OPEN DAY AT THE WHARF Held; Free Admission, Workshops, Events and Forums

On Sunday 5 December 2010, Sydney's arts precinct throws open all its doors, inviting visitors to explore the many arts companies located at Pier 4/5 ("The Wharf") in Walsh Bay. Resident companies Sydney Theatre Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company, Australian Theatre for Young People, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Regional Arts NSW, Accessible Arts, The Song Company, Gondwana Choirs and Sydney Children's Choir are all taking part. In addition Sydney Writers' Festival and Biennale of Sydney, who regularly present work in the area, will participate and neighbouring resident, Bell Shakespeare, will also play a part. On offer will be opportunities to explore the work of each Company, to visit rarely seen behind-the-scenes spaces, participate in workshops, attend forums, take special tours and enjoy diverse performances of drama, music and dance.

The dizzying array of free activities includes workshops in acting, singing, performance, stage fighting, writing, designing, directing, circus skills, stage make-up, lantern making and puppetry, all run by leading practitioners; 'Meet the Artist' events including sessions with some of Sydney's leading actors, directors and playwrights; dance workshops including jazz, ballet and hip-hop; live performances by Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Dance Company, atyp, STC's The Residents, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and from visiting bands; and numerous activities and events for children.

Free discussions and forums are on offer throughout the whole day, with just one of the highlights being all of the artistic heads of Sydney's leading arts companies sharing one platform. Participants include Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett (STC), Stephen Page (Bangarra), Rafael Bonachela (SDC), Fraser Corfield (atyp), Roland Peelman (The Song Company), Brett Weymark (Sydney Philharmonia Choirs), Chip Rolley (Sydney Writers' Festival), Catherine de Zegher and Gerald McMaster (Biennale), Lyn Williams (Gondwana) and John Bell (Bell Shakespeare), to name a few.

Visitors to Open Day can explore backstage areas that are rarely open to the public, including scenic art, set construction, props and costume departments, archives and rehearsal rooms, as well as the many performance spaces.

There'll also be plenty of food and drink options available on the day. Visitors can enjoy special menus from The Wharf Restaurant, Sydney Dance Café, Hickson Road Bistro, Simmer on the Bay, Fratelli Fresh, Ventuno, Fire Fly, Ottoman and others. Food and drink stalls will also be positioned all around The Wharf.

Entry and participation in all events, workshops, tours etc is free. Those wishing to join workshops and / or to guarantee their places on special guided tours, are encouraged to register for these in advance by phoning STC's Box Office on 02 9250 1777 or visiting sydneytheatre.com.au/openday. The website will be live from Monday 8 November 2010. Registrations will be available from Monday 22 November 2010 at sydneytheatre.com.au/openday

Sydney's Arts Precinct

The Wharf, situated at Pier 4 and 5, Walsh Bay, is formerly a working pier that was officially handed over to Sydney Theatre Company in 1984. It is now home to composers, carpenters, actors, directors, dancers, choreographers, designers, painters, stage managers, electricians, mechanists, administrators and many others working alongside each other in an extraordinary environment to create a diverse array of arts events. Here, ideas are grown and collaborations born, sets are built, costumes sewn, productions are being rehearsed and then presented, all suspended above the waters of Sydney Harbour.

The nearby Sydney Theatre at 22 Hickson Road was developed from the old Bond Stores to become a state-of-the-art 850 seat theatre in 2004.

It was announced earlier this year that neighbouring Pier 2/3 will also be brought to life by cultural activity, housing more Australian arts companies and performance venues in the future.

All spaces will be open to visitors and will host the plethora of activities and events on Open Day, Sunday 5 December 2010.

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