# Marian St Theatre ACTION > Arts and Culture Together in Our Neighbourhood ## Posts - [Support the arts. Sign the petition. Spread the word.](https://marianstaction.com.au/sign-the-petition-spread-the-word/): The petition to reopen Marian St Theatre is now live. Can you help us spread the word? From an organisation? We need your help. If you are part of an arts company, club, school or P&C, Rotary or Probus, a community association, a local business, or another network, please consider sharing the petition in your newsletter or social channels. We also have fliers and posters available – just email us to request some: contact@marianstaction.com.au Download Materials To make it easy, we’ve prepared: Thank You This campaign depends on community networks. Every email, post and conversation helps. Thank you for supporting […] - [We could finally fund Marian Street Theatre by the end of the year](https://marianstaction.com.au/marian-street-theatre-could-finally-be-funded-by-the-end-of-the-year/): And your voice will make this happen. Ku-ring-gai has announced consultation on its Special Rate Variation (SRV), following suit with many other councils in Sydney, including Hornsby’s 31.05% increase over four years, Willoughby with 15% over one year, and Northern Beaches with 39.6% over three years. Ku-ring-gai is now also considering an SRV, and has reached out to residents for their input. As a council with a very high capital works backlog, this seems sensible. They have proposed the following options: That’s only $1.32 more to fund Marian St Theatre. While it’s great that Marian Street Theatre is on the […] - [We ❤️ the Arts – A Community Celebration](https://marianstaction.com.au/we-%e2%9d%a4%ef%b8%8f-the-arts-a-community-celebration/): Thank you to everyone who came, performed, spoke, danced and sang on Sunday at ‘We the Arts.’ Congratulations to Cheryl Szatow particularly on her NSW Government Community Service Award, presented on Sunday by Matt Cross MP (more on this shortly!). A few photos from the incredible groups involved in the day: Thank you also to the speakers; Thank you to the organisers of the event, in particular Lisa Munckton and Gai Emmerson. Many of these incredible local groups now perform mostly or wholly outside Ku-ring-gai. Some have, through lack of performance venues, relocated entirely to other Council areas (Sadly, a […] - [NSW Parliament News](https://marianstaction.com.au/nsw-parliament-news/): On 19 February 2025, Matt Cross MP, representative for Davidson, made a speech in NSW Parliament highlighting the critical lack of infrastructure and how much he enjoyed attending We Heart The Arts. Read more here… Mr MATT CROSS (Davidson) (21:56): I contribute to debate on the Creative Statement to Parliament Bill 2024. The purpose of the bill is to deliver a statement to the Parliament every three years on the arts, culture and creative industries. Such a statement will no doubt create transparency and accountability to the public and to the Parliament. I know that the stakeholders in the arts, culture and creative […] - [Volunteer Power – Behind the Scenes at ‘We ❤️ the Arts’](https://marianstaction.com.au/volunteer-power-behind-the-scenes-at-we-%e2%9d%a4%ef%b8%8f-the-arts/): Events like We ❤️ the Arts don’t happen by accident. They’re powered by the dedication of our incredible volunteers—from stage management to flyer delivery, front-of-house to community outreach. A huge thank you to everyone who lent their time, energy, and heart. You made it happen. A particular thank you to Lisa Munckton and Gai Emmerson who drove the event and were the powerhouses behind it. Want to get involved? Volunteer with Us – help at events, bring new ideas, or join the movement. Together, we’re not just rebuilding a theatre—we’re building community. - [Crunch Time for Marian Street Theatre](https://marianstaction.com.au/crunch-time-for-marian-street-theatre/): As voters head to the polls, the future of Marian Street Theatre is once again in the community’s hands. The approved DA is ready. Now, we need a Council that will build it. Ask your local candidates: “Will you build Marian Street Theatre?” Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Contact Council Candidates Now - [Artist Profile – Sarah Armstrong](https://marianstaction.com.au/artist-profile-sarah-armstrong/): The third in our new series of interviews with supporters of Marian Street Theatre. Sarah Armstrong was formerly a student and actor with MSTYP and performed in their production of Rumpelstiltskin in 2012. Today Sarah is a professional artist and filmmaker who works and performs with the theatre company Midnight Feast. In her spare time she is currently writing and illustrating her own children’s book about her childhood experience with hearing aids. It was wonderful to catch up with Sarah and hear about how Marian Street Theatre helped unlock her creative passion more than a decade ago! - [Artist Profile – Ava Madon](https://marianstaction.com.au/artist-profile-ava-madon/): Ava Madon grew up performing at Marian Street Theatre. Today, she’s a rising star in Australian theatre and television—with credits from Belvoir to ABC, and a Green Room Award nomination to her name. Ava is part of a generation of talent nurtured by Marian Street Youth Theatre Productions (MSTYP). From Macbeth to Ride the Cyclone, Ava’s stage work is critically acclaimed, and her presence on screen has inspired young performers across the country. We’re proud of her—and proud of the role Marian Street Theatre played in her journey. upport the future of creativity in Ku-ring-gai. Let’s make sure the next […] - [Artist Profile – Kylie Heart](https://marianstaction.com.au/artist-profile-kylie-heart/): Meet Kylie Heart, founder and CEO of Midnight Feast, a theatre company that champions artists with disabilities. Ten years ago, Kylie taught and directed at MSTYP—bringing inclusive, dynamic theatre to Marian Street. She’s seen firsthand how vital accessible, well-equipped venues are in Sydney’s cultural landscape. She supports the approved plans for Marian Street Theatre—and so do we. Watch Kylie’s Interview Here Marian Street can once again be a place for all voices. A place where inclusion meets imagination. Let’s build that future. - [Artist Profile – Interview with Tony Bates - chair of Marian St Action](https://marianstaction.com.au/artist-profile-interview-with-tony-bates-chair-of-marian-st-action/): Our interview with Tony Bates, the Chair of the Marian Street ACTION Committee. Tony was on the Ku-ring-gai Council Reference Committee when the DA approved plans were put together. During that time he listened to many community and industry voices and their ideas of how a new Marian Street Theatre would look. He kept coming back to that magical spot between the train line and the highway chosen by residents more than 100 years ago. Tony grew up running round a similar theatre next to a similar park in a similar community and loves the feeling of being at home […] ## Pages - [Marian St Theatre needs your voice](https://marianstaction.com.au/marian-st-theatre-needs-your-voice/): The arts should not come last Ku-ring-gai Council could finally commit to Marian St Theatre. But they need to hear from you. Ku-ring-gai Council has: ✓ 207 parks, playgrounds and sports fields ✓ 67 tennis courts ✓ 2 golf courses and ✓ 1 fitness and aquatic centre But for the arts only: ✓ 1 arts centre (Roseville) X 1 theatre (closed for over 12 years) Marian St Theatre has been closed for 12 years Ku-ring-gai has a vibrant, community-driven, grassroots arts and culture scene, but audiences and groups have been forced out of the area, including Marian Street Theatre for […] - [Home](https://marianstaction.com.au/): Design Approved Iconic architectural plans finalised. Overwhelming Support From local community, arts groups, and organisations. No Work Commenced Ku-ring-gai Council owns the theatre. It’s been closed since 2013. Just Build It Why Marian St Theatre? For over a century, Marian Street Theatre has been a place where community, creativity, and culture come together. Now, with an approved redevelopment design that respects its heritage while delivering a contemporary, multi-use performance space, it is now time to bring it back to life. Infastructure Shortage Community Demand Heritage Overwhelming Support for Marian St - [Donate](https://marianstaction.com.au/donate/): Build the future Every donation supports the campaign to reopen Marian Street Theatre as a vibrant, community-led space for performance and creativity. All donations are tax-deductible. At this stage, all funds go directly towards campaign activities: events, advocacy, community outreach, and communications. Your support helps demonstrate strong public backing and maintains the momentum of the campaign. Raising funds to support the renovations or ongoing operations has not commenced. If you are interested in getting involved in the fund to renovate the building, please contact us at contact @marianstaction.com.au Direct Debits Direct debits can be made to: Save Marian St Theatre. […] - [Get Involved](https://marianstaction.com.au/get_involved/): Want to make a real difference? Join us! Marian Street Theatre is a community-led project, and it’s people like you who will bring it to life. Leadership Marian Street Action is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit, non-partisan group dedicated to reopening Marian Street Theatre as a vibrant space for community, culture, and creativity. We’re building a theatre—and a movement. Board members Thank you to the former members of the Save Marian St Theatre committee, who created the foundations for Marian St Theatre ACTION. - [News](https://marianstaction.com.au/news/): Campaign Updates - [Contact](https://marianstaction.com.au/contact/): Message us - [History](https://marianstaction.com.au/what-we-do/): A legacy worth preserving For over 100 years, Marian Street Theatre has been a gathering place for Ku-ring-gai – from its early days as a memorial hall to its evolution into one of Australia’s most respected suburban theatres. Thousands of artists have performed here, and generations of locals have treasured memories of their own local theatre. Timeline 1905 – 2025 Theatre that shaped careers Over the decades, Marian Street Theatre became a launchpad for Australian talent. Performers, directors and creatives who worked here went on to shape theatre, film, and television nationally and internationally. Marian St Theatre Luminaries History Documentary […] - [Why Marian St?](https://marianstaction.com.au/about/): Vision A rebuilt community hub at Marian St that is welcoming and accessible for all, supporting artists and offering a diverse range of artistic, cultural and community activities. Our Strategy About the approved designs FAQs [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)