LAUNCESTON YOUTH THEATRE ENSEMBLE TEAM

Mandy Gibson graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1995 with a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in English and Speech & Drama.

She began her teaching career that same year at Queechy High School, where she spent ten years inspiring hundreds of students in both English and Drama. During this time, she also directed numerous productions, fashion parades, and performance competitions, and in 2004 extended her teaching to include a pre-tertiary Drama class at Newstead College.

In 2005, Mandy moved to Riverside High School, where she spent 16 years as Head of Drama. After 26 years of dedicated service in education, she embraced an exciting new chapter as the owner and Artistic Director of Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble (LYTE) in late 2021 — a role that perfectly combines her love of teaching, theatre, and working with young people.

As a young actress, Mandy appeared in productions including Cymbeline, Red Devils, Wedding Games, and Serial Killers — along with what she jokingly calls “multiple award-winning performances in every classroom she’s ever taught in.” She hopes to one day return to the stage and fulfil her dream of performing a big musical number.

Outside the theatre, Mandy’s other great passion is sport — especially basketball. She was a member of the 1995 National CBA champion team, the Launceston Tornadoes. Since retiring from competitive play, she has become a dedicated junior coach, guiding her three children (all enthusiastic players themselves) to success in various competitions. Her husband, Craig, is a ship’s pilot, former President of the Launceston Basketball Association and now Chair of the newly formed Northern Tasmanian Basketball Club NBL1 Team— making basketball truly a family affair.

Since taking the helm at LYTE, Mandy has directed Charlotte’s Web and The Teacher (her fitting farewell to the Education Department), followed by Game of Tiaras, The Importance of Being Earnest, All the Things I Hate About You, The Wit of the Brit, Alice@Wonderland, Hating Alison Ashley, Murder By Indecision & The Station - which she also wrote. 

Mandy is thrilled to lead LYTE into a new era — honouring the company’s rich legacy while nurturing its continued growth, creativity, and community spirit.