Helen has been the audience development and sales co-ordinator and Chris the production manager for amost five years (although Chris has been at the theatre 12 years).

Their manager, Jeremy Miller, is in Melbourne tonight (September 1) for the announcement of the Australian Performing Arts Centre Association’s (APACA) 2016 Drover Award for Performing Arts Centre of the Year award, for which the theatre was a finalist.

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For Helen and Chris, they see working in the arts in a regional area as a privilege.

“You can’t call it a job can you?” said Chris. 

“I really enjoy being involved in the local arts, the varied nature of the work and being around entertainment.

“There’s no other job like my job in this area, I’m really lucky.”

Helen said she loves that she works in the arts and enjoys coming to work.

“It is rare two weeks are the same. Overall to have a job in the arts in a regional town is a lot like hens teeth. I feel really lucky,” she said.

Then there is the teamwork.

“There’s lots I love about my job but primarily it’s the staff I work with,” said Helen.

“Jeremy and Chris are a great pair and along with the other workers it creates a great atmosphere. They have a sense of humour but we are working as hard as each other and there is a great camaraderie.”

Chris, who has production manager oversee all the aspects of production on stage, liaises with the touring company and organises the technical side, staffing and the wrap up, agreed.

“The most amazing thing I love is the staff. They are an incredible team, they are so friendly with the touring group and they have a willingness to get the task done. they are so keen.

“We have nine casuals and they are all multi-skilled in lighting, sound and stage management. We even get a few front of house to do ticketing.”

Helen went on to say, “Chris runs a really tight ship and I really think he does a wonderful job and goes above and beyond”.

“I’m the main contact for the venue and touring company designer,” said Chris.

“I organise what staff they need, what equipment they need and the finer details like looking after the catering.”

Some shows can be in the planning for one to two years while others can be something for the next day.

“We’ve been particularly lucky for the past 10 years or so, we’ve come a long way in what’s happening with the building and the technical side,” he said.

Helen also enjoys the contact with the community.

“People are always really happy coming to see a show so there is an air of enjoyment and they see you in the process of something that makes them happy.”

When it comes to memorable shows, Helen said for her it has been the Australian Ballet and shows from the Shake and Stir Theatre company.

“The Australian Ballet was one of my early shows and that was amazing to see that and see it on the stage in a regional area and also see how they operate,” she said.

“One of the most exciting Australian companies I’ve seen come through is Shake and Stir Theatre who brought 1984, which I think is the best production I’ve seen here.

“They are so versatile and came back with Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes – they are a theatre company to watch.”

For Chris, who has done more than 1000 shows, and many more performance days, there are many to choose from.

“We’ve done a couple of bigger ones like major music events like Guy Sebastian. He’s amazing.

“Taylor Henderson as well, it’s crazy how the crowd responds.”

Chris is also a fan of comedy and said he really enjoyed when Kitty Flanagan came to town.

The most challenging production of his career so far was the Mary Poppins production which was staged in 2015 by Taree Arts Council.

“Due to the technical nature of the show and the fact we were flying people in that show, we had to bring in riggers external to the building and work with them and there was also the set up.”