50 Years of Quality Community Theatre
The Wyndham Theatre Company has a rich history in Wyndham spanning 50 years starting 1968.
Originally the idea of an amateur theatre group in Werribee was an idea proposed by members of a local book club. Their first production was a one-act play performed for the Werribee Lions Club at the Centenary Hall (now redeveloped as the Wyndham Cultural Centre) the play Festival Nightmare was directed by Mr. Jan Tulen, in 1968.
We have produced 130 productions included 2500 cast and crew, entertained 25,000 local residents. We have invested around $500,000 locally in the productions.
From 1974 our home was the theatre at Werribee Park. We shared the dressing room with possums but the theatre was comfortable and had a great atmosphere. The patrons were often treated to a sherry on arrival, and encouraged to buy the usual raffle ticket.
The loss of Werribee Park as a venue was a blow to the Company, but the newly built Tattersall's Theatre in the Wyndham Cultural Centre was an exciting addition to Werribee and opened up new opportunities for the company. The Theatre Company contributed to the establishment of the Green Room with a donation of $10000. We had the privilege of holding the first full production in the Theatre. Jesus Christ Superstar.
We performed all of our productions in the Tattersall's theatre until 2007 totalling.
Due to cost issues in using the Wyndham Cultural Centre we moved our smaller plays to our Crossroads Theatre which we continue to develop.
In 2020 thanks to a State Government Community Partnership Grant we look forward to moving to a new home and performance venue at the 180 seat Joy Bevan Theatre at Werribee Secondary College so exciting times ahead.
We currently have 4 Life members Peter Ross (previous councillor and mayor of Wyndham) , Elizabeth Ross, Pam Tullen, Alan Thompson.