BONUS EPISODE - The Plaza Theatre Part 3
Season 3, Episode 3, Nov 18, 12:28 AM
Now, under the ownership of Outback Arts, the Plaza is poised for a wonderful revival. The organisation aims to resume restoration, renovation, and revitalisation of the space, creating an active hub for performance, celebration, and community engagement. This ambitious project will not only preserve a significant piece of Coonamble's history but provide a vibrant cultural centre for the entire Outback region.
In this bonus episode we hear interviews from people in Coonamble NSW, Wailwan Country featuring stories, memories and reflections about The Plaza Theatre which reopened early in 2024.
The Coonamble Plaza Theatre, a two-tiered structure built in 1930 after a devastating fire, has a rich history. Designed to accommodate 900 patrons, it features a grand foyer, high ceilings, and a spacious wooden floor. Despite its grandeur, the theatre sadly fell into disrepair and closed for nearly a quarter century.
In 2000, local resident Chris Gray purchased the Plaza Theatre with the vision of restoring its former glory. Unfortunately, his untimely passing in 2019 left the theatre vacant, save for a final performance by the Coonamble Amateur Theatrical Society.
Now, under the ownership of Outback Arts, the Plaza is poised for a wonderful revival. The organisation aims to resume restoration, renovation, and revitalisation of the space, creating an active hub for performance, celebration, and community engagement. This ambitious project will not only preserve a significant piece of Coonamble's history but provide a vibrant cultural centre for the entire Outback region.
Episode Features:
Outback Arts Executive Officer Jamie-Lea Trindall chats about how they came to purchase the theatre, her inspirations for the future of the Plaza. She talks about community ‘buy in’ and the importance of the Theatre as a Cultural Asset for the whole region. Big community days have been held to clean up the Plaza after years of closure (after Chris's death) and major impacts on the building through drought and mouse plague. She speaks about what it means to have access to live productions, music and performance.
James Nalder is a Coonamble local and President of CATS. He’s really passionate about the Company and the performing arts, you can tell how much it means to him! We get a feeling of how CATS performances resonate throughout the community in a positive way. He talks about the amazing ambience of the Plaza Theatre Venue itself, and how the vibes add to making productions super special and elevated. James is an advocate for the performing arts, and can strongly express how valuable it is to everyone involved.
Josh Borowski the Director of ‘Jest in the West’ talks about loving his community, and wanting to bring something different and special to the town through the Performing Arts. We hear how it’s so special to the audience but also to the local people (in Coonamble Ameture Theatre Company) who are performing in the show. In regards to the audience: “Everyone goes wild”!!
Mim McEwen is an Actor and Performer in ‘Jest in the West’. She speaks about how everyone is in awe of the Plaza Theatre and the Theatre Company, “embracing” the whole experience!
…..
Find out more about the Plaza:
https://www.outbackarts.com.au/the-plaza
The Plaza in the Outback on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554426983497
…..
Special thanks to Dr. Mary Anne Jebb
…..
Thanks to all the Coonamble participants, Coonamble Ameture Theatre Society, Polly Cohen, Brailey Lambe and Jamie-Lea Trindall.
…..
The Outback Outloud Podcast was designed and produced by Signal Creative’s Emma Hoy and Caroline Wallace. Outback Outloud is an ongoing project collaboration between Signal Creative and Outback Arts. The Outback Outloud community project and workshop series was designed, managed and delivered by Signal Creative. Special Guest team member in 2024 is Dr. Mary Anne Jebb. Outback Outloud is funded by Create NSW and Outback Arts.
Podcast Audio Production, Music and Sound Design by Emma Hoy
Podcast Audio Editing Assistant is Caroline Wallace
Follow us
Signal Creative
Facebook: @signalcreativenet
Instagram: @signalcreative
Like, subscribe, rate, review!
…..
The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Outback Outloud Podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Signal Creative and Outback Arts 2024.
The Coonamble Plaza Theatre, a two-tiered structure built in 1930 after a devastating fire, has a rich history. Designed to accommodate 900 patrons, it features a grand foyer, high ceilings, and a spacious wooden floor. Despite its grandeur, the theatre sadly fell into disrepair and closed for nearly a quarter century.
In 2000, local resident Chris Gray purchased the Plaza Theatre with the vision of restoring its former glory. Unfortunately, his untimely passing in 2019 left the theatre vacant, save for a final performance by the Coonamble Amateur Theatrical Society.
Now, under the ownership of Outback Arts, the Plaza is poised for a wonderful revival. The organisation aims to resume restoration, renovation, and revitalisation of the space, creating an active hub for performance, celebration, and community engagement. This ambitious project will not only preserve a significant piece of Coonamble's history but provide a vibrant cultural centre for the entire Outback region.
Episode Features:
Outback Arts Executive Officer Jamie-Lea Trindall chats about how they came to purchase the theatre, her inspirations for the future of the Plaza. She talks about community ‘buy in’ and the importance of the Theatre as a Cultural Asset for the whole region. Big community days have been held to clean up the Plaza after years of closure (after Chris's death) and major impacts on the building through drought and mouse plague. She speaks about what it means to have access to live productions, music and performance.
James Nalder is a Coonamble local and President of CATS. He’s really passionate about the Company and the performing arts, you can tell how much it means to him! We get a feeling of how CATS performances resonate throughout the community in a positive way. He talks about the amazing ambience of the Plaza Theatre Venue itself, and how the vibes add to making productions super special and elevated. James is an advocate for the performing arts, and can strongly express how valuable it is to everyone involved.
Josh Borowski the Director of ‘Jest in the West’ talks about loving his community, and wanting to bring something different and special to the town through the Performing Arts. We hear how it’s so special to the audience but also to the local people (in Coonamble Ameture Theatre Company) who are performing in the show. In regards to the audience: “Everyone goes wild”!!
Mim McEwen is an Actor and Performer in ‘Jest in the West’. She speaks about how everyone is in awe of the Plaza Theatre and the Theatre Company, “embracing” the whole experience!
…..
Find out more about the Plaza:
https://www.outbackarts.com.au/the-plaza
The Plaza in the Outback on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554426983497
…..
Special thanks to Dr. Mary Anne Jebb
…..
Thanks to all the Coonamble participants, Coonamble Ameture Theatre Society, Polly Cohen, Brailey Lambe and Jamie-Lea Trindall.
…..
The Outback Outloud Podcast was designed and produced by Signal Creative’s Emma Hoy and Caroline Wallace. Outback Outloud is an ongoing project collaboration between Signal Creative and Outback Arts. The Outback Outloud community project and workshop series was designed, managed and delivered by Signal Creative. Special Guest team member in 2024 is Dr. Mary Anne Jebb. Outback Outloud is funded by Create NSW and Outback Arts.
Podcast Audio Production, Music and Sound Design by Emma Hoy
Podcast Audio Editing Assistant is Caroline Wallace
Follow us
Signal Creative
Facebook: @signalcreativenet
Instagram: @signalcreative
Like, subscribe, rate, review!
…..
The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Outback Outloud Podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Signal Creative and Outback Arts 2024.