History
The Adamson Theatre Company
Each of the St Kilda Road campus's four main theatrical productions - the Senior School and Middle School plays, and the Campus and Junior School musicals - is performed under the banner of the Adamson Theatre Company. Named after the famous venue which is its home, the 'Company' was conceived in 1988 by the then campus head, Tony Conabere, to bring together the theatrical aspirations in each of the new mini-schools, and to centralize budgeting and administration. The idea of a theatre company also aimed at highlighting the honoured position of theatre arts within the broader cocurricular program, and to consolidate the campus's long tradition of plays and musicals (before coeducation, in frequent partnership with other schools).
Artistic Director
2012 - Present: Marcus Pinnell
The Adamson Theatre Company is proud to welcome Marcus Pinnell as its newly appointed Artistic Director. Marcus is a former Wesley student (at Glen Waverley) and is a teacher who has exhibited many striking skills in the theatre arts in his work at Ivanhoe Grammar. The Company welcomes him enthusiastically, since he embodies its aspirations and vision: that the performing arts have a capacity to enrich the lives of the adults and students who share the creative process, and that, out of the intense teamwork that is required, something truly memorable and worthwhile grows.
1989 - 2011: Tony Scanlon
Tony Scanlon was appointed the first Director of the Adamson Theatre Company in 1989. Many of those who, under his leadership, were responsible for each year's theatre program (stage and technical directors and the costume department) have been involved since before the Company's official recognition. They have, between them, along with others who have since left, brought countless plays to life on the stage. The Adamson Theatre Company has already established a rich and continuing heritage.
Patron
The Adamson theatre Company is honoured to have Carrillo Gantner AO as its Patron. Carrillo has a long and distinguished career in the arts, arts administration and the theatre. He was named 2007 Victorian of the Year for his lifetime of philanthropic activities fuelled by his passion for the arts and enthusiasm for Victoria. He was held numerous roles over the years, including serving as cultural counsellor at the Australian embassy in Beijing, Melbourne city councillor, the chairman of Asialink, the Sidney Myer Fund, the Australia Council Theatre Board and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and his present position as chairman of the Victorian Art Centre.
