WPAC STAFF PROFILES

Alan Palmer - MA (vpa) AGSM&D

WPAC Operations Manager

Alan trained at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama London; on graduating he was given the Yvonne Hills award for professionalism. Prior to his training at Guildhall Alan was an actor with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. He toured Holland Belgium and Germany on two occasions playing in “Macbeth” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
In his professional acting career in the UK he spent two seasons at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park London with The New Shakespeare Company. He also toured the UK in a number of productions and played “Ratty” in the West End production of “Toad of Toad Hall” at the Piccadilly Theatre. He appeared on TV in films and series including “The Bill” and “Minder”.
In 1985 Alan founded the Northland Youth Theatre. He was director of Forum North in Whangarei. In 1993 he began teaching acting at Northland Polytechnic. After becoming a Senior Academic tutor he eventually became Programme Manager for the Arts. Alan left the Polytechnic in 2001 and for a short time he owned a cafe in Whangarei. Alan Moved to Wellington with his family in 2007.
He was appointed Operations Manager Wellington for Whitireia Polytechnic in 2008

alan.palmer@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 2373100 ext 6212

Carmel McGlone

Course Coordinator & Senior Tutor
Screen Acting

Carmel is an actor , acting-tutor and director. She trained at Wellington Polytechnic (now New Zealand School of Music) in Performance Piano under the tutelage of Bruce Greenfield, and gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Victoria University Majoring in Music and Drama ( Phil Mann), as well as a teaching Diploma from Auckland Secondary Teachers college.

For the past eight years Carmel has had the privilege of guiding many students through the Acting program at WPAC. As Senior Drama Tutor she has been responsible for the delivery of the Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Acting courses at WPAC. Carmel has also taught on the Dance, Musical theatre and Creative Arts and Therapy courses.

As an award-winning actress, Carmel brings a great deal of experience to her teaching and directing and has valuable links to the industry.

As an Acting tutor, Carmel has developed a variety of skills. These vary from basic elementary acting skills to more specialised techniques. As a teacher and director she is passionate about theatre and its incredible potential to reach into peoples hearts; to portray the complexities of life and to engage , excite and delight.

Carmel’s focus is always on keeping her teaching and directing relevant to the skills required for the industry.

Carmel has performed as a lead role in ‘Blood Wedding’ and ‘Mary Stuart’, and has received acting accolades from her peers, such as Best Actress (winner) and Best Supporting Actress (Nominee) at the Chapman Tripp Awards.

carmel.mcglone@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3503

Laura Hewetson

Centre Administrator & Coordinator

As a performing arts enthusist and I am delighted to be working in the middle of the creative buzz at WPAC. I have always had a strong passion for art; singing and performing throughout high school then moving into film and theatre at Waikato University. After completing my degree I studied SPFX prosthectics and makeup in Auckland. Moving to Wellington in 2004 was the best decision, and there is no where else in this gorgeous country I would rather be!

laura.hewetson@whitireia.ac.nz
wpac@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3513

Willem Wassenaar

Long Cloud Youth Theatre

Willem Wassenaar is a 2006 graduate of the Master of Theatre Arts in Directing at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and Victoria University of Wellington. Willem is originally from The Netherlands, where he studied and worked as an actor, director and acting tutor. In New Zealand, Willem directed productions at Te Whaea Theatre, Circa Theatre, Centrepoint Theatre, Downstage Theatre and BATS Theatre. Recent directing credits include Antigone (for International Arts Festival Oerol in The Netherlands), Angels in America; Part I Millennium Approaches, A Streetcar Named Desire, Spring Awakening, Jeff Koons, The Little Dog Laughed, Wolf's Lair, Blood Wedding, The Crucible, Titus Andronicus and Vernon God Little. For directing Angels in America, Willem received the 2007 Chapman Tripp Award for the Most Promising New Director of the Year. Willem is co-director of Almost A Bird Theatre Collective and artistic director of Long Cloud Youth Theatre. In 2010, he will be directing Romeo and Juliet for the Auckland Theatre Company.

longcloudyouththeatre@gmail.com
c/o (04) 238 6225

Vernon J. Prime

Technical Manager

c/o wpac@whitreia.ac.nz
c/o (04) 237 3100 ext 6225

Alanna Tong

Community Class and Evening Administrator

I am an ethusiastic dancer, having completed WPAC's Diploma in Commercial Dance in 2008.
WPAC just cant get rid of me now that I work here as the administrator of the evening dance classes and childrens drama classes! So come down to WPAC in the evenings and join in the fun!

alanna.tong@whitireia.ac.nz
wpac@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 238 6225

Veronica Monje

Part-time Receptionist

veronica.monje@whitireia.ac.nz
wpac@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 6225

Julie O'Brien

Course Coordinator & Senior Tutor
Musical Theatre

Julie has worked in New York, Britain, New Zealand and Australia performing in shows as diverse as 'Chess', 'Evita', 'The New Rocky Horror Show', and 'Grease'. She has worked in concert as a backing vocalist for Rob Guest and has presented the cabaret shows 'East Of The West End', 'The Dating Game' and 'In her 40the Year' in Sydney. She also has her own one woman show, 'Julie & Friends' - a fast change show in which she performs as fourteen oustanding female vocalists. Julie was an original Australian cast member of 'The Witches of Eastwick' and received personal praise from Cameron MacIntosh when she played several performances in the role of 'Felicia', for which she was first understudy.

Most recently, she played the role of Rosie Greenwich in 'Leader of the Pack' at Crown Casino, Melbourne.

Julie has appeared in Television commercials in Australia and New Zealand. She also works as a freelance director, choreographer and voiceover artist.

julie.obrien@whitireia.ac.nz

(04) 2373100 ext 3505

Jo Marie Mills

Senior Tutor
Commercial Dance

Jo was born and raised in London,England. She began taking dance lessons at age three and started performng professionally at the age of nine. After completing High School, she went on to study at one of England's highly acclaimed dance schools, The Performers' College, graduating in 1997 with a Diploma and associate qualifcations. Since the age of 16, she has been performing, teaching and choreographing throughout the world, from cruise ships in the Caribbean to dance companies in Greece and Israel.

joanne.mills@whitireia.ac.nz

Michael Nicholas Williams

Music Director
Musical Theatre

Michael Nicholas Williams is a graduate of the Executant Music course (now NZ school of Music) and has been a professional Musical Director for over 25 years. As MD he has been responsible for many productions including Sweeney Todd, Cats and his own show Dead Tragic, toured nationally with Starlight Express, Boogie Nights and internationally with Blood Brothers (NZ/Aus)and the Original Phantom of the Opera (NZ/Japan). As assistant MD he worked on The Secret Garden (NZ) West Side Story (Aus/NZ) Joseph (Asia/NZ) Evita (Aus/NZ) and Mamma Mia (Aus). He’s also composed the scores for 5 Roger Hall pantomimes. Michael is married to actress Emma Kinane and they have 2 adolescents Barnaby and Claire.

Vivencio JR Samblaceno ('Jun')

Tutor
Commercial Dance

c/o wpac@whitireia.ac.nz
c/o (04) 238 6225

Pip Byrne

Programme Manager
Whitireia Performing Arts

pip.byrne@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3515

Tanemahuta Gray

Maori & Contemporary Tutor
Whitireia Performing Arts

Tanemahuta Gray graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1994. Since then, he has worked professionally as a dancer, choreographer, aerialist, director and producer, both in New Zealand and around the world.
From 1999 - 2004 Tanemahuta has performed with De La Guarda, one of the world’s leading aerial theatre companies. One of 14 performers chosen in 1999 from among 1,800 who auditioned for the London season, Tanemahuta has performed De La Guarda in Las Vegas, Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Berlin, Seoul and Sydney.
Tanemahuta has produced and directed 10 productions and outdoor events. Since 2001 he conceived and began building his major work “Maui – One Man Against The Gods.” Over 61,000 New Zealanders have now seen the show over 4 performance seasons nationwide from 2003 - 2007. He has also directed the Manawatu Elements Carnival and “Tribute08 – A Vietnam Commemoration” reunion in Wellington last year.

tanemahuta.gray@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3512

Tuaine Robati

Cook Islands Tutor & Coporate Events Manager
Whitireia Performing Arts

tuaine.robati@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3510

Tupe Lualua

Samoan Tutor
Whitireia Performing Arts

As a student at Whitireia Performing Arts, Tupe has performed in CIOFF (Council of International Folklore Festivals) Festivals in Kuala Lumpur, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain, The IRB International Rugby Sevens in Wellington from 2002-2006, World of Wearable arts awards in Nelson 2002 and Wellington 2005. And the opening of the Mount Miriam hospital in Penang, Malaysia in 2001.

After graduating in 2003, Tupe has travelled as a performer with the Graduate company at the following events: Blacktown annual anniversary celebrations in NSW, Australia, a delegation lead by Minister of Foreign Affairs Phil Goff to Tahiti, New Caledonia and Easter Island, Business and Education fairs for New Zealand Trade and Enterprises in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and The New Zealand New Thinking exhibition – Tour of China (Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guang Zhou).

Tupe has also been involved in theatre, Notably a Play called POLY-Zygotic, in which she starred and also co-devised. The play debuted during the NZ Fringe Festival and was selected to perform at Pick of the Fringe at Downstage.

This year Tupe has returned to Whitireia Polytechnic as a tutor of Samoan dance in the Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts) Programme.

tupe.lualua@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3516

Gaylene Sciascia

gaylene.sciascia@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3511

Anne Anderson (Gare)

Course Coordinator & Senior Tutor
Commercial Dance

Anne Anderson , ex principal of the Royal NZ Ballet company toured extensively both in New Zealand and overseas including Europe, China, America and England. She now enjoys tutoring both straight classical and neo classical and has recently choreographed a duet for NZSD 2nd year students to take to Tahiti.
Retired from performing she passes on her knowledge to others. As course coordinator of the Commercial Dance Diploma at WPAC she tutors students, works administration, and is involved with putting students out to work in the coporate sector. Along with assessing the full time students and teaching on the Junior Associates programme, she continues to see the successes of up and coming students from all over the country.

anne.gare@whitireia.ac.nz
(04) 237 3100 ext 3504

Leigh Evans

Senior Tutor
Commercial Dance

Trained in RAD Ballet and American Jazz, Leigh is recognised as one of New Zealand's foremost choreographer and Dance Tutors. She has been involved in many sucessful Musical Theatre and stage productions and is in hot demand in the corporate arena, working on product launches, Balls and Award Dinners.
Her Television credits include: McDonalds Young Entertainers, The Trive, John Rowles in Concert and One Night Only.
Away from the Theatre, Leigh has been involved with the direction and choreography of the pre-match entertainment for the All Blacks and the Hurricanes and the closing ceremonies for the IRB Sevens.
Although firmly based in Wellington, Leigh's skills are such that she regularly travels around the country and overseas to fulfil choreography and tutoring assignments and to share her love and energy of dance with up and coming performers.

c/o wpac@whitireia.ac.nz

Anthony Cranwell

Dance Tutor
Commercial Dance

Anthony trained at Laine Theatre Arts on the three year professional training course, graduating with his Musical Theatre Diploma and Ballet Associate for the ISTD.His musical theatre credits include the original West End cast of Twyla Tharp's Broadway hit Movin' Out (Apollo Victoria, London), Saturday Night Fever (Apollo Victoria, London), original UK cast of Footloose the Musical (UK Tour) Grease (Victoria Palace, London) Grease (Japanese Tour), Fred Astaire- His Daughter's Tribute (London Palladium) having the privilege to work alongside Hollywood legends such as Jane Powell, Cyd Charisse, Anne Miller and not least, Ava Astaire. The Opening Royal Gala for the Wales Millenium Centre performing for HM the Queen, Prince Phillip and Prince Charles, Eternal Flame (UK Tour) and numerous pantomime appearances around the UK.Anthony's film and television experiences include the X Factor, dancing for Gloria Estefan (ITV), Party in the Park (Hyde Park, London, ITV) Aladdin (LWT) We Are Klang (BBC2), Dead Ringers (BBC2), Finding Neverland (Feature film starring Jonny Depp and Kate Winslett), Confetti and for Bollywood, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.Commercial events have enabled Anthony to travel extensively throughout Europe.He has choreographed the Wella Hairshow (London Hippodrome), Alternative Hair Show and Salon International (Wembley Arena) the UK tour for KMS, Little Shop of Horrors (Leicester deMontford Hall), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield) and various pieces for performing arts schools around the UK and Melbourne, Australia. His passion for teaching has led him to giving workshops, master classes and guest classes, most recently at Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance (Melbourne), as jazz teacher/lecturer at the University of Ballarat and one year full time at Laine Theatre Arts (London). Other colleges include Doreen Bird Academy (London) The Urdang Academy (London), Central School of Ballet (London), Guildford School of Acting (London), D&B College of Performing Arts (London), Julie-Sianne Theatre Arts and the Adele Taylor School. He is currently teaching at Wellington Performing Arts Centre and New Zealand School of Dance.Anthony has also adjudicated the Short, Sweet and Dance Festival (Melbourne) the finals of the Scholarship Awards for the Australian Teachers of Dance (Melbourne), the Janet Cram Awards (UK) and has sat on the audition panel for Laine Theatre Arts.He is very much looking forward to working with the students here in Wellington this year.

(04) 237 3100 ext 6225

Sharon Cranwell

Dance Tutor
Commercial Dance

Sharon trained at Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey, London, graduating with her Musical Theatre Diploma and Ballet Associate with the ISTD.Musical Theatre credits include Smokey Joe's Cafe (Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield), The Wiz (Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield), A Chorus Line (Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield) and for Tudor Davies, Company (The Studios, Epsom), Sweeney Todd (The Studios, Epsom) and Pippin (The Studios, Epsom) and various pantomime appearances in the Yorkshire Region. Sharon has appeared on television in A Christmas Special (BBC 1) and has performed in various corporate events around the UK as both a singer and dancer. Over the years she has combined performing with gaining qualifications to become a Financial Advisor for HSBC Bank. Most recently she has returned to her dance roots in the UK choreographing the cheerleaders for Premier League Rugby Team, The Huddersfield Giants, Assistant Choreographer for The Wiz (Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield), Dance Captain for Smokey Joe's Cafe (Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield) as a teacher for The Adele Taylor School of Dance (Contemporary and Jazz), Julie-Sianne Theatre Arts (Jazz) and in Melbourne ran a successful dance program introducing a wide variety of dance styles to children.Sharon is thrilled to be a part of the teaching faculty here at Whitireia Performing Arts Company.

c/o (04) 2386225