About the Playhouse
The Armidale Playhouse Inc and the Armidale & District Musical Society Inc amalgamated in September, 2010, becoming Armidale Drama and Musical Society Inc.
Work commenced in 2018 to open up this historic little theatre once again for live performances and the theatre opened in March, 2021.
APH Executive and Committee members 2022-2024
President: Bruce Menzies
Vice-President: Mike Baker
Gift Fund Officer: Warren Bartik
Technical Adviser: Pat Bradley
Workshop Manager: Richie Kiehne
Roles shared with ADMS
Treasurer: Greg Quast
Assets Officer: Carolyn Shepherd
In the 1960s, the Department of Education decided to build a new Drummond School. The Armidale Theatre Club secured an old classroom building from the Department and relocated it to the current site of The Armidale Playhouse. The building was transformed into a theater, officially named 'The Armidale Playhouse' in 1968. It opened on March 29, 1969, with a performance of Sheridan's “The Rivals”. Over the years, improvements were made, and in 1986, the Armidale Theatre Club became The Armidale Playhouse. However, in 2006, it lost its artistic venue license due to fire and safety issues.
In 2010, the Armidale District Music Society merged with The Playhouse, forming the Armidale Drama and Musical Society (ADMS), which took responsibility for maintaining the theater. Efforts were made in 2014 to regain a performance license and create a modern theater. With successful grant applications and fundraising, Stage 1 was completed in 2018, and Stages 2 and 3 were finished in 2020. Now after 14 years, The Armidale Playhouse is back and ready to host high-quality performances for Armidale audiences.
Theatre Management Committee 2024
(Sub-committee of ADMS)
Bruce Menzies - APH President
Mike Baker- APH Vice-President
Pat Bradley - Technical
Carolyn Shepherd - Assets
Stuart Pavel - Playhouse Manager
Information for Donors
Thank you for expressing interest in offering financial support for The Armidale Playhouse (APH). As you might know, we are a not-for-profit incorporated association formed to promote the practice and presentation of community performing arts, in regional NSW. The principal objectives of APH are to develop and maintain a community theatre for the performing arts; and to provide opportunities for theatre and performance rehearsal with also production training to include areas such a lighting, sound and costuming.
You can support the APH with a tax-deductible donation to the Armidale Playhouse Gift Fund as we are on the Register of Cultural Organisations and have tax deductibility status under subdivision 30-F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Donors can also be recorded on our website.
Donate directly through the link below, or use one of our other options here.
Donations may be made by:
Direct Deposit:
BSB 932 000 (Regional Australia Bank)
Account: 100438431
Reference: Your Name
If you are donating by Direct Deposit, please complete online form below.
Or by:
Cheque (APH Gift Fund) and filling in the downloadable pdf
Please return this form to: Armidale Playhouse, 309 Beardy Street, ARMIDALE 2350.
