Who we are
Newcastle Theatre Company is the busiest adult theatre company in the Hunter Region. Our stage, auditorium, rehearsal spaces, meeting rooms and workshops buzz with activity including performances, auditions, rehearsals, play readings, set construction, technical work, meetings, art exhibitions and classes. We have nearly 200 members and we welcome new people, whether they are creatives or just theatre-lovers.
NTC does creative work on a serious scale, with seven mainstage productions a year, each of which runs over three weekends. These include dramas, comedies and musicals, both classics and contemporary offerings, and we support new writing by local playwrights. We will also present four shows as part of our Indie Season. Our shows have attracted popular and critical acclaim, including numerous City of Newcastle Drama Association (CONDA) awards for all aspects of play-making.
Newcastle Theatre Company Inc is a member-based, incorporated association which enjoys tax-deductible gift status.
Our History
In 1957 two talented young people, Shirley and Peter Bloomfield, turned their dream of creating a quality theatre company into reality. With the help of some passionate friends, they created Newcastle Repertory Club.
Decades later, the theatre company is now trading as Newcastle Theatre Company Inc and their vision lives on.
The success of the company since has been built on the ideas, passion, and hard work of many volunteers who give honour to the term ‘amateur’ – they do it because they love it, and what better reason is there to do anything in life? Most notable is the contribution of Leslie and the late Bob Wiles, along with John and Carolyn Franks, and the late Ray Bell. Without them, our new theatre (which opened in January 2011) would never have been built. We must also acknowledge the invaluable financial assistance initially provided by Newcastle Permanent Building Society.
In 2019, with the support of Rotary Club of Newcastle Enterprise, we received funding from the NSW Government to build a new theatre façade, refurbish our laneway and install a new air conditioning system. Without the continuing, generous support of patrons and supporters, NTC would not have survived the crises presented by changing fire regulations in 2019 and the COVID shutdowns in 2020 and 2021. Our gratitude knows no bounds!
