About Titirangi Theatre
The theatre was formed in 1935 by Ethelwynn Geddes and was part of the Country Women's Institute based in the MacAndrew Hall on Titirangi Road.
Called "The Drama Circle", it consisted only of women until about 1951, when gradually as productions became more ambitious, men were drawn in as well. It soon built up a reputation in Auckland as an excellent amateur theatre which has been maintained right up to the present day.
The name was changed to Titirangi Drama and in 1982 the club moved to the Titirangi Beach Hall, sharing the space with the Folk Music Club. This however was not ideal as many prospective audiences did not enjoy the thought of driving down the long, very windy, bush-lined road to the hall, especially on a wet winter's night.
When the Waitemata City Council decided to buy Lopdell House from the Education Board for use as an Arts and Cultural Centre, the Theatre President, Heather Mogridge, saw the opportunity to provide a permanent home for the theatre. After a good deal of fund-raising and much back-breaking work, a basement garage was converted into a working theatre space, and Heather's vision became a reality.
Since then, the theatre has changed its name once more - this time to "Titirangi Theatre". Many Presidents and committees have contributed to an on-going process of refurbishment, which has resulted in the intimate and attractive place that patrons enjoy today.
Seating ninety people the theatre is often a delightful surprise for those accustomed to paying town prices for their entertainment. The theatre's programme each year caters for all tastes, from Shakespeare to contemporary and locally written plays.
The theatre takes great pride in maintaining the consistently high standard of its productions.
The theatre was formed in 1935 by Ethelwynn Geddes and was part of the Country Women's Institute based in the MacAndrew Hall on Titirangi Road.
Called "The Drama Circle", it consisted only of women until about 1951, when gradually as productions became more ambitious, men were drawn in as well. It soon built up a reputation in Auckland as an excellent amateur theatre which has been maintained right up to the present day.
The name was changed to Titirangi Drama and in 1982 the club moved to the Titirangi Beach Hall, sharing the space with the Folk Music Club. This however was not ideal as many prospective audiences did not enjoy the thought of driving down the long, very windy, bush-lined road to the hall, especially on a wet winter's night.
When the Waitemata City Council decided to buy Lopdell House from the Education Board for use as an Arts and Cultural Centre, the Theatre President, Heather Mogridge, saw the opportunity to provide a permanent home for the theatre. After a good deal of fund-raising and much back-breaking work, a basement garage was converted into a working theatre space, and Heather's vision became a reality.
Since then, the theatre has changed its name once more - this time to "Titirangi Theatre". Many Presidents and committees have contributed to an on-going process of refurbishment, which has resulted in the intimate and attractive place that patrons enjoy today.
Seating ninety people the theatre is often a delightful surprise for those accustomed to paying town prices for their entertainment. The theatre's programme each year caters for all tastes, from Shakespeare to contemporary and locally written plays.
The theatre takes great pride in maintaining the consistently high standard of its productions.
The Green Room in Lopdell House in 2012 before refurbishment
Incorporation of Waitemata Theatre
In 2013, due to issues with their venue, Waitemata Theatre was reluctantly forced to close down and their committee and membership were absorbed into Titirangi Theatre.
History of Waitemata Theatre
Waitemata Theatre was founded in 1977 after Jan Gluszyk (a Polish construction worker) and Gladys Gluszyk (an Australian) came from Australia to settle in New Zealand with their family in the early 1970's.
Gladys had previous training in the theatre as an actor and Jan had 20 years of theatre experience in Australia and Europe, plus a natural flair for set design and directing. This prompted them to set up several theatre groups in Australia, including "The Redcliffe Theatre" and the "Murson Merrymakers", and to consider forming a group in New Zealand.
After settling in Auckland, Gladys joined a 'theatre skills' evening class at Henderson's Freyberg Community School, which was a good way to meet people who shared their interest in theatre. After a few sessions she persuaded the class to meet with herself and Jan at their home, to discuss the setting up of an amateur theatre group in West Auckland.
Eight people were present at the first meeting on 23rd June 1977 and a decision was made to 'give-it-a-go', initially as a learning experience for actors who did not have previous knowledge of theatre.
The first production - Two One Act plays was performed at Henderson Intermediate School, a venue which was to be 'home' for the next 10 years.
The philosophy of the Waitemata Theatre was to teach newcomers various aspects of Theatre work by those who were more experienced. This continued to be their philosophy - giving everyone an equal chance to fulfill their dreams.
Over the years a percentage of all door sales went back into the Community and various schools, kindergartens, Henderson Library and also the pools benefited financially from Waitemata Theatres productions. For the next 36 years Waitemata performed in many different venues in Waitemata. Their final venue was "The Cellar" in The Corban Estate Art Centre. It was an intimate little theatre with the reception/supper room having a wonderful ambiance, as it was originally the Corbans Wine sales shop.
In 2013 it became evident that operating out of a theatre space over which they had no control had become impractical and it was reluctantly decided to wind up the theatre. After discussion with the committee of Titirangi Theatre it was decided that the Waitemata Theatre members and committee would be incorporated into Titirangi Theatre.
In 2013, due to issues with their venue, Waitemata Theatre was reluctantly forced to close down and their committee and membership were absorbed into Titirangi Theatre.
History of Waitemata Theatre
Waitemata Theatre was founded in 1977 after Jan Gluszyk (a Polish construction worker) and Gladys Gluszyk (an Australian) came from Australia to settle in New Zealand with their family in the early 1970's.
Gladys had previous training in the theatre as an actor and Jan had 20 years of theatre experience in Australia and Europe, plus a natural flair for set design and directing. This prompted them to set up several theatre groups in Australia, including "The Redcliffe Theatre" and the "Murson Merrymakers", and to consider forming a group in New Zealand.
After settling in Auckland, Gladys joined a 'theatre skills' evening class at Henderson's Freyberg Community School, which was a good way to meet people who shared their interest in theatre. After a few sessions she persuaded the class to meet with herself and Jan at their home, to discuss the setting up of an amateur theatre group in West Auckland.
Eight people were present at the first meeting on 23rd June 1977 and a decision was made to 'give-it-a-go', initially as a learning experience for actors who did not have previous knowledge of theatre.
The first production - Two One Act plays was performed at Henderson Intermediate School, a venue which was to be 'home' for the next 10 years.
The philosophy of the Waitemata Theatre was to teach newcomers various aspects of Theatre work by those who were more experienced. This continued to be their philosophy - giving everyone an equal chance to fulfill their dreams.
Over the years a percentage of all door sales went back into the Community and various schools, kindergartens, Henderson Library and also the pools benefited financially from Waitemata Theatres productions. For the next 36 years Waitemata performed in many different venues in Waitemata. Their final venue was "The Cellar" in The Corban Estate Art Centre. It was an intimate little theatre with the reception/supper room having a wonderful ambiance, as it was originally the Corbans Wine sales shop.
In 2013 it became evident that operating out of a theatre space over which they had no control had become impractical and it was reluctantly decided to wind up the theatre. After discussion with the committee of Titirangi Theatre it was decided that the Waitemata Theatre members and committee would be incorporated into Titirangi Theatre.
