Totem Theatre facts for kids
The Totem Theatre is a special theatre in Alice Springs, a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It's managed by the Alice Springs Theatre Group, who put on fun plays and shows there. What makes this theatre extra cool is its history! The two main buildings are old army huts, called Sidney Williams Huts, built way back in 1945 during World War II. They've been used for different things ever since.
A Theatre with a History
The Totem Theatre buildings were first built in 1945 by the Australian Army. This was during World War II, when the government was putting a lot of effort into the Alice Springs area. They made big improvements to roads, like the Stuart Highway. They also upgraded the Old Telegraph Line for long-distance phone calls. For the first time, water was pumped into people's homes.
A group called the Darwin Overland Maintenance Force helped a lot with these changes. They set up their camp near ANZAC Oval and the Todd River. In 1945, they built what is now the Totem Theatre. These buildings were first used as a place for soldiers to get medical help and dental care.
From Army Huts to a Theatre
After the war ended, the army decided what to do with all their buildings. The Sidney Williams Huts were very popular. Many of them were moved to new places. Others stayed where they were and became homes or shops. Most of those old huts have been taken down now.
But the Totem Theatre buildings stayed right where they were. They weren't used much for a while. Then, in 1963, the Alice Springs Theatre Group took over the buildings. They opened their new "Totem Club House Theatre" in March 1964. The buildings have been changed a bit over time to work as a theatre. But they still have most of their original parts.
The Totem Theatre is an important historical place. It was officially added to the Northern Territory Heritage Register on January 18, 2006. This means it's protected because of its history.
What Happens There Now?
Today, the Totem Theatre is a busy place! Every year, it hosts a big musical. It also has many other events. You can see plays, comedy shows, and spoken word events. Live music concerts are also held there. The theatre is a very important spot for the Alice Desert Festival.
