PROGRAMME
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever 1 CHRONICLES 16:34 (NIV)
A message from the Senior Pastor
Hi and welcome to our Christmas Extravaganza and in particular ‘A Smithkins Family Christmas’. My name is John and I’m the Senior Pastor here at Riverlife. We are a church that loves Jesus and loves our community. So, celebrating Christmas together in community is a very special time of the year. We are delighted to host you at Riverlife for this fun Christmas musical presentation. Our hope is that you, just like the Smithkins family, re-discover the real meaning of Christmas. We hope you enjoy the performance and stay on for the markets and dinner. Please also feel free to join us for our Christmas services at 6pm on Christmas Eve and 9am on Christmas Day. I wish you a very happy and holy Christmas and a prosperous and safe New Year.
God Bless, John Robertson Senior Pastor
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA PROGRAM
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ctor e r i d e h t m o fr te o n A and script writer
I know this isn’t everyone’s story, but I grew up with fond memories of Christmas. The excitement of decorating the Christmas tree and on Christmas morning racing out to find presents under the tree. Big family gatherings with lots of yummy food. The rellies all crammed into Grandma’s little dining room. Pavlova was a definite favourite of mine! And then I remember watching all the silly Christmas comedy movies where everything seemed to go pear-shaped with annoying family members, weather and other circumstances wreaking havoc upon well-laid plans. Growing up as a farmer’s kid in the bush, I also developed a great love and appreciation for the weather and landscape of a Queensland summer. Those glowing, eucalypt-scented mornings full of bird song, the steamy afternoons with majestic thunderstorms and nights full of crickets, curlews and shiny Christmas beetles dive-bombing the kitchen light. And the floods, which seemed to come with clockwork regularity at that time! I remember elders sharing flood stories from early days: the
infamous ‘74 floods and cyclone Tracey. As a child, those stories held so much awe and mystery. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, so it was really only much later as a young adult that I began to discover the immense spiritual significance of Christmas: that at the first Christmas more than 2000 years ago Jesus, the Son of God, was born into the world to set in motion an amazing rescue plan where He would give His life to save us from our sin. The older I get and the more I love Jesus, the more it irks and saddens me that Christmas celebrations can get so off track for so many of us.
I need to continually reset and refocus myself on what’s important. I’m so grateful that in Mark 12:30-31 (MSG) Jesus makes it super clear to us what’s really important:
The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these. Love God and love people. It’s not about stuff or whether you have or haven’t got something. Because having Jesus is the best treasure ever. For real. That’s everything. My hope and prayer is that you would discover and own this for yourself. I know I have had to go on a journey of discovery. It was and is a very real journey for me. But God loves us, so thankfully He never gives up! He hasn’t given up on me. He won’t give up on you either.
I guess this play is an expression of all these things as well as an aesthetic nod to some classic Aussie films such as The Castle, Strictly Ballroom and Girl Asleep. With at times a little of the childlike whimsy of Mary Poppins. And joy. It always comes back to joy for me. I love to laugh. Joy is one of God’s really, really awesome gifts and it’s also my prayer that you would receive a gift of joy as you watch the show tonight! But what you see on stage today wasn’t just me. It’s all very well to write something, but it takes a huge team of dedicated and talented volunteers to make it happen and I couldn’t have done it without them. They are big-hearted, talented, generous, exquisite human beings who have poured countless hours and love into this production in amongst “real life”, caring for families and working. Team: I cannot thank you all enough. I’m incredibly proud of all of you. God bless you absolutely heaps for how you have sacrificed to make this all possible. Thank you, God, for providing for our every need and never giving up on us! I hope you enjoy the show. Sarah McIntosh
Meet the Smithkins Cast!
Chris Mills Alister Smithkins
Born in Germany and after spending his childhood across England, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands, Chris was spat out on the shores of Queensland to begin high school and has been here since. He is now a bona fide Aussie. There are actors who have lived out their acting dream from childhood, taking on lessons, cases, roles and performing in a variety of theatres, shows and companies. Chris is not one of them. He loves the stage yet is terrified by it. He has dabbled in the arts over the past few decades from school musicals, Directions Musical Company, a variety of bands as a singer or
a drummer, worship singer, worship leader and drummer and the odd occasion of throwing some paint on a canvas. When Chris is not clowning around with the above, he loves spending time with his outrageously fun wife, four kids, three kids in-law, two grandsons, extended tribe and Riverlife community. He earns his coin running a primary school at a College on the Northside, which he also loves.
Sarah McIntosh Shirley Smithkins
Script writer, Director and Production Manager
Queensland born and bred, having grown up on a pineapple farm, Sarah graduated from USQ with a Bachelor of Theatre Arts (Acting) in 2002. Preferring the warmer climate, Sarah remained in Brisvegas working as an actor, voice over artist, director and writer (and yes, making the odd coffee to survive here and there). The first show Sarah performed in after graduating was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for Harvest Rain where she played the character of The White Witch. Penny Leutton played the role of Lucy and Josh, Sarah’s future husband-to-be (yet unknown to both of them!), was the set and costume designer. Eventually Sarah was lured by Josh to Riverlife, where she grew to love helping with Directions, the wonderful youth performing arts ministry. In 2011 it was time to take a break from show biz
and pop out babies. When she’s not parading around in paisley flares (or sometimes when she is) Sarah is found to be spending time with her amazing husband, Josh, looking after their two gorgeous girls, and volunteering at Riverlife in creative arts ministry and worship team. At Christmas time Sarah enjoys shops playing songs about Jesus, family time, Christmas beetles (those shiny gold ones - not to eat just that they are around the place) and eating pavlova (with banana, kiwi fruit, mango and passionfruit and LOTS of cream - and no beetles).
Russel Morgan
Douglas Smithkins
Russel was born a red head and was told on a grade two report card he was destined for a career in the arts. His first performance was singing On Top of Spaghetti accompanied by his sister on the organ when he was four. He performed in the Queensland Youth Choir for 11 years and also choreographed for their various show choirs. He then moved into musical theatre where he could sing, dance, act and paint the sets. Graduating from QUT in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Art)/ Bachelor of Education and completing his Performance Certificate in Musical Theatre through Trinity College and his Certificate 2 in Stage Combat, he moved to the Sunshine Coast to teach at Nambour Christian College and perform lead roles in, direct and choreograph more than 20 shows for various theatre
companies. Some of these roles included Mark: A Chorus Line, Hysterium: A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, Danny: Baby the Musical, Moonface Martin: Anything Goes, and Fleet Titanic the Musical. On the coast he also fell in love and married Amanda and they now have two sons. He founded Inside Out Theatre Company, which focused on creating wholesome theatre for the community. In 2016 the Morgans relocated back to Brisbane for Russell to become Director of Performing Arts at St John’s Anglican College in Forest Lake and to be closer to family and babysitters. Russell has loved being involved in the arts ministries here at Riverlife combining his love of God with his passion for the arts. At Christmas time he loves being on holidays with his wife and kids, putting up the Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols (in the shower, in shopping centres and in the car), his Mum’s roast potatoes, his mother in law’s meringues and playing with his kids’ new toys (whilst trying not to break them).
Ange Pratt Jennifer Smithkins
Ange has been dancing for as long as she can remember. Her choreographic journey began with the esoteric production, Abba in my Loungeroom, which won wide acclaim amongst her stuffed toys and set a solid foundation for her love of communicating narratives through dance. Now, with many years as a dance educator, she spends her workdays supporting arts teachers across the state and her spare time engaged in various arts-related pursuits.
Ange loves how Christmas carols cause everyone to surreptitiously tell the story of how Jesus came to save us, and she also loves how Christmas involves three of her other favourite things – hanging with family/friends, eating fabulous food and giving gifts!
Jeremy Veenstra Rufus
Film Maker
Born and raised on a dairy farm in Victoria, Jeremy’s first dog was a Kelpie named ‘Kelby’. A farm boy at heart, Jeremy moved to the big smoke (a.k.a. Brisbane) in mid-2012 to acquire an Advanced Diploma in Film and Television Production and a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Youth Work. Jeremy worked at Channel 10 as a sound operator and camera assist in the children’s department on popular TV shows including Totally Wild (not many dogs there though) and Scope. Along with this, Jeremy has filmed and photographed countless weddings, engagements, music videos and other short films. He’s going to have to hire a videographer of his own next year though, when he ties the knot with his sweetheart Jess (who like Rufus, loves cuddles). Jeremy has been on staff at Riverlife for two years as the Communications
Assistant, creating videos and capturing church events on camera. He also works part-time as a Chaplain at Pullenvale State School. Always one to commit fully to a role, Jeremy joined the gym to prepare for playing Rufus and the never-ending wagging, fetch and downward dog moves that were required. He promises he has always worn deodorant while in the costume and that the wet dog smell is definitely not his. At Christmas, Jeremy loves the time he gets to spend with his family sharing a meal together. The backyard cricket matches are always a highlight, along with BBQs, the beach and giving each other gifts. The main reason Jeremy loves Christmas is the celebration of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Penny Leutton Cheryl
Penny was a born actor but made the whole acting thing official when she completed her Bachelor of Arts (Theatre) and Bachelor of Education way back in the 1990s! She’s played Lucy in “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” (Harvest Rain); and Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Everyman in “Everyman”, Mephistopheles in “Faust” and Mary in “The Nativity” (CHC); numerous travelling musical theatre productions with Directions; and a whole bunch of other roles that aren’t really worth remembering (they were worth it before children wrecked her short-term memory! Now she’s not so sure). She’s mum to four growing kids: Noah, Isaac, Judah and Rose; and married to Jo (not a girl, even though he spells it like a girl!), which takes up a good bit of time. Despite her deep love of being a mum, her greatest role to date has been playing the part of a Year One Teacher at Moggill State School. Penny LOVES everything about Christmas: the tree, the presents,
the family times, the movies and the music, but mainly that it’s all about Jesus. She’d do Christmas all year if people would let her (and she tried once – that tree stayed up until Easter!). The only thing that disappoints Penny about Christmas is the fruit mince pies – they don’t taste like fruit nor mince, so why try to pretend?
John Zelinski Pete
John was born a true-Blue Queenslander being raised in Mackay and Gladstone, before moving south to Brisvegas, which he has called home for more than 20 years. John’s first stage experience started at the age of 12 with his Dad telling him “Get on stage and sing son!” So, with much trepidation, he did. It was not until later at the age of 17 that he rediscovered the joy of singing in a school rock band. It was from
here that John has been part of a number of bands, along with playing guitar and worship, at previous churches. John is currently part of the Riverlife church worship team and community along with his beautiful wife and 4 children. When John is not on stage performing you will either find him on the tennis court as one of Brisbane’s top tennis coaches, or in his teaching capacity at Brisbane Christian College.
Jona Peck Aloysius Jones / Early Grey Song writer
Jona has been kicking about the Riverlife scene for almost 29 years. You may remember him from such kids Christmas musicals as ‘Broadcast Bethlehem’, where he played Mike Rightly, a sassy child reporter, or maybe ‘Wise Guys’ where he did the best Elvis impression his seven-year-
old self could muster. In more recent years he has teamed up with Josh McIntosh to co-write four musicals for Directions and contribute a few tunes to the musical you’re about to enjoy. An average day for Jona includes three cups of coffee, two rides on the train and one pretty sweet job working in sales at a tech startup with his brother. But Jona’s favourite part of each day is coming home to his wife Nikki and their two little kiddies, Levi and Norah. For Jona, the best things about Christmas are family time at Caloundra, Etta James and Louie Armstrong singing duets, and receiving an extraordinary amount of presents from his mother (yes, still).
Andrew Nix Neville
Susanna Runham
Technical Manager
Andrew has been attending Riverlife for just on 20 years and has always had an interest in all things tech. Following some stints working in theatre and radio, Andrew joined the Riverlife team as Technical Director in 2012 and has been responsible for making people seen and heard on the Riverlife stage ever since. In his free time when he’s not busily adorning his house in Christmas lights, you can find Andrew analysing the weather or programming his house to turn the lights and AC on or off automatically, whilst convincing his wife, Jacqui, that it definitely is necessary.
Mrs McKenzie
Susanna was born in Australia but lived in Malaysia for the first six months of her life. Since then she has been a Queensland girl with a fond love of the beach and sunshine. Susanna has loved drama from a young age and has enjoyed being a part of high school productions. She has been a part of Riverlife for about 17 years and enjoyed being a part of Directions and the many fun tours they went on. Susanna is a speech pathologist by trade, which came in handy when learning to speak with a Scottish accent! Susanna is married to Josh and has
three wonderful kids who keep her very busy but also make her laugh a lot! She enjoys the beautiful warm summer days at Christmas time and time to relax and spend time with family. Susanna’s favourite Christmas food is hot turkey with gravy and roast vegetables.
Jess Mole Glenda
Choreographer
Born and raised on the Southside of Brisbane, Jess grew up dancing from the age of five. After many years of sequins, hairspray, blisters and bobby pins, she went on to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) in 2016 at QUT. While studying, Jess taught budding ballerinas, tappers and jazz-ers at a local dance studio, and choreographed school musical productions of Footloose, Guys and Dolls and Beauty and the Beast. She ventured to Timor Leste with QUT for a dance teaching and performance tour and has collaborated with many Brisbane-based Arts organisations including
Queensland Ballet, QPAC and Expressions Dance Company. In 2017, Jess completed a PostGraduate Diploma of Education and now works as a Secondary Dance/Drama/English/All of the Above teacher. She is passionate about collaborating within the arts and creatively worshipping God through dance. Jess also spends her Sunday mornings volunteering in Riverlife Kids ministry. At Christmas time, Jess enjoys her family’s annual backyard pool volleyball tournament, Mum’s Christmas ham and praising God for the greatest gift of all… Zooper Doopers… KIDDING - praising Jesus.
Merry Ha
Lapsang Souchong / Ensemble
Merry was born in China and grew up in the Province of Fujian where her character “Lapsang Souchong” originated from. Merry came to Australia in 2007 and fell in love with it. Now proudly a little Aussie, she’s a part-time math teacher at UQ Foundation Year and a full-time wife to a guitar-andcycling-loving husband as well as a mum to the world’s most adorable two-year-old son. On Sunday mornings, Merry and hubby play guitar at Kids Church and they dream of the day when their son joins the team. Merry enjoyed being part of Directions 10 years ago – her first
experience in musical theatre. She has dabbled in ballet, piano, guitar, singing, song-writing, conducting and even a flash mob once, but acting in this Christmas production is her absolute first. In her free time, she loves attending Queensland Ballet classes and watching ballet with her mum Daisy. Merry loves Christmas so much that she almost named herself after Merry Christmas (her Chinese name means happy too). Her favourite Christmas memories include leading a small church choir in China as a teenager (even though Christmas is not officially a holiday there), spending time with family and friends, and simply celebrating Jesus for who He is.
Shelby Knott
Rooi bos
Born in Brisbane but raised on the Gold Coast, you’d be surprised to learn that Shelby is in fact, not South African. She returned to her roots in Brissy upon marrying her sweet husband, Chris last year. That’s where they found their new church family in Riverlife. Her family and friends would say she just has a flair for the dramatic be it in love of bright clothing and big earrings or her very loud laugh. She took dance lessons as a child with her most prestigious role ... a turkey in full brown leotard - mum was so proud! More recently she has been involved in countless Kids Holiday Club and Religious Education performances including a clown, spaceman,
angel and a mean impression of Steve Irwin. Some say break a leg, but she once broke her arm, mid-performance, in full pirate costume! Here’s praying we don’t have a repeat performance! Shelby’s job as a school speechlanguage pathologist lets her do what she loves to do every day - talk with kids! When not in the playground, she spends her time op shopping, hand lettering and keeping her plants from dying. Her favourite things about Christmas include wrapping presents, being with family and going to carols at church.
Meet the Smithkins Team!
Josh McIntosh Production Designer, Music Director and song writer
Josh has been involved in the creative arts ministries at Riverlife since the mid-80s. This has included decorating for youth group functions and camps; writing music and theatre (and musical theatre); forcing others to learn circus skills, wear sequins and quickly learn new instruments; making the former church building look less like a church building and occasionally cross-dressing for comedy value. For a living, Josh designs sets and costumes for live theatre and festivals and largely blames growing up at Riverlife for this career. He has two wondrous daughters and is married to Sarah, so life at home is just hilarious. All. The. Time. He loves Christmas because he loves good food.
Leanne Kuss Vocal Director
Leanne has been a music educator for 15 years (after vowing and declaring at age 16 that music was just a hobby and she would never become a teacher). She still claims music as a hobby; in fact, some might consider her to be a woman of limited interests: she works with music, is studying music, worships through music, and loves Christmas music! While playing the piano was Leanne’s original and still much-loved music activity, choral conducting became a focus of her work very early on in her career, and it continues to be a distinct passion. Leanne is privileged to conduct the Riverlife Choir throughout the year, and especially delighted for the Choir to be involved in celebrating this most wonderful time of the year.
Caitie Hirini Stage Manager
Nick Riddel Leanne has been a music educator for 15 years (after vowing and declaring at age 16 that music was just a hobby and she would never become a teacher). She still claims music as a hobby; in fact, some might consider her to be a woman of limited interests: she works with music, is studying music, worships through music, and loves Christmas music! While playing the piano was Leanne’s original and still much-loved music activity, choral conducting became a focus of her work very early on in her career, and it continues to be a distinct passion. Leanne is privileged to conduct the Riverlife Choir throughout the year, and especially delighted for the Choir to be involved in celebrating this most wonderful time of the year.
Team Pastor and Song Writer
Nick has been a Pastor here at Riverlife since 2012. That same year coming on staff he wrote his first song, This is Jesus which he had the surprise and joy of later recording and releasing in 2015. After overseeing the youth ministry for many years, Nick now heads up all things in the area of Worship and Services and is passionate about people experiencing the reality of a loving God. Nick grew up focused on everything and anything pertaining to sport and never thought he would write a song that would make its way into a musical (so shh don’t tell his school mates). Nick loves to travel with his wife Paula and they’ve successfully managed to make it overseas for either missions or leisure every year since they’ve been married. His favourite Christmas memories revolve around Christmas Day family lunch with the whole tribe out on their deck by the Brisbane River.
The Band of Love Left to Right: Anna Roberts, Melanie White, Stephen King, Travis White, Josh McIntosh, Jo Leutton, Josh Runham, Grace Kikuchi, Michael Johnston and Janie Harmon
Ensemble
Dorotee Braun
Nathan Cox
Trina Mej
Kathie Moss
Lauren Hooper Latha Kancherla
Jess Rigby
Isobel Riley
Courtney Rigby
Natasha Small
Jasmine Taylor
Anna Walker
Jenny Winter
Sara Woodford
Jana Vanags
Shae Veenstra
Backing Singers Kristie Gueniat Ayesha Richards Dan Cowan Marty Wauchope
Production Credits
CAST Aloysius Jones Jona Peck Mr Alister Smithkins Chris Mills Mrs Shirley Smithkins Sarah McIntosh Jennifer Smithkins Ange Pratt Douglas Smithkins Russel Morgan Rufus Smithkins Jeremy Veenstra Mrs McKenzie Susanna Runham Neville Andrew Nix Cheryl Penny Leutton Pete John Zelinski Glenda Jess Mole Earl Grey Jona Peck Rooi Bos Shelby Knott Lapsang Souchong Merry Ha Lady Grey Jana Vanags Neighbour 1 Nathan Cox Neighbour 2 Courtney Rigby
COPACABANA DANCING GIRLS Lauren Hooper Kathie Moss Anna Walker
LADIES IN BLACK Isobel Riley Courtney Rigby Shae Veenstra
CHILD SOLOIST Hannah Green
FEATURED CHILD DANCERS Brielle Innes Eden Guyatt Charlie Mills
ADULT ENSEMBLE Dorotee Braun Nathan Cox Merry Ha Lauren Hooper Brielle Innes Latha Kancherla Shelby Knott Trina Mej Kathie Moss Jess Rigby
Isobel Riley Courtney Rigby Natasha Small Jasmine Taylor Anna Walker Jenny Winter Sara Woodford Jana Vanags Shae Veenstra
CHILD ENSEMBLE Mark B Madeline B Sophia B, Lily B Chris C Jude C Ciara C Jonathan C Anika D Tessa D Zita DN Annie D Danny D Joey D Jesse G Shia G Jonathan G Tori G Esther G Bella G
Anastasia G Amielle G Teja H Zigi H Sophie H Levi K Emily L Ruth M Ciara M Flynn M Tate M Amelia M Noah M Alesia P Genevieve R Ben R, Heidi R Bethany R Hannah R Mia R Eloise S Giselle S Rodas T Abigail W
BAND Piano Josh McIntosh Drums Michael Johnston Guitar
Jo Leutton Bass Josh Runham Sax 1 Travis White Sax 2 Melanie White Trumpet Stephen King Violin 1 Anna Roberts Violin 2 Janie Harmon Harp/Cello Grace Kikuchi
TECHNICAL PRODUCTION TEAM Technical Manager Andrew Nix Stage Manager Caitie Hirini Deputy Stage Manager Amanda Morgan Assistant Stage Manager Kensington Fielder Crew Kerri Gramshaw, Dylan Kelly and Noah Leutton
Sound Jacob Truloff Sound Assistant Katie Bickerton Stage Sound Assistant Peter Dodds Lighting Operator Michael Claydon Switch Jake Wauchope Camera Mark Langham, Judy Nix, Trent Newton and Kaliym Skellern Photographer David Fell and Steve Stroud-Watts Floor assist Aimee Cowan
CREATIVE PRODUCTION TEAM Concept Development Team Sarah and Josh McIntosh, Jona and Nikki Peck Script Writer Sarah McIntosh Song Writers Josh and Sarah McIntosh and Jona Peck Artistic Director Sarah McIntosh Choreographer Jess Mole Music Director Josh McIntosh Vocal Director Leanne Kuss Production Designer Josh McIntosh Lighting Design Michael Claydon Child Ensemble Choreography Team Jo Mills with Brielle and Kathryn Innes Child Ensemble Adult Support Emily Ellis Singing Coach Susanna O’Leary Costumiers Joanne Fraher, Julie Leutton, Verlie Lloyd, Robyn Goodwin, Lynn Anstey Sound Effect Creation Nathan Woodrow Graphic Design Vanessa King and Shannon Lombard
Publicity Aimee Cowan Publicity Film Maker / Photographer Jeremy Veenstra Team Pastor Nick Riddel Sound Jacob Truloff Sound Assistant Katie Bickerton Stage Sound Assistant Peter Dodds Lighting Operator Michael Claydon Switch Jake Wauchope Camera Mark Langham, Judy Nix, Trent Newton and Kaliym Skellern Photographer David Fell and Steve StroudWatts Floor Assist Aimee Cowan
STOP MOTION FILM PRODUCTION TEAM Script writer / Director / Story Boarding / Key Animator / Props and Character Sourcing / Foley Sound track Sarah McIntosh Photographer / Lighting / Animator / Post Production Jeremy Veenstra Set and Frankenstein design Josh McIntosh Voice Over Recording / Sound Mastering Andrew Nix
THANKS TO Scott Wilson Aimee Cowan Barb Peck Susanna O’Leary Ange Leth Tracey Liebermann Mark Hodgson Dave Peck Eric Whitley Riverlife Intercessors Cam and Nancy McIntosh Mike and Rosemarie Manion Hazel and Howard Morgan Janine and Imogen Gramshaw Therese Collie
We hope you enjoyed the show! We are a church that loves Jesus and loves our community. We’re passionate about building family and have lots of different activities and groups that meet each week at the church – there’s something for everyone! If you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved, simply head to our website.
If you have any further questions about anything you have read, please visit the information desk in the foyer on Sundays, call the church office during business hours or visit our website. Our regular service times are 9am and 5pm every Sunday.
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church@riverlifechurch.org.au 3378 3595 W riverlifechurch.org.au
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