TAFF Committee 2020/21

The TAFF committee offices are: President, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Secretary, Welfare Officer, Hires Manager, Other Societies Representative, Freshers and Training Representative, and Senior Member. The committee is assisted by a Webmaster/IT officer.

 

The TAFF committee are here to assist any member of the society with any shows or problems they are working on, please do email them if you would like any advice or assistance. If you are looking for guidance on a particular role please look at our role guides, or contact one of our role advisors.

 

We are also always grateful for suggestions of socials or workshops that you would like to be run, please contact the appropriate committee members if you have any ideas.

 

​Email addresses are in the form [office]@tabsareforflying.co.uk

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The incumbent O'Reilly Theatre Technician, University Drama Officer, and Pilch Studio Manager are granted a standing invitation to attend committee meetings in an advisory capacity, but do not have voting rights. 

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The Senior Member of TAFF is Prof. Kirsten Shephard-Barr

President - Harvey Dovell (president@)

I’m a second year Chemistry student at New College. I have been involved in theatre for many years and have tried almost every role. Bringing a production from just an idea to a full show that people enjoy is one of the most rewarding things. At Oxford I have mainly been involved as a lighting designer, production manager and DSM. TAFF members have been some of the nicest and most creative people I have met and I have already made great friends through shows that I have done. I’d love to be a part of helping anyone, experienced or not, bring their ideas to a stage. As President I hope to continue the good work that TAFF does and help it to grow to reach and support more people.



Treasurer - Juliet Dowley (treasurer@)

Hiya! I’m a second year PPEist at Keble College, and have tried my hand at stage management, props management, DSMing, production management, lighting design and producing. This is entirely thanks to the wonderful people in Oxford drama, because when I came to university I had absolutely no idea what a production manager was, and even less idea as to how to program a lighting desk. Having felt underqualified for every crew position I’ve taken on, but loved all of them, my advice would be to enjoy challenging yourself, and to ask for help if you need it. As TAFF Treasurer, I also wanted to mention that your involvement in technical theatre in Oxford should NEVER cost you any money - feel free to message with any questions about this or anything else!



Secretary - Andrew Orr (secretary@)

I'm Andrew, a first year DPhil student in Engineering and Theoretical Physics (but this is my 5th year in Oxford). I've been doing shows (mostly Sound Design) in Oxford since I started my undergrad here and it's been a source of great friends and companionship. I really want to help improve theatre and stagecraft in Oxford by encouraging positive communication amongst TAFF members and shows, from large to small.



Freshers' & Training - Finley Bettsworth (freshers@)

I’m a first year studying Medicine at Brasenose College, though sometimes I seem to be doing far more theatre than degree! I first got involved in theatre back in school, mainly doing sound and lighting design, and since then I’ve been hooked. Since coming to Oxford, TAFF has been a really big part of my time at uni, literally since Freshers’ Week. Since being here, I’ve mainly been doing lighting, but occasionally dabble in sound and other aspects too. I find the student theatre vibes here really lovely and fun, as well as being really rewarding so I’m excited to get more people (Freshers and everyone else too!!) involved over the next year. I was so lucky to quickly get to know (and learn tonnes from) so many TAFF members which has been awesome, and I really look forward to this continuing. If you have any wild workshop ideas to lure people into theatre, feel free to get in touch!



Hires Manager - Cherona Chapman (hires@)

I'm a third year postgraduate in Geography & the Environment, and throughout theatre's been the constant sidekick to my studies - I've lost count of how many assignments I have written in the comfy, comfy seats of an auditorium. At Oxford, you'll largely find me behind a lighting desk, but the DSM desk is a home from home too. Before starting my undergraduate, however, I'd never been involved in drama at all, and learnt nearly everything I know today from other student technicians and finding the courage to just give things a go. That's a sentiment that's an integral part of TAFF, and my favourite part of the society is how open it is to everyone, no matter whether you've ever been in a theatre before or not - just be willing to have a try and Oxford's friendliest and finest will support you wherever and whenever we can.



Hires Manager - Sam Morely (hires@)

I am a first year engineer at Somerville. Whilst I have dabbled in everything from directing through to theatrical moustache making my true love is light! I have bluffed my way into lighting many diverse things ranging from horse shows to fringe theatre to wrestling to Liam Gallagher. Thanks to working in a lighting warehouse on my gap year I am unusually good at polishing lights and so give me a bell if you have any questions about any of TAFF’s equipment.



Hires Manager - Alice Penrose (hires@)

I am a first year studying Biology at Somerville. Aside from my degree, I enjoy designing and creating sets for Oxford drama. I love the creativity and freedom that comes with designing student shows and have worked with some amazing TAFF people! A show is about cooperation between different departments and we wouldn’t be able to achieve the level of drama that we have at this university without TAFF. Everyone is willing to contribute their skill set and we have a laugh in the process. As hires manager, I am interested in introducing sustainability into the set, props and costume in Oxford drama. Recycling is not only good for the planet - it can also help you to think more creatively about your design. I am a “freecycle wizard” and am always happy to help people source or build things. Let me know if you are having difficulty and PLEASE REMEMBER THE TAFF STORE BEFORE YOU TURN TO BUYING THINGS ONLINE; we may have a CHEAPER and BETTER SOLUTION for you!!



Other Societies - Mina Moniri (other-societies@)

I’m a second year PhD student in Neuroscience at St.Hilda’s. Before coming to Oxford, I stage managed a variety of shows in school and community theatre for the past 7 years. Having only recently begun to dip my toe into the world of Oxford theatre, I have been met with a welcoming atmosphere which I hope to contribute to in this role. No matter how big or small the production, it can’t go on without friendly communication between the cast and crew; having had to have a foot in both as stage manager, I am enthusiastic to add to the camaraderie in the wider Oxford drama scene as other socs rep.



Social Secretary - Sibylle Bandilla (social@)

Hello there! I’m a Modern Languages student at St Hilda’s College and I’m thrilled to be the Social Sec for TAFF this year. Having spent years admiring all the high-quality student productions here at Oxford, I recently decided to try my hand at helping out backstage. Now that I’ve seen the theatre from both sides of the curtain, I know just how much hard work and enthusiasm goes into making sure every show runs smoothly. I’m here to organise our society-wide dinners and make them as inclusive as possible, so feel free to message me with any queries related to social events and see you there!



IT / Webmaster - Loic Deread (it@)

I'm a second year Computer Science student at Oriel College. I'm primarily a sound engineer, designing and mixing productions. Since arriving in Oxford I have sound designed from Chicago (Keble O'Reilly) to Shadows of Troy (Oxford Playhouse). It is important to get as many people as possible involved with Oxford drama, so I hope to raise awareness of opportunities through IT. Feel free to get in touch, with any ideas, suggestions or sound questions!



Welfare - James Gurd (welfare@)

I’m studying Experimental Psychology at St. Catz, and so far I’ve turned my hand to directing, producing, stage management and puppeteering. When I pretend to have other interests, I tell people that I enjoy baking, painting and low-budget horror movies. I love chatting over any kind of hot or cold drink, and I’m looking forward to being the welfare representative for TAFF this year. Working backstage is amazing fun, but it has its fair share of stresses – I’m going to do my best to make things better for us all.



Role Advisors

The committee welcome queries of any sort relating to technical theatre and design. The following committee members have volunteered to be the point of contact for questions relating to specific departments. These contacts have been provided for your general information and should not be used to directly or indirectly find crew members for productions. If you are looking for someone to fill a certain role, please use the TAFF mailing list. For general queries, contact the current TAFF President, Harvey Dovell.

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Lighting - Sam Morley
Sound - Andrew Orr
Stage Management - Mina Moniri
Set & Costume - Alice Penrose
Projection - Will Wikoff - william.wikoff[at]balliol.ox.ac.uk
Production Management - Harvey Dovell

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© Tabs are for Flying, 2019.

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