Ghostlight Performers REVIVED!
In October 2022 it was decided to revive Ghostlight Performers with a fresh new outlook on the society's aims and future plans. The revival idea came from a discussion between founder members Paul-James Green and Samuel Ashton. The pair decided it was time for a new approach to bring the society back now that the world was back to some form of normality. The pair set about asking the original membership who would be up for the revival and were fortunate when a number agreed to get involved again; Alex McKillop (Productions Officer), Alice McKillop (Social Officer) and Helen Bennett (Although this time taking on the role of President)
The newer members who joined the revival committee consisted of Councillor Jennifer Corcoran who took on the role of Chairperson, supported by Fiona Billington as Vice-Chairperson and Luke Jennings as Treasurer, with Emma Williams (Safeguarding Officer), Rosalie Sephton (Front of House Officer) and Orlando Campolucci-Bordi (Youth Officer).
As things progressed and the society entered 2023, the set up changed again slightly. Sam stepped down from the committee due to commitments and new member Oliver Ridgway joined the society and the committee. Following this, a decision was made to restructure the committee, condensing the committee to seven instead of the original ten. The role going forward would now consist of; Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Safeguarding Officer, Publicity Officer and Youth Officer with the roles doubling up with some more general roles such as Membership, Box Office, Front of House, Social, Productions and Social Media.
By the time the society was fully formed, the committee consisted of; Jennifer Corcoran (Chairperson), Fiona Billington (Vice-Chairperson), Paul-James Green (Hon. Secretary/Membership/Box Office), Luke Jennings (Hon. Treasurer), Emma Williams (Safeguarding Officer), Oliver Ridgway (Publicity Officer) and Orlando Campolucci-Bordi (Youth Officer/Social Media Manager) with Helen Bennett remaining as President.
In August 2023, Ghostlight Performers officially joined NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association).
The newer members who joined the revival committee consisted of Councillor Jennifer Corcoran who took on the role of Chairperson, supported by Fiona Billington as Vice-Chairperson and Luke Jennings as Treasurer, with Emma Williams (Safeguarding Officer), Rosalie Sephton (Front of House Officer) and Orlando Campolucci-Bordi (Youth Officer).
As things progressed and the society entered 2023, the set up changed again slightly. Sam stepped down from the committee due to commitments and new member Oliver Ridgway joined the society and the committee. Following this, a decision was made to restructure the committee, condensing the committee to seven instead of the original ten. The role going forward would now consist of; Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Safeguarding Officer, Publicity Officer and Youth Officer with the roles doubling up with some more general roles such as Membership, Box Office, Front of House, Social, Productions and Social Media.
By the time the society was fully formed, the committee consisted of; Jennifer Corcoran (Chairperson), Fiona Billington (Vice-Chairperson), Paul-James Green (Hon. Secretary/Membership/Box Office), Luke Jennings (Hon. Treasurer), Emma Williams (Safeguarding Officer), Oliver Ridgway (Publicity Officer) and Orlando Campolucci-Bordi (Youth Officer/Social Media Manager) with Helen Bennett remaining as President.
In August 2023, Ghostlight Performers officially joined NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association).
Where did this group come from?
The idea to form a new theatre group came when original founding Secretary, Paul-James Green and Treasurer, Matty Higginson mentioned the idea in passing in March 2020. Due to the situation with Covid-19, the world was in lockdown and naturally, to these two young males, it felt like the perfect time to try something new...
After speaking to a few other friends, they were able to form the foundation committee and hold the first EVER meeting on the 29th June 2020...from there, plans were made, roles were allocated and a group of nine friends created a light in the darkness...
After speaking to a few other friends, they were able to form the foundation committee and hold the first EVER meeting on the 29th June 2020...from there, plans were made, roles were allocated and a group of nine friends created a light in the darkness...
Why Ghostlight Performers?
After discussing numerous name ideas, it dawned on everyone that they were forming this new group in a time when theatres were closed and theatre groups were suspended...
According to theatrical history, a ghost light is used in an empty theatre to ensure that there is a token burst of light in the darkness, which perfectly summed up the foundation of the new group...
Therefore, the nine founding friends decided this name would be extremely appropriate...and the rest, as they say, is HISTORY...
According to theatrical history, a ghost light is used in an empty theatre to ensure that there is a token burst of light in the darkness, which perfectly summed up the foundation of the new group...
Therefore, the nine founding friends decided this name would be extremely appropriate...and the rest, as they say, is HISTORY...
Who are the nine founding members mentioned on the original set-up?
As mentioned, Paul-James Green and Matty Higginson came up with the idea for the new group in March 2020. Owing to Paul's love of administration and organising alongside Matty's mathematical mind and eye for figures, the pair would be a perfect combination to sort out all the administrative and financial aspects of the society...
but they both realised they could not do it alone...
Fortunately they knew people who would excel in the outstanding areas and would be reliable enough to trust with such a big project and unsurprisingly these seven people accepted with as much enthusiasm as the two guys had previously installed in the foundation plans...
but they both realised they could not do it alone...
Fortunately they knew people who would excel in the outstanding areas and would be reliable enough to trust with such a big project and unsurprisingly these seven people accepted with as much enthusiasm as the two guys had previously installed in the foundation plans...
- Helen Bennett, a natural born leader with a wealth of theatrical knowledge and an efficient nature was the ideal candidate to chair this new society and lead it through the hardest part, the foundation.
- Emma Wells-Hall with her calm demeanour and warm personality was likely to be a strong support for Helen and the committee in running the society.
- Alice McKillop with her organisational skills and bubbly personality seemed the ideal fit to welcome and maintain good relationships with the membership.
- Alex McKillop with his plethora of technical and backstage knowledge was an obvious choice to organise the productions side of the society.
- Samuel Ashton with his loyalty and driven approach to new challenges was a natural for managing the front of house team during performances.
- Lyndsey McCowen with her vast experience in customer service as well as her enthusiasm for challenges was an ideal fit for selling performance tickets.
- Eleanor Backshall was a fairly late addition to the foundation team, her energetic personality and youth meant she would be able to not only attract younger members but present fresh, inspirational new ideas for keeping them!
Mrs. Patricia Sutcliffe
In January 2021, the society were saddened to learn of the death of President Mrs. Patricia Sutcliffe. She was not only the society's first president, but was also an avid supporter from day one. A true lady of the theatre with decades of directing and acting experience, she was highly thought of by all those who knew her, both in the society and externally, and will be forever remembered for her talent, friendship and genuine personality.