President — Charlotte Baker 

Hey all, I'm Charlotte and I'm your President this year so it's my job to make sure that you get all the support you need to do whatever you want in theatre at St Andrews.  I chair the mermaids meetings on Thursdays at 1pm in the Committee Room of the Union (come along!) and I'm your representative on the Union council.  You'll also probably see me running frantically around town trying to sort stuff out... but what would theatre be without the drama eh?

So a bit about me:  I'm Welsh.  When I act I only ever play middle-aged, vaguely aggressive drunk women -- but don't let that put you off.  I once fell onstage but got a standing ovation because, to quote my Gran, "It looked so real!"  Sometimes I wear odd shoes and I often find that my personal wardrobe can fulfill most fancy dress themes without too much effort.  I can pretty much always be found in Beanscene, usuall just pretending to work.  

Get in touch with me if you want to find out more about theatre in St Andrews, or if you just want to have a chat about the merits of wearing odd shoes.

Vice President — James McDonald

James is a third year studying history.  This past year, he was the Marketing Officer for Mermaids and the Public Relations Officer for the Just So Society.  He has been involved with two Mermaids shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and this past summer worked in the box office for Zoo Venues.  James is also the current SSC Member for Societies Elections and, as Vice President of Mermaids, will be running the Barron Theatre.  

James is eager to make the upcoming year of Mermaids one to remember, so feel free to approach him with any questions, suggestions, concerns, or just for a chat!

Secretary — Kelly Diepenbrock

Yo yo yo wassup I'm Kelly and I'm this year's Mermaids Secretary.  As such I'm in charge of taking down minutes (posted every Friday on the top floor of the Union for your reading pleasure) and Barron scheduling.  

I got my start in St Andrews' theatre when I starred as Whore #2 in The Libertine (On the Rocks 2010).  Since then I've found my calling as a Stage Manager, working on both Spring Awakening (Fall 2010) and Peter Pan (On the Rocks 2011).  If you're interested in helping out backstage shoot me an email, but a warning:  anyone who works backstage with me is required to wear war paint.

Productions Treasurer — Robert Sturrock

I'm Robert and I'm please to be working as your Mermaids treasurer this year.  I'm your first port of call for any inquiries regarding your budget, how to record entries in a cashbook, or the best ways to drink gin at a cast party.  You'll need to come see me in order to get your checkbook (so you can avoid spending your own money in producing a show) and at the end to account for all your receipts (so we can check you haven't been swindling money to an account in the Cayman Islands).  If you're looking to get some useful financial experience and help keep Mermaids running smoothly, contact me to see how you can help out.  

On the more personal side, I'm the sole Canadian entry to the committee, and as a result I like maple syrup, hockey and the words please and thank you.  My drink of choice is gin, though I'm very open to whiskey.  I'm first and foremost involved in Mermaids as a member -- I acted in King Lear and In Flame last year and also produced the show Ladykiller.  So whether you're looking to balance the books or party (not mutually exclusive for the record) feel free to contact me.

Productions Coordinator — Lorenzo De Boni 

My name is Lorenzo De Boni, and I'm SUPER EXCITED to be your Productions Coordinator!  >_<  I am fluent in Italian, a fabulous actor, and enjoy wearing lampshades as hats.  Please contact me anytime about anything.  Seriously!!! :D

Social Convenor — Jennifer Russell

I'm Jennifer and I am this year's social convenor.  This means I organise Mermaids' socials, of which there are many throughout the year, the highlight being the Christmas Ball.  If you are interested in helping with the Christmas Ball, would like to perform (music/song/dance/tightrope walk) at a social or just have a great idea or excuse for an event, contact me!  

What else?  My favourite drink is Crabbie's Ginger Beer but I'm not picky.  I like interpretive dance and live music, especially when there are brass instruments involved.  I like coloured lighting and disco balls.  I have a particular pair of dancing shoes I like to wear to parties.  I hope to meet many of you in the bar or on the dance floor!

 Technical Operations Officer — Daniel Palmer 

Daniel is a third year historian, who loves lighting and is interested in training new people in this very creative element of theatre.  he has teched twenty shows, with his favourite venture being Scene of the Titans.  The rest of his Mermaids time is spent maintaining the Barron, where he's been unfairly accused of living.  His role is to support all shows technically, and if that isn't fun enough, he is responsible for health and safety, so is the person to contact about risk assessments or for help in achieving ambitious effects.

Costumes Officer — Hannah Boland    

Hello!  I'm Hannah Boland, this year's costume officer for Mermaids 2011-2012 and thrilled about it.  I'm a 4th year studying English Literature and Mediaeval History.  Just about all the areas of theatre interest me, mainly directing and acting, but on the tech side nothing beats costumes people :)  

For the coming year, the Mermaids hope to build up the costume wardrobe with period pieces for plays set in historical settings.  This includes buying some, and also designing and making our own!  But not just historic pieces... ANYone who is interested in the design and production of costumes, I encourage, nay DEMAND to get in touch and get involved!  It doesn't matter if you have experience or not, or even if you don't know how to sew -- interest and commitment is all it takes.  Marmaids Theatre in St Andrews would LOVE your help, all you costume-people out there.  You know who you are, the ones who pay more attention to the taffeta skirts in The Tudors than to the plot line.  We know you're here.  Come join us :)

Props and Set Officer — Cameron Kirby  

Hi, I'm Cameron, I'm a second year studying Computer Science and I'm your Props and Set Officer.  My main passion is performing, especially in musical theatre, but since coming to St Andrews I've gotten involved in the tech side of theatre (mainly as a way to see good shows ever night for free) and somehow landed myself this job!  I'm also hoping to try producing and directing this year.  Apart from theatre I like to juggle, stilt-walk, run barefoot, fail co good ork, play RPGs and drink copious amounts of Irn Bru, which (for you Americans) is Scotland's vastly superior answer to Coke. 

Marketing Officer — Adelaide Waldrop  

Hey cool cats, I'm Adelaide and I'm your Mermaids Marketing Officer!  As Marketing Officer, I'm responsible for the Mermaids image, branding, and online representations (those include this website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)  But I'm also here to help with the marketing of any/all Mermaids shows!  Over the past two years I've helped publicize shows both in St Andrews and at the Edinburgh Fringe and I'm guaranteed to spend too much time photoshopping any poster I work on.  So don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have about PhotoShop, InDesign, or how to best market your show in St Andrews!

As for me, though most of my background is in acting, I started directing in St Andrews through the Freshers' Plays and have enjoyed going back and forth between the two ever since.  Through Mermaids I have been lucky enough to participate in the Fringe for the past two summers, both as a director and actor.  In my spare time I enjoy studying Latin/English, short walks on the beach, Zest orange juice, and throwing useless facts into conversations.  Together, Clare Sheehan and I are your best friends when it comes to getting word out about your show.  We're funny, lovable, and enjoy being treated to coffee.

Publicity Officer — Clare Sheehan

Oh hello, I didn't see you there.  I'm Clare Sheehan and as your Publicity Officer I love to publicize random facts about myself:  

I love cats.  Um, I just...sorry I'm getting emotional...I love cats, I love every kind of cat...sorry, I just, I really love cats, and, I just wanna hug all of them but I can't cuz that's crazy -- I can't hug every cat!  But I just want to I WANT TO.  I want to.  I'm sorry, I just, I can't, any time I hear cat, I just love cats. Anyway, as Publicity Officer....I'm sorry, I'm thinking about cats again.  I just, I think about how many don't have a home and how I should have them and how cute they are and their ears and the whiskers and the nose...I just love them and I want them and I want them in a basket and I want them with bowties and I want them on a rainbow and in my bed and I just want a house full of them and I want us to roll around...I can't, I can't...

Mascot — Siobhan Cannon-Brownlie  

Hello, my name is Siobhan and I am your Mascot.  This means you will see me in full Mermaid attire on many occasions.  I am used to dressing in odd outfits, and have been know to be paid to do so, most notably as a zebra.  I have a mild case of useless object induced kleptomania and am clsoe to completing the collection of everything needed for a bowling game.  I trained as an actress for most of my life and then decided to direct, which is what I mainly do with theatre in St Andrews.  I am co-ordinating all of the workshops for this year, so if there is something you'd like organised for the second semester, let me know!  I directed one of the Freshers' plays in my first year and am able to answer all sorts of questions about how theatre works in this town so please come and find me, or email me if there is anything you would like to know, no matter how crazy or trivial it seems.