Joanne has been dancing non-stop since she was three years old. (And her feet are really aching!) For the last 15 years Joanne has run her own dance school and they have performed everywhere from The Newcastle Playhouse to The Darlington Civic Theatre. The Joanne Banks Dancers has now over 250 students and operates from Joanne's very own Studio, Studio 10. (For more information call 01388 420210). Joanne's love of dance has taken her all round the world as a performer, from Germany and Spain to Tokyo and Spennymoor Town Hall! Joanne's talent as a Choreographer has shone through more and more over the many years in theatre as anyone, who had the pleasure of seeing Dionysis' 42nd Street in summer 2005, will testify. Joanne has also work with The National Youth Musical Theatre as Movement Director and Choreographer. Last year Joanne managed to "bag her man" and tied the knot with Simon Bridge and they recently celebrated the birth of their first son Cassidy. Joanne's ability to create fabulously funky or sumptuously slinky dance pieces for the stage that enhance the overall concept of the show makes her an invaluable and essential member of Dionysis Theatre Company.

Simon has been involved in the world of theatre since he first caught the bug at secondary school. He was roped into playing 2nd tree on the left in the school's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Since then he has devoted more hours/weeks/months/years than he dare think about to the theatre. And as he says "she can be a cruel mistress, the theatre". When Simon left school it would be safe to say that he hadn't achieved quite what his potential had promised but he went on to study BTEC Performing Arts at New College Durham. On this course he had the pleasure of working under someone who Simon still says is one of the best directors he has ever met, Jenny Lingham - "The Godmother of Theatre".

After leaving college Simon set about trying to get into Drama School but had no luck (or money!!) Simon was encouraged to try and get acting work and after a string of terrible jobs he had a bit of luck and ended up working for Bruvvers Theatre Company, for two years. Simon's good luck continued as he gained a place at Northumbria University on the BA (hons) Performance degree. Simon passed with a 2:1. Simon is now a qualified teacher and Head of Drama at Shotton Hall School and Performing Arts College. Throughout this whole adventure Simon remained heavily involved in local youth theatre and was a regular cast member of shows produced by DYMT and DCYC. This was where he had the dubious pleasure of meeting Hugh, Ian and his future wife!! Only kidding. During these years Simon played Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl (performed at The Sunderland Empire), Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Anatoly in Chess and Frederick in Pirates of Penzance (performed at The Tyne Theatre and Opera House).

It wasn't long before Simon became the wrong end of the youth of youth theatre and he decided he'd like a go at directing. Simon took over the direction of DYMT and shortly after that Hugh asked him to become his Assistant Director on the show that shall not be mentioned* and the rest, as they say, is history. Simon thoroughly enjoys working with everyone involved in Dionysis and believes wholeheartedly that he is giving back to something that gave him so many friends, good memories and a pathway to a career.

*whatever you do, don't ask Bob.

Ian has been involved in musical theatre for over 20 years, and while he is primarily a musician (he has played in or been Musical Director for more than 100 productions), he has also been known to turn his hand to lighting, sound, stage management, direction, production and administration, carrying heavy objects and emptying rubbish bins. Nowadays, his work for Dionysis focuses mainly on co-ordinating all the production elements of shows, but is still regularly called upon to work on or play in many other productions, both in the north-east and all over the country. He plays (drums, percussion, bass guitar and clarinet - not all together!) and sings regularly in four bands, with styles as varied as rock'n'roll, folk, latin jazz and funk, as well as orchestral and choral work. In between all this, he just about manages to hold down a job as a civil servant with the Department of Trade and Industry in Newcastle.

John left the Army in 2000 after serving 24 years as a musician. Whilst in the Army, John played in and conducted numerous Orchestras, Dance Bands, Brass Bands and Function Bands around the world including Cyprus, Belize, USA, Kenya and Germany. As a Musical Director and player, John has been involved in many shows over the years including performances at the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium - they include Sweet Charity, Yeoman of the Guard, Me and My Girl, The Sound of Music, Half a Sixpence, Hello Dolly, Bugsy Malone, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Anything Goes, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Oliver!, La Traviata, Eugene Onegin, Carmen, and of course 42nd Street with Dionysis. He's now looking forward to the production of Fiddler on the Roof. John is currently Assistant Director of Music at Aysgarth School near Bedale and Brass Peripatetic Music Teacher for North Yorkshire Music Service.

Bob has been involved in the world of theatre for more years than most people can count unless they've got five feet. He has worked professionally at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle and the Newcastle Playhouse, but has also been able to put his many skills to good use for numerous amateur groups across the region. Bob is delighted to be Technical Director for Dionysis (thus enabling him to order other people to carry heavy items of kit instead of having to do it himself). Bob recently got a new pair of spectacles, which is great for him, but not for all of us who used to enjoy watching him walk into doors.

Sarah was originally a member of the Tech Crew whilst still a pupil at Bishop Barrington School. She has Stage Managed numerous productions for the Durham County Youth Company, where she has developed her inter-personal skills to such an extent that everyone just loves her (a rare commodity in a Stage Manager). Sarah now lives in Derbyshire, but says that commuting each day shouldn't be a problem.

Chris is the "Voice" of Dionysis, being the person you are most likely to speak to if you ring the Dionysis hotline. We all try to be friendly and sociable but Chris takes this one step further as she has always been blessed with "The Gift of the Gab" and she has probably become the person that most people, cast, crew and parents seem to know best in Dionysis. Chris's duties include organising the audition venues, collating auditionee data, collecting and posting all information sent to auditionees, administration at auditions, arranging printing, organising the after show party and being a general dogsbody. Chris also excels at negotiating the best possible price for anything the company may require and has built up some excellent relationships with people over the years. If Chris can't get discount, it can't be got!

As Front of House manager, Chris actively promotes Dionysis Theatre Company with other theatre staff and the general public. Above all, Chris loves youth theatre and her enthusiasm is infectious. She works tirelessly to ensure that everything that Dionysis does is done well and as professionally as possible. She has never missed a Dionysis committee meeting, audition, rehearsal or performance since the company began. She loves the involvement and feels the highs and lows of every individual member of the cast and revels in their success

God of finance and everything monetary. Chris and Ken were fervent supporters of the old Durham County Youth Company and watched Joanne, Simon, David Robson and Joanne Larnach and others who have been involved in Dionysis, strut the boards and learn their stuff. Ken and Chris were probably a little too enthusiastic for when DCYC folded and Dionysis was formed, they were asked to become involved. Nearly five years on Ken has more knowledge of VAT, budgets and auditors than ever before. Ken believes that the company has succeeded in one of our original aims, in becoming one of the most respected theatre companies in the region.

Ken is now heavily involved in negotiations with theatres and audition venues and setting a budget for our next blockbuster show. Unlike most of the rest of the committee and production team, Ken's busiest time is when the run of the show has ended. It is at this time that he has the arduous task of balancing the accounts and paying the bills. Ken is really looking forward to the next show.