Canberra Theatre Centre’s Transformation Underway

Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC) stands proudly at the heart of Canberra, a city that has blossomed into a welcoming and enriching cultural destination. The Canberra Theatre Centre opened in 1965 and was Australia’s first performing arts centre, designed for a city of 85,000 people. Nearly sixty years later, the current centre is no longer suitable for the size and complexity of many modern theatre productions. Design is now underway for a transformed Canberra Theatre Centre following the ACT Government’s announcement for design and consultation in the 2022-23 ACT Budget. The transformed Canberra Theatre Centre will encompass:

• a new 2,000 seat lyric theatre comparable in scale to the largest theatres in Australia
• a refurbishment of The Playhouse
• adapting the existing Canberra Theatre to become a contemporary flexible venue able to host a broad range of performances, concerts and events.
• significantly expanding the Courtyard Studio to accommodate a diverse range of activity with flexible seating and open plan theatrical space able to host performances, workshops and open plan creativity.

Early design concepts for the new 2,000 seat lyric theatre were released alongside the announcement of the Project’s Design Partner in May this year. The preliminary design features a bold and sophisticated façade referencing the formal landmarks of Canberra.

Facade

Inside

The Design Partner consortium, led by Architectus, Danish Architects Henning Larsen and international theatre designers ARUP, is now working closely with the ACT Government, including Canberra Theatre Centre, to deliver detailed designs. The consortium importantly includes a First Nations consultancy team (Yerrabingin) who will be integral in ensuring that Ngunnawal and local connections to Country are respected and integrated into the design. Engagement with First Nations performing artists and Knowledge Holders will inform design decisions as the project evolves. Consultation with the local, national and international performing arts industry is underway and will ensure the project meets the current and future needs of artists and audiences. The Canberra community will be consulted throughout the life of the project, including an opportunity to share what they want from their future Canberra Theatre Centre experience from October to November 2023. Canberra Theatre’s vision for the transformation sees a centre integrated into Canberra’s fabric and identity, capturing Australia’s spirit for storytelling, reflection, and engagement across artforms, cultures, and generations. Arts, culture, and heritage should take centre stage in Australia’s future and a transformed Canberra Theatre Centre will play an important role in realising the ACT Government’s ambition for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital. The transformation will create a home for artistic expression, providing infrastructure that nurtures artists, offering space for new creations and innovative works. The Canberra Theatre Centre’s vision for the future extends beyond bricks and mortar. The Canberra Theatre is committed to supporting local, national, and global artists in their creative journeys. With a focus on diverse works, youth engagement, and First Nations contributions, it aims to offer a platform that encompasses musical theatre, contemporary music, ballet, opera, classical music, circus, and immersive performances. By fostering dialogues between people, place, and art, the Canberra Theatre Centre aims to elevate the city’s consciousness and offer transformative experiences. This will extend beyond the physical venue to encompass digital stages and infrastructure, enabling hybrid interactions that cater to local and global audiences. Design, consultation and approval processes will continue into 2024 and will inform planning for the project’s construction phase.