Curtin University has unveiled the new Hayman Theatre for performance art on its Bentley campus.
Opened on April 26 by Minister for Heritage, Culture and Arts David Templeman, the theatre replaced the historical Hayman Theatre, which had been in use since 1973.
Theatre Arts at Curtin University was the oldest established tertiary theatre course in Western Australia and was taught from the old Hayman Theatre building for much of that time.
The original Hayman Theatre building was now closed and Theatre Arts courses were relocated to the new theatre in Building 302 on the east side of the campus.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the relocation was in response to the expansion of the university’s Bentley campus and would signal a new era for theatre arts at the university.
“Having a theatre on campus provides a great opportunity for students to put their studies into practice, providing an important link between classroom learning and real world experience,” Professor Terry said.
The theatre was named after George Hayman who was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the West Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT), which opened its doors in 1967.
WAIT became Curtin University in 1987.
The relocation of the Hayman Theatre took place during the university’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
