Emily K Brown is thrilled to be directing this production of 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. A Chicago native, Emily moved to Wellington in 2019 and has since found an amazing theatre community.  Recent productions include Breadcrumbs (Director, Stagecraft), Suddenly Last Summer (Director, Wellington Repertory Theatre), and Soho Cinders (Costume Design, Wellington Footlights); or you may have seen Emily performing in several productions including Les Misérables (Ensemble, Capital Theatre Trust, G&T Productions), Guys & Dolls (Sarah Brown, Wellington Footlights), and Speakeasy (Ensemble, Wellington Footlights).

Emily wants to thank the amazing cast, band, and crew for all the work that has gone into this production as well as her family in the US who would be in the audience if they could. She also wants to dedicate this production to the memory of John Graham. John encouraged Emily’s love of this show throughout her academic journey. His refusal to conform to what was expected and question the concept of what is possible remain an inspiration to “Risk. Fail. Risk Again.”. 

Jess Weston is a Wellington based emerging performer. They have recently finished their diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) and are currently studying for their Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre), both with Whitireia. Jess has been playing music and dancing since they was four years old, and now teaches music and dance with Arts A Go Go and Prime Music Academy respectively. They were an ensemble member of Te Auaha’s 2021 production of Footloose, and will be a part of the 2023 production of Mamma Mia! They were a crew member for Capital Theatre Trust’s 2022 production of Les Miserables. They made their professional debut in the BATS season of A Fat Girl’s Cry in 2023, which they will be touring around the country with in early 2024. They also perform as drag alter ego Danny Baitman, creating genre defying horror inspired drag performances. 

Jess is so excited to be making their MD debut with 35mm: A Musical Exhibition with Footlights, and this amazing team. 

Chippy first discovered her love of theatre following a starring role as Mary in her school nativity, aged 5. Since then, she has gone on to hold a series of roles both on and off stage. After discovering her ‘Type A energy’ was a natural fit with production team roles, she eagerly sought out community theatre when she moved to Wellington in 2020. Recent shows include Pride & Prejudice (Production Manager, Stagecraft) and Guys & Dolls (Production Manager, Wellington Footlights).

Chippy has thoroughly enjoyed supporting this fantastic group to bring 35mm to life.

Katty began ballet lessons in Hong Kong at age 3 and has since trained predominantly in ballet and jazz, and has performed in Cats, Miss Saigon, 42nd Street, Grease, and at numerous stadium events including the Rugby Sevens tournament, All Blacks test matches, and Hurricanes games. Katty’s musical theatre choreography includes Urinetown, If/Then, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bare: a Pop Opera, Company, Silver Linings: songs from the silver screen, Soho Cinders and Speakeasy. 

Margaret has been performing with different theatre groups around Wellington for many years.  She's been a part of Footlights since 2014, and has been involved with all but one of their productions since Pippin, on and off stage. Margaret is absolutely delighted to be part of this amazing production, and is thankful for her favourite fellow stage crazies and their dedication and hard work in bringing 35MM to the stage.