Why do we do this?

What better place to start than where it all began? For this ENCORE episode, we revisit our conversation with the booming voice and wonderful talent that is Joshua Coldwell. An actor, teacher and fellow host of Why Do We Do This?, Josh brings passion, humour and an enormous love of theatre to everything he does. This time, he’s answering the questions! Join us as we rewind to the beginning and get to know one of the voices behind the microphone.

For our final episode of 2027, we have someone very special. A powerhouse of a woman, eloquent, intelligent and deeply passionate about theatre, the wonderful Jill Bartlett OAM. Some of theatre’s greatest contributions happen behind the curtain, and Jill has spent more than five decades helping make the magic possible. As President of Therry Theatre, she brings an extraordinary commitment to Adelaide’s theatre community. First joining Therry in 1975, she discovered a place where her organisational talents could flourish and where a fabulous group of people would become an enduring part of her life. Her contribution is measured in countless hours of planning, organising and supporting the people who bring each production to the stage. Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the performing arts in South Australia, Jill embodies the dedication, generosity and passion that keep community theatre thriving. A remarkable woman with a sharp mind, a generous heart and a wonderful story to tell. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the loveliest people we have ever met….Jill Bartlett OAM!

A respected director, a loving father and a passionate fan of Quentin Tarantino, Nick Fagan loves powerful theatre and has an unwavering commitment to doing things well. From his beginnings as an aspiring actor to becoming one of Adelaide’s most respected directors, Nick’s passion, determination and strong creative vision have helped shape community theatre into what it is today. But beyond the talent is a kind heart, a generous spirit and a man whose love for his craft and his girls shines through when he talks. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did. The wonderful Nick Fagan!

What a lovely man! A true gentleman, a wonderful storyteller and an extraordinarily talented director, Geoff Brittain has been a much-loved part of South Australia's theatre community for more than five decades. As a director, Geoff has brought some extraordinary, challenging productions to the stage. His work has earned numerous accolades, including Adelaide Critics Circle Awards and Adelaide Theatre Guide Curtain Call Awards. But beyond the impressive list of productions and achievements is a man with an enormous passion for theatre, a wonderful creative mind and a genuine love for bringing stories and people together. A brilliant director and one of the loveliest people you could hope to meet. The one and only, Geoff Brittain!

Don't let this quietly spoken man fool you. He is a titan of talent. Ben Stefanoff is a passionate advocate for the arts in South Australia and a formidable creative force in Adelaide’s theatre community. As Arts Editor for Glam Adelaide, Ben has the enviable and extremely busy role of meeting, interviewing and championing some of the most exciting people working across the Australian arts industry. Away from the page, Ben is an accomplished music director, director, theatre creator, pit musician and producer whose credits span more than 15 years. Quietly spoken he may be but his contribution to the South Australian arts community speaks very loudly indeed.

There are some people whose contribution can’t be measured by a list of credits or achievements. Gary George is one of them. A true gentleman, Gary is kind, generous, thoughtful, extraordinarily intelligent and, most importantly, a great friend. Best known to many for his work in theatre, Gary has also made an important contribution as a historian through Find & Connect, helping research and preserve the often difficult stories of Australians who experienced institutional and out-of-home care. As mentioned in the show more details can be found on their website: www.findandconnect.gov.au. A true gentleman. A creative mind. A keeper of stories. A great friend. The one and only, Gary George..!!

From the mammoth challenge of Angels in America to favourites including The Lady in the Van, Collaborators, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Stage Beauty and One Man, Two Guvnors, Viki’s contribution to South Australian theatre has been considerable. But for Viki, theatre has always been about much more than costumes and productions, it’s about the friendships, the laughter and the wonderful sense of family she has found along the way, with the unwavering support of her husband, Kevin. Now surrounded by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Viki looks back on a life filled with nursing, family and theatre with a wonderfully simple sentiment: “I wouldn’t change a thing. Life is great.” We give you one of our favourite human beings. Hard-working. Caring. Fun. Intelligent. Creative. A wonderful friend, a remarkable woman and an absolute treasure of the theatre community. The one. The only. Viktoria Burrett!

David Gauci is a man of many talents. A theatre director, producer, actor, singing teacher, cabaret artist, writer, and designer, the list goes on. His career has spanned both amateur and professional theatre, taking him from community stages to productions across Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. As the founder of Davine Productions, David has built an extraordinary reputation for producing, directing, and designing award-winning theatre, while continuing to inspire the next generation as a singing teacher and music educator. But beyond the impressive résumé and countless accolades, David is simply one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. A true gentleman, generous with his time, passionate about the arts, and someone who leaves every room brighter than when he entered it. Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy our conversation with the wonderful David Gauci as much as we did!

Annabel Whitford-Miller is a passionate advocate for South Australia’s theatre community, serving as the Administrator and Secretary of the Adelaide University Theatre Guild, where she has been instrumental in supporting productions, volunteers and artists. A skilled organiser with experience in stage management, performance and production, she is widely respected for the energy, professionalism and enthusiasm she brings to every aspect of community theatre.Alongside her work behind the scenes, Annabel is a podcaster and interviewer with For the Love of Theatre, where she celebrates the people and productions that make Adelaide’s theatre scene so vibrant. A true multi-talented, hyphenated creative, she is passionate about connecting with artists, sharing their stories and championing the rich and diverse performing arts community across South Australia.

Our guest is an actor, director, producer, teacher, mentor, and, alongside his wife Libby, the driving force behind Red Phoenix Theatre Company. Through his work both on and off the stage, he has built a reputation for championing ambitious productions, nurturing emerging talent through Theatre Bugs, and creating opportunities for artists of all ages to grow and thrive. Whether directing a cast, teaching the next generation of performers, producing Adelaide premiere works, or stepping into the spotlight himself, Michael brings a passion, professionalism, and dedication to theatre that is evident in everything he does. His commitment to the arts has helped establish Red Phoenix Theatre as one of South Australia's most respected theatre companies, while inspiring countless performers throughout the community. Drum roll, please... Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Michael Eustice.