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Stage Director - Alistair Donkin
Alistair Donkin’s first appearance with the Society was the summer of 1982. He’s been back with us every summer since, adding directorial duties since our 1985 Iolanthe. It is difficult to imagine our Society without the infusion of knowledge, skill and talent Alistair shares with us every summer. Alistair was fortunate to be able to leave his career as a solicitor in England to pursue a professional career in theatre with the original D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1979. Whilst with that Company he played as both chorister and principal in all the operas in the D’Oyly Carte repertoire.
That dual capacity gave him a unique insight into the Savoy Operas and has enabled him to create and pursue a career directing and performing those operas in a way in which he hopes W. S. Gilbert would approve - overtly traditional but with modern allusions to allow them to reach a 21st Century audience. Many of his productions have received national and international accolades. His first foray into directing non-G & S was with the UK Northern Amateur Premiere of La Cage aux Folles, but the list now includes The Sound of Music, The Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus, Oklahoma!, The King and I , Brigadoon and Camelot to name but a few. Having been spoilt by Gilbert’s dialogue, Alistair particularly enjoys directing other shows with a good “book” such as My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof and Oliver.
Chorus Master - Joseph Rawley
Bass-baritone Joseph Rawley enjoys an active performing career, including opera performances, recitals, and choral works. Some of the venues where Mr. Rawley has performed include Seattle Opera, Portland (OR) Opera, Opera Idaho, and Opera in the Heights here in the Houston area. He performs locally with various churches and other artistic outlets as a chorus member and soloist.
He is in his fourth year as the head choir director at Harby Junior High in Alvin, TX, where in under four years of teaching, he has grown the program from 80 students in four choir classes to over 250 students in nine choir classes. His choir recently achieved top honors ("sweepstakes") at the Region 17 UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest for the first time in a decade.
Mr. Rawley makes his home in Pearland, TX where he lives with his wife, pianist Dr. Sarah Spencer-Rawley, and their daughter Susannah. [photo credit: Shannon Langman]