Regional Performing Arts Centres
No matter where you are in Victoria, you are not far away from a performing arts centre. Many are operated by local councils and we recommend that to check program and what's on information you:
Ararat Performing Arts Centre is located in the the city's historic 1899 town hall building. Presentations cater for audiences from pre-school and school aged children through to variety morning musical concerts for seniors. The theatre program also includes comedy and country music presentations.
Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre (BPACC) was opened in 2003 and is shared with the Benalla campus of the Goulburn Ovens TAFE. Its program incorporates a diverse range of performing arts disciplines including opera, drama, concerts, comedy and a morning music program.
The Capital Theatre, Bendigo's performing arts centre, is located in the city's View Street arts and cultural precinct. Built in the 1870s and converted to its present use in the 1980s, the classic beauty of its architectural design is captivating. Beyond the bold facade of large Corinthian pillars, a world of live theatre, music, comedy and dance takes to the stage more than 200 days of the year. The venue presents an annual theatre season and its renowned "Soul Food" music season.
Colac Otway Performing Arts Centre (COPACC) is the Colac Otway Shire's home of the performing and visual arts. COPACC was opened in 2001 and the venue includes an auditorium with a seating capacity of 344 that is shared with a cinema operator. COPACC embraces the skills, arts, beliefs, traditions and aspirations of the community, catering for the performing arts, films and exhibitions.
The Eastbank Centre, Shepparton opened in 2001 and together with the Westside Theatre at Mooroopna Secondary College is the home of Greater Shepparton City's Riverlinks performing arts program. The program provides a broad range of product with appeal to all sectors of the community and is a major destination for touring, maintaining high quality technical and presentation standards.
The Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre at Sale was opened in 2003 and is an outstanding architecturally designed building. The Centre features a 400 seat proscenium arch theatre and a popular restaurant and coffee shop. Since it opened, the Wellington Shire Council has supported a strong professional program at the Centre including classical music, opera, dance, drama and performances for young children and senior school students.
Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) opened in 1981. It boasts two theatres, including the 850 seat Ford Theatre, four conference and event spaces, a restaurant and cafe. It is a well utilised facility providing a wide range of performances and events and the opportunity for participation in the performing arts. GPAC is one of the State Government's cultural agencies.
Hamilton Performing Arts Centre is located in the centre of town and services the Southern Grampians region. The range of performing arts and entertainment on offer includes comedy, drama, dance, family shows, educational performances, amateur and school productions and a wide variety of music from orchestral to popular. The well equipped 500 seat main auditorium in the Centre is also used for major conferences in the region.
Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat, is a grand 900 seat Victorian era theatre built in 1875 and has operated almost continuously since then as a theatre and, at times, a cinema. It is a listed heritage building and includes an historically significant theatre pipe organ. The theatre's annual season includes a range of theatre touring productions and local performances.
Horsham Town Hall is about to be redeveloped by Horsham Rural City Council as a new performing arts venue for the Wimmera region. The $12 million project will upgrade the existing main auditorium, add new stage and back-stage facilities, new front-of-house facilities and provide a link with the Horsham Regional Art Gallery that shares the building. Follow this exciting development proposals at www.hrcc.vic.gov.au.
Latrobe Performing Arts Centre was built in 1971 and is located in Taralgon together with the library. The performing arts program includes drama, music, morning music and comedy. The Cafe Concert series is staged whenever possible in smaller towns including Morwell, Moe and Tyers. The Centre has developed a strong education program in collaboration with the Latrobe Regional Gallery to meet the curriculum and academic needs of local students.
Mildura Arts Centre was built in 1966 on an historic property adjacent to the Murray River. The Centre includes a 384 seat theatre, the Mildura Art Gallery and the original Caffey House, Rio Vista. The theatre's entrepreneurial programming provides a mix of drama, comedy, dance, opera and music. The program is promoted in conjunction with the gallery program under the Mildura Arts Centre banner. The theatre is also hired out to commercial and amateur theatre, school productions and used for workshops, private functions and classes.
Echuca's Paramount Theatre was opened in 2001. It is a multi-function venue including a 400 seat main theatre and a four screen cinema. The Paramount is the main venue for the Campaspe Shire performing arts program which is also regularly presented in smaller venues across the Shire in Kyabram, Stanhope, Rushworth and Rochester.
Portland Arts Centre is a multi-function venue including a small theatre and exhibition spaces. The Centre's annual program includes a diverse range of professional touring, music and theatre performances, touring visual arts and social history exhibitions. The program is also presented in other venues in the Shire including the Portland Civic Hall, the Casterton Town Hall and the Heywood Community Hall.
Swan Hill Town Hall is a magnificant Art Deco building which opened in 1935 and was completely refurbished in 2002. The 800 seat auditorium provides audiences of all ages with a variety of entertainment spanning comedy, drama, music, cultural events and school performances. Small performances are also programmed at the 250 seat Harrison Theatre.
Warrnambool Entertainment Centre (WEC) is an imaginative blend of old and new architecture in the City's former town hall building. It offers a mix of venues suited to a range of purposes from conferences, conventions and exhibtions to performances, functions, meetings and forums. The Centre's 500 seat Eva Gasper theatre hosts a variety of shows including comedy, dance, drama, ballet, opera and musicals. Each year the Entertainment Centre puts together a series of programs including the Theatre Season, Morning Melodies and WEC-ED.
The Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre was officially opened by Premier John Brumby on 18 September 2009 in a glittering event coinciding with Wangaratta City’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Designed by award-winning architect Philip Harmer, the new centre features a 530 seat main auditorium (including 154 balcony seats), high quality stage and backstage facilities and the large Memorial Hall function centre to cater for major events, conferences and community functions. There is also an impressive and spacious foyer that will feature art exhibitions from the adjacent Wangaratta Exhibitions Gallery and includes a café and coffee bar that will be a meeting place for the whole community. The first year’s full program will feature a spectacular selection of touring shows of music, drama and dance, a senior’s festival, kids programs and of course, Wangaratta’s famous Jazz Festival in its new home.
The Warragul Arts Centre enjoys pride of place in the beautifully landscaped Warragul Civic Park and, with a 492 seat capacity and one of the largest stage areas in regional Victoria, is a major performing arts, cultural and community centre catering to a wide variety of events, meetings, conferences and festivals. The Centre is on the national and state touring circuit, hosting a range of performing arts events from such companies as the Queensland Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare Company, The Australian Ballet, The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and many others.
Wesley Performing Arts Centre in Horsham is 160 seat theatre complemented by the city's 800 seat town hall. The program offers a diverse and varied performance program. The music program at Wesley takes advantage of the venue's sweet acoustics and intimate setting. Wesley's commitment to fine music has lured an amazing range of performers including Lior, The Kransky Sisters and Yarra Trio.
Wodonga Civic Centre is the home for the Wodonga City Council's new performing arts program. It offers a broad program of performing arts for the community including an exciting range of children's theatre to inspire and excite, a program for seniors with a comedic flair as well as musical performances, comedies and artistic community initiatives.