I hope all enjoyed last week’s meeting – it was great to have the opportunity to explore the workings of Hothouse Theatre followed by a wonderful lunch at La Maison. We’ve been fortunate with the excursions so far this year – Hothouse, and earlier DECA and it makes be think how truly fortunate we are as a community to have such facilities.

The Butter Factory Theatre is the home of Hothouse Theatre, Australia’s leading regional theatre company.  Hothouse formed in 1997 out of the Murray River Performing Group, with a mission to develop excellent contemporary Australian theatre for the local community.  Over the last 17 years Hothouse has developed a coherent and focussed theatre practice and built a reputation as a small to medium theatre company that produces and presents the best theatre in the country, as well as engaging with the local community through a number of outreach and education programs. Jon Halpin and Tahni Froudist took us on a tour of this vibrant and innovative 162 seat venue before joining us for lunch at La Maison Café. Jon has been the Artistic Director of Hothouse since June 2010 and prior to this was the Artistic Associate of the Queensland Theatre Company and Associate Artist at Brisbane’s Metro Arts. Tahni has been the General Manager at Hothouse since April this year. Prior to Hothouse she was an Associate Producer for Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre, and has a Bachelor of Arts Management.”