Our Committee

Meet the Team

  • A woman holding a colorful bouquet of pink, purple, and red flowers, smiling behind the flowers, with green bushes in the background.

    Mel Byford

    CHAIR

    I joined GADS back in 1997 and the committee not long after. I have been fortunate enough to direct Shakespeare, including ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘The Tempest’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, as well as pantos and plays that I have written alongside my partner, Oliver. My dream play would be ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’ by Dario Fo. My worst ever moment at GADS was when the scenery fell on my head during a rehearsal!

  • A man dressed as a wall, with a cardboard box painted to resemble a wall, standing outdoors at night near a tree. The cardboard has the word 'WALL' written on it, and the man is wearing a beanie, with a serious expression.

    Roger Benison

    TREASURER

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    Sarah Cooper

    SECRETARY

    I’m a busy, full-time working mum of three who grew up in Groombridge and returned here to raise my family. Many years ago I performed in a GADS production of ‘Under Milk Wood’, but now I prefer to be behind the scenes and support the society as its committee secretary. My eldest son and youngest daughter both enjoy performing in many of our productions, and we love being part of the GADS family.

  • A woman smiling outdoors wearing a black shirt, a headset, and an apron with buttons and pins, with houses, trees, and a pink outdoor tent in the background.

    Molly Byford

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • Woman at an outdoor event wearing a large elaborate feathered headdress with black and red feathers, smiling

    Gemma Finnegan

    COMMITEE MEMBER

    I joined GADS in 2025 after seeing my husband perform in their production of ‘Macbeth’; now I’m all-in, running the website and getting involved wherever I can. Before moving down to Sussex, I was a professional actress and have performed in UK and international productions of ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘The Bacchae’, ‘Plaza Suite’ and ‘Hippolytos’, among many others. My dream play would be ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ by Edward Albee.

  • A woman wearing glasses and a gray sweater, smiling, with a lion-themed headband featuring a lion's face and mane, in front of a dark background with green leaves.

    Lucy Lockwood

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    I’ve been part of GADS since 2022, when we moved to the village. As a music teacher, I’m delighted to bring that side of things to the committee. Highlights so far include ‘Peter Pun’, directing ‘Murder with Ghosts’ and being a part of our fantastic summer outdoor productions: ‘As You Like It’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Wind in the Willows’. Growing up, community theatre gave me some of my best memories, and I love that this kind of free, community level opportunity still exists for the next generation. My dream play would be ‘Calamity Jane’ or any golden oldie musical.

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    Dougie Phillips

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    I have been part of GADS since 2009. It has given me years of joy, being involved with fabulous productions both on and off the stage. Two highlights (of many) are assistant directing ‘Top Girls’ with a phenomenal cast and crew, and getting soaked by a storm while playing Ariel in ‘The Tempest’ (in full body paint!). My dream play would be ‘Constellations’ by Nick Payne.

  • A woman wearing a crown, a purple feather boa, and a sparkly silver top, smiling indoors.

    Sarah Saxty

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    I  first acted with GADS in the Community Play ‘Something in Common’ in 2007 and have since enjoyed several acting parts - in particular, Linda Loman in  'Death of a Salesman' and Pope Joan in 'Top Girls’. Other roles within GADS have been as stage manager, prompt and director but nothing beats appearing at the Minack theatre in 1973 where it was easy to get distracted in matinees by events at sea!

  • An empty stage with a closed, red velvet curtain, situated in a room with a vaulted ceiling and spotlights overhead.

    Leanne Taylor

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    I originally joined GADS for my kids, but ended up staying too and am now a proud member of the Committee and the wider GADS family. You definitely won’t find me treading the boards or in the spotlight (although I did once push a trolley and deliver a line in a panto) but I love getting stuck in backstage.

  • Woman painting outdoors near trees and classical statues using an easel and wearing casual clothing.

    Roz Thomas

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    GADS is my happy place and I am never happier than when I have a paintbrush in hand or am working backstage. After a design degree in the 1980s and working in practice, I did my teaching qualification a decade later. I now teach art locally to children and adults.

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    Nick Wray

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    Hi, I’m Nick, actor, director, and wannabe brooding hero! I first started in GADS in 2015, appearing in The Taming of The Shrew, and had the most fun time gyrating to “Foxy Lady” as Feste in Twelfth Night! I’ve acted with Trinity Theatre, completed my master’s degree in acting in 2020, toured professionally across the UK and I am a deputy theatre tech at The Mousetrap in the West End.