WHO'S WHO
Karl Gernert, Director
Karl gained a BA (Hons) in English and Drama in 2002, following which he worked for 2 years as Head of Drama at a theatre company. He then set up Act II Theatre Company in 2004. Karl holds Qualified Teacher Status and a post-graduate diploma in American History. He works in pit bands as a bass guitar player, double bass player, pianist and conductor and is the bass guitarist for function band Zebra.
Karl's research interests include 1920's and 30's horror films, blurring the boundaries between film and theatre, and theatre in non-theatrical locations.
Karl's research interests include 1920's and 30's horror films, blurring the boundaries between film and theatre, and theatre in non-theatrical locations.
Charlotte Gernert, Director
Charlotte worked for 2 years at the same Theatre Company as Karl, and then studied at Queen Mary's, University of London, where she gained a BA (Hons) in Drama (Applied). She was secretary for Queen Mary Theatre Company, with whom she worked as a director, actor and technical operator and toured to the Edinburgh Fringe. As a child, Charlotte gained the St. Cecelia Singing Award for choral singing.
Charlotte's research interests include the relationship between actor and audience, exploring the boundaries of where theatre starts and ends, the role of the curtain call in a performance and theatre in non-theatrical locations.
Charlotte's research interests include the relationship between actor and audience, exploring the boundaries of where theatre starts and ends, the role of the curtain call in a performance and theatre in non-theatrical locations.
Alice Haley, Director
Alice first became a student of Act II when she was a primary school. Once turning adult she interned with the company before heading to York St.John University to complete her BA (Hons) in Film Production. She now works full time for Act II and is responsible for our new and growing Early Years output. After a sabbatical to work as an au pair in Oregon, U.S.A. she is back at the studio and a valued member of the team!
Alice's research interests include animation, merging film and theatre and theatre in non-theatrical locations.
Alice's research interests include animation, merging film and theatre and theatre in non-theatrical locations.
Liz Hallissey, Administrator
Liz has been working with us since 2020 but has been a friend and supporter of the company for many years prior to that. Liz keeps the Act II ship sailing smoothly, managing finances, dealing with correspondence and generally being all-round essential. She is usually the first person our members see when they arrive at the studio and she always greets them with friendliness!
Olivia Black, Class and Parties Assistant
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Olivia is an Act II alumna, having performed in countless Act II productions as a child. She gained a First degree honours in Acting for Film at the University of Chichester Conservatoire. Olivia is Assistant Director at our Music Theatre classes, but can often be found covering other classes and running parties too!
Olivia's research interests include the internal dialogue of a character, foreign language films and TV, and an actor's ability to alter the meaning and dynamic of a scene through their portrayal when using the same text. |
Barry Perkins, Stage Manager
Barry is our stage manager and has been with Act II since the company was founded. He leads our backstage team, and heads up the inclusion of the Act II parrot (our unofficial mascot) in all of our productions. If you come to see something, see if you can spot it!
Joe Dickinson, Assistant Stage Manager
Joe grew up as a member of Act II, performing in a huge number of our productions (including Horton the Elephant in Seussical the Musical and Captain Walker in The Who's Tommy). Joe has since become an invaluable member of the backstage team, not only during shows but also building many of our sets.
Emma Swords, Stage Crew, Class and Parties Assistant
Emma grew up performing, with a particular emphasis on dance. She started volunteering with Act II as part of our backstage team and quickly became an essential member of the Act II family. She began working for the company as Assistant Director then moved on to her dream job in animal husbandry! Emma can still be found backstage, helping at classes (often with choreography) and in our workshop building and painting!
Sophie Gale, Stage Crew, Class and Parties Assistant
Sophie is a former student who can't keep away! She is an invaluable member of our regular crew and often works at our birthday parties and at classes. As a performer, she was Grizabella in Cats, Christmas Eve in Avenue Q School Edition and Cousin Kevin in The Who's Tommy, amongst many, many others!
Peter Graper, Exam Pianist
Peter is our exam pianist. All of our singing students are accompanied by him for their exams. In addition, he can sometimes be found accompanying our productions.
Peter is an retired teacher and church organist / choir master. As a child, he went to Llandaff Cathedral School, and sang at Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation!
Peter is an retired teacher and church organist / choir master. As a child, he went to Llandaff Cathedral School, and sang at Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation!
Kieran Watson, Technical Consultant
Kieran works for Act II in a variety of capacities (helping with classes, administration, building sets etc.) but mostly works on our productions as a technical manager and sometimes deputy stage manager. Kieran was previously a student at Act II and studied stage management at Central School of Speech and Drama, he now works in stage management in London.
Kieran's research interests include the use of multi-media in performance and theatre in non-theatrical locations.
Kieran's research interests include the use of multi-media in performance and theatre in non-theatrical locations.