our committee
2024-2025 committee members
Executive Committee
Conor Cunningham
President
Conor has been a continuous and active member of BTC since 2012, contributing both on stage and behind the scenes in areas such as direction, production management, set construction, and as part of the Shed Development sub-committee.
He has proudly served two terms as a general committee member, supporting the ongoing growth and reputation of BTC as a valued community organisation. Conor is eager to continue this work into 2020/21 through hands-on involvement in driving the company’s continued success.
In addition to his BTC experience, Conor brings relevant professional expertise from his role as BIM Manager at Arts Centre Melbourne, where he is actively involved in theatre design and management. More recently, his work has included COVID-normal production planning for major venues such as Hamer Hall and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
KEVA LLYOD
Vice President
Since moving to Bendigo in early 2016 from Sea Lake—where they were actively involved with the Sea Lake Little Theatre Group—Keva has relished the opportunity to reconnect with the stage through BTC.
Bringing extensive experience from various community organisations as a committee member and office-bearer, Keva offers valuable skills that have contributed meaningfully to the work of the BTC Committee.
During their time on the Committee, they have played a role in driving important advancements in the organisation and operations of the company—developments that have helped place BTC on a strong path for the future. With a firm belief that there is still more to achieve, Keva remains committed to supporting the company’s continued growth and success.
Barbara Billings
Secretary
Barbara has relished her time on the BTC Committee.
Her work draws on a lifelong passion for community theatre, enriched by 30 years of experience as a teacher and her perspective as a parent of children involved in the performing arts.
Barbara brings a positive and supportive presence to the committee, contributing to casting processes and across all of BTC’s suite of programs. She values collaboration and is committed to fostering a welcoming, creative environment for all involved with BTC.
Maureen fleiner
Treasurer
With a longstanding involvement in BTC, Maureen has contributed across multiple facets of the organisation and has served as Treasurer for over a decade. Maureen has been a Production Manager and Stage Manager, she can be found running the bar at nearly every in-house performance, and lends her skills to the costume construction team regularly. Focused on ensuring the company’s ongoing success, Maureen remains dedicated to offering her experience and skills where they can have the greatest impact.
General Committee
Kristen BEever
General Committee
Kristen is the Program Development and Marketing Manager at Arena Theatre Company. She holds a Bachelor of Design and is studying a Masters of Teaching (secondary).
Theatre is Kristen’s happy place, both creating and experiencing it. In 2025 she joined the Ulumbarra Foundation Board and in 2017 co-founded Tribe Youth Theatre. She works pro-bono for the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra, and is a relief judge for the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. Kristen thrives on collaborative creative projects, and the community and connection that is intrinsic to live performance.
ROBERT HOLIAN
General Committee
Robert is an aspiring theatre maker, composer, and general practitioner living in Long Gully. He joined Bendigo Theatre Company with the production of Guys and Dolls in 2024 and was music director for the recent pantomime Robin Hood.
Robert thoroughly enjoys the messy and incremental process of creating and performing exciting theatre, just as much as watching the end product and laughing in all the wrong places.
EMMA KELLY
General Committee
Emma’s love for community theatre began when she watched a beloved family friend transform into Glinda the Good Witch in her hometown’s production of The Wizard of Oz. That moment sparked a lifelong passion. Fifteen years and over 25 productions later—whether performing on stage, directing, playing in the band, or working behind the scenes—Emma brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the Bendigo Theatre Company Committee of Management.
Since discovering BTC in 2022, Emma has immersed herself in every opportunity available, performing in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Guys and Dolls, Treasure Island, TenX10, and co-facilitating the B Sharp Choir. In early 2023, she joined the Tribe Youth Theatre sub-committee.
Emma is an Artistic Associate with the Fairfax Youth Initiative. She has served as Assistant Artistic Director and continues to support the initiative in her hometown of Swan Hill. Emma is passionate about youth engagement, creative collaboration, and bringing her diverse theatre and arts experience to support the growth and vision of BTC.
SALLY LANSDOWNE
General Committee
Sally began singing at the age of two and has loved theatre ever since. She first became involved with BTC in 1996 and has contributed in many ways over the years – from performing on stage, most recently in Guys and Dolls and in Robin Hood The Pantomime to working behind the scenes.
Sally led the B Sharp Chorus for two years, sharing her passion for music and performance with others.
Now joining the BTC committee, Sally is thrilled to be stepping into this new role. BTC is like a second home to her – her first, of course, is with her 14-year-old daughter, Memphis.
Sam Lempio-Franklin
General Committee
Sam has been a member of BTC since 2017, when she began painting sets for BTC’s Legally Blonde, and has been painting for BTC from that time onward. She has been heavily involved in BTC’s shows, large and small, mainly painting, and also designing for some of their shows.
Sam completed a Bachelor Degree in Fine Art Painting from Monash University in Caulfield, in pursuance of passion for painting in 1994. She is also a member of Weeroona College School Council.
For Girton Grammar, Sam has also painted sets, and helped with some of their set design, as well as painting and designing for other schools and production companies as well. Sam has also painted murals in schools to brighten up learning spaces and inspire young students using creative visuals.
Sam has taken on the role of ‘Visitor’s Experience’, where she has helped maintain and better the overall look and practical use of the BTC Arts Shed. She also compiles and create the BTC newsletter which goes out 4-5 times per year.
Thomas Moore
General Committee
Thomas has been involved with over a dozen BTC productions as cast, production team and backstage, and is the current production head for the Blood on the Clocktower fundraising series, the Members Showcases, the current B Sharp Choirmaster and was the project lead for the 2024 Play Reading Series.
Thomas has professional experience in Writing and Editing, Administration and Database Management/ Document Control, which comes to bear in elements such as the ongoing refurbishment of the company’s inventory database, and writing media copy for marketing purposes, among others.
LUKE OLIVER
General Committee
Luke recently returned to BTC for ‘Guys & Dolls’, but some long-term members may know him from BTC shows in the early 1990’s. It was those early shows which help embed his love of performing and in the 30+ years since then Luke has been involved in performing locally in dance, choral, music hall and theatrical mediums. Being able to return to BTC for ‘Guys & Dolls’ last year really reminded him how amazing the local theatre community is and Luke would love the opportunity to help BTC continue going from strength to strength.
REBECCA O'SULLIVAN
General Committee
Rebecca has a background in Criminal Justice and is a paid professional performer. She runs her own Vocal Coaching business trading as SingStudio. 2025 is her 10-year anniversary of joining BTC, after seeking social connections in a new town.
Theatre to Rebecca is a safe space, fostering inclusion for all ages, abilities, diverse backgrounds and talents. She would like to encourage former Theatre Company Members to return and feel welcome to participate, plus provide learning environments for junior members of our theatre community. With BTC Rebecca has performed, coached, musically directed, built sets and previously served on the Committee for 2 years.
BLYTHE PORTER
General Committee
Blythe is in her final year of a double degree in Psychological Science and Criminology, hoping to work in International Criminal Justice. With BTC, Blythe has performed in pantomimes and showcases, and is currently an assistant director for ‘Gaslight’.
Blythe’s love of performing began at a young age; dance classes at the age of 2 and she could not stop moving. She saw many shows as a child, but the first one that really stuck out to her was ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at 12. As a regular at Bell Shakespeare productions, she witnessed theatre in a whole new light – minimalistic design, gender bending – and she was starstruck.
Blythe is also passionate about representation in theatre, and exciting risks taken to challenge casting norms.
STANIA TRESIZE
General Committee
Stania believes in the united spirit in all of us:
“I achieve because we achieve and we achieve because we meet the challenges together.”
EMILY UNT WAN
General Committee
With over a decade of experience teaching Drama and Theatre Studies at a secondary level, as well as directing, producing and designing for over 20 productions (musicals and plays), Emily has a lot to offer BTC. She is an experienced Director and Stage Manager and has designed and built various sets and props over the last 15+ years. She has devised original works and has been a part of a number of community projects and festivals, particularly in the West of Melbourne. She is passionate about theatre, focusing specifically around accessibility to the arts for young people. She believes in making theatre accessible for all and is a strong LGBTIA+ advocate. She believes that the arts should be available to all, no matter their physical ability, race, gender or sexual preference.
VERN WALL
General Committee
Vern has had many years of experience with BTC and believes that his skills with education and training continue to be an asset for the company and will assist with the continued education of members as well as facilitating succession planning within the organization.
Vern has experience in many areas of theatre and in particular enjoys contributing to the continued shed development and set construction activities.