Joanne has been dancing non-stop since she was three years old. (And her feet are really aching!) For the last 20 years Joanne has run her own dance school and they have performed everywhere from The Newcastle Playhouse to The Darlington Civic Theatre, including more recently The COLAS Awards and the IDTA Showcase. The Joanne Banks Dancers has now over 300 students and operates from Joanne's very own Studio, Studio 10. (For more information call 01388 420210 or check www.joannebanksdancers.com). 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 and of Dionysis' shows will testify with particular highlights being 42nd Street (2005) and Fame (2007). Joanne has also worked with The National Youth Musical Theatre as Movement Director and Choreographer. 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. She manages to do all of this whilst juggling her 4yr old son, Cassidy and her husband, Simon (although not literally!)

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 has held the roles as Head of Drama at Bishop Barrington and Shotton Hall School and Performing Arts College and until recently, Head of Creative Arts at Sedgefield Community College. In April 2009 however, Simon has made a return to his first love and is currently working as an actor playing such roles as Bertie Pigface in Cinderella and making his Mum proud by appearing on BBC Crimewatch! Throughout this whole adventure Simon remains heavily involved in local youth theatre and has been 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. If you look carefully Simon can sometimes be seen treading the boards in a Dionysis show - that is if he can't rope his good friend Norm De Plume in! 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 Hugh

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.

As a full time primary school music practitioner Barry is currently working in schools in Westminster and Essex and also mentors for Trinity college and the Open University on their professional development programme for Key stage 2 music teachers. He has made a name for himself as a musical director and vocal coach working in youth theatre and in the summer of 2009 could be found working in the North East on productions of “Boogie Nights” at Sunderland Empire for Live Nation and then at the Gala theatre, Durham on “The Wizard of Oz” for Dionysis. He also gives tuition to private pupils, many of whom have taken part in West End productions. Barry started his professional theatre career in Pantomime as musical director for the likes of Timmy Mallet, from children’s ITV and Tricia Penrose, from Heartbeat to name but two, but has always been involved in musical theatre either on stage or in the orchestra pit in varied roles.

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.

Kay is a fabulous addition to the creative team and her energy and talent makes her both adorable and useful!

Kay is said to be delighted at the prospect of working with Simon again.