meet the people who have worked with
New Story Company 
 

Jami Bladel

writer and director 

 Founder & Artistic Director of New Story Company. Jami trained at the VCA and has been working professionally in the performing arts for 40 years, acting, directing, writing, teaching, producing and leading community arts projects. Jami was formerly Artistic Director of Kickstart Arts and before that Big Wig Youth Theatre. She received 11 awards for her work in Community Arts and Cultural Development and Leadership, and was recognised in a Motion of Parliament for her contribution to mental health and wellbeing in regional Tasmania. Jami is mother to 3 grown men. 

Gai Anderson 

actor, songs and music 

Cygnet, Tasmania, based Performing Artist with a long and eclectic background as a performer in a range of theatre, musical, and community based projects. She has written plays for stage and radio, trained and worked as an Actor and Puppeteer, and performed widely as a Cabaret Performer and Singer. Gai is a mother and a an actively involved grandmother. 

 

Richard Bladel 

production manager, publicist, filmmaker

has over four decades of working as a professional artist, producer, playwright, dramaturg, film maker, theatre & film tech.  Richard has worked with arts organisations from all over Tasmania, including The Theatre Royal, Arts Tasmania, Terrapin, Roar Film, Zootango Theatre Co, Theatre North, Salamanca Arts Centre, Blue Rocket Productions, Kickstart Arts and The Australian Script Centre. Richard had a grandmother who taught him to bake and has a mother who taught him about social justice.

Diane Leary

story consultant, performer

is new to the performing arts and has found a new passion in making plays and collaborating with other women, sharing stories and advocating for women's issues. Dianne is a loving mother of four and has been working with New Story Company for 12 months. She performed the lead role in a recent play reading for New Story Company and is a founding member of 7030 Women's Theatre. 

​Joelene Barratt

story consultant, performer

is a proud mother and grandmother. She has 3 adult children and 3 young children. Jolene has a love of comedy, visual arts and crafts, and loves the outdoors.  Joelene is a Domestic Violence advocate and a story consultant. She has been working with New Story Company for 12 months, where she helped write the play For a Mother's Love and  performed in a recent play reading. Joelene is a founding member of

7030 Women's Theatre.  

Leanne Crowden

story consultant, performer

is a proud mother of 9 and is also a grandmother of 6 children with another grandchild on the way. She is passionate about theatre and performing arts. Leanne was involved in youth theatre and has performed in shows with

Big hArt. Leanne is a story consultant and collaborator on For a Mothers Love and is a founding member of

7030 Women's Theatre. 

Tracey Howard

story consultant, performer

social worker support

Tracey is the director of Tgari Lia Child and Family Centre. She loves performing arts and is an advocate for fairness and social justice. Tracey is a social worker and educator and has worked in a range of positions in the Tasmanian social service industries and government sectors. Tracey was a story consultant on the play "For a Mother's Love. Tracey is a mother. 

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Ngaire Green

musician and composer 

recording artist. 

A multi instrumentalist, performer and arts educator. Classically trained and fluent in most musical styles, Ngaire has been playing in bands and as a cabaret artist for over 30 years. Ngaire worked on the For a Mothers Love project, writing and recording the music for all the songs. Ngaire is a mother. 

Nathan Spencer

actor in script development

and playreading. 

Nathan is a professional actor, producer and writer. He is best known for his appearances in The Kettering Incident, The Gloaming, Noirhouse and Rosehaven. Nathan is a NIDA graduate. 

 

Lisa Gormley

actor in script development

and playreading.

Lisa is multi-talented and has  been involved in technical production, teaching, directing and acting. She has numerous acting credits to her name and is perhaps best known for playing Bianca Scott on the Channel 7 serial drama Home and Away. Lisa is a NIDA graduate.

Jane Binning

actor in script development

and playreading

Jane  around 20 years’ experience working in live theatre and film on both sides of the camera. She has acted and directed, and worked extensively with other actors and directors including over six years experience specifically in the field of casting. 

Cassie Ogle

actor in script development

and playreading. 

Cassie recently graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts . A wonderful singer, dancer and actor, Cassie is well known to Hobart audiences for her recent appearance in A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Botanical gardens,  directed by Roger Hodgman. 

Sara Cooper 

actor in script development

Sara is a versatile professional performer with over 30 years experience, including 40 film & television and 50 professional stage credits, having worked with all Tasmania's major production companies.  She has been a clown doctor and teaches acting. Sara trained at the John Bolton Theatre school and UTas. Sara is a proud mother. 

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Jane Longhurst

actor in script development

and play reading. 

Jane is an award winning actor, broadcaster, voice artist and popular presenter of events big and small. She has worked extensively in theatre, television and radio since graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts. Jane is a mother of 2 young men. 

Peter Matheson

dramaturg 

One of Australia’s leading dramaturgs, Peter Matheson deals with script development, script assessment and dramaturgy. Peter works on story, structure, characterization and language skills, supporting script writers to take their play script, story, or manuscript to the next level. He has a commitment to excellence, intellect and strong emotional stories. He is committed to writing to the highest level and to the widest possible audience. Peter's wife is a mother. 

Teresa Hinton

social researcher and evaluator

Teresa has over 30 years experience as a social researcher in Australia and the UK. She trained as an anthropologist and has subsequently been able to use her research skills in a number of different environments including research institutes and centres, local government, the community sector, advocacy and campaigning organisations and in advising government. She has a particular interest in how best to hear and strengthen the voices of people who use services and ensure that their lived experience is acknowledged and used in legislative reform, policy development, service design, service delivery and evaluation. Teresa is a mother and soon to be a grandmother. 

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Natasha Neale

Story consultant and production support.

Natasha has been a valued participant in creative development workshops. Natasha is the busy matriarch to a large blended family and a very dedicated mother. 

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Elizabeth Cowen

Story consultant. Liz has been a valued participant in story sharing, writing and creative development workshops, and has helped with social media for the project.  Liz is a devoted mother with a fabulous young daughter. 

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