La Boite Theatre Company
La Boite Theatre Company is a major Australian theatre company, based in Brisbane. It is the second largest theatre company in Queensland,[1] after Queensland Theatre Company. Established in 1925, it occupies an important place in Queensland’s cultural history. It is known for its development of new Australian work, and for touring. It also runs a number of creative and professional development programs. La Boite is funded by Australia’s federal government through the Australia Council, and by the Queensland government through Arts Queensland.
La Boite is based at Brisbane’s Roundhouse Theatre, Australia’s only purpose-built theatre-in-the-round. Located in the Creative Industries Precinct of the Queensland University of Technology in Kelvin Grove. It seats 400, or 340 in thrust staging. The company moved into this new venue in February 2004, leaving its smaller theatre-in-the-round building in Hale Street, Milton, where it had been since 1972.
Its recent Artistic Directors include Sue Rider (1993-2000) and Sean Mee (2000-2008). David Berthold took up his role as the company's new Artistic Director and CEO in November 2008[1][2].
History
La Boite was founded in 1925 as the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society. It is one of the oldest, continuously operating, theatre companies in Australia. In 1972, the Company opened La Boite Theatre, a purpose built, 200-seat theatre-in-the-round.
La Boite has made a journey from 1920s community theatre company to one holding a key position in Australia’s professional theatre landscape. In 1976, it employed its first professional Artistic Director, establishing a record of achievement in creative leadership and professional development within the Queensland theatre culture. In 1993, the Company completed its transformation to a fully professional enterprise and is now one of Australia's major theatre companies.
References
- ^ a b Sorensen, Rosemary (2008-10-09). "Berthold to Direct La Boite". The Australian. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ Turner, Tonya (2008-10-17). "David Berthold follows his instincts to head La Boite". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 2008-10-19.