MEET THE TEAM
Catherine Kemp-Johnson
Chairman (Trustee) &
Head of Stage School
Cath joined the committee in 2025 after helping out with props in previous shows, She soon became a very valuable asset to Starmaker sourcing and making props and set items for our productions as well as reorganising our Costume Store and taking responsibility for our entire production wardrobe. She also organises all of our public and private events at Starmaker. In 2026, Cath stepped up to become our new Chairman.
Tom Widdis
Operations & Technical Manager
Tom is most happy on his computer but will happily get involved in most technical things that are asked of him. He lives and breaths programming having spent 6 years studying computing. In his spare time he likes to design and print 3D items, so do get in touch if you have any 3D printing requirements. Tom's younger brother is at Stage School and he was encouraged to join the committee by his mother Vicki and his younger sibling Oliver who has been involved with Starmaker since he was 8! Tom also enjoys helping back stage during show week and you can normally find him by the cookies!
Liz Pearson
Welfare Officer
Liz joined the Starmaker family through her son, who has been a member since the age of four. Watching the positive impact that Starmaker has had on his confidence, friendships and love of performing inspired her to become more involved with the company. Since 2022, Liz has volunteered as a chaperone for productions, supporting cast members back stage during show weeks. In 2024, she began contributing her craft and design skills to the company, creating props and assisting with the sets for productions, a role she continues to enjoy.
Outside of Starmaker, Liz runs her own creative business as a woodturner and tutor. She has a lifelong love of musical theatre and has many fond memories of performing in school productions herself. As Welfare Officer, she is passionate about helping to ensure that Starmaker remains a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where young people can thrive both on and off the stage.
Vicki Widdis
Company Manager, Finance Director (Trustee), Head of Stage School, Summer School & LAMDA
Vicki is a busy mum of four boys and spends her time juggling home, work and volunteering with various charities including Starmaker has been involved with Starmaker Since 2014 and joined the committee in 2016 as Business Manager, she is happy to now be taking on the roles of Company Manager, Finance Director and Trustee. She also really enjoys producing the Starmaker shows and has dabbled as assistant director too. Vicki is finance director in her e-commerce company TAOS Gifts that she has run with her husband Rob since 2010, starting her entrepreneur journey as a sole trader in 2001. She enjoys a challenge and has a great love of anything technical and Excel, most of all she loves to learn new things.
Becky Stewardson
Membership Secretary (Community Trustee)
Becky has been involved with Starmaker since her son started in the Company in 2023 initially supporting as a chaperone, and took on the Community Trustee position and committee member in 2024. She absolutely adores musical theatre even if she herself has no singing voice and is generally terrified of being on a stage! She is however a keen amateur musician playing violin in several local orchestras and occasional pit work. When she isn't supporting her Starmaker family, she's also busy as a Trustee and Secretary of Reading Youth Orchestra.
Becky has a full time role in an energy research company as a global reward and benefits leader, also has a daughter and is a pet mum to a dog, 2 rabbits, a cockatiel and many fish!
Shannon Wake
Production Administrator
Shannon joined Starmaker on the production team for Cry-Baby in 2023 and has choreographed for every show since. Having just joined the committee she is looking forward to her role as Production Administrator and to getting even more involved.
Shannon has extensive musical theatre experience having appeared in several shows on London's west end from the young age of 8. She trained at PPA for a year before joining The Theatre Academy Windsor and appearing in shows such as Footloose, Cats and Hairspray. Shannon enjoyed moving into the production team as Choreographer and also teaching at Stage School and LAMDA.
Kate Winslet
Patron
Before becoming one of the world's most celebrated actresses, Kate Winslet spent many happy years at Starmaker Theatre Company, where she appeared in a number of memorable productions. One of her standout roles was playing the unforgettable Miss Hannigan in Annie, a performance that remains a cherished part of our history.
Starmaker provided Kate with a place to develop her confidence, creativity and love of performing, helping to lay the foundations for the incredible career that followed. Despite her international success, Starmaker continues to hold a special place in her heart. Kate has remained a valued supporter of the company over the years and has even surprised our members with the occasional visit, inspiring the next generation of young performers to follow their own dreams.
Jess Jones
Company Secretary (Trustee)
Jess recently joined Starmaker as Company Secretary and Trustee, and she is thoroughly enjoying every aspect of her role, from organising files to designing artwork. When she's not collaborating with the committee, Jess serves as the Director of Senior Drama at Reddam House Berkshire School, where she passionately teaches GCSE and A-Level students about all things related to the stage.
A seasoned performer herself, Jess is trained in both physical and musical theatre. She has starred in numerous productions, including Starlight Express, Wicked, CATS, and Les Misérables. Additionally, Jess is a former member of #IDEK Theatre Company, where she toured schools in the UK and New York, helping students navigate their further education choices.
Katie Upton
Artistic Manager
Katie’s Starmaker journey began in 2016 as a cast member in Legally Blonde. and performing in many Starmaker productions before signing on as Assistant Director for Seussical in 2019.
In the years that followed Katie focused on her training in the performing arts, performing in BTA’s Dogfight: The Musical at The Southwark Playhouse in 2019 and graduating from READ College with an ATCL Level 4 Diploma in Performing (Musical Theatre) awarded by Trinity College London.
Katie now works as a LAMDA teacher, and has been on the production team for Starmaker since 2021 as well as being Artistic Manager and helping the committee to decide on future productions.
Michelle Wade-Green
Events Manager
Michelle is an experienced manager, business owner, and community-focused leader. As a Store Manager at Tesco and owner of a successful cleaning and gardening company, she brings strong organisational, networking, and leadership skills to the committee.
Michelle is also an FA-trained football coach and trained in martial arts, with a strong belief in the value of discipline, teamwork, and personal development through sport. A proud mother of four, she is passionate about supporting her community, creating positive opportunities for others, and helping people achieve their full potential. Michelle also has a love for all sports, reflecting her energetic and community-driven approach to life and leadership.
FOUNDERS OF STARMAKER
Dennis Carver, Alan Cornish, Angela Cornish, Terry Hodgkinson, Elaine Hunt, Maureen Langham, David Parsonson, David Savage and Linda Webdell.
VICE PRESIDENTS
Richard Agg, Ben Ashton, Shirley Ashton, Marilyn Baker, Keith Baker, Joyce Bamford, Graham Borham, Sir Michael Caine, Kate Caton, Sue Costello, Charles Coultas, Michael Cuckson, Gloria Ellis, Anthony England, Jim Ewan, Jenny Green, Steve Harris, Henry Hawes, Lynda Hewlett, Carol Hodgkinson, Jill Lawes, Beverly Legg, Timmy Mallett, Alistair McKay, Mary McKay, Paul McKenna, Sam Murray, Lynne Newell, Lady Norrie, Malcolm Palin, David Parsonson, Jean Pratt, Mike Quirke, David Savage, Cathie Savage, Phillip Schofield, Rebecca Simons, Tansy Simpson, Julie Slevin, Alison Smith, Glynis Smith and Helen Woodford.
HONORARY MEMBERS
Annie Bassett, Charlotte Bonney, Wayne Davis, Steve Druce, Barbara Jenkins, Lesley Pearson and Oliver Widdis.










