Shannon Tubman

Wellington

BSc, BOptom (hons), ANZDA

Shannon’s passion for theatre and singing kicked off as a young child. With time this passion for performing has morphed into a desire to support other performers. Since becoming an ANZDA (Association of New Zealand Drama Adjudicators) accredited adjudicator in 2015,

Shannon has found great joy in helping other performers and theatre practitioners develop their craft and their confidence.

Shannon has adjudicated for Theatre New Zealand’s national one act play festival, at both local and regional levels, for the Wellington Full Length play festival including Musical Theatre productions. Shannon has also adjudicated and mentored community theatre productions, new directors and NCEA performances.

Shannon grew up in Auckland, but is now based in Wellington where she works full time as an Optometrist. She has a young daughter who also has the theatre bug and an insatiable appetite for musical theatre. Family car trips have musical theatre soundtracks on repeat, these past 12 months has been dominated by the musicals EPIC, Six, Hazbin Hotel, Matilda, Hamilton and Beetlejuice.

Shannon has had the privilege to learn from some fabulous singing teachers over the years. Pat Aldersley, Loretta Lander, Sacha Van Beek and Jane Keller. Each teacher introducing her to different singing styles and an appreciation of how difficult each genre can be.

The K.H. Spear Memorial Scholarship has been running since the late 1960s and is dedicated to the late Ken Spear and his family - his wife Verla and children Carolyn and David.

Ken Spear served on the New Plymouth Operatic Society (NPOS) committee in the 1960s, including three years as President. He also worked as stage manager for many operatic shows.

This music theatre competition is open to local Taranaki singers and performers. Participants perform songs from musicals, with the competition focusing on:

• Good vocal technique
• Truthful storytelling
• Strong characterisation

The scholarship continues to support local Taranaki talent and is supported by New Plymouth Operatic Society and the Taranaki Music Theatre Trust.