We are a non-profit-making performing arts group based in Huntingdon, which is run by a team of dedicated enthusiastic volunteers.
Graham and Sarah Wilkinson – Artistic Director and Choreographer/Producer
Graham and Sarah Wilkinson have both been involved in theatre for the past 35 years. While Graham predominantly ‘trod the boards’, Sarah, as a qualified dance teacher, specialised in ballroom, modern and theatrical dance, teaching in a number of local schools.
In the 23 years they have been married, they have combined their talents, working with a number of theatrical groups locally and directing many shows including Bugsy Malone, Some Like it Hot, Calamity Jane, Godspell and Return to the Forbidden Planet.
In September 2004, Graham and Sarah decided to form their own not-for-profit performing arts group – Spotlight Productions. Since conception, they have staged 15 large-scale musicals to sell-out audiences. These include Grease (2005), A Whitechapel Tale (2006), Bugsy Malone (2006), Disco Inferno (2007), 42nd Street (2008), Back to the 80’s (2009), Hairspray (2010), Fame (2011), Schools Will Rock You (2012), Some Like it Hot (2013), Les Misérables (2014), Singin’ In The Rain (2015), Disco Inferno (2016), Legally Blonde (2017) and Sister Act (2018). All have received fantastic feedback.
They continue to believe in their initial ethos that young people from any background should have the right to take part in their productions and hence Spotlight subscriptions remain at only £3 per week, which cover the cost of room hire. The rest of their funding is raised through ticket sales, and hiring of costumes, scenery and props. For more information, visit our costume and scenery hiring page.
Simon Jeffery – Co-Director and Stage Manager
Simon Jeffery has been teaching drama and performing arts to both young people and adults for the past 11 years. In 2010, he graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies and went on to further develop his teaching experience in Massachusetts, USA for a short time. He has now directed over 24 different productions, ranging from the classics to new originals, and was delighted to join Spotlight Productions in 2013 to assist with Les Misérables. Since then he has become Graham Wilkinson’s ‘right-hand man’ co-directing and stage managing Spotlight’s shows.
Georgie Smit – Vocal Coach
Georgie joined Spotlight Productions in September 2017 as the resident vocal coach. She has over 15 years experience as a vocal tutor, teaching a wide range of repertoire from musical theatre, jazz, pop, through to classical music. She is also an active gigging singer, as well as performing lead roles in amateur theatre. More recently she has also taken the position of Singing Teacher at Impington Village College.
Vicky Calver – Musical Director
Vicky Calver originally trained in classical voice. However, she quickly discovered a love of musical direction, conducting (possibly borne out of her uncontrollable need to be in charge) and musical theatre. Following her passion, she built up the highly-acclaimed choir ‘Out of the Shadows’ while musical directing for many professional and amateur companies across the country. Now settled in London, she loves her eclectic work of teaching voice, conducting and directing.
Will Swepstone – Sound and Lighting Technician
Will has been Spotlight Productions resident Sound Technician since 2017 and is responsible for setting up and running all aspects of sound for the Spotlight shows.
In addition to sound, he also assists with lighting design and installation alongside the Theatres Technical Manager.
He is fully conversant with the Allen and Heath QU32 sound deck and the ETC Element Lighting Deck including the ETC EOS Software.
Since July 2014 he has worked on four major musicals, Singin’ in the Rain, Disco Inferno, Legally Blonde and Sister Act and is currently creating the lighting design for Grease the Musical which will be staged in April 2019.
In addition to running sound for Spotlight Productions, he is also an active member of our set build team and works every Saturday morning, constructing scenery and props at our storage hangar. This year, he has also been trained to use a CNC router machine which has enabled us to cut out large and small scale, intricate pieces of scenery, something that is normally only seen when visiting West End theatre.
Nan Wolfenden – Choreographer’s Assistant
As a fitness instructor for over 20 years, Nan joined the group back in 2010 with a wealth of experience. As the groups Choreographers Assistant, Nan’s main task is to work with the performers, ensuring that they are all fully proficient in the dance routines. Often acting as a dance partner, she demonstrates steps and later polishes the numbers to make sure that everything looks amazing for show week.
In addition, she assists with the group’s administration and is a member of our child safe-guarding team.
Melissa Wilson – Wardrobe Mistress and Costumier
Melissa joined the group alongside her two children in 2011 and currently creates and maintains our extensive collection of costumes. On a Saturday morning you will often find her at our storage unit, checking and preparing costumes for hires and ensuring that everything is in order. In addition to her sewing duties, in 2017 she also took over the role of Wardrobe Mistress, running our team of ‘Dressing Room’ volunteers during show week and ensuring that every piece of costume that goes on stage looks fabulous and fits perfectly. Melissa is also one of the groups qualified chaperones.
Angela Black – Child Safeguarding Officer
Angela Black is an Ofsted-registered childminder and holds a Cambridgeshire County Council Chaperone Licence. She has been working with children for the past 27 years and the last seven years with Spotlight. She enjoys the arts and to be able to watch youngsters fulfil their dreams and grow in confidence within our friendly group is for her a privilege. Managing the group’s 20 chaperones, Angela will be behind the scenes ensuring that our young people are safe and happy throughout a show’s run.
For more information about child safeguarding, click on the following link:
Mark Harrington – Scenic Construction and Front of House
Spotlight began 7 years ago for Mark, as a taxi service for his eldest daughter in her first show. He was soon part of the team, working ‘Front of House’ selling programmes and raffle tickets. Since then, his role within the group has developed extensively and he can now be found every Saturday morning building and maintaining the groups scenery.
We hire out our scenery for past productions to fund our latest production. Click on the link below for more information:
Costume, scenery and props hire
Paul Swepstone – Scenic Design and Construction
Life has not been the same for Paul since he moved into the house next door to Graham and Sarah, 9 years ago and was quickly recruited into the Spotlight team. Paul’s expertise in creating bespoke set pieces has been invaluable when producing the scenery for Sister Act and Grease.
We hire out our scenery for past productions to fund our latest production. Click on the link below for more information:
Costume, scenery and props hire
Kevin Williams – Scenic Construction
Now in his eighth year with Spotlight, Kevin Williams is in charge of all things to be constructed. Probably his biggest project was building the full Les Misérables set and the most fun was creating the We Will Rock You campavan from scratch. His favourite bit is, without a doubt, show week, which he always looks forward to. From the moment the team get in to build the set to when they are crashing it again a week later until silly o’clock in the morning, he has an amazing time. He loves everyone working together and having a good time, with adults and young people coming together to put on an awesome show!
We hire out our scenery for past productions to fund our latest production. Click on the link below for more information:
Costume, scenery and props hire
Roger Sale – Scenic Artist
Roger Sale has worked within the Spotlight family for a number of years now, designing and painting the sets for the shows. As a group, we are very fortunate to have such a talented artist as a member of our team.
We hire out our scenery for past productions to fund our latest production. Click on the link below for more information:
Costume, scenery and props hire
We hire out our costumes to fund our latest production. Click on the link below for more information:
Costume, scenery and props hire
Mick Brightwell – Props Manager
Mick Brightwell has worked with the Group since its formation. His key responsibility is the production and sourcing of props. His activities have certainly been diverse over the years and have included making muskets for Les Miserables, sourcing bathroom ‘accessories’ for Disco Inferno and acquiring law books and pink ‘fluffy stuff’ for Legally Blonde!
We hire out our props to fund our latest production. Click on the link below for more information:
Costume, scenery and props hire
Judith Ekblom – Assistant Stage Manager
Judith Ekblom has just marked her eighth show with Spotlight. She originally joined the group to help with costumes, as her sister was a cast member. Although Judith now lives in London, she still loves being involved and comes back each year to assist running backstage. Having finished her degree, she is training to be a bespoke tailor with Maurice Sedwell on Savile Row.
Charlotte Williams – Directors Assistant and Registered Chaperone
This is Charlotte’s ninth year with Spotlight. Performing a dual role, she ensures that the cast are always safe and happy at each rehearsal and maintains the show schedule and Directors notes, to keep us on track.
We hire out our costumes to fund our latest production. Click on the link below for more information:
Costume, scenery and props hire
Lara Satterly – Choreographer
After being a cast member in two Spotlight shows – Disco Inferno and 42nd Street – back in 2007/8, Lara Satterly is thrilled to be back working with the team as a choreographer. Lara studied at Stageworks Performing Arts in Cambridgeshire. From there, she auditioned and gained a place at SLP College in Leeds, training for a three-year National Diploma in Musical Theatre.
Lara soon discovered a hidden talent for choreography and, after assisting with a local dancing school, she took her AIDTA teaching qualification. As part of her studies, Lara was dance captain for Move It and assisted Principal Tom Ball in choreographing the finale number for her second-year show and her third-year showcase. She also choreographed a number of pieces for the annual student show.
After graduating, Lara started teaching full time with the SLP Dance School and choreographed their show at Leeds Grande Theatre. Recently, Lara started teaching at the 2020 Dance School in Earith, helping young dancers to achieve considerable success in dance competitions.
Michelle Morgan – Choreographer
Michelle Morgan has been a part of Spotlight since 2008 when she performed in Hairspray. Over the years, she has played many different roles, including a member of the Corny Collins group in Hairspray, a prostitute in Les Misérables and a Bohemian (on crutches) in We Will Rock You. However, if you are a regular Spotlight audience member, you may recognise her more for playing Kathy Seldon in Singin’ in the Rain, just without the bright ginger wig!
While doing all of this, Michelle has also been studying for her degree in teaching and is currently in her second year of university, studying Performing Arts, to be followed with a PGCE. Spotlight has been a huge part of her life since, even before she started, both of her older sisters were members of the Spotlight cast, which was her main inspiration for joining. Michelle is so happy to still be a part of the Spotlight family. Now teaching and choreographing numbers as a leader, she has taken her Spotlight experience to a new level.
Tracy Shorter – Choreographer
Tracy Shorter joined Spotlight Productions in 2007, having moved to Huntingdon. She was our Leading Lady, Peggy Sawyer, in 42nd Street in 2008 and then joined the group as one of our choreography team. Tracy has a wealth of experience both on and off stage and is the group’s tap expert. Having choreographed Legally Blonde, Tracy is now taking a gap year while she studies for her business management qualifications.
Mark and Bethany Heath – Photography
Dr Mark Heath, who runs several online businesses, created our brand new website, which is now being managed by Will Swepstone.
Mark and his daughter Bethany Heath have photographed our productions for the last five years. Despite Bethany now studying Mathematics at Durham University, she has promised to return in her Easter holidays to photograph many more productions!
Click on the link below to view photographs of our previous shows taken by Mark and Bethany:
Spotlight Productions Photographs
For more information about us, please contact us.
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