Melanie Phillips
Melinda is very proud to be a part of this season's production of Deathtrap. She will be playing the role of Myra Bruhl in her first stage performance in Chiang Mai. Melinda has been involved with local theatre since a young age and both studied and taught drama during her travels through Africa and Asia. Playing a variety of roles over the years, Melinda is often cast as a villainous character so she is excited to play a more passive, demure role of Myra this time.
Eleonore Chaban-Delma
Although she fell in love with acting when she was six, Eléonore did not start acting until she was 15. This ‘event’ happened in her hometown of Paris. Since then, she has done everything that can possibly be done on and offstage; acting, dancing, belting, emergency costume sewing in the dark, stage-managing, and fixing lights mid-performance without being electrocuted, directing and dancing the cancan, and much more.
Eleonore has helped bring classical theater to the streets, Tout le Monde Dehors. She has performed in zany musical theater (Les Barrés de Broadway) and co-created experimental theater in New York City (The Moving Theater and The Lark Theater Company). Busking (playing and singing in the street) anywhere, she cannot seem to stay away from the stage, and is thrilled to have found a new outlet in Chiang Mai, the best place she has ever lived in.
Eleonore has helped bring classical theater to the streets, Tout le Monde Dehors. She has performed in zany musical theater (Les Barrés de Broadway) and co-created experimental theater in New York City (The Moving Theater and The Lark Theater Company). Busking (playing and singing in the street) anywhere, she cannot seem to stay away from the stage, and is thrilled to have found a new outlet in Chiang Mai, the best place she has ever lived in.
Rick Pokrajen-Harmon
Rick Pokrajen-Harmon is delighted to leave retirement and return to the stage after a long absence. He studied under Philip Sneed and Sands Hall at the Foothill Theatre Company and the Sierra Shakespeare Festival. Previous credits include performing the roles of Buddy in Stephen Sondheim's Follies, Kokol in Marat/Sade, Wally in Angry Housewives, Alfie Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Max in Bent and Captain Tench/Sideway in Our Country's Good. As a director, Rick has staged his original adaptation of Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and living in Paris and Fiddler on the Roof. Rick is currently finishing his latest play, Knees Up, Mother Brown, a musical comedy set in the London Underground during the Blitz. Joining The Gate in 2016, Rick came to The Gate as a part of the production crew for Laundry and Bourbon and Lone Star, then appearing as Kerry in The Exonerated.
Brian Brown
Brian was brought up in central England and studied catering in Birmingham. After a career in the Army and in civic catering, at 55 he took early retirement and did what he always wanted to do, he became a professional actor.
A very keen member of the renowned Rotherham Rep, he performed an average of three plays a year for over 17 years. Professional theatre credits include: Doctor Zero in Swine; Dr. Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro; Gandalf in Lord of the Rings; Semyon in A House by the Sea; Selsdon Mowbray in Noises Off; Malachi Stack in The Matchmaker, and Henry Hornett in Sailor Beware.
TV credits include: 999 Special — The Floods as Cyril Broughton; Emmerdale (YTV) as Mr. Powers; Hetty Wainthropp Investigates as Ernie Doggins; Crimewatch File (BBC) Witness; 999 (BBC) Fisherman and Crane Driver; Cardiac Arrest 3 (BBC) Anticoagulant Patient, Coronation Street (Granada) as Bert Russell.
He retired to Chiang Mai in 2002, married and moved to Phrao. Although he has acute hearing difficulties, he has played Dasher in The Reindeer Monologues, Roy in The Odd Couple, and George Bradman in Blithe Spirit with The Gate.
A very keen member of the renowned Rotherham Rep, he performed an average of three plays a year for over 17 years. Professional theatre credits include: Doctor Zero in Swine; Dr. Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro; Gandalf in Lord of the Rings; Semyon in A House by the Sea; Selsdon Mowbray in Noises Off; Malachi Stack in The Matchmaker, and Henry Hornett in Sailor Beware.
TV credits include: 999 Special — The Floods as Cyril Broughton; Emmerdale (YTV) as Mr. Powers; Hetty Wainthropp Investigates as Ernie Doggins; Crimewatch File (BBC) Witness; 999 (BBC) Fisherman and Crane Driver; Cardiac Arrest 3 (BBC) Anticoagulant Patient, Coronation Street (Granada) as Bert Russell.
He retired to Chiang Mai in 2002, married and moved to Phrao. Although he has acute hearing difficulties, he has played Dasher in The Reindeer Monologues, Roy in The Odd Couple, and George Bradman in Blithe Spirit with The Gate.
Charlotte R Campbell
Charlotte Campbell’s acting career began playing the letter “A” in elementary school with another starring role as guest-announcer for the lunch menu. She returned to music and directing during teenagedom when Lincoln High School's Variety Show offered new purpose.
Working with Stephan Turner and The Gate in The Laramie Project and then Steel Magnolias reinstated her appreciation of and adoration for the craft. After a year's hiatus, Charlotte returned to the stage, playing Hattie in Laundry & Bourbon.
Charlotte finds deep connection and peace in hiking, yoga, bicycling, riding and training horses, climbing trees, adventuring, and being a kindergarten teacher in Chiang Mai.
Paul Collins
Born in Chiang Mai, Paul spent a number of formative years between Chiang Mai and Pasadena, California. After completing his secondary education at Chiang Mai International School, he left Thailand to attend a small liberal arts college in Ohio. Throughout his time as a student, Paul always had a love for the stage.
After more than a decade since he performed on stage, he returned to Chiang Mai and still enjoys entertaining people from around the globe as a licensed tour guide and owner of Best Tuk Tuk Tours. Paul has a passion for Chiang Mai, and loves to share the wonders of this city with others. Sharing wonders with people is no small part of the joy he takes in the performing arts. The Laramie Project was his theatrical debut with TGTG and you may have recently seen him as Roy Caulder in Lone Star.
After more than a decade since he performed on stage, he returned to Chiang Mai and still enjoys entertaining people from around the globe as a licensed tour guide and owner of Best Tuk Tuk Tours. Paul has a passion for Chiang Mai, and loves to share the wonders of this city with others. Sharing wonders with people is no small part of the joy he takes in the performing arts. The Laramie Project was his theatrical debut with TGTG and you may have recently seen him as Roy Caulder in Lone Star.
Lucy Coombs
Lucy's prior acting career consisted of an minimal part in a one-act play in high school. Fifty some years later, she resumed her thespian pursuit in Chiang Mai. She has no further aspirations.
Lucy is no stranger to TGTG as she has spent many a performance working behind the stage. She has also added her creative talents to many of the props used in the past productions. It was her special touch that created the almost real jukebox in The Dodo Bird. She added her unflagging energy to The Laramie Project.
Lucy is no stranger to TGTG as she has spent many a performance working behind the stage. She has also added her creative talents to many of the props used in the past productions. It was her special touch that created the almost real jukebox in The Dodo Bird. She added her unflagging energy to The Laramie Project.
Matthew Daly
Matthew is originally from the East Coast, USA, but spent much of his youth and early adulthood moving throughout Europe as a Radio Free Europe brat (Google it, it’s quite interesting). At University, he spent his first two years studying theater, which marked the beginning of his longest relationship to date (with theater, get it?). When he returned to the US, he headed for San Francisco, where he lived for many years. While there, he became evolved in the American Conservatory Theater’s studio program, culminating in his attending their intensive Summer Training Congress. He has appeared in a many non-professional productions, a few barely professional productions and multiple independent films, none of which have seen the light of day (which we all sincerely hope remains that way).
He (he is me, by the way, it case you haven’t picked up on that. It’s very awkward writing about yourself in the third person. I’m sure it’s also awkward reading someone writing about themselves in the third person. Maybe I should write this in the second person…you never hear people talking about themselves in the second person… wait minute am I writing in the second person…what’s the difference again ….sorry, back the point) to have found a group of talented and fun people here in Chaing Mai to play with again. He (and me) hope you enjoy whatever TGTG production you happen to see. Matthew made his theatrical debut with The Gate in The Laramie Project.
He (he is me, by the way, it case you haven’t picked up on that. It’s very awkward writing about yourself in the third person. I’m sure it’s also awkward reading someone writing about themselves in the third person. Maybe I should write this in the second person…you never hear people talking about themselves in the second person… wait minute am I writing in the second person…what’s the difference again ….sorry, back the point) to have found a group of talented and fun people here in Chaing Mai to play with again. He (and me) hope you enjoy whatever TGTG production you happen to see. Matthew made his theatrical debut with The Gate in The Laramie Project.
John Davies
Interspersed with careers as a marine biologist, college lecturer, tour leader, ecotourism developer and as a Science teacher in Chiang Mai, John has found time to do a bit of acting over the years. Way back in the 70’s he began with Studio Theatre in Salisbury, England. He has played numerous roles, including John Proctor in The Crucible, Trofimov in The Cherry Orchard, Berowne in Loves Labour’s Lost, Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Worthy in The Relapse, and many others.
With Salisbury Arts Centre, he played Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Working in America for a year, he played Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons in Chicago. In 2007, he played the Headmaster in The Happiest Days of Your Life and Anne Frank’s room-mate in Diary of Anne Frank. You may have seen at him at The Gate as Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit.
With Salisbury Arts Centre, he played Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Working in America for a year, he played Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons in Chicago. In 2007, he played the Headmaster in The Happiest Days of Your Life and Anne Frank’s room-mate in Diary of Anne Frank. You may have seen at him at The Gate as Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit.
Karen Dodgson
A native of Scotland, Karen was delighted to take on the role of Miss Bradman in Blithe Spirit. She has been acting in youth and amateur theater since the age of 11. Some of her fondest memories are from her time in the Lyceum Youth Theater. She has had the luck to act on professional stages in Edinburgh. Karen recently took part in the Scottish One Act Play Festival as a lesbian reporter. She has accepted awards for her acting, verse, and prose from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
When not acting, Karen enjoys dancing, singing, reading, and listening to music. She she brought her energy back to the stage in The Gate's production of The Laramie Project.
When not acting, Karen enjoys dancing, singing, reading, and listening to music. She she brought her energy back to the stage in The Gate's production of The Laramie Project.
Nat Hix
A former member of The Gate Theater's Advisory Board and also an actor, Nat started his performing career in college where he was a member of "Up With People". He has been a TV announcer, an FBI agent, and a vice-president of marketing for the IBM Corporation. Nat appeared as the director of a dysfunctional choir in The Gate's Christmas production, Christmas Choir and was most recently seen in The Exonerated.
Gabriella Draboczi
Gabriella grew up in Budapest, Hungary, which has more than sixty theater companies that play all-year-round! She still remembers the first “adult” theater performance that she attended at the age of nine; it was a slightly socialist vaudeville and although by the end she was struggling not to fall asleep, she got hooked straightaway.
After emigrating to Canada, Gabriella joined the local theater group, where she performed in the musical Chicago, and discovered a new form of entertainment and endless fun: TheatreSports. A few years back, she moved to Chiang Mai with her husband and two children and with acting in her blood, played Elvira Condomine, in Blithe Spirit.
After emigrating to Canada, Gabriella joined the local theater group, where she performed in the musical Chicago, and discovered a new form of entertainment and endless fun: TheatreSports. A few years back, she moved to Chiang Mai with her husband and two children and with acting in her blood, played Elvira Condomine, in Blithe Spirit.
Ann Fink
Ann is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She has been performing in some way since she was 5 years old, ironically starting with the musical the King and I. She is a trained classical singer and has performed in everything from Broadway musicals to operas and operettas. Ann is thrilled to have the Gate Theater in Chiang Mai and to be part of its growth. The Laramie Project was her theatrical debut with The Gate and she was most recently seen in The Exonerated.
Angela Fontaine
Angela moved to Chiang Mai from the Philippines in August 2013 with her husband Aurelien and her two children, Emmanuel and Clana. She has been a TV host and a DJ for five years with the Boracay music radio, which is a small paradisiacal island in the Philippines. She has also been the master of ceremony for numerous events, such as concerts, weddings, and seminars across the Philippines. She loves to be on stage.
In her free time, Angela enjoys dancing salsa, teaching singing to her son, learning French language, writing stories and cooking for her family. She is discovering Chiang Mai and loves it!
She made her theatrical debut with The Gate playing various roles in The Laramie Project.
In her free time, Angela enjoys dancing salsa, teaching singing to her son, learning French language, writing stories and cooking for her family. She is discovering Chiang Mai and loves it!
She made her theatrical debut with The Gate playing various roles in The Laramie Project.
Celeste Holland
Celeste was a businessperson for 30 years in San Francisco, USA while raising two sons. She decided to take a week vacation to trek in Thailand and ended up staying.
She has lived in Chiang Mai for more than 27 years and worked for 9 years at the first Children's Aid's Orphanage.
The Gate's staging of The Laramie Project was her theatrical debut. We hope it's not her last appearance!
She has lived in Chiang Mai for more than 27 years and worked for 9 years at the first Children's Aid's Orphanage.
The Gate's staging of The Laramie Project was her theatrical debut. We hope it's not her last appearance!
Christy Humphry
Christy moved to Chiang Mai in July 2011 to begin work at CMIS. She is originally from the small town of Arcata, California. She received an AA degree at the local community college and transferred to the University of CA at Santa Cruz to finish a BA in Theatre. Around this time she got inspired to teach and started looking into graduate school options. She graduated from California State University at Monterey Bay with an Education Specialist Credential with an authorization in Mild/Moderate disabilities.
In her free time, she loves to sing and play the piano. She also loves theater and being on stage. Some of her favorite productions have been Pirates of Penzance, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Painting Julia, and Bye Bye Birdie. On the quieter side, she loves to write and has published two fictional novels, Fire and Water and Someplace in the Middle. Christy performed as several characters in The Laramie Project.
In her free time, she loves to sing and play the piano. She also loves theater and being on stage. Some of her favorite productions have been Pirates of Penzance, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Painting Julia, and Bye Bye Birdie. On the quieter side, she loves to write and has published two fictional novels, Fire and Water and Someplace in the Middle. Christy performed as several characters in The Laramie Project.
Joel Johnson
Joel is from Southeastern America. He attended the University of North Carolina where he was supposed to be concentrating on graduate study in philosophy instead, he started his formal stage training. He worked a few years in Dallas-area theaters, primarily Shakespeare Dallas, before abandoning North America in the early 1990's.
He's been off-stage for a while; his last training was in Japan in the mid-90's, with Sandy Weiss, a delightfully eccentric former student of Sanford Meisner. His last stage performance before The Dodo Bird was in Little Shop of Horrors with the Tokyo International Players.
He's been off-stage for a while; his last training was in Japan in the mid-90's, with Sandy Weiss, a delightfully eccentric former student of Sanford Meisner. His last stage performance before The Dodo Bird was in Little Shop of Horrors with the Tokyo International Players.
Pim Kemasingki
Pim is Thai/British, owner of Trisila Company Limited, publisher of Citylife magazine, CityNow! events guide and CityNews online.
She has lived in Chiang Mai pretty much most of her life, though has also gallivanted off to live in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Canada, Switzerland, Scotland and Israel over the years. This is her first time performing on stage, ever…so please be kind.
Sarah Kirby
Sarah is thrilled to be here in Chiang Mai and so thankful for the open arms she has received at the Gate Theater. She was involved with community theater in Ontario, Canada for the 14 years. In her spare time, she can be found behind the camera ...."Taking photos is my favorite thing!"
The Laramie Project was Sarah's theatrical debut with TGTG.
Mike Kirby
Mike has been involved in community theater for the past five years back in his home of Ontario, Canada. He has appeared onstage in an acting role three times, as well as working as stage manager. He is thankful to the Gate Theatre for this opportunity to become involved in Chiang Mai's theater community.
Jeff Lynn
After seeing their production of The Odd Couple, Jeff joined The Gate in 2012 to play Boolie, Daisy's son in Driving Miss Daisy. He performed his role in the Chiang Rai as well as the Chiang Mai shows. Shortly before this he had caught the acting 'bug' again while playing Bob the Builder for CMIS elementary students' programs. He is the High School Learning Support Teacher at CMIS where he has also performed in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and The Sound of Music.
As a youth, Jeff had roles in Dick Whittington and His Cat, A Christmas Carol, and in Tyl Eulenspeigel's Talking Donkey for Charleston WV's community theater. He was Russ in The Gate's production of The Dodo Bird, which, like Driving Miss Daisy, went on the road to Chiang Rai.
As a youth, Jeff had roles in Dick Whittington and His Cat, A Christmas Carol, and in Tyl Eulenspeigel's Talking Donkey for Charleston WV's community theater. He was Russ in The Gate's production of The Dodo Bird, which, like Driving Miss Daisy, went on the road to Chiang Rai.
Jim Matchett
Jim was born in Belfast, N. Ireland. After a 26 year career as Disc Jockey, Singer and Band Leader in London, his first foray into acting, was as the character Speed in The Odd Couple. At The Gate Theater, he is the Show Announcer for all shows. He has also served in various capacities including box office attendant and scenic artist for The Gin Game.
He was Mick, the bartender, in The Dodo Bird, which played for audiences in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Joyce Matchett
Joyce was born and schooled in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her first connection with theater was at the age of around 7 when she put on a play about Cowboys and Indians and charged the neighboring kids a penny to see it. As an adult, her artistic side developed through writing children stories,which she called Grandma Stories, as she sailed around the Mediterranean for 3 years.
Later, while living in Oaxaca, Mexico and being surrounded by known artists, she was inspired to try painting. Her medium is in oils and to this day, she continues to enjoy painting.
She is thankful for being a part of The Gate. Acting in The Gin Game, Driving Miss Daisy, and in Blithe Spirit has enhanced her life here in Chiang Mai.
Later, while living in Oaxaca, Mexico and being surrounded by known artists, she was inspired to try painting. Her medium is in oils and to this day, she continues to enjoy painting.
She is thankful for being a part of The Gate. Acting in The Gin Game, Driving Miss Daisy, and in Blithe Spirit has enhanced her life here in Chiang Mai.
Steve Meyer
Steve has lived over 10 years in Chiang Mai and he shared he is not going any place else, ever again! Steve was born in Chicago, working life in New York City – in and around show business. His first thought he would never get into showbiz, now he thinks he cannot get out of it. He is happy to be working with a very talented group – even if it is far far off- Broadway.
Marisa Mour
Marisa left the sunny shores of California several years ago for the even warmer climes of Chiang Mai. She has performed in Speak Truth to Power: Voices From Beyond the Dark, The Laramie Project, and Land of Smiles. Outside of acting, Marisa enjoys all forms of dance. She is excited about the burgeoning theater community in Chiang Mai and is glad to be a part of it.
Natalie Taylor
Natalie Taylor is originally from England and started acting at the age of 11, performing in a local amateur operatic society's production of the musical, Carousel. She then continued to perform in musicals and non-musicals in the city's main theatre as well as in her high school and college productions. Natalie went on to study Dramatic Arts at Liverpool John Moores University, where she developed skills in acting, directing and devising theatre.
She then trained as a drama teacher and has been teaching drama since 2007, both in the UK and in Chiang Mai. She has now set up the Chiang Mai Drama Centre, a place where young people with an interest in drama can develop skills. She also develops workshops that use drama as a medium to address social issues for schools and community groups. The Chiang Mai Drama Centre and being involved in The Gate Theater are Natalie's way of continuing her passion for theater. She appeared in A Comedy Showcase, her first production with The Gate.
She then trained as a drama teacher and has been teaching drama since 2007, both in the UK and in Chiang Mai. She has now set up the Chiang Mai Drama Centre, a place where young people with an interest in drama can develop skills. She also develops workshops that use drama as a medium to address social issues for schools and community groups. The Chiang Mai Drama Centre and being involved in The Gate Theater are Natalie's way of continuing her passion for theater. She appeared in A Comedy Showcase, her first production with The Gate.
