As mentioned on our home page, if you would be interested in joining us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. None of us are getting any younger and we would welcome more “fresh blood” to help steer the Festival into its 9th decade and beyond. You don’t have to be an existing member of the Barn Theatre.
Aside from the main Committee roles detailed below, we would very much welcome somebody to help with updating and enhancing our website and other social media presence. Also somebody to act as our Archivist.
Don’t be shy, hit those email buttons and say, “hi”!
Michael Merry
Chair
Michael joined the team in 2017 and he is currently a Council Member and Box Office Manager for our hosts, the Barn Theatre. He has operated sound and lighting and acted as Stage Manager for many Barn shows since the mid 1980s. Michael also Stage Manages for Hertfordshire Players.
Tel: 07973 238346
MARY POWELL
Secretary
Mary joined the team in 2023 and is looking forward to getting to know all the teams who enter our Festival. She regularly acts at the Barn Theatre and also with other local groups including Hertford’s Company of Players (CoPs).
Mary will almost certainly be your first point of contact.
Tel: 07752 129956
Derek Palmer
Stage Director
Derek helps the teams with their on-stage requirements and he has a magnificent team around him to make it all flow smoothly! Derek is also Chairman of the Welwyn Drama Festival and is involved with CoPs and with Shattered Windscreen. He will be the man to go to with any technical queries.
Tel: 07860 573896
Jan Palmer-Sayer
Treasurer
Jan is a highly experienced Director and Actress as well as being a GoDA Adjudicator in her own right. Also active with CoPs and with her own theatre company, Shattered Windscreen. Jan became our Treasurer in 2015 and, during the Festival, she will usually be found front of house, probably in the Box Office, or dealing with any audience or team queries that may occur before or after the curtain rises.
Hazel Halliday
MARKETING/PR
Hazel has been on and off stage at the Barn Theatre since the early 1980s. She also acts with Hertford’s Company of Players (CoPs). Hazel was our Secretary between 2015 and 2023 and has now moved role in order to help with marketing and PR for our Festival.
Tel: 07974 011039
Brenda Onyon
Lighting Manager
Brenda works with Derek to help the teams with their on-stage requirements. She spends the Festival up in the lighting box working the cues called by the participating teams.
The Committee are indebted to many other volunteers who help ensure the smooth running of the Festival week.
These include:
Wendy Bage: Assistant Stage Manager
James Rowles: Sound Manager
Ray Gibbins: Front of House Manager
Sheila Grimmant: Coffee Bar Manager
Martin Moore: Bar Manager
The Festival could not happen without the assistance provided by them and their teams of helpers, all of whom are also members of the Barn Theatre Club.