Jennifer Ford – Vice President

Jen only moved to Esperance in 2005 after a career in Archives and Records Management.  Having been a keen member of a female classical singing group Ensemble Veritas in Perth and having performed in the chorus of Dido & Aeneas, Orpheus & Eurydice plus Fiddler on the Roof, she was delighted to find the Bijou Theatre and the Esperance Theatre Guild.

"Since joining the Guild I’ve enjoyed working backstage and/or as an extra in Cinderella, Matilda’s Magic Mirror and A Christmas Carol. I’m new to the committee and am going to have a great time sorting out the Guild’s archives."

Tracey Schlink - Secretary

Tracey wandered into the Bijou in 1993 to audition for Jayne Arnold in "Best Little Whorehouse In Texas". Having had the time of her life in this production, she has not wandered out of the Bijou since. Musicals is her love and has performed in "Puss In Boots" (1993), 'Little Shop of Horrors" (1995), "The Sound of Music" (1997), "In Too Deep" (1998), Guys & Dolls (2001), along with various other Variety Nights, Fund Raisers, Festival of the Wind etc.  After having 2 beautiful daughters with husband Damien and moving to their farm 117km east of Esperance, she has only managed to fit in performing in "Wake Up" (2007) and "Captive Wives" (2010).

Tracey has stepped behind the scenes as Assistant Director for Andrew Dean in "Santa in Space" (2000) and was on the directorial team as Producer and Musical Director for "Captive Wives" which she enjoyed immensely.

Tracey was elected to Committee in 1995 and served 5 years as Secretary working with Presidents Greg Ducas, Lyndel Taylor & Derek Clarke.  After taking some years off to have her family, she returned as Secretary in 2009 answering a SOS call from President Chris Greenwood.  Since then has worked with Presidents Naomi Bailye and now Victoria Brown.  Tracey relishes her role as Secretary of the Guild and keeps the books and committee on track with her bossy but efficient nature.

After majoring in Performing Arts in Teachers College, Mary's love of the stage began at Kalgoorlie Repertory Club in the 80's participating in Music Hall and Comedy.

She joined the Bijou in 2010 with a role in "Captive Wives" which renewed her passion for the Performing Arts.

Soon after she was elected to Committee as the Treasurer, a role she is still learning but fulfilling with enthusiasm.

Mary looks forward to much more involvement in the Esperance Theatre Guild in the coming years.

Andrew Bounds - LIGHTING

Andrew is a man of few words, but is extremely knowledgable when it comes to all things theatrical. Primarily the "lights man", but also backstage worker extrordinaire and dedicated set builder.

Caitlyn Edwards - Committee Member

Caitlyn had a passion for performing before she could walk. Constantly vying for lead role in all home movies, she made her debut on the stage at 6 years of age with the Kalgoorlie Primary School Year 1 assembly item - 'Oh Mickey, You're So Fine'.

Since then Caitlyn has made many more appearances, including a man-eating plant in 'Little Shop of Horrors', a larger-than-life dolphin in 'FantiSea', a Grandma in 'The Bijou Monologues', Smeraldina in 'A Servant to Two Masters', and Prince Malcolm of Cumberland in a piece she had written herself based on characters in William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.

Caitlyn feels at home in the theatre, and aside from acting, she enjoys writing, set design and set painting, and is soon to experience directing in the next season of One Act Plays.

Deb Eisenhammer - Marketing / Bulletin

Growing up, Debbie's house was filled with melodies of the best in the business: Doris, Frank and Barbara.  She soaked up all the musical greats from the youngest age possible thanks to her mother, a pianist from South Africa. In 1993 Debbie started the Clarinet and soon became heavily involved in music. Her love for the arts continued throughout high school with her involvement in school productions. She went onto study arts, photography and political science at university. Debbie is enthusiastic, driven and has a love for small communities and anything creative.  She looks forward to working with all those involved at the Bijou.

Josh Hooper - Committee Member

"I have admired the theatre from afar for my whole life and have only become actively involved in the last 5 years with my debut performance in the pantomime Matilda’s Magic Mirror (2008).  Since then I have been involved in productions such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2009) and most recently A Servant to Two Masters (2010).  I have also tried my hand at backstage with the infamous Jodi MacNish teaching me the ropes.  I am honoured to be a part of the committee and I think it will help to enrich my theatrical knowledge and my involvement in our beloved Bijou."

Jodi MacNish - FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

Jodi has always been in love with the arts.  Her grandpa, Fred Williams and mother, Lyn MacNish have been involved with the Bijou for many years and she couldn’t wait until it was her turn.

"I first really fell in love with live stage performance when I watched Peter Pan (2002) and decided I wanted to be involved.  It was now my turn to get on stage and Cinderalla (2005) was my first Bijou play and I loved every part of it!  Needless to say I have been hooked every since.  I have been Stage Manager for a number of productions and I quite enjoyed having that responsibility.  In Year 12 I completed my Certertificate II in live theatre and stage production.  I also studied TEE Drama and Art for 2 years.

I recently performed in my first lead role as Frances in No Sex Please - We’re British and it was such a thrill to be a part of such a fantastic play.  Being Front of House Manager for the Bijou is a fantastic opportunity for me to become more involved in the theatre that I love.  Being on Committee and able to have my say about our 'little gem' is a real honour."

Lyn Penketh - Licensee

Originally an 'eastern stater', I grew up in north east Victoria before moving to the south coast of NSW, then to Sydney before seeing the light and moving westward in 1975. An ex nurse I have been a resident of Esperance for the past nine years, not yet classified as a local. Married to David with, 4 children, he came with two and I came with two. My daughter and two grandsons are Esperance locals whereas my son and his wife, in Perth, will be providing us with our fifth grandchild in October. Having had absolutely no theatrical experience before, I decided that it was time to venture into the unknown. Since becoming involved with the Bijou I have had an absolute ball. It is a great way to meet a wide variety of people,and I find I am developing skills I never knew I had.