About Three to a Room

Three to a Room is a acclaimed Melbourne-based theatre company, founded by and for independent arts practitioners with a view to creating outstanding theatre, and to showcase the work of up-and-coming playwrights on a national and international stage. 

Three to a Room comprises three key players: Claire Glenn, Charlotte Strantzen, and Ellen Gales. The founding team initially worked together as key members of White Whale Theatre's Macbeth Re-Arisen, a production that achieved both critical acclaim and financial success at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and were inspired to form Three to a Room during this adventure. Individually, each has extensive experience in similar ventures.

The Three to a Room girls, all frocked up for our recent fundraising event, Cherry Pie Cabaret.

 

	Claire Glenn - Producer / Touring Manager Claire Glenn began her acting career in New Zealand where she studied drama at the University of Otago, graduating in 2000. Her versatility as an actor was seen in such performances as Miranda in Shakespeare's The Tempest, Meg in Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley, Jo in Low Level Panic by Claire McIntyre and Mother Superior in The Sound of Music. In 1997, Claire was one of the founding members of “Amiable Productions” and worked with this company for the next four years on devised pieces such as Christmas Presence and Four Sisters, as well as playing the title role in Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan and Mother in Ring Round the Moon. She also appeared in film and television commercials. Now based in Melbourne, Claire has worked with St Martins Youth Arts Centre, performed in Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues and in the 2006 Short and Sweet Festival, and appeared in the European premiere of White Whale Theatre’s Macbeth Re-Arisen at the 2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Claire has collaborated with playwright Darragh Martin on numerous occasions, having performed in An Air Balloon Across Antarctica in its 2004 Australian and 2007 European premieres, as well as 2005’s critically acclaimed Everything is Invisible.  Claire has recently been appointed Project Manager of acclaimed theatre company, On Invisible Wings, the company behind Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen and The Honeymoon Suite.
	Charlotte Strantzen – Producer / Press Manager Since graduating from Rusden with a Bachelor of Arts (Drama/Performance Studies major) in 1997, Charlotte has been in high demand as an actor, dancer and presenter, and has enjoyed the variety of working both onstage and behind-the-scenes in technical areas including production management, stage management, publicity, sound and lighting operation. Charlotte's career highlights thus far include two years touring with the Flying Bookworm Theatre Company; a season in Apollo Bay playing Olivia in Green Cyc's Twelfth Night; producing and appearing as the Ringmaster in Darragh Martin's Everything is Invisible for Melbourne Fringe Festival 2005, three summers playing Mole in Glenn Elston's Wind in the Willows in the Royal Botanic Gardens; and 5 months on the road with comedian Ross Noble as part of his Australian/New Zealand Randomist tour.  Her first Edinburgh Fringe experience was as Production Manager on the 2006 hit, Macbeth Re-Arisen for White Whale Theatre. Charlotte is a proud member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Equity Section) and Actors for Refugees.
	Ellen Gales - Stage Manager / Production Manager Ellen has been involved in the technical side of theatre since 2002, taking on a number of roles in theatre, fashion shows and variety performances.  Her stage management credits include the 2005 Amnesty International Standup For Your Rights Gala, and both the Australian and European premieres of White Whale Theatre’s Macbeth Re-Arisen (Melbourne, 2004, and Edinburgh, 2006).  Ellen received the 2004 University of Melbourne’s Union House Theatre Technical Award for stage management.  She most recently production managed and stage managed Three to a Room’s An Air Balloon Across Antarctica at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007.
	Alexandra Aldrich – Technical Operator / Production Assistant (Edinburgh 2008) Alexandra Aldrich graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Creative Arts majoring in Theatre Studies in 2007.  During her study Alex co-founded, performed, designed and produced for the Melbourne University Shakespeare Company (2005-07) and co-created the emerging independent company Merge and See Theatre in 2007. Alex has previously played in classics such as Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as performing in pieces such as A Doll’s House, A Servant to Two Masters, The Maids, The Fire Raisers, The Life of Brian, and Top Girls.  She has toured globally with two Australian plays – Cosi (2000-01) and Shivers (2007-08), and performed in and assisted with design for White Whale Theatre’s Macbeth Re-Arisen in their debut seasons in Melbourne (2004) and Edinburgh (2006). Alex has also worked in set and costume design for a number of independent theatre groups, and was awarded the UHT Award for Costume Design in 2006. She has produced and assisted on a number of short films and plays for various competitions and the Melbourne Fringe Festival.  Most recently Alex has worked with Sisters Grimm on their latest piece, Cellblock Booty, and is very much looking forward to her forthcoming involvement with the two highly acclaimed works that will travel with Three to a Room to Edinburgh Fringe 2008.
	Ruth Tatnell – Fundraising Manager (Edinburgh 2008) Ruth has come to Three to a Room after a long break from theatre.  After gaining her Masters degree in Psychology, Ruth left New Zealand (where she first met Claire at school at age 14) and moved to Melbourne.  Four years later she now runs her own successful massage clinic, has created her own natural skincare range and makes jewellery in her spare time.  Ruth has joined Three to a Room in the role of fundraising manager after the success of Cherry Pie Cabaret, her first foray into event organisation and management, and due to a shared love of theatre with the Three to a Room girls.
	Ludo Ludo has been associated with Three to a Room since its inception. Cute, cuddly, and charming Ludo is often found at auditions and cast gatherings where he keeps a close eye on proceedings. An avid theatre enthusiast, Ludo's favourite stage production to date is Cats. He dreams of playing Mr Mistoffelees in the next Australian production.