Meet Our Team

Mathew Clarke - Chairman

I have been a member of STCo for 10 years, and what a decade it has been. It started out as rediscovering a passion that I had as a child, and rekindled during university. Both times ‘Fame’ was the draw – it was the first show I ever saw on the West End, and then was the first proper musical I ever performed in… but ‘Fame’’s impact doesn’t stop there, as it was then the show with STCo where I met my now-wife Helen who played opposite my character Nick, as Serena in the show! It’s hard to decide on my favourite show as they’re neck and neck! I cannot choose between Notebook the Musical, or Waitress the Musical, though my dream role would be Dr Pomatter from Waitress!
Outside of STCo, I have also performed in Shrek and Sister Act with Teeside Musical Theatre Company, and away from musicals all together, I work as a Head of House, and Teacher of Spanish, French and Business Studies in Gateshead.
It truly is an honour to be Chairman here at STCo and have been so since 2021. We regard STCo as a family, and I am incredibly proud of the close-knit, sensationally talented group we have, and how welcoming we are to any new members

Cara Barella - Vice Chair/Youth Co-Ordinator

Pending…

Brian Waldock-Leach - Secretary

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Jen Elliott-Farrow - Finance Officer

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Kristan Bailey - Members Rep

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Michael Brabbs - Media

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Helen Clarke - Events/Fundraising

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Rebecca Crackett - Media

I’ve now been a part of STCo for over 6 years (it has absolutely flown)! My love of theatre has always been a part of me and it’s thanks to my mum really – she took me to Newcastle, Sunderland, and London from a really early age fostering an adoration for the arts. Outside of STCo I work as a Head of Year in a high school. My favourite show is ‘Miss Saigon’ – the music is beautiful and who doesn’t love a helicopter? My favourite role has absolutely been ‘Deloris’ in our 2025 production of Sister Act, she’ll forever have a piece of my soul.

Lisa Smith - Front of House/Events

Pending…

Jason Waldock-Leach - Registrar/Ticket Secretary

I’ve been a member of STCo for 23 years, joining in 2002, after being introduced by my now husband, Brian. I have always had a passion for all kinds of music, and my love of musical theatre started with Andrew Lloyd Webbers ‘Phantom of the Opera’ when it was released in 1986. Obviously I was only a bairn! My favourite musical, that I have been in is ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, performed by STCo in 2019. This is followed very closely by ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ which I took part in with Seaham Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society in 2013. However, my all time favourite musical has to be ‘Wicked’. Outside STCo, I’m a Civil Servant for the Department for Work and Pensions.