OUR TUTOR
CHERYL
CHOREOGRAPHER
Cheryl has a long-held passion for dance and theatre, returning a few years ago to performing with the Williamstown Musical Theatre Company’s alumni in its last three ‘Encore’ shows.
Cheryl's early career in dance saw her perform for several years with the Burt Shaw dancers on the Moomba showboat and garden stages.
She danced at several venues such as the Swagman theatre Restaurant, Kilmore Theatre Restaurant and as a backing dancer for singers at city night clubs and restaurants including and a Greek restaurant – dodging the plate smashing!!
Television work included the Don Lane Show, Channel 10’s Jimmy Hannan show, ensemble and bit parts on ABC’s variety shows and commercials for Taubmans paint and CH 10 station ID.
She was in amateur theatre shows including Chicago, West Side Story and Cabaret, and choreographed shows for Williamstown and Altona, Essendon and Eltham theatre companies including, The Boyfriend, Annie, Pirates of Penzance, Mack and Mabel, Oklahoma, Gondoliers, Aladdin and a Junior concert for Catchment.
Cheryl taught jazz ballet at Coburg ballroom studio for over six years and movement to models at WMIT.
Cheryl learnt ballet and tap from the age of 7 from Miss Alma Smith and then Ros &Lyn dancers before studying all forms of dance at Edwards and Shaw Studios run by Camille Edwards and Burt Shaw
MEMBERS
BARBIE
Costume Designer
Barbara is a wonderful dancer, another lady in Allstars team who knows all the right moves on stage. Barb's timing is immaculate and her stage presence is powerful. All this talent translates into Barb being able to perform lead roles in song and dance groups, often with a little comedy thrown in, which is not easy.
Barb is also a fine comedic actor and has performed with distinction in many of our comedy skits over the years. Almost most of the beautiful costumes you see in all our shows have all been tailor made by Barb. She is so industrious and so very talented. She makes Allstars look so good.
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DICK
Committee Member
I've always liked live theatre, so I joined the Northcote Dramatic Society in 1959 with some minor roles in a few successful productions before a work promotion , and was then time constrained. 15 years later I joined the Marian Revue, at St. Mary's Parish Greensborough, and happily managed the curtains and helped divas with fast costume changes, as well as scenery and props for the next 24 years. I became involved with the boot scootin' brigade for a few years and it was some time afterwards I joined Allstars and the rest is history
ELIZABETH
Member
Elizabeth joined Heidelberg Allstars in February 2019. She has always loved to dance and as a small child spent a lot of time dancing around the kitchen 'just like a ballerina' under her Mum's feet, so Mum took her off to dance class. She spent the next 10 years or so learning Tap and Ballet and later in her teens Jazz Ballet. Much later in adult life, when he children were grown up, she became involved in Ballroom Dancing, an involvement that spanned 15 years. She says joining Allstars and rediscovering Tap Dance after so many decades has been a challenge but the energy and effort involve has been well worth it and thanks the people at Allstars for their support and encouragement.
GEOFF
Vice President/Treasurer
Most of Geoff's life has been involvement in sporting activities, baseball in particular, belonging to quite a few Clubs around Melbourne. Geoff does enjoy musicals but had never actively involved until he joined Allstars. This is all a new experience for me and I am thoroughy enjoying myself.
PAULINE
Member
After seeing an article in the Herald Sun newspaper 13 years ago, of a group of men and women who sing, dance and perform to Musicals, it was just what I was looking for and I knew I wanted to be part of it. The family had grown and moved on, so I took the opportunity to do something for myself, which I love.
Since joining Allstars, I have enjoyed the friendship of like minded people meeting each Monday to rehearse for the Annual Review at the end of the year. It is such a wonderful experience to participate in such lovely costumes and enjoy everyone's talents.
SUE
Member
Sue has been an Allstars member for fourteen years. Previously she was involved with Northern Theatre Group and then ECAT. Joining Allstars has been the best decision. Such a wonderful, happy, talented and fun loving people and it is a pleasure to come to rehearsals each week. Our tutors are such gifted, amazing people and it can be challenging at times getting the body and the brain working as one, but it is worth it.
STEWART
Secretary
The only child of two teachers, born and educated in Hobart, Tasmania.
I was a professional engineer all my working life but there was alwasy a 'would be jazz pianist' lurking in the wings. This íntruder 'came out regularly during my career, in the form of dance band pianist and hotel lounge muscian. I also accompanied a few femal vocalists.
Before I retired I returned to university (UTAS Lanceston Campus) part time and at the age of 69 was awarded a Performing Arts Degree, majoring in Jazz Piano. That was my pinnacle and I gigged for several years after that. It was all downhill, however, and I ceased gigging around 2015.
Before moving to Heidelberg, Victoria in 2024, I lived in Ulverstone Tasmania for 37 years. My main associations during that time were:
The Jazz Action Society (Burnie)
The Ulverstone Repertory Theatre Society
The Ulverstone Senior Citizens Choir (Noteworthy)
Another major part of my life has also been Service Club Membership. In 1962 when living in Mackay (North Queensland) I became a Charter Member of the new Lions Club of Mackay. After moving back to Melbourne in 1964 I joined the Waverlely Lions Club, I am currently a member of the Penguin (Tas) Lions Club. I have now been a Lion for 64 years).
CAMPBELL
Member
I have no theatrical background, but always enjoyed singing. I play guitar, ukelele and piano, all just a little. One of these days I'll learn to play something well! About four years ago I joined a choir and found I enjoyed it, so I joined the Allstars choir two years later. Since then I have sung in the choir and performed solos in the annual concerts and have been part of the team performing the production numbers in our shows. This was a completely new experience for me, but has been most rewarding and enjoyable. So I'm learning new things about singing, dancing and performing. I never thought I would be on stage but here I am, and enjoying all of it.
DAN
President
Dan has been a member of Heidelberg Allstars since 2006.
He has performed with a number of community theatre groups over the years. STAG, Eltham Little Theatre, Eagle's Nest, to name a few. He enjoys the ongoing commitment and social atmosphere Allstars.
GAIL
Committee Member
Music has always been part of Gail's life, starting with piano and clarinet lessons, then singing, ukulele and guitar, with a little bit of dance along the way. As an adult Gail performed within many styles of theatre in front of audiences; Opera (touring with the Tasmanian Opera Company), Musical Theatre, Choral, as well as performing in non-musical theatre. A few years ago she took on the challenge of playing roles in French (Huit Femmes and Liaisons Dangéreux) with the Melbourne French Theatre. Gail ending up joining Allstars and is enjoyingit as it allows her to bring many of her interests together.
LANCE
Member
Lance lived in a rural New Zealand community as a child and attended and participated in theatrical and musical events. He was given a guitar at the age of ten and has spent the last sixty years trying to learn to play it.
During the 1970s Lance performed as a folk singer/guitarist. He has also produced or helped produce a number of music events and festivals
and for the last five years has performed in choirs including the choir of Heidelberg Allstars.
MARLENE
Member
Marlene has always loved to sing and dance, and was a member of the 'Ashgrove Calisthenics Group' until the age of 40. During this time she had her family of 7 children who also did singing and dancing. In 2005 one of her sons was auditioning for the show 'Barnum' with the Dandenong Theatre Company, and Marlene was coaxed into auditioning as well. Both were accepted and this was what brought Marlene back to the stage. Since then Marlene has been involved with many productions, some of the latter with Allstars.
MAUREEN
Member
Maureen has been a member of Allstars for about five years, and she is a fine solo singer. Maureen was an important member of the Ukelele group the year we performed Putting on the Ritz. Maureen sings alto and the choir benefits from her harmonies in all our choir numbers. As a member of the Volunteers of Heidelberg, Maureen serves the local community by assisting placing people into work.
WENDY
Member
As a small child Wendy loved musicals and always wanted to sing and dance (especially tap dancing). Growing up in the country she never had the opportunity to do so. When she was introduced to the group by a friend she discovered how enjoyable singing and dancing were. She has had to give up the tap but believes learning dance steps and music lyrics is good for the brain. She has been actively involved with the group, joining the Committee and being President for several years. Organising the annual concerts with Iris was challenging but we had lots of laughs.
