Albany Light Opera & Theatre Company

Albany Light Opera & Theatre Company ALOTCo was established 1962 an amateur theatre with professional standards presenting 2-3 shows/yr

A Brief History of the Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company

In 1961, Bruce Houston and Stan Johnston made a bet — a carton of b**r — that Wilson Weight and John Garritty couldn’t start a successful theatre company in Albany. Wilson and John rose to the challenge, won the bet, and the Albany Light Opera Company was born. The Company’s first production, New Moon, premiered at the Albany Town Hall

in 1962. A string of successful musicals followed, earning a reputation for high-quality performances and showcasing the remarkable talent found in Albany and the surrounding districts. Rehearsals and costume storage took place in various venues until 1965, when the Company secured a peppercorn lease on the property now known as Dylans. A few years later, around 1970, they purchased the old glass factory in David Street. Though functional, it proved less than ideal, and when the opportunity arose in 1991 to lease half of a disused transit shed from the Albany Port Authority, the Company eagerly embraced it. The empty shed was transformed into a functioning theatre, and in 1993 the first production in the new venue — Old Time Music Hall — opened to the public. Around this time, the group adopted a new name to reflect its broader vision: the Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company. It also became an incorporated body, formalising its long-standing commitment to local performing arts. Since then, the Company has continued to improve its facilities and expand its repertoire. Embracing changing audience tastes, productions have included ambitious modern musicals such as Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera — each highlighting the extraordinary depth of local talent. Over the years, many performers have taken their first steps on the Albany stage, with some going on to professional careers. Others have remained loyal members for decades — some for nearly 50 years — contributing both on stage and behind the scenes. Together, they embody the creativity, community spirit, and passion for performance that continue to define the Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company today.

05/09/2026
Teen Makeup for Performance & Character CreationBook here - https://events.humanitix.com/theatre-makeup-masterclassJoin ...
05/09/2026

Teen Makeup for Performance & Character Creation

Book here - https://events.humanitix.com/theatre-makeup-masterclass

Join Diploma-qualified Makeup Artist and Beauty Therapist Emma Ridgwell for a fun and interactive morning of learning, creativity and makeup design!

Best known for her work on local productions, television and film, including Itch Season 2, Transition of Z and the upcoming feature film Almost With You, Emma is excited to share her knowledge and experience with the next generation of performers and creatives.

Designed for ages 12–18, this hands-on workshop includes:

💄 Watch & Learn Demonstration – See professional makeup techniques in action.

📖 Resource Book to Take Home – Packed with useful tips and information.

🎭 Interactive Character Makeup Design – Create a makeup look for a character.

✨ Learn how to identify different skin types and choose suitable products.

🧴 Discover the key products to have in your makeup kit when performing.

💡 Learn how lighting and the environment can affect a makeup look.

The session is designed to give participants maximum information in a fun, expressive and engaging environment, while encouraging creativity and confidence.

🏆 All participants receive a Certificate of Participation to add to their portfolio for future projects.

Check out Emma’s work here! www.instagram.com/emmaridgwell

🎶 Congratulations WAAPA – Radio Active! 🎶Congratulations to Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) on las...
05/09/2026

🎶 Congratulations WAAPA – Radio Active! 🎶

Congratulations to Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) on last night’s fantastic Community Bank Albany Radio Active performance at the Albany Entertainment Centre! 👏🎶

It was wonderful to see students from our local schools, Great Southern Grammar and Albany Senior High School, sharing the stage with students from the Albany Music Diploma and 4th Year students from WAAPA.

What a fantastic opportunity for our young local performers to perform alongside such talented musicians and gain valuable experience on the AEC stage. 🌟

ALOTCo was particularly proud to see past and present members. ❤️

Congratulations to everyone involved — what a great showcase of the incredible musical talent we have in Albany and the Great Southern! 🎭🎵👏

Only a few rows left.Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bad4U7GZQ/
01/09/2026

Only a few rows left.
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bad4U7GZQ/

🎭⚡ RADIOACTIVE is coming to the Albany Entertainment Centre! ⚡🎭

Get ready for an electrifying performance as talented WAAPA and Albany high school students take to the stage in Radioactive. This exciting collaboration showcases the energy, creativity and incredible talent of the next generation of performers.

Don't miss this dynamic production packed with music, entertainment and unforgettable performances.

📍 Albany Entertainment Centre
🎟️ Book now: https://www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/venues/albany-entertainment-centre/whats-on/community-bank-albany-radio-active/

🎶✨

🎶 Albany Music Diploma Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Q&AA big thank you to WAAPA lecturers Ric, ...
31/08/2026

🎶 Albany Music Diploma Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Q&A

A big thank you to WAAPA lecturers Ric, Carrie, Milly and Karl for the informative Q&A session about the Music Diploma coming to Albany in 2027. 🎵

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the course, what it offers, and the exciting opportunities ahead for aspiring musicians in our region.

What an exciting opportunity for Albany’s future musicians! 🎶👏

https://www.ecu.edu.au/degrees/courses/diploma-of-music
This nationally-recognised qualification is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the music industry, giving them the knowledge and skills to become a performer, composer or sound engineer.
As well as gaining essential theoretical knowledge, students will be assessed on their understanding of the specialised, technical and managerial competencies required to work in the music industry. Students learn in a multi-disciplinary performing arts academy, and have access to hundreds of outstanding performances over the course of the year. Within the course, students can specialise in Creation and Composition (contextualised as the Music Production study option) or Performance (contextualised as the Classical, Contemporary, Jazz, Music Artist, and Singing for Music Theatre study options).
If you missed the session contact Ric - [email protected] for more information

SOUTHERN SOUL'S TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN AND STEVIE WONDERNovember 20th & 21st https://paperbark.sales.ticketsearch.co...
31/08/2026

SOUTHERN SOUL'S TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN AND STEVIE WONDER
November 20th & 21st

https://paperbark.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/168681

Southern Soul present a tribute to Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder at Albany Port Theatre on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November.

Aretha Franklin—The Queen of Soul—began as a gospel singer, organist and pianist before becoming one of the most influential vocalists in Soul and contemporary music, with top ten hits including “Respect”, Think”, “Natural Woman”, and “Freeway of Love”.

Little Stevie Wonder started at Motown records at age 11, wowing audiences with his distinctive singing, innovative keyboard, chromatic harmonica playing and drums. As one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, Stevie Wonder has won 25 Grammy awards, with songs such as “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, “Superstition”, “Master Blaster” and Isn’t She Lovely.”

12-piece soul band Southern Soul have become an annual phenomena in the Great Southern in recent years, with shows including The Commitments, Blues Brothers meet the Soul Sisters, The Story of Soul and a Motown Revue, all performing to full audiences with rave reviews.

Southern Soul is comprised of vocalists Jenny Greenwald, Jen Croston, Jonelle Grochowski and Rusty Lynch In the brass section we have David Rastrick on trumpet, Robbie Bush on tenor saxophone, Karin Bush on baritone saxophone and Greg Farr on trombone. The rhythm section is Mike Eastman on keyboards, Ross Dwyer on guitar, Grant Moulden on bass guitar and Paul Meyers on drums.

“Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder are two of the most iconic artists in Soul music,” said Southern Soul bandleader David Rastrick. “We’re honoured to play these time-honoured hits that people really love!”

“The music is still some of the best around,” said Rastrick, “It’s an amazing show, playing all these hits one-after-another with such a fantastic band!”

Tickets are available at Paperbark Merchants. $45 full price, $35 concession, $20 Under-18 and free for ages 11-and under and companion cards.

Albany Port Theatre

🎭 SET THE STAGE - Two Stage Management WorkshopsALOTCo members get first opportunity to register, so keep an eye on yo...
29/08/2026

🎭 SET THE STAGE - Two Stage Management Workshops

ALOTCo members get first opportunity to register, so keep an eye on your emails for the offer!

Albany Light Opera and Theatre Co. (ALOTCo) is excited to host a couple of cool theatre workshops during the October school holidays, designed to introduce Albany’s young people to the exciting world of Stage Management.

🎭 Stage Management – The Basics
🎭 Stage Management – The Practice

Leading the workshops is Peter Cook, who first discovered Stage Management through a university unit before gaining many years of valuable hands-on experience with ALOTCo and Spectrum Theatres.

From rehearsals and cueing to working backstage and keeping a production running smoothly, Peter will share the practical knowledge and experience that comes from being behind the scenes.

A huge thank you to Peter for volunteering his time and expertise to help teach the next generation of Albany theatre-makers how to manage a stage! 👏🎭

Watch your email if you're an ALOTCo member – places will be offered to members first!

Address

256 Princess Royal Drive (Opposite Boatshed Markets)
Albany, WA
6330

Telephone

+61459589133

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Albany Light Opera & Theatre Company posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category