A touch of laughter, loads of suspense, plenty of mystery and, of course, drama and romance, you name it, Act 1 Theatre has shown it throughout their 60 years of stage presence.
Act 1 began life in 1965 as Aspley Little Theatre, founded by Mrs Flo Clark, Mrs Molly Leggett and Mrs Verna Buchanan. They originally performed at the Aspley Methodist Church Hall. In the mid-70’s, the company’s name was changed to Aspley Theatre Co, and they began performing at Albany Creek Community Centre after being unable to find a suitable area and funds to build their own theatre.
In 1983, the name was changed to Act 1 Theatre and in 1985, the company was offered the Pine Shire Hall, which has been their home ever since. With a myriad of productions under their belts, the theatre is ready to celebrate 60 years of providing entertainment to the community and also 40 years in the hall.
Act 1 stage manager Deb Hossack said they showcased a variety of plays, from musicals to Agatha Christie and even Shakespeare.
“Each year, we strive to feature a locally written production in our line-up of plays,” she said. “This year, we are extremely proud to be premiering three new productions and have premiered five over the previous two years!
“Our main goal here at Act 1 is to never lose sight of the community aspect of community theatre. It’s extremely important to us that everyone who joins us feels safe, secure and has a great time while they’re here. Some of our members have worked professionally, but you wouldn’t know who because at our theatre, we are all as important as each other.”
A Look Ahead: Innovation, Inclusivity, and a Diamond-Cut Future
The new president, a long-standing member and light and sound manager for many years, Andrew Munslow, is ready to take the theatre forward, keeping the traditions that have served them well but adding some exciting new ideas.
“We want to continue to encourage people to become involved in community theatre,” he said. “It’s a fantastic way to not only make new friends but it’s great for your mental health.
“We’re excited about playing around with new ideas featuring 3D holographic effects and puppetry. And we’ll definitely be featuring music in more shows and showcasing the amazing musical talent we have out there.
“We’ve also created a new committee position of social secretary, so we can plan some activities that are simply fun and just for getting together. It’s important to just have fun for the sake of it sometimes!”
Find more information about Act1 Theater here.
Act 1 Diamond Anniversary Celebration Weekend
- Friday, 25 July, 7.30pm-10pm, Saturday, 26 July, 7pm-9.30pm, Sunday, 27 July, 2pm-5pm
- ACT 1 Theatre
- 238 Gympie Road, Strathpine
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