In 2023, Beaumaris Theatre Inc celebrates 70 years of bringing theatre to the community. As we recognise the success of those 70 years, we reflect on the enormity of such an achievement. The Theatre has endured thanks to the many Committee Members who have served over the decades.

Over the next few months, we will take the time to speak with 3 of our current Committee members, Debbie Keyt, Robyn Morris and Stephen Morris, all of whom in 2023, celebrate 20 years of service on our Committee. Each has contributed, in their own way, to the great story that is Beaumaris Theatre Inc. We thank them and we hope you enjoy reading about their 20-year relationships with our Theatre.

This month our featured Committee member is Debbie Keyt. Debbie is a well-known, and award-winning director, who has directed and produced many shows in the last 20 years at Beaumaris Theatre. We met with Debbie and discussed her theatrical career, her introduction to Beaumaris Theatre, the changes she has seen and been a part of, her role as secretary, what Beaumaris Theatre truly means to her and why the performing arts are so dear to her heart. Thank you, Debbie, from all of us at Beaumaris Theatre.

Debbie, tell us about your 20-year relationship with Beaumaris Theatre

Debbie: My initial involvement was through a friend who was friendly with Charmaine Hart, a Director from Beaumaris Theatre. My friend was aware of my interest in live performance and my previous performing experiences, and she introduced us. That led me to attend 2 or 3 shows as an audience member before getting involved.

About a year later, in 1996 I auditioned for my first show at the theatre called ‘Table Manners’. The director was Graham Eddie. I was cast in the role of Ruth. I was very excited to be back on stage again, my last play performance had been in 1986 before my son was born. After I did the 1996 show I limited it to one show per year in ‘96, ’97 and ’98, as I had 3 young children. In 2003 I started my directorial career at Beaumaris Theatre. I loved it. I had the bug back and felt my creativity reviving. Theatre had always been and always will be, a part of my life. It is in all aspects of me and my daily practices, it’s not a separate thing, and it is a part of who I am.

Over the years I would have to say that I learned much from many, for example, Graeme Eddie, a lovely person, and director, and I found Cheryl Threadgold to be a wonderful mentor and someone to look up to, but in saying that, along the way every director I have worked with has taught me something.

Moving into the Committee role came as a natural progression from the relationship that had been developed through being in shows and being involved, in working bees etc. at the Theatre. At the time some of the people who were heavily involved in the Theatre were the Mulholland’s and Derek Curd was President. I had been approached a few times by them to join the Committee over those years, but it hadn’t been quite the right time for me with all the other commitments in my life.

So finally in 2002 when approached yet again by Jeff Laws, I really felt the time was right and I took up the offer and went straight into the role of secretary which had been vacated. Throughout the time I have been part of the Committee, I have held the position of Secretary and Vice President, but I have never actually been a General Committee Member.

In 20 years I have seen changes in our Committee operations. For example, in 2002 I had gone to the President and one of the other Executive Committee Members of Beaumaris Theatre to pitch running DK Productions from Beaumaris Theatre, and they gave me the go-ahead without even consulting the whole committee for approval. In 2023 while our framework is mainly a similar structure, we aim for a professional and cohesive Committee and work with an inclusive mindset. I see that as a significant change from then to now.

The most memorable year for me was 2004. It was the year of our inaugural Talbots Awards, where our Beaumaris family came together to celebrate our year of theatre. We held it at the Cheltenham/ Moorabbin RSL. The Talbots continue to this day and is a much anticipated and enjoyed event on our yearly calendar. Another significant memory is from 2013 when we had our 60th Anniversary Ball. This year we will celebrate our amazing 70th anniversary year at our Talbots Gala.

If I had a pipe dream come true for our Theatre, it would be a benefactor leaving us enough money to build a new state-of-the-art theatre with all the contemporary trappings of stages, performance areas, practice spaces, dressing rooms and tech areas etc. etc. What a wonderful dream!

I see myself being around for a long time yet.

Some advice I would share is that being part of community theatre is one of the best experiences folks can have and there are so many ways to be involved, it doesn’t just have to be performance. There are many roles to play, and skill sets needed, big or small. It is so very fulfilling, and I feel just doing something in a small way always ends up being part of something in a big way.