FAME 2014 Journal - Evelyn (Sydney Theatre Company, Australia)

Sydney Theatre Company, Australia

Beautifully situated at the Sydney Harbour overlooking the iconic Harbour Bridge lies the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) in Walsh Bay. The vicinity is a cultural hub with offices of other performing arts companies including Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. The Sydney Opera House is just within half an hour’s walking distance along the harbour.  

STC is an all-round performing arts company. It operates in-house Scenic Department, Costume Department, Ticketing and Customer Service Department.  Every morning when I step into the company’s doorway, I can see staff members working hard in building and painting sets, colleagues of the Costume Department working on sewing machines.

Costume Department                                                   Scenic Department

STC also runs two in-house theatres at its home base, the ‘Wharf 1’ and ‘Wharf 2’ for small and intimate productions, plus an 850-seat Sydney Theatre located at the opposite side of its home base; not to say it is also one of the resident companies of the Sydney Opera House. STC’s calendar is packed throughout the year and I was fortunate enough to attend the company’s three productions staged in three different venues within the first two weeks since my arrival, the productions were diverse in scale and context. 

The company has specialized teams to handle corporate sponsorships and donations, which proved to be reliable sources of revenue. I am currently working under the Community and Corporate Partnerships team and was fascinated that ‘The Loft”, a rehearsal room at the balcony level located above the storage area has turned into a VIP dining place at an evening to cater the company’s major sponsor and its guests.  The company’s Artistic Director, Executive Director and main cast members attended the dinner as well.  I was told that sponsors realize hosting events in such behind-the-scene areas will bring along memorable experience to the guests.  In-house lighting and chandeliers from the Props Department were used to add ambience to the special occasion.