Big birthday for youth focused theatre company

ARENA Theatre Company turns fifty-five years young in 2021 and the team are getting ready to party!

Reflecting on the company’s vibrant history of theatre production for kids and young adults, executive director Sharon Custers said a celebration was in order.

“Arena is one of Australia’s longest running theatre companies making work for young people,” she said.

“For most of our 55-year history we were based in Melbourne but moved to Bendigo three years ago which has been one of the best things the company has done in its 55 years.

“Since moving to Bendigo we’ve actually doubled in size, we’ve toured internationally more than ever before as well as being able to reach all the local schools in this area.

“We really just want to invite the community in to get to know us a bit better, come spend some time with us, see some of what we do and just celebrate with us that we’re a company that has reached 55 years over some very difficult times recently.”

The company was created by three women in Melbourne to put on school holiday shows for young people and their families and their productions have only gotten bigger and better, according to Ms Custers.

“Over the years it’s become more and more professional in terms of the calibre of artists that are working with the company and we’re partnering with places like Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne to produce work of quite a high technical quality,” she said.

Such productions include the Helpmann Award winning Robot Song which will make its return to the city this August after touring the USA.

The public are invited to join in the birthday celebrations at the company’s 55th fundraiser party scheduled for Tuesday, 8 June at The Engine Room and RSVPs can be sent to [email protected].