Canberra Theatre Centre Redevelopment

The Canberra Theatre Centre transformation will create a performing arts centre of national and international significance.

It will be a nationally significant destination for arts companies, artists and audiences in the heart of our Canberra Civic and Culture District.

It is our ambition for Canberra to be recognised as Australia’s arts capital and attract and keep arts-based tourism, events and creative industries.

The area around Civic Square and Canberra Theatre Centre will transform into an iconic, vibrant arts and cultural scene.

The transformed Canberra Theatre Centre will include:

• a new 2,000 seat theatre, comparable in scale to the largest theatres in Australia
• a refurbishment of the Playhouse
• adapting the existing Canberra Theatre to become a contemporary flexible venue, able to host a broad range of performances, concerts and events
• expanding the Courtyard Studio to accommodate a diverse range of activity with flexible seating and open plan theatrical space able to host performances and workshops.

Early planning and design

An international and local design consortium has been announced to design this transformation. The group consists of Australian firm Architectus, Danish Architects Henning Larsen, and international theatre designers Arup. The team are working with the ACT Government on the early planning and design process. Insights from theatre users, Canberra’s performing arts sector and technical experts will be sought.

The preliminary design concepts include renders of a new 2,000 seat theatre venue. The building references Canberra's modernist landmarks with a bold and sophisticated façade. These designs will evolve as the planning and design phase progresses.

Preliminary design showing a new 2,000 seat theatre venue featuring balconies and a performance on stage.

The new 2,000 seat theatre is planned for the western side of The Playhouse. The following map shows its location.

Map illustration shows the Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre, The Playhouse and the new 2,000 seat theatre.

Design concepts will be released later in the design process, with opportunity for the community and stakeholders to provide feedback.

Design, public consultation and approval processes will take around two years. This work will also inform planning for the project’s construction phase.

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Project Benefits

Benefits of increasing support and development of the arts sector:

• More and bigger shows
• Greater integration with the local and national arts and culture sector
• Retention of arts workers
• Increased economic activity in the ACT
• Increased tourism activity in the ACT
• Access to open space and public realms with improved community amenity
• Increased health and wellbeing benefits for participants and community
• Increased educational outcomes through skills development and career paths
• Improved social outcomes and increased social connections.