Daisy Semmler | President (she/her)

Well howdy. Of all the gin joints, I’m glad you’ve stumbled upon this one. My name is Daisy, and I am the Capitano of SUDS for 2023 – and boy, am I glad to be here. I got involved in SUDS in 2021 with acting, and have since dabbled in more acting, directing, producing, dramaturg-ing and being on the executive team as a Publicity Officer and now President! I’m a History Honours student, crochet and any kind of needle craft is my therapy and my muse, I love contemporary Australian theatre and 20th century American theatre, I strongly believe coleslaw is the superior salad, and I am bonkers for SUDS. It’s really the best use of your time on campus; study is just a means to an end (take this as seriously as you want). I’m so excited to meet you and help you get involved in the incredible productions and initiatives we run here!

What I do around SUDS: As President, you’ll see me chairing all of our General Meetings (every second Wednesday at 1pm). I oversee Slot 3 (our initiative for new SUDS members), keep in contact with the showrunners of each show, and do the behind the scenes work that keeps our space up to scratch and our roots within the USU intact. I’m here as a decision-maker, a mentor, a fervent advocate for the society, and most importantly, as your new pal.

Danny Yazdani | President of Vice (He/him)

Oh my oh my. Thank you for reading my bio. This is your humble Vice-President here. While I’m away from the realm of SUDS and theatre, I think about SUDS and watch theatre. But I also love to read and write, and am currently an English and Sociology student. Whacking on my gardening gloves and busting a move or two to my 70s playlist is how I unwind in isolation, but I love learning from people from different walks of life too. So, don’t be a stranger. Say a howdy-do if you see me – I would love to chat!

What I do around SUDS: I’ve acted, directed, produced and written for SUDS. I was the Archivist in 2022 – and that kept me busy – but I am keen to get into arts-based administration and writing this year. 

Paul Lapinski | Treasurer (he/they)

Hola! My name is Paul Lapinski and I am the Treasurer for 2023. I really love the communal effort that is put into telling stories at Cellar Theatre, and am continually impressed by the passion of our members. 2023 will be my fourth and final year of uni (fingers crossed), as I complete majors in Spanish and Chinese Studies. Outside of uni, I read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy, and utilise my meagre acting chops in the occasional game of DND. Talk to me about creative pursuits in and out of SUDS :)

What I do around SUDS: I joined SUDS in 2022 and have done production assisting and assistant sound directing. This year I will be attempting to explore writing for stage. As Treasurer, I will be working with you to manage your show’s finances.

Georgie Eggleton | Secretary (She/they)

Ciao ciao! I’m Georgie, your secretary for this year. I’m a woman in STEM, studying biology and environmental science, so you will have to put up with that. Outside of uni and the SUDS realm I’m very much into movies, well I’m trying to get more into movies. I’m not like a full movie nerd at all but some would say I’m verging on that and I will try my best to refrain. I have a weird obsession with velvet worms because they're kind of really cool animals and also if you don’t think too hard about it they are actually very cute. I’m a lover of 70s and 80s fashion and Australian psychedelic rock music, basically anything by Babe Rainbow, the Lazy Eyes, Pond, and so much more. So that’s me. :)

What I do around SUDS: I first got involved in SUDS in 2021 doing production roles and the occasional acting gig. I’ve done around 10-ish shows over the past two year,s doing set design, producing, lighting, acting, make-up and special effects, directing and physical theatre directing. I do want to dabble in more directing gigs this year. As your secretary you’ll see me at every general meeting taking the minutes. I’ll also be around for mentee and mentor catch ups and events, and if you ever need a room booked for anything SUDS related I’m your go-to. 

Stuart Rich | Archivist (he/him)

Hello! My name is Stuart and I am the Archivist for 2023. I’m in charge of maintaining and cataloguing our 130+ years of archival holdings, collecting archival materials from all the shows we put on, and maintaining our website. I’m doing Honours in Old English; you can find me on Fisher Level 7 whenever I’m not spending quality time scanning old documents in the Cellar. Talk to me about Germanic philology, Talking Heads, or SUDS’ 1976 production of Action by Sam Shepard and Kitchenette by Ronald Tavel.

What I do around SUDS: I’ve done stage management, prop-making, lighting design, and set design for a number of SUDS shows. I hope to do a bit of writing and directing this year.

Amelia Vogelsang | CEllar Officer (She/her)

Good evening gaming gang from one half of your singular (1) Cellar Officer for 2023! Over the coming year you'll be seeing me around your bump-ins and bump-outs for maybe my favourite thing about SUDS, large scale arts and crafts. I'm starting my second year of my psych degree (remember to lick your rats). At uni, I'm usually hanging around the depths of the Cellar (the back of the tech box) or scoping out the toilets on campus (big fan of the biology building). Hunt me down and we can have a good yarn about Weezer, Magic (PLEASE), Action / Kitchenette, the SuperMegaCast or if you just want to borrow the cellar gun. 

What I do around SUDS: I’ve tried out directing, set design, graphicking and producing. As Cellar Officer I’m frothing to get into the ins and outs of tech stuff, WHS and letting control over the power tools and keys go to my head.

Bella Wellstead | Cellar Officer (She/her)

Do you need to use the drill?

Apply paint without a spill?

Bump in a set with efficiency and speed?

Must the ladders be upright?

To move speakers and hang lights?

Then your Cellar Officers are who you need!

I am Bella, one of your Cellar Officers for 2023, and I am super duper keen on creating, watching, and writing about theatre! I’m heading into my third year of English and Theatre and Performance Studies. You can find me writing essays in Courtyard Cafe, organising the tools in the Oceans workshop, or whispering sweet nothings to the huntsman in the corner of the costume room. Always excited to talk about Action / Kitchenette: facts, fictions, and fan theories – I’m hungry for ’em all.

What I do around SUDS: I am, first and foremost, an enthusiastic set and costume designer! I have also written and directed for SUDS – you’ll be seeing some kooky little bits and pieces from me in the coming year…

Luna Ng | Festivals Officer (She/her)

Hello lovely people! I am your bubbly Festivals Officer Luna :> You will see me a lot in different festivals and events outside the usual SUDS slots (don’t feel shy to sign up! hehe). I am a about-to-be 3rd year Speech Pathology student who is in love with theatre and performances. You can always find me rigging Cellar lights on the silver ladder (my fav one), and procrastinating clinical reports for more meaningful chats with my friends in Courtyard. As an international student, SUDS has been a home for me, and I hope it will be a safe enough space for you to feel the same way too! For the past year, I have survived hours and hours of chats with film bros in SUDS so trust me, I am always up for a chat and willing to provide as much support as you need! 

What I do around SUDS: I am a passionate actress and lighting designer :> I also produced and stage managed last year in SUDS! Of course as your Festivals Officer I will always be around organising different festivals, workshops, and events as well. This year, I hope to be able to try some directing and more acting in theatre :>  

Mariika Mehigan | Publicity Officer (She/her)

Hi, I'm Mariika and I'm one of the publicity officers for 2023 with the incredible Josie!! I got involved in SUDS at the beginning of 2022 and quickly became an addict, being involved in 5 shows throughout the year. In 2023 I'll be writing my Honours thesis in History and harnessing my wit into perfectly crafted captions for the SUDS Instagram. Other than that, you can find me chugging Red Bulls in the Law Library, reading books, on hot girl walks with my dog, rewatching Gilmore Girls, or buying more clothes that I do not need.

What I do around SUDS: Costume and set designing, photography, directing and writing!

Josephine Lee | Publicity Officer (They/she/he)

Why hello there! I am one of the publicity officers, partner in crime with the marvellous Mariika. We’'re the team who makes sure the socials are updated with current SUDS events and programs you guys can be involved in! If you want to know more about me, I am just a simple third year USyd student studying Media and Neuroscience who loves getting lost in a lot of different things (as you can tell from my majors) but always ends up coming home to theatre. Feel free to come up to me if you want to have a chat about all things theatre or you just want to say hi :)

What I do around SUDS: Directing, acting and producing!

Mali Lung | Social Secretary (She/her)

Hello lovelies! I’m Mali, one of your social secretaries alongside the incomparable Tom Findlay. I’m currently directionless in life but studying Genetics and English to pass the time… You can usually find me procrastinating an assignment in the Bev or blasting 100 gecs while studying in Fisher – and if you do, being the social Social Secretary I am, I’m up for a good chat about anything! But if you really want to catch my attention, ask me about my recovering Genshin Impact addiction, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or my belief in the superiority of multigrain corn thins as a flavour of corn thins. As a social sec, I want to make SUDS a safe space for everyone, of all walks of life, because after all, we’re all minorities. We’re in the glee club.

What I do around SUDS: Typically you’ll see me acting in productions, but I’ve also done a bit of set designing and producing, and in 2023 hope to dip my toes into graphic designing, writing, directing and more!

Tom Findlay | Social Secretary (He/him)

Nice of you to scroll down this far! Welcome to the cool part of the website. When it comes to SUDS, there’s only one person who can tell you what you can achieve: me, Tom Findlay. Alongside my partner in crime, Mali, as Social Secretaries, I’m going to be curating vibes left, right and centre. I’ve always loved acting, and when I joined SUDS in 2022, I became so hooked I’ve decided to defer uni for 2023. I’m passionate about provocative, original and inspiring theatre and I can’t wait to support that this year. Oh, and I also love Lorde and giving restaurant recommendations so please come fight me on why Solar Power is her best album and on the invalidity of El Camino as a restaurant. I will win.  

What I do around SUDS: As social secs, Mali and I are your go to as new members. Hit us up on FB or carrier pigeon and we’ll get you involved in SUDS in no time. Need someone to see our incredible shows with? Want advice on how to audition? Want to grab coffee before general meetings? We’re here to support you. So don’t be a stranger, you won’t regret it!