About Free-Rain Theatre Company
Free-Rain Theatre Company was founded in 1995 by Anne Somes who is the Artistic Director and Producer. Over the last 29 years, Anne has staged 90 productions including plays, musicals, cabaret, new Australian works, children’s theatre and youth productions. From these productions, individual artists and the company have received 75 awards, including seven from the Canberra Critics Circle.
History
- In 1999 Free-Rain Theatre was the Company in Residence at the Currong Contemporary Arts Theatre under the auspices of Jigsaw Theatre Company – Greg Lissaman.
- From 2002 to present, Anne has created and overseen the Emerging Artists program, mentoring actors, directors, writers and production personnel.
- From 2009 to present has seen an extension of the Emerging Artists Program – Internships including ANU Drama Department, Colleges and High Schools. Through an extension of the Mentoring program, Anne was the Director in Residence at Erindale College in 2009.
- In 2000 Free-Rain moved to the Canberra Theatre Centre – Courtyard Studio and continued performances there up to 2015.
- From 2013 to 2016 Free-Rain presented large scale musical theatre performances in Canberra Theatre Centre – including The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid and Wicked.
- From 2017 to present, Free-Rain has been based at The Q, and is the largest Pro-Am theatre company in the ACT.
In 2019, Anne was a proud ACT Finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
She was also judge for the ActewAGL Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Awards from 2007 to 2017, and is currently a judge for The Ovations from 2022 to present.
Anne Somes is also one of three founding members of ACT Hub – the brainchild of Canberra’s most respected theatre practitioners: Anne Somes of Free-Rain Theatre, Jarrad West of Everyman Theatre, and Karen Vickery of Chaika Theatre.
Recipients of no less than 17 Canberra Critics Circle Awards between them – along with many other accolades – these artists have united under the ACT (Australian Capital Theatre) HUB banner to thrill, stimulate, challenge and entertain Canberra audiences.
With the generous support of the ACT Government, Canberra has its first and only venue dedicated solely to producing independent theatre. Situated in the gorgeous heritage-listed Causeway Hall on the edge of Kingston and close to the popular foreshore, the ACT Hub team presents 8 plays per year from Australia and around the world, with the aim of telling great stories while utilising the talents of Canberra’s best theatre practitioners.
ACT HUB is a collective of three theatre companies – Free-Rain, Chaika and Everyman Theatre – which together are activating the gorgeous heritage-listed Causeway Hall on the edge of Kingston and close to the popular Foreshore Arts Precinct.
We present plays from Australia and around the world, with the aim of telling great stories, while utilising the talents of Canberra’s best theatre practitioners. ACT HUB is Canberra’s first venue dedicated solely to producing independent theatre.
With the creation of the Hub Development Program, emerging and developing local directors and artists will have support from the ACT HUB team with curated seasons chosen from submissions. Expert assistance and mentoring as well as in-kind support will allow new talent to create and showcase their work in a low-risk and nurturing environment.
ACT Hub also runs a Hub Learning Program which includes Masterclasses from established professional practitioners, and Forum events, where we convene conversations between theatre practitioners in Canberra and further afield, to discuss emerging trends in the industry. We also present events to inspire and enlighten the Canberra community.
ACT Hub are keen to partner with local businesses, donors and philanthropists, to find mutually beneficial collaborations. These contributions help ensure ACT Hub continues to deliver on our promise, and to achieve our vision for the Canberra community. We hope that you’ll come and join us, have a drink in our foyer space, the HUB PUB, and enjoy the brilliant plays and events we have on offer.
As Australia’s capital, Canberra deserves to experience exciting, vibrant theatre, and for it to be performed by the brilliant array of talent this city has to offer.