Walsh Bay Arts Precinct Open Day

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct Open Day will provide visitors of all ages unprecedented access to the nation’s foremost performing arts companies in a series of free events, workshops, interactive activities, behind-the-scenes tours, as well as performances.

Take a peek behind the curtain at STC! Explore our set, costume, and props workshops, hear from Artistic Directors across the Precinct, and check out our educational workshop offering for kids of all ages. 

Walsh Bay Arts Precinct Open Day
Saturday 8 October
10am – 4pm

STC EVENTS

EXHIBITIONS

10am–4pm — Costume and Props Workshop Display
Peruse costumes, props, and miniature set models from some of STC's most celebrated productions.

Where: Rehearsal Room South, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Enter via the Paradice workshop at the top of the Sydney Theatre Company stairs at Hickson Road entrance.
Suitable for: All ages
Registration: Free self-guided experience. No registration required.

10am–4pm — Rehearsal Room Display
Take a peek into one of STC's rehearsal rooms, and see where productions go from page to stage.

Where: Rehearsal Room North, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Enter via the Paradice workshop at the top of the Sydney Theatre Company stairs at Hickson Road entrance.
Suitable for: All ages
Registration: Free self-guided experience. No registration required.

GUIDED TOURS

10.30am–3.30pm
Every hour from 10.30am, guided behind-the-scenes tours of the Sydney Theatre Company spaces will leave from the entrance to the Paradice Workshop, which can be found at the top of the STC stairs at Hickson Road. 

Where: Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Enter via the Paradice workshop at the top of the Sydney Theatre Company stairs at Hickson Road entrance.
Suitable for: All ages
Registration: Free event. No registrations required. Walk-ups welcome with tours hourly on the half hour. 

ROUND TABLE

10.30am–11.15am — Artistic Directors in Conversation
Presented exclusively for Open Day, the Artistic Directors Round Table will provide a rare opportunity to witness the Artistic Directors of Walsh Bay Arts Precinct’s resident companies in a lively ‘in conversation’ event about the future of Australia's arts and culture landscape.

Moderated by the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney Jess Scully, speakers will include Richard Tognetti, Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra; Fraser Corfield, Artistic Director of Australian Theatre for Young People; Stephen Page, Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre; Peter Evans, Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare; Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director of the Sydney Dance Company; and Kip Williams, Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company.

Where: Wharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Suitable for: All ages
Registration: Free event. Registrations encouraged. Walk-ups welcome but spots not guaranteed.

WORKSHOPS

10am–10.45am — Exploring Children's Literature
Based on STC's groundbreaking School Drama™ program, this hands-on workshop hosted by STC Teaching Artist Kaylee Hazell will explore themes of belonging, utopian futures, and other worlds.

Where: Neilson Family Gallery, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Suitable for: Ages 6–10. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Registration: Free event, registrations encouraged. Walk-ups welcome but spots not guaranteed. 

11am–11.45am — Acting Workshop for younger children
Join an STC Teaching Artist for an acting workshop tailored to students in middle school. Explore the process of creating characters through voice and movement in a lively, creative space.

Where: Neilson Family Gallery, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Suitable for: Ages 10–13
Registration: Free event, registrations required. Walk-ups welcome but spots not guaranteed.

12pm–12.45pm — Acting Workshop for older children
Join an STC Teaching Artist for an acting workshop tailored to students from Years 9 – 12. Explore the process of creating characters through voice and movement in a lively, creative space.

Where: Neilson Family Gallery, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Suitable for: Ages 14–18
Registration: Free event, registrations required. Walk-ups welcome but spots not guaranteed.

1.45pm–2.30pm — In conversation: Directorial Q&A
Join Director Tait de Lorenzo (Assistant Director of Blithe Spirit) for a discussion about her creative process – from developing a directorial vision, to working with designers and actors.

Where: Neilson Family Gallery, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Suitable for: All ages.
Registration: Free event, registrations required. Walk-ups welcome but spots not guaranteed.

PERFORMANCE

1.30pm — A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry's watershed classic – the first by an African American woman to ever be shown on Broadway – makes its Australian mainstage debut at STC.

Where: Wharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 4/5, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Registration: Paid event. Book your tickets.