About us
About Coolum Theatre Players
Coolum Theatre Players has been an integral part of the local community since its inception in 1988 following the acclaimed Bicentennial Concert.
With three productions each year, our season includes musicals and entertaining plays and, occasionally, other types of shows, all performed in our home theatre, the Coolum Civic Centre. Each season brings something new and exciting, as we introduce new directors, new actors, and new singers to our audiences.
All our members are volunteers, including our amazing technical team and backstage team, all of whom bring their expertise to sound, lighting, costumes, choreography and stage management. Our front of house team is also made up of volunteers who offer you warm welcome to our performances. If you are interested in community theatre and would like to find out more about volunteer opportunities, please check out our FAQs.
Meet the Committee
Mallory Young - President
Never work with children or animals! I took this advice as a challenge as I have not only worked as an educator within the drama field, but also as a veterinary nurse. The logical progression? Joining Coolum Theatre Players as the president from 2018-2023! When I have trodden the boards, I’ve been a temptress, an unimpressed matriarch, a despondent witch and a disgruntled widow and most recently on stage for Calendar Girls.. I’ve also stumbled into backstage roles including lighting design, stage management, sound and directors assistant for CTP’s Ladies in black.
Fiona Bastion - Secretary
Fi joined CTP in 2004 as the prompt for Annie Get Your Gun. Her daughter had been successfully cast as one of Annie’s siblings. Over the years she has taken on many roles including Ticket sales, FOH assistant & Manager, Youth theatre assistant, Treasurer, Wardrobe assistant dresser, Back stage. She has appeared onstage in “Mothers Day”, “The Great Pretenders”, “Rocky Horror”, “Barnam”, “HMS Pinafore”, “Get Smart”, & “Dr Lurve & the Syringe of Shame”. Fi was awarded Life Membership at our 2023/2024 Annual General Meeting. Congrats Fi, and thank you for your years of service.
Treasurer – Greg McMahon
Greg moved to the Sunshine coast 15 years ago and agreed to support his wife’s interests by helping backstage at CTP. This led to roles onstage and his current role as Treasurer. For one 2019 production, Greg scoured the coast to source a Harley Davidson lookalike, proving his dedication! One thing he says he’s learned is that, as with all clubs and community groups, there is something for everyone who’s interested in joining.
Karyn Sarbach - Committee / FOH Manager
Karyn is keen to be involved in all aspects of the theatre. Originally from Victoria, she became involved in musical comedy at 14. Acting, singing and dancing in shows such as Carousel, The Music Man, Victoria & Her Hussar, as well as acting in original drama plays. She then moved to Sydney and joined Mosman Musical Society for their production of Cabaret. Karyn has been our wonderful FOH manager for the last 6 shows.
Tana Johnston - Committee
Tana moved to Coolum a few years ago, Joined CTP, and has been helping out backstage ever since. Shows include Ladies in Black, Calendar Girls, Avenue Q, Chicago, All Shook Up, Last of the Red Hot Lovers & One Man, Two Guvnors. She says “It’s incredible how much occurs backstage making sure each performance is unique and seamless. Props and costumes appear like magic, many transformed from what they were in the last show, and being part of it all is so much fun.
Babs Newton - Wardrobe Mistress
Babs has been involved in theatre for around 12 years. Four of those with the Mount Isa Theatrical Society, the rest with Coolum Theatre Players. In the four years she was away, she stage managed and wardrobe / props “personned” 15 productions. She is very proud of being the 1st person to complete all those performances without a break!!!In real life, she is a teacher and has done so many different things in her 60+ years but she continues to find enjoyment in community theatre. Each production has a life of its own.
Julie Delmore - Committee
Julie stepped in to help CTP when we couldn’t find a Stage Manager for Ma Baker’s Tonic. That was April 2010 and she is still here! She says the difference between CTP and other theatre companies is the sense of family. Over the years, she has been active in more than 40 shows and has tackled almost all of the back of scenes roles. She has extensive knowledge of the ‘workings’ of theatre and is always happy to share. Julie was awarded Life Membership in 2020.
Linda Gefken - Committee / Website
Linda has been with CTP since 2012, directing “Urinetown” for her first production on the coast. Since then, Linda has tried studiously to not be on the committee but she realised she needed to step up and help drive the theatre group into the future. Linda has directed many other productions, worked back stage and appeared on stage numerous times. Favourites include: Spamalot, Sweet Charity, We Will Rock You, Sylvia, Chicago and 9to5 the Musical. Linda is looking forward to seeing a whole lot more good theatre on stage at the Civic Centre.
Liza Burgess - Committee/ Social Media
Liza’s first introduction to CTP was in the audience of We Will Rock you in 2019 and since then, she has used her expertise to bring in sponsorships and donations. Liza has been an asset to many shows; sourcing props, set items and building stuff. But Liza’s main passion is developing and sharing our social media presence, aiming to put more “bums on seats” and inspiring new members both on and off stage. Liza’s other passion is photography, and you will usually see her with a camera in hand, creating memories and publicity for shows.
