The Call: About

Who's Who

Tony Pitman
Writer & Director
Tony’s serious drama career began in 1990, when as a young video editor he turned down a lucrative offer at a leading video production house. Instead, he moved into a motorhome and travelled Australia with theatre company and band New Voice, formed from members of Indooroopilly church. Following this, Tony freelanced in video production, then spent some time in several on- and off-stage roles at Crazies Comedy Box. He studied Drama at QUT in the late 90’s, during which he developed the CRAB Method used to write and rehearse The Call, and earlier plays Crab and Squeegee People. CRAB Method has been used with great success in community theatre and with Work for the Dole participants, and Tony has plans to take it further.

I’ve been asked many times in the last few months what this play is about, and it’s tempting, with its call centre setting, to say that its key theme is disconnection. Certainly the Callers are isolated, neglected by their loved ones, and the Operators are doomed to suffer losses of their own. But when I revisit the inspirational James reading, I’m reminded of the root cause of these characters’ troubles: they are essentially incomplete.

When Shakespeare writes “Give every man thine ear and few thy voice”, and so many communication trainers proclaim the benefits of shutting up and listening, they’re right – but only by half. James gives us the full message: “But be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers”. When we truly listen to someone in trouble, we provide a good service. But once we know their fears, we take on a responsibility to act on them. Otherwise we might as well be a muted monkey, who doesn’t know what he should do, only what he shouldn’t.

As you join in this live theatre experience, and encourage the actors with your laughter and applause, I hope it evokes the two-way interaction that is vital to relationships and community. Be encouraged to listen, and then respond to each other with justice and love.

THE CAST: OPERATORS

“LIZ” - Acting Team Leader Alt: Sarah Vandersee Sarah returns to the stage after a long absence. Her past achievements include school plays and musicals, and providing choreography for Toowoomba Choral Society's productions of Oklahoma and The Gypsy Barron. Sarah once performed extensively with the Toowoomba City Dance Company.		“JOHN” - Operator, Morale Alt: Byron Dixon Byron has been a regular backing singer with the annual Day Camp Band, and lead singer in morning worship. He has a great vocal range and talent. While Byron has found the rehearsal style of The Call quite challenging, his natural sense of humour has been invaluable to the process, and his character.

“SYLVIA” - Operator, QA Alt: Belinda Jeffrey Belinda has performed in various productions over the years, including a notable appearance in a home performance as Kenny Everett’s generously proportioned Karla (alongside Tony Pitman’s Captain Kremmin), aged 12. She was once a professional Polynesian dancer. Belinda is now a writer and her first novel, Brown-skin Blue, will be released in May, 2009.		*“ROD” - Operator, P&P* Alt: Brett Carvolth Brett has performed in school dramas,and for Indooroopilly church, various short pieces plus a part in 1994’s Strange Lights musical. He has also created and acted in short, solo character skits, notably filling the large pants of Fatty Frank, who has developed a local following.

*“POPPY” - Operator, IT Supp* Alt: Cathy Clur Cathy is a drama queen, and has always enjoyed theatre and performing. She has appeared in a number of amateur theatre productions including Macbeth and The Crucible. She teaches Speech and Drama to primaryschool children part time and is also studying Film and TV at the Queensland College of Art. One day (if her career in Tony-Pitman-Musicals fails) she hopes to make movies in New York.		“Y’LANDAH” – Operator, Stats, First Aid (esp Self) Alt: Anna Heard Anna has performed in various musical productions including another Indooroopilly Uniting Church musical,Power. Anna uses any excuse to get up and perform, and her love of actingshows in her commitment to this role.

“SAM” - Operator, Newbie Alt: Craig Gunton Craig has participated in several musical productions with Ignations musical society but confesses his true enjoyment of theatre performance started as Brad in a production of Squeegee People by Tony Pitman. Craig can often be found singing half of a song flowing straight into a different half song but looks forward to singing a full song in this production.		“DELILAH” - Operator, PSO Alt: Anna Hicks Anna loves to dance. Her favourite musical is Hairspray and it is that which inspired her to be part of Tony'smusical this year. Anna is confident, friendly and very talented, and has had a fantastic time working with Tony and the rest of the cast.

*“JEN” – Operator & Change Agent* Alt: Denez Nassif Denez has always enjoyed the performing arts. When she was a child her parents had to drag her away from the buskers as she screamed “I can do that!” Denez has studied at The Actors Conservatory and The Actors Workshop and is a Stage Combat Instructor trained through the Society of Australian Fight Directors. Denez told husband Craig that she would do one musical with him in their lifetime. Here it is!		*THURSTON III” –The 3rd Monkey* Wondering what Thurston’s about? Thethird Monkey references the three wise monkeys from the ancient Chinese proverb “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” He’s our mascot and role model because, like Thurston, we don’t speak. We’re anonymous confessors, who listen without judgment or opinion to the troubles of humanity. You’re now part of this simple but profound truth: Listen, and you’ll hear a world. W

THE CAST: CALLERS

*Arthur Lane* *“STANLEY”* Arthur has had a life-long interest in drama, starting in his school-days. He has taken part in, and written, numerous sketches and skits for particular occasions. Over the years he has experimented with the use of drama in the Church's worship. He is finding the original form of dramatic presentation in The Call very stimulating.		Norman Baquiran “ANTON” Norman grew up in Manila, Philippines. In the Philippines, Norman played in “progressive folk rock bands”, played traditional instruments, sang and acted in theatre plays; and participated in multimedia productions. Since coming to Australia, Norman has played and sung with various bands, and for a few years became the resident wedding singerJ. This will be the first time he will perform in a musical play in English.

Sue-anne Swindon “CATHY” It has only been in recent years that Sue-anne has developed an interest in – and passion for – music. She has taught herself piano and flute, and has turned her attention to songwriting. Sue-anne performs her own work at Indooroopilly’s Lero Stadio creative worship, as well as being a regular musician at evening services.		David Aberdeen “BRIAN” David performed in the 1994 Indooroopilly UC musical Strange Lights, and was part of the tech crew on Tony's previous play, Squeegee People. He has always enjoyed music and singing, and is a regular member of the evening congregation band. David is enjoying the chance to put down his saxophone and use his own voice in this latest production.

Margie Dixon “LOUISE” Margie has loved to sing for as long as she can remember. She has been a member of several choirs and singing groups, the most dynamic being the septet Prism. Margie is a prep teacher with 3 wonderful children of her own, but she has especially loved working with this group of big kids.		Nicola Sab “JASMINE” Nicola has always been interested in the performing arts. She is currently studying dance full time at the Australian Dance Performance Institute. Nicola has also performed and participated in various productions and has grown to love theatre and music more and more everyday.

Luis Woodrow “Alex”& Removalist’s Lackey Following on from his successful role in the musical The Power in 2007 at Indooroopilly, Luis brings energy, commitment and musical talents to his role in The Call. He is currently studying dance, violin and has been a member of various school choirs. Luis plays the role of Alex on September 12 and 13.		*Mercedes Woodrow* *“Alex”& Removalist’s Lackey* Mercedes first role was in musical The Power in 2007 at Indooroopilly. Using this as a springboard, she brings musicality and energy to her role in The Call. She is currently studying dance, violin and has been a member of various choirs. Mercedes will perform as Alex on September 6 and 11.

Rebecca Pitman “Alex”& Removalist’s Lackey The youngest of The Call’s cast (7), Rebecca is enjoying her first stage role. She was initially very motivated, though has since discovered that rehearsals are sometimes boring, and learning lines is very hard work. Rebecca shares this role with Luis and Mercedes Woodrow, playing Alex on September 4 and 5.		Naomi Matheson “Annie” & Songwriter Naomi has dabbled in song writing since high school, performing her songs and pieces at churches, functions and more recently at Toowoomba's Australian Gospel Music Festival. This is the first time she has written songs for a musical, which she considers an exciting move forward musically. She has also dabbled in choral and other vocal work, but having usually been in the orchestra or at the piano rather than on the stage, this is also a step forward for her as an actor and singer. It won't be the last time you see her in lights!

SONGWRITERS

David MacGregor Songwriter & Music Director David’s journey with songwriting, musicals and Indooroopilly church dates back to his late teens and Noah, Build a Boat! 2008’s The Call is at least the 12th musical David has written, directed or contributed songs to. These have been as diverse as Scary Times (Cairns UC: 1997), The Man From Ironbark (Lowood State School: 1983), Rock on, Goliath! (Indooroopilly & Qld UC synod: 1979) and The “I Am” Man (Sunnybank UC: 1988). David is an internationally-recognized worship songwriter, with his song Do Justice being used at this year’s General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). By the grace of God, David has written over 400 songs in the past 35 years, much of these with the support of his wife, Dale. David’s worship worship-song site Together to Celebrate (togethertocelebrate.com.au) resources musicians, preachers and worship-leaders globally week-to-week. He is a Uniting Church rep on Together in Song’s editorial committee. David is a Minister with the Uniting Church and is thrilled to be Music Director and co-songwriter with The Call – possibly (he’s lost count) his 7th musical association with Indooroopilly Uniting.		Eric Woodrow Songwriter From a diverse background in classical and popular music with training in Guitar, Singing and Viola, Eric has written and performed a range of original work in and around Brisbane. Currently he is working on music projects in original faith based music with a view to recording in CD format sooner rather than later. Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/ekkastar

		*Scott* McClement Songwriter People sometimes confuse Scott for a musician but this is not really the case. He has dabbled in song writing in the past and this is his first attempt to produce something for a dramatic performance. Scott plays bass in the evening congregation band.

All proceeds to be donated to Lifeline.