A bit about Roo's History and Founding members
The Roo Theatre Company was established in 1987 after Gordon’s adult drama class that he taught at the Kiama Anglican Church asked if they could do a play. A public meeting was called at the church, 20 intrigued people turned up, and Roo was born!
The name of the theatre company, ‘Roo’, was Gordon’s brain child. He envisioned a theatre company that would travel around the area, bringing theatre to rural communities, who may have otherwise missed out.
With no money, no costumes, no venue and no lights, they had to think creatively. The Jamberoo Community Hall wasn’t used often, but they hired it anyway - a place to perform their first show ‘We Shall Work, We Shall Live’, written by Gordon Streek, with music composed by Jon Suffolk. Kiama council came on board with a loan to buy the lights and at the same time the Elizabethan Theatre was closing, so Gordon went to auction to get whatever would fit in his van.
Jean Ogilvie remembers Gordon asking if anyone could sew. She put up her hand thinking it was to take up a couple of hems; well she hasn’t stopped making costumes since then!
Gordon was in need of something that was suitable and would grab the attention of Kiama residents, so after a bit of research, ‘We Shall Work, We Shall Live’ was devised from historical facts and anecdotes about the Kiama area from Colonial Days right up to WW1.
During their early years, Roo Theatre Company performed many shows, from original works like ‘We Shall Work, We Shall Live 2’ and ‘Wild’, to Broadway Musicals to Youth theatre productions. They were also able to fulfil Gordon’s wish, to travel and perform. They travelled through Berry, Jamberoo, Kiama, Warrawong, and Wollongong in the early days. The company grew over time, adding more talent and creating lasting memories that would span decades.
Jon Suffolk fondly recalls, “the Roo stole my life for the most formative years of my professional and community life and those experiences took me around the world as a theatre educator.”
It is evident, that the immense creative power and sheer talent, infused with the close knit family vibe we still have at Roo today, stems from our humble, solid and passionate foundations.
The name of the theatre company, ‘Roo’, was Gordon’s brain child. He envisioned a theatre company that would travel around the area, bringing theatre to rural communities, who may have otherwise missed out.
With no money, no costumes, no venue and no lights, they had to think creatively. The Jamberoo Community Hall wasn’t used often, but they hired it anyway - a place to perform their first show ‘We Shall Work, We Shall Live’, written by Gordon Streek, with music composed by Jon Suffolk. Kiama council came on board with a loan to buy the lights and at the same time the Elizabethan Theatre was closing, so Gordon went to auction to get whatever would fit in his van.
Jean Ogilvie remembers Gordon asking if anyone could sew. She put up her hand thinking it was to take up a couple of hems; well she hasn’t stopped making costumes since then!
Gordon was in need of something that was suitable and would grab the attention of Kiama residents, so after a bit of research, ‘We Shall Work, We Shall Live’ was devised from historical facts and anecdotes about the Kiama area from Colonial Days right up to WW1.
During their early years, Roo Theatre Company performed many shows, from original works like ‘We Shall Work, We Shall Live 2’ and ‘Wild’, to Broadway Musicals to Youth theatre productions. They were also able to fulfil Gordon’s wish, to travel and perform. They travelled through Berry, Jamberoo, Kiama, Warrawong, and Wollongong in the early days. The company grew over time, adding more talent and creating lasting memories that would span decades.
Jon Suffolk fondly recalls, “the Roo stole my life for the most formative years of my professional and community life and those experiences took me around the world as a theatre educator.”
It is evident, that the immense creative power and sheer talent, infused with the close knit family vibe we still have at Roo today, stems from our humble, solid and passionate foundations.
Roo Theatre made its start at the Kiama Anglican Church and swiftly added Jamberoo Community Hall to its list of ‘homes’, for when production time came around for its larger shows. Some of the shows Roo staged during the late 80’s were; ‘We Shall Work, We Shall Live 2’, ‘Away’, ‘Wild’, ‘It’s a Long Way Back’, ‘Hangout’ and their first ever production of ‘Oliver!’ (and we all know how much the Roo loves to stage a great ‘Oliver!’).
The next venue they were able to acquire was the Kiama Squash Courts where they converted the space into a small studio in 1990. Over the next few months, they worked ferociously to create a small theatre space - thanks to an incredible amount of volunteer work.
The first production staged in Kiama was ‘Over the Edge’.
The studio space was always well used and loved, giving further life to the incredible classes we still offer today. Angela Quinn taught singing classes, whilst Diane Blaas taught dance classes and of course, Gordon Streek teaching drama classes, with the help of Janet Shaw. Janet continued to assist Gordon, until she moved on to teaching drama classes at the IPAC.
In the early 90’s, Roo theatre company was lucky enough to move to the Shellharbour Hall, after the Library had moved locations. The first production staged in Shellharbour was ‘West Side Story’ in March 1992. Although the name of the building has changed, it is still our much loved home today.
It was a hard slog attempting to maintain the Roo Studios located in Kiama and the theatre space located in Shellharbour. But that didn’t stop these dedicated, hard working creatives. During those magical years, Roo churned out a whopping 44 productions!!
Ultimately though, the strain was too much, and the Roo theatre company staged their final show - ‘September in the Rain’ in the September - October of 1994. Classes continued until the end of term 4, and once again, with with immense gratitude for volunteer help, Roo Theatre Company packed up and moved out of the Kiama Studios, bound for Shellharbour full time.
Over the years, we have seen performers, directors, writers, musical directors, students, teachers and everyone in between ebb and flow through our doors. Doors which have been so thankfully kept open through hard work, volunteer hours, unshakable passion and enormous talent.
Roo has seen its share of highs and lows, and there have been some very important people who have stayed the course through it all. We give our sincerest thanks to those people for their unwavering support, albeit too many to individually name. However, one entity of people we must acknowledge and thank is The Shellharbour City Council. They have provided us with their ongoing support over our long history and we are extremely grateful.
As a not for profit community group, community grants help Roo keep local theatre thriving! With that, comes the copious amount of continued volunteer work to run the committee, Front of House, Back of House and of course, our incredible shows.
In its 34 years of being active in our community, the Roo legacy has seen thousands of people come through its door contributing to its ongoing success. The list of volunteers who have and continue to ensure Roo thrives is endless, with the likes of Ray Clegg, Kim Hobbs, Cathy Moses, Adam Fisher, Richard Hart, Brendon McDonall, Luke Rogers, Nick Higgins, and so many more.
Many Roo alumni have gone on to pursue their careers working on the Westend, and touring Australia and Internationally in professional theatre.
No matter who controls the reins, Roo will always maintain the ethic and instil the vision that Gordon Streek and it’s founding members set up, which is what makes Community Theatre so profound.
RIP Gordon Streek
The next venue they were able to acquire was the Kiama Squash Courts where they converted the space into a small studio in 1990. Over the next few months, they worked ferociously to create a small theatre space - thanks to an incredible amount of volunteer work.
The first production staged in Kiama was ‘Over the Edge’.
The studio space was always well used and loved, giving further life to the incredible classes we still offer today. Angela Quinn taught singing classes, whilst Diane Blaas taught dance classes and of course, Gordon Streek teaching drama classes, with the help of Janet Shaw. Janet continued to assist Gordon, until she moved on to teaching drama classes at the IPAC.
In the early 90’s, Roo theatre company was lucky enough to move to the Shellharbour Hall, after the Library had moved locations. The first production staged in Shellharbour was ‘West Side Story’ in March 1992. Although the name of the building has changed, it is still our much loved home today.
It was a hard slog attempting to maintain the Roo Studios located in Kiama and the theatre space located in Shellharbour. But that didn’t stop these dedicated, hard working creatives. During those magical years, Roo churned out a whopping 44 productions!!
Ultimately though, the strain was too much, and the Roo theatre company staged their final show - ‘September in the Rain’ in the September - October of 1994. Classes continued until the end of term 4, and once again, with with immense gratitude for volunteer help, Roo Theatre Company packed up and moved out of the Kiama Studios, bound for Shellharbour full time.
Over the years, we have seen performers, directors, writers, musical directors, students, teachers and everyone in between ebb and flow through our doors. Doors which have been so thankfully kept open through hard work, volunteer hours, unshakable passion and enormous talent.
Roo has seen its share of highs and lows, and there have been some very important people who have stayed the course through it all. We give our sincerest thanks to those people for their unwavering support, albeit too many to individually name. However, one entity of people we must acknowledge and thank is The Shellharbour City Council. They have provided us with their ongoing support over our long history and we are extremely grateful.
As a not for profit community group, community grants help Roo keep local theatre thriving! With that, comes the copious amount of continued volunteer work to run the committee, Front of House, Back of House and of course, our incredible shows.
In its 34 years of being active in our community, the Roo legacy has seen thousands of people come through its door contributing to its ongoing success. The list of volunteers who have and continue to ensure Roo thrives is endless, with the likes of Ray Clegg, Kim Hobbs, Cathy Moses, Adam Fisher, Richard Hart, Brendon McDonall, Luke Rogers, Nick Higgins, and so many more.
Many Roo alumni have gone on to pursue their careers working on the Westend, and touring Australia and Internationally in professional theatre.
No matter who controls the reins, Roo will always maintain the ethic and instil the vision that Gordon Streek and it’s founding members set up, which is what makes Community Theatre so profound.
RIP Gordon Streek