We are an unfunded community theatre group, with the aim of staging plays for the entertainment of audiences and the pleasure and satisfaction of members. As well as learning and using acting skills, many members develop and use their talents in behind-the-scenes and backstage work.

A Rich Heritage

We've been bringing great plays to Maitland for over 70 years and for more than 50 years we've been performing in our 160 year old High Street theatre.

Located in the heart of Heritage Maitland's Cultural Precinct, Maitland Repertory Theatre was a Congregational Church before being purchased in 1964 from the church and being converted to its current use as a theatre by Maitland Repertory in 1965. The theatre is located opposite Maitland Town Hall and the Maitland Regional Art Gallery on the corner of James St and High St.

A Short History of Maitland Repertory Theatre

Our first meeting was held at the Grand Central Hotel, Bourke Street, in 1947 and we have presented plays every year since. Our first play, Tons of Money, was staged at the Town Hall. In 1950 we began using the Methodist Hall for performances, but held meetings and rehearsals in a variety of venues, including the loft of a large hay shed.

In 1960 we became the owners of a block of land in Devonshire Street, bought a disused three-room army hut from Greta Army Camp and had it moved onto the block. This was our first real home, but the plays were staged at St Paul’s Hall.

In 1963 the Congregational Church came up for sale, and we borrowed the money (which has since been repaid) to buy it. By our own efforts it was converted into a theatre in 1964 and while we used the building for rehearsals, the first play in the Repertory Playhouse, Doctor in the House, was not staged until 1965. The Playhouse is now over 160 years old.

Fire regulation crack-downs in 1980, following Sydney’s Whisky A Go-Go fire, closed us down, as it was judged not up to public hall standards. A new foyer with toilets and a shed for the costume collection were built and fire equipment installed, and the building opened again in 1982.

In 1974 Junior Repertory was formed for young people aged 8 to 16. In 2000 Reamus was formed to train 16 to 25 year olds. In 2016 Junior Repertory became Maitland Repertory Theatre Acting Classes so that regular classes could be offered to wider age ranges.

We rely on money earned from shows to pay all rates, maintenance, advertising, royalties, insurance and other associated costs. Every year the Theatre faces challenges, but thrives thanks to our active cultural community.

At the 2011 Annual Meeting members changed our name from Maitland Repertory Society to Maitland Repertory Theatre.

Maitland Repertory Theatre is an incorporated association. The Annual General Meeting is usually held in March each year. The Executive and Management Committee of 12 and are elected at the AGM to manage the Theatre on behalf of its members. The committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Members who are elected to committee, subcommittee and other formal positions are expected to make a serious commitment to their role for one year and to attend meetings and carry out other duties as required. All members are invited to attend and contribute their ideas to meetings. The Theatre’s constitution is available on the Get Involved page of the Theatre’s website.

Acting Groups

Maitland Repertory Theatre provides an environment for a number of age-specific groups to train in the dramatic arts and perform on stage.

The Theatre presents four major play seasons each year, including an annual show at the end of the year. Auditions for plays are announced through the Maitland Repertory’s eNews and via social media. The director of the play and an elected casting committee decide the cast.

Maitland Repertory Theatre Acting Classes – This group caters for 8 to 21 year old members. Classes are held on Saturdays and other scheduled times at the theatre and an annual show of 9 or 10 performances is presented. The group performed Peter Pan in July 2017.

Reamus Theatre – This group caters for 18 to 30 year old young people. They meet on Monday evenings at the theatre and produce at least one play each year.

Program of Shows

Three mainstream plays, a Maitland Repertory Theatre Acting Classes play, and an annual end of year show, usually a comedy or melodrama, are featured each year. Reamus presents a major production each year, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2015), Titus (2016) and Love’s Labour’s Lost (2017). Training workshops in acting or directing are held regularly.

Established in 1979 to recognise theatre excellence in the region, the City of Newcastle Drama Association’s namesake awards, The CONDAs, have the honour of being the longest-established, continuous theatre awards in Australia.

In recent years, CONDA has expanded to be more than an annual gala awards ceremony. The organisation now has a commitment to supporting our local theatre companies, delivering professional development opportunities through the annual StageCon program and nurturing the future of the performing arts in the region through a range of youth-related initiatives. New members are always welcome and we invite anyone interested in theatre to become a CONDA member and help shape the future of the industry in our region.

Visit the CONDA website to find out what's on in the Hunter.

Maitland Repertory Theatre belongs to the Association of Community Theatre (ACT) and participates in the ACT's biennial industry conferences. The ACT Inc was formed in the early 1990's after a visit to Sydney from members of the Executive of the Federation of New Zealand Operatic Societies - now called Musical Theatre New Zealand.