Centrestage Theatre Company The Performing Arts Centre of Rodney

Production History

Soon after, the Orewa Theatre Trust was formed with Mr Avery as its first Chairman. This was made up of members of the local Rotary Club, high profile business people, a council representative and the president of United Players. Their purpose was to raise funds and to manage the construction of a new theatre. The outcome of this fine effort is today’s Centrestage Theatre. September 1990 saw the culmination of United Players’ years of hard work and dreams when Centrestage Theatre opened. The theatre provided modern stage facilities and a comfortable auditorium with raked seating for 214, a large lounge foyer area with mezzanine and kitchen and bar facilities. Oliver, one of the many shows directed by the late Sylvia Hornby, was the first to be staged in Centrestage. Since then up to five major productions a year have been mounted by the society. On Saturday 19 October 1991 Centrestage Theatre was officially opened by Her Excellency The Governor General Dame Catherine Tizard D.B.E. This was followed in the evening by a ‘Celebration Concert’ of songs from the shows of the club’s history performed by club members.