EMPIRE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS WITH OPEN DAY
Empire Theatre’s open day draws crowds to celebrate big 20 years
A SPECIAL glimpse inside Toowoomba’s historic Empire Theatre was on offer at the venue’s first open day.
Visitors to the open day, celebrating its 20th year since reopening, were allowed back stage to peek behind all the curtains in the theatre precinct.
Empire Theatre marketing and development manager Emilee Nichols said they wanted the day to be a community event.
“We wanted to celebrate the fact it’s a community theatre and we welcome everyone in the community to enjoy the theatre,” Ms Nichols said.
Tours exploring the history, architecture and technical side to the theatre were offered as well workshops from puppet-making to dance.
“We wanted to make sure that every person in Toowoomba who wanted to be involved, at no cost, could come and have a look and be a part of history,” she said.
“It is really exciting that we have got these three major performance venues now that people can ask what’s on on any given weekend and there will be something on.
“They are just happy to come see anything because it’s such a beautiful space.”
Ms Nichols said birthday messages had been coming in from performers, with many commenting that it was their favourite venue to perform in.
“We are so lucky to have this in regional Toowoomba,” she said.
Performers at the open day included the Australian Army Band, Cool Nights Big Band and the cast of the upcoming performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.