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Waldemar Lotocki |
PHOENIX ENSEMBLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WALDEMAR LOTOCKI
Founding member and Administrative Director of Phoenix, a Chemical Engineer with a Master’s Degree in Engineering Science, Wal has been the lynch pin of all Phoenix activities since its inception. Wal commenced his interest in theatre in the Victorian Folk Music Club in Melbourne and he sang on Melbourne radio station 3UZ on Sundays. He joined Melbourne New Theatre and played the guitar and sang in its inaugural production of “Reedy River”. He also played at the Cuckoo Restaurant in the Dandenongs and in various other venues.
In Newcastle, Wal was a foundation member of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company building sets for this professional theatre company. He was also an active member of three community theatre groups: Newcastle New Theatre; Trinity Theatre Company; and Newcastle Repertory Theatre Company. He became a technical expert designing and operating lighting and sound equipment in a number of companies. He worked on “Equus”, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?”, “And the Big Men Fly”, “Elizabeth 1”, “Antigone”, and many other shows.
In Queensland, Wal has performed in many shows including “Dimboola’ x 3, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “La Cage Aux Folles’, “Cabaret”, “Oklahoma”, “Calamity Jane”, “How to succeed in Business without really trying”, “Brilliant Lies’, Pirates of Penzance “x 2, “West Side Story” x 2, “Sherwoodstock”, “Into the Woods’, “A Chorus Line”, “Hits on Broadway”, “The Importance of being Ernest”, “Commedia D’Elle Arte”, “The Flight of the Archeopterix”, and “Showstoppers”. He was involved in building sets for all of the above shows as well as building and designing sets for ‘Les Miserables”, “Out of Order”, “Cosi”, “Stepping Out”, “Hotel Sorrento”, “All in the Family” and many others. He has also directed “Wait until Dark”, “Cosi”, and “Don’t Dress for Dinner”.
Wal has been the backbone of Phoenix for the last six years and is a life member of the company. He was instrumental in turning a “TIN Shed” into an inviting and intimate theatre, where every screw in the building has his imprint on it.
ANNIE LOTOCKI
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Artistic Director of Phoenix, since its inception Anne has brought a wealth of experience and talent to the Phoenix Ensemble. An English and Drama teacher, plus a qualified speech teacher Anne has been involved in theatre from her earliest days at Tamworth High School where she won many awards in acting , public speaking and debating. Anne has worked in NSW, Victoria and Queensland in the Performing Arts Industry.
She has directed “Elizabeth 1’, “And the Big Men Fly”, “Antigone”, “West Side Story” x 2, “Dimboola” x 3, “Pirates of Penzance” x2, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “Les Miserables”, “Godspell” x2, “Into the Woods”, “Sherwoodstock”, “How to Succeed in Business without really trying”, “Brilliant Lies”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “A Chorus Line”, “Cabaret”, “Oklahoma”, “Calamity Jane”, and numerous other productions.
She has appeared in “Murder in the Cathedral”, “The Way of the Cross”, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe?”, “Hotel Sorrento”, “Cosi”, “Stepping Out”, “Pirates of Penzance”, “Trial by Jury”, “Blythe Spirit” and “The Importance of Being Ernest” x 2.
Anne was a founding member of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company working under Terrence Clarke as Wardrobe Mistress and Production Assistant. She worked on “Floating World”, “Equus”, “Hamlet on Ice”, and “The Glass Menagerie”. She lectured at Newcastle University in Educational Drama before moving to Melbourne, where she had three daughters.
Anne has been involved in every aspect of theatre, rigging and operating lights, designing and painting sets, front of house duties and publicity. She is also a founding and life member of the Phoenix Ensemble.
ADAM MARCOMBE
DIRECTOR OF CHOREOGRAPHY
Over the years Adam has worked in all mediums of film, television and theatre. Originally from Melbourne, Adam's professional career started after obtaining a position with Melbourne’s Ensemble Dance Theatre. He then toured with Michael Edgley International in the Australian tour of Sesame Street Live; played the Melbourne season of AIDA with the Victorian State Opera; toured with The OZ Connection to Japan; performed in Carols By Candlelight at the Melbourne Myer Music Bowl; in the Ford LASER Launch; the Beauty And The Beast Pantomime; Melbourne Motor Show and played Bitelle in "La Cage Aux Folles" with Festival Theatre Company, Melbourne. Adam has been studying dance and theatre for over 12 years. He spent 2 years at the Melbourne "Dance Factory" in their full time dance course studying all aspects of dance, drama, singing and choreography, which led him to study and sit for his Teachers Exams in Jazz and Tap.
Some of Adam's Choreographic achievements include:
"The OZ Connection"(Japan Contract); Guest Choreographer for "Melbourne’s Highrise Dance Troupe"; "Fashions on Parade; "Fire N Ice" floorshow; “Betty Blue" for Melbourne Midsummer Festival; "It's A Drag World"; "Carols By Santa" - pantomime; Thank Zeus Its Friday"; "Aims and Actions" and "Play it Again Sam" for the Maroondah Youth Theatre., He was Resident Choreographer for the "Leather and Lace Angels", "Dance On" for AADE Dance Week, and "Godspell" and "Dimboola" for Phoenix Ensemble; “La Cage Aux Folles” for Spotlight Theatre Company, just to name a few.
Adam's television appearances include: "All the Rivers Run pt.2"; ABC's "The Magistrate"; "Hey Hey It’s Saturday" as a Dancer; “The Flying Doctors"; "Neighbours”; and Channel 9 "Shout Promo". Adam worked extensively as a Dance Teacher and Choreographer in Melbourne before moving to the Gold Coast.
Adam has recently been seen in the following Productions - for the Gold Coast Arts Centre - "JUKEBOX" as Singer / Dancer- and "42ND STREET" as Andy-Lee; Javeenbah productions: "A CHORUS LINE" as Greg; and "BEYOND THERAPY". as Bob.; and with the Phoenix Ensemble in "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES" as Phaedra; "HOTEL SORRENTO" as Dick; "GODSPELL" as Judas/Choreographer; "OUT OF ORDER" as Richard Willey; "DIMBOOLA" as Bayonet/Choreographer; "COSI" as Lewis, “Les Miserables” as Thenardier /Assistant Director, “La Cage Aux Folles” as Georges/Choreographer for Spotlight Theatre Company, His work has been vast and varied and has included all aspects of the performing arts.
JAMES FEAGAI
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
James, who lives in Greenslopes started
learning the piano in 1987 under Laurie Johnston. Since learning drama and
playing active roles in musicals (both on stage and in the pit) at high school,
he has gone on to doing musical direction for professional and community
theatre companies in and around Brisbane.
For Phoenix James has musically directed “Les Miserables”, “Jesus Christ
Superstar”, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “Godspell”, and “How to Succeed in Business
without Really Trying”.
In Phoenix Ensemble’s production of “Cosi’
James’ returned to the stage after three long years of just music, music, and
more music. He played 2 roles in the show, Zac the drug addict and Nick, a
student radical. He has played as the pirate king in “Pirates of Penzance” and
most recently played in “Goosetales”
James has also played jazz piano with the
largest big band in Queensland, the ‘Groove Merchants’.
GLYNIS AUBREY
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER
MAUREEN JACKSON
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
TAMMY GOSLING
SECRETARY
SCENIC ARTIST RAY AUBREY
Ray claims he woke up with a paintbrush in his hand. At the age of 5 years old under the guidance of his artist mother, he began to paint. While at school he won many art prizes. His most memorable achievement was winning the "Ipswich Schools' Pastel Competition." The theme was 'Industry' and Ray drew a picture of coal miners.
After leaving school Ray joined the Air Force and didn't paint again for over 20 years. He and his family were constantly moved around Australia due to the nature of his work. However, when his children left home, Ray found he had more money and more time. His mind once again turned to painting. He is now a regular entrant in the Beenleigh Show and has been very successful. Being a member of the Beenleigh Art Society means he is able to exhibit his portraits regularly.
Ray first became involved in Phoenix Ensemble Inc. through the "gentle" persuasion of his wife Glynis who was a member of the group. He immediately became smitten with the theatre world and says he has never looked back. Ray is responsible for the sets, backdrops, floor and props. His talents were evident in the sets of 'Oklahoma.' A path leading through the fields appears so life-like that it is hard to believe it is painted. Now he says he could never devote enough time to his new love of the theatre.
"The people are the main reason I love the theatre. I see ordinary people transformed into amazing visions. The people give me a constant source of ideas for my own portraits."
The backdrop from "Oklahoma" painted by Ray.
"Janine" Productions
Contact: jroberts1@vtown.com.au
Last edited on 29th August 2000
