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Welcome
Theatre Heritage Australia Inc. is a non-profit organisation established in 1995 to foster knowledge and research into the history of Australian theatre. Our members include theatre professionals, scholars, and enthusiasts dedicated to documenting and sharing Australia’s unique theatre heritage.
Note: Access to our site including the On Stage Magazine menus is now free. However to support our work please consider joining. Membership of THA is also free! Apply via the login panel.
Latest news
Digitising JC Williamson Ltd Scene Books c1890s–1930s
In June 2015, THA was awarded a PROV History Grant for the digitisation of ten scene books from the JC Williamson Ltd collection held by Scenic Studios, Preston.
The ten newly digitised scene books provide a rare account of over 440 theatrical productions staged in Australia between the 1890s and 1930s.
This is THAs first event in association with the Arts Centre Melbourne.
Latest articles
Commercial in Confidence
Welcome to the J.C. Williamson Scene Books' site – the doors are open
Max Oldaker: The Last of the Matinee Idols
Digitizing the JC Williamson Scene Books
Between 2014–2016, THA undertook a program of digitization of Scene Books from the JC Williamson collection held by Scenic Studios, Preston. The collection comprises thousands of images of JCW sets, backdrops, scenic details, lighting rigs etc. stretching back to the end of the nineteenth century.
The collection comprises 10 digitized volumes and is now available to view online.
JCW Scene Book 8
JCW Scene Book 2
JCW Scene Book 1
About Theatre Heritage Australia
Click on the images below to learn more about THA
Events
THA hold regular events throughout the year. Click here to see whats coming up
On Stage
On Stage is THAs magazine dedicated to Australia's theatre heritage
Resources
THA has a range of online resources, including artist profiles, member articles & historic images
Contribute to THA
Much of Australia's important theatre history is in danger of being forgotten. The very theatres themselves, which gave us the framework for this panorama of talent, are endangered. THA has been formed to fight for the preservation of both the history and the fabric of our ongoing theatre heritage.
The purpose of THA is to promote and encourage:
- the study of and research into Australia’s rich theatre history;
- the preservation, renovation and use of Australia’s theatres;
- the identification, documentation and preservation of items relating to Australia’s theatre history;
- the establishment and maintenance of links with similar organisations in Australia.
If you believe you have items that might be of interest to the THA, please contact us
Digital Collection
The THA has a digital collection of rare production photographs, many from the JC Williamson era.
Worldwide Resources
Theatre Heritage Australia is a registered charity
