Welcome to Season 2009

Celebrating 30 years

Dear Patrons

Season 2009 is especially significant for the Adamson Theatre Company (ATC), marking as it does the 30th anniversary of our existence. In 1979, although it would be several years before the Company was formally invested with this designation by our campus headmaster at that time, Tony Conabere, the Middle School play sprang into life with a highly acclaimed production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. This brought our annual commitment to four major productions, a program that has been proudly and passionately maintained ever since.

I say "proudly" because words can scarcely capture the joy and satisfaction that has been generated by the thousands of talented students, actors and crews alike, who have participated in some 120 plays and musicals over the past thirty years. We aspire unapologetically to the highest professional standards, subscribing to the philosophy that the challenge inherent in the pursuit of excellence brings rewards that truly matter. Our students invariably rise magnificently to meet this challenge, learning that hard work, patience, self-discipline and unwavering commitment can overcome all obstacles, sometimes even producing miracles! Their exhilarating sense of shared achievement as each production draws to a close proclaims their gains resoundingly.

Theatre is a realm in which students may challenge themselves in so many ways as they explore the subtlest dimensions of a particular role or backstage task in the pursuit of its optimum realisation. Such are the rewards that the experience inevitably remains indelibly imprinted in the hearts and minds of all who have yielded with that characteristic St Kilda Road enthusiasm to its every demand. Just ask any of our ATC alumni what they remember most about their time at school! We warmly encourage all St Kilda Road students to avail themselves freely of the many opportunities offered by the ATC with its four (and from this year onward, five) productions annually. It was gratifying to see so many senior students turning out for the recent auditions for The Clink, this year's Senior School play whose season will run from 25-28 March.

A remarkable phenomenon asserting itself in any review of the Adamson Theatre Company's 30 year history is the number of our alumni who have pursued distinguished careers in professional theatre, making their mark within the performing arts scene both in Australia and overseas. For example, Nic Cooper-Brown (OW2002) is currently stage manager for the London production of Wicked, Vallejo Gantner (OW1992) heads the avant-garde PS122 Theatre Company in New York, Josh Piterman and Graeme Foote (both OW2003) are currently touring the world with the Ten Tenors and Tom Wright (OW1985) is an acclaimed actor/playwright who works alongside Cate Blanchett as Associate Director of the Sydney Theatre Company. We congratulate these and their innumerable peers among our alumni on their continuing success.

So 2009 is a celebratory year for the Adamson Theatre Company and we look forward to the pleasure of your company at this year's performances as we launch our exciting new season of plays and musicals.

Season 2009 brochures will be forwarded to you within the next few weeks. Please note the addition of a fifth production: The Pirates of Penzance, to be performed by Years 5 and 6 students at the beginning of December.

We sincerely thank you for your ongoing support.

Tony Scanlon
Artistic Director

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