Pradit (Tua) Prasartthong (m) is Makhampom’s Performance Program Director, Secretary General of the foundation, and most senior member, joining Makhampom in 1982. For over a decade he has been director and visionary of the group. He is renowned for his work in the fusion of traditional and contemporary theatre styles and was recently awarded by the Ministry of Culture as Thailand ’s leading national contemporary performing artist. He is trained in classical and contemporary performance and applies these skills together with his TCCD experience, as facilitator, director, dancer, actor, and dramaturg. He is currently directing the Makhampom Studio in Bangkok. He also has a curious ability to pull together complex, elaborate productions without forgetting any element and at the same time lose his wallet or keys or bag.

Pongjit (Jon) Saphakhun (f) is Makhampom’s community program director and has been a volunteer and staff member since 1989. Having grown up in a village in the east of Thailand she readily develops a rapport with grassroots communities. Since 1996 she has lived between Melbourne and Bangkok with her partner, Richard Barber and in 1997 studied at the John Bolton Theatre School in Melbourne . She has performed and facilitated projects in Thailand and extensively overseas. She maintains a strong focus on Thai folklore, indigenous 11

Paluhad (Guay) Paholkulbutr (m) is the Education Program Director of Makhampom, specializing in the volunteer development and educational theatre program. He has been a member of Makhampom since 1990, forming the educational theatre group, Gajidrid, in 1999. He maintains a focus on the development of training curricula for Makhampom and its transfer into the education system, both formal and informal. He has been a major force in building the new volunteer base of Makhampom. He is also too tall to be Thai.

Richard Barber (m) is Makhampom’s resident foreigner, having ‘married’ into the company in 1996. He has a background in political activism, community development, and theatre. He worked with the Melbourne-based physical music theatre company, Gonghouse, for six years, developing an interest in ensemble music, design, physical performance, and community theatre. He recently completed his PhD on Makhampom at Monash University ’s Drama and Theatre Studies School . He maintains a focus on facilitation, training, research, program management, and occasionally drives a taxi in Melbourne. He is based in Chiang Dao, coordinating Makhampom’s refugee and conflict resolution programs and organizing the international Study Tour, exchange, touring and volunteer activities. Don’t ask about his Thai language.

Yada (Muay) Kriangkraiwuttikul (f) is the Makhampom manager and senior member. She is also a performer and facilitator of Makhampom’s community programs, with a particular interest in the popular Thai theatre form of likay. She is recognized as the mother figure of the group. And she is also the holder of the money box. So everyone stays on the right side of Muay. But getting that 6 Baht bus fare reimbursed can be a mighty struggle.