Here are some words from our President, Stan Gottschalk, reflecting on what has been a huge year for Three River Theatre.  This was presented to our AGM last night.

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2015-2016 has been a busy year at Three River Theatre; and perhaps it’s best to looks at the achievements of the year as they divide into the categories of performance and administration.
 
Performance
On the performance front, the Company was fortunate to gain the services of Peter Hammond as director for its November, 2015, production of Disclosed (by Caitlin Richardson). This was another instance of the Company supporting original Tasmanian work. A successful fund-raising cocktail party was held at 9 Welman St., and the show was both a financial and critical success; it garnered three “Errol” award nominations from the Theatre Council of Tasmania [Best Ensemble, Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Male (Kieran Phillips) and Best Writing (Caitlin Richardson)].
 
Also at the Errols, the Company named Rebecca Phillips as its “hero”, recognising her for her thirty years of involvement with all aspects of the Company’s operations.
 
Three River Theatre’s affiliate StandPoint Theatre presented three one act plays, Airborne, Post Its on a Marriage and  Traces of Memory , in Burnie as a part of  Burnie on Foot. Airborne and Traces of Memory were also re-mounted at Onefest in Hobart and also the Deloraine One Act Play Festival.
 
After some to-ing and fro-ing with the performance rights, Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men has been selected at the Company’s 2016 production (directed/produced jointly by Stan Gottschalk & Stuart Loone) and is in the early stages of production ahead of a September, 2016 opening. The play was last done by the Company thirty years ago in 1986, when it was directed by Kerry Finch.
 
Our Coffee House Play Readings series continued in July with a successful reading of Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen (dir. Jeff Hockley), and three dates have been set for readings in 2016.
 
And in February, the Company hosted “Theatre Drinks” at the Princess Theatre for the first time, and has committed to do so every few months over the coming year in cooperation with the Launceston Players and the Launceston Musical Society.
 
Administration
Recognising that it has been some time since the Company addressed matters of governance and self-promotion, the Committee made a concerted effort this year to bring things up-to-date.
 
To that end, the Company carefully reviewed and updated its Memorandum of Understanding with StandPoint Theatre, and we look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation.
 
Also, Stuart Loone led a team that updated our web site, creating a thoroughly professional and interesting page with particular attention to our long history of community performance. He was aided in his efforts by Barry Olding’s valuable donation of Rep-related memorabilia (including programs, photos and clippings).
 
The indefatigable Mr. Loone also chaired a Sub-committee that over the year meticulously reviewed and updated the Company’s constitution. The alterations were approved by a Special General Meeting in February and were given the “okay” by Consumer Affairs in March.
 
Finally, Andrew Perry designed the Company a new and elegant logo, incorporating it into a pair of portable pull-up signs that can be used at our public events.
 
In closing, I would personally like to acknowledge and thank the Committee for its energy and creativity over the year. Ideas were flowing, support was given, and the meetings were a pleasure to chair!
 
Stan Gottschalk
15 March, 2016

Three River had a great time at the Errol's - Tasmania's very own theatre awards night.  While we didn't bring home the loot, we're very proud of our nominees - the cast of Disclosed, Kieran Phillips and Caitlin Richardson - for their outstanding work. 

We were really pleased, too, to have put forward Three River stalwart Rebecca Phillips as our "Hero".  Bek has been with the company for 30 years - on the committee, in the wings as props manager, doing the hard yards at our social events and sometimes, occasionally, even on-stage!

So here's to us, to the winners and those who contribute so awesomely to Tasmanian theatre!