Rosalie Carey

Rosalie Louise Carey ( Seddon; 18 May 1921 – 28 June 2011) founded the Globe Theatre in Dunedin, the first purpose-built theatre for professional repertory in New Zealand, with then-husband Patric Carey. She was also an actor, playwright, director and author. In 2010 Carey was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the theatre. She was made an honorary life member of the New Zealand Society of Authors.
Early life.
Carey was born on 18 May 1921 to parents Ada Yvonne Rica Seddon and Richard Stephen Rowley Seddon.
Carey was brought up in Lumsden and Hamilton, and planned to study theatre and acting in England but had to change her plans after the outbreak of World War II. Carey taught elocution and voice production in Waikato, and joined the New Zealand Air Force as a WAAF.  She adapted two novels which were performed in Hamilton, and wrote and played the lead part in "Amy Robsart", performed in 1940, receiving particular attention for her costuming and for using a suit worn by Sir Henry Irving for the leading man. Carey's older sister Audrey Seddon studied commercial art in London, and provided two posters for advertising the play. 
England.
After the war, Carey travelled to England, where she studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and worked in provincial and repertory theatre, including with the Adelphi Guild Theatre. Carey met theatre designer Patric Carey in Cornwall and they were married there before returning to New Zealand in 1953. At that time there was no professional theatre in New Zealand. 
Return to New Zealand.
On their return, the Careys initially settled in Wellington, and Carey toured with the New Zealand Players, until Patric Carey was offered the position of director for the Dunedin Repertory Society. The Careys purchased a large wooden house at 104 London Street in Dunedin. The house had been built by architect William Mason as his personal residence, however prior to their purchase it had changed hands several times, most recently having been rented out, and was in a deteriorated condition. The Careys staged plays in the garden and drawing room. 
The Globe.
The Careys decided to extend the house into a theatre, digging the foundations in 1957. The extension, designed by Niel Mason, included a domed ceiling, and a stage with no proscenium arch. It was built by volunteers and Patric Carey, with the oversight of engineer Ben Elson. The Globe was the first purpose-built theatre for professional repertory in New Zealand.
Later life.
Patric retired to Mahinerangi some years after the theatre was sold to the Friends in 1971, and the Careys dissolved their marriage in 1982. Patric Carey died in 2006.
Carey was a member of the Whangarei Writers Workshop, the Playwrights Association of New Zealand, and wrote several books, including "A Theatre in the House: The Careys' Globe", poetry, and a memoir "It's Not What You Know." She was an honorary life member of the New Zealand Society of Authors.
Carey was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the theatre, in the 2010 New Year Honours.