Geraldine. "But he did hate my voice!"
Since then, Geraldine has performed all over the world, including London and New Jersey, but New Zealand is where this Kiwi eventually chose to settle down. "I was actually married on stage at Wellington Repertory in style. "We used the theatre props for the service!"
The Busy Mum (and Actress):
"Some women go to the gym, I go to the theatre!"
Local working mum of two young boys Sarah Oemeke always finds time in her schedule to indulge in her passion for theatre and is now vice-president of 16th Avenue. "I am gloriously busy," says Sarah. "But I love trying new things and, ultimately, I think that makes me a better mum."
At night I can slip out to the theatre and be part of something really special, something just for me."
Sarah has been treading the boards for more than eight years and it can be hard work. "You have no idea how much effort goes into a production, onstage and off; it's a real labour of love, but so rewarding."
Sarah joined 16th Avenue Theatre almost three years ago for a production of Bullshot Crummond.
"I was welcomed with open arms. It felt like home. Everyone here has the love of theatre in common."
The New Girl on the Block:
"Being involved in theatre keeps my passion alive and my soul intact."
Larissa Allen is a newcomer to the theatre, but is certainly no stranger to the stage. At 25 years of age, Larissa has spent 18 of those on professional and community stages and "wouldn't want it any other way".
Larissa manages to juggle her busy life as a marketing manager, mum to a four-month-old puppy, regular volunteer for charitable causes and the youngest member in a Rotary club, while jumping on stage and sitting on the marketing committee at the theatre.
"I guess I should take this time to apologise to my partner, family and friends for putting up with not seeing me much," she laughs. "I'll be at the theatre until my life ends and then, well, I might just haunt it."
The Young Gun:
"I had such bad stage fright, I knew I had to get up there and do it."
It's hard to believe now, but bubbly and confident Dyllan Martin was once too scared to even audition. "One day, I said to myself 'Right, I am going to go in and win this.' "And I did. I got the part of Rizzo in Grease and went from there."
From there, she was singing in musicals, acting in plays and becoming the youngest director in Tauranga at the age of 18. "I have done most things now. I even tried backstage crewing once, but I nearly fell off stage wrestling with a huge plant in the dark.
I won't be doing that again!"
Dyllan, 22, is now a seasoned director of more than seven shows and a valued member of the technical department. "For the past three years, I have run 16th Avenue Theatre Youth Division with my mum (playwright Sam Martin), which - as a teacher - is really rewarding.
"I get so much from this part of my life, I make sure to make time for theatre. I wouldn't give it up for anything."
The Starlet:
"Theatre brought meaning to my life. Now I am making theatre my life."
At just 17, local schoolgirl Liv Nightingale is heading off to NASDA (The National Academy Of Singing and Dramatic Arts) this month to begin her career as an professional actor, thanks to 16th Avenue Theatre.
"I always loved acting, singing and being on stage, in school productions and the like," says Liv. "But my first big production at 16th Ave two years ago was just amazing and unlike anything I'd ever done before. I knew right then what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."
Liv says her life before didn't have much direction. "This theatre brought me into focus. And I'm in awe of the people who give their time to put on these amazing shows. "
Liv has high hopes for her future on the stage, but says 16th Avenue Theatre will always hold a special place in her heart. "This community, this theatre, means the world to me and, however far I get, I'll always want to come back home."
In our fast-paced, throwaway age of reality TV, internet high jinks and the ever-present selfie, it's hard to see how live local stage productions fit the bill anymore, but just like the resurgence in vinyl records and 'real' paper books, it seems that against all odds, local theatre is making a comeback.
People are getting sick of a transient, paper-thin existence and are now looking for something of substance. The variety and quality of local productions is what makes theatre special. It's a true interactive experience. Comedies, plays, musicals and revues: with six shows a year, there's something for everyone, whether you're in the audience or up on stage every night you can be part of something unique. It's entertainment with heart.
Sam Martin is a playwright for 16th Ave Theatre