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 37 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 25 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), Sister Act (2018) and Grease (2019). 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 13 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.
Charlotte Pergande – Vocal Coach
Charlotte joined Spotlight Productions in 2004 when her parents, alongside Sarah and Graham formed the group. During her time ‘on-stage’ she performed Principal roles in Bugsy Malone, 42nd Street, Back to the 80’s, Fame and Disco Inferno. Charlotte also provided backing vocals for our productions of Grease, Hairspray and We Will Rock You.
Being an accomplished musician (grade 8 in both piano and singing), Charlotte set up her own private music business in 2010, teaching piano, vocals and drama and she provides private tuition for those taking LAMDA exams.
In addition to teaching, Charlotte is also a backing vocalist for Woodley Taylor, performing all backing vocals on their debut album ‘Breath a Little Deeper’. She is also a front vocalist for the Red Rover Band.
Following the departure of Georgie Smit earlier this year, due to a change in personal circumstances, Charlotte was delighted to accept the position of Spotlight Productions vocal coach and we know she will be a true asset to the group.
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 theatre’s 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 five major musicals: Singin’ in the Rain, Disco Inferno, Legally Blonde, Sister Act and Grease.
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. 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. Behind the scenes, Will is also responsible for maintaining and updating the Spotlight website.
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 seven 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 group’s 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 nine 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
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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