The Acting Factory is an alliance of professional theatre practitioners and supporters based in Penrith area. Its mission is to:
- Enhance the local arts landscape and lift appreciation of theatre in the West.
- Establish a focal point for actors, writers, directors and other theatre and film practitioners from the Greater West and Blue Mountains.
- Be an integral part of the community out of which it has grown.
- Offer vital, affordable theatre to the broad community.
- Foster and produce new work, particularly work that is culturally relevant to our area.
The Acting Factory grew out of Richard Brooks' Three Stage School of Acting, which in turn grew out of the original Q Theatre run by Doreen Warburton. A Shakespeare workshop program in 1998 led by Brooks for Q Theatre and Three Stage graduates gave rise to an ambitious, finely-tuned production entitled Shakespeare, No Holds Bard. To publicise the performances the group needed a name and, since Three Stage was housed in a factory unit in South Penrith, the name The Acting Factory was coined.
Incorporated in 2001, the groups first production was Gordon Graham's highly controversial play The Boys, followed later that year by more great Australian theatre, The Popular Mechanicals.
To date, The Acting Factory Inc. has presented eighteen major productions (as well as many smaller offerings) including our Kid's Shows at Penrith Regional Gallery and Norman Lindsay Gallery, and our ever-popular Shakespeare by the River - both of which have been presented annually since 2004 and are an eagerly anticipated yearly event for people from all over the Greater West, Blue Mountains, Sydney Basin and beyond.
The Acting Factory is an Incorporated Association, which means it is a non-profit organisation managed by a member elected committee. Membership is open to everyone but training and/or experience is required to perform or direct. Contact us for a Membership form and Guidelines.
The Acting Factory is listed with the Register of Cultural Organisations and is recognised as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the Australian Tax Office. All donations (of $2 or over) are fully tax deductible.
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