The Arts and Cultural Building is a vibrant cultural hub and the new home to the iconic Union and Guild Theatres (previously located in Union House). This building is the home of Union House Theatre, with their extensive program of shows, workshops, and professional pathways – all of which are extracurricular and open to all students.

Students can book the rehearsal room on level 2, Arts Lab on level 1, or visit the George Paton Gallery on level 1.

Student theatre has had a long and prolific history on campus, influencing the greater theatre culture of Melbourne and Australia more broadly. Student productions on campus can be dated as far back as 1897, with the oldest photographs of productions coming from the Queen’s College archives. The Union Theatre has been in use since the 1930s, and has produced many talented alumni including Cate Blanchett, Louis Nowra, Jack Charles, and Lally Katz.

Des Connor, the Union’s first theatre manager, was once quoted as saying, “There is no production that cannot be mounted here at the Union Theatre.”

The Union Theatre

To find out more and get involved, visit https://umsu.unimelb.edu.au/express-yourself/

For more information on the history of Student Theatre at the University of Melbourne, visit https://must.unimelb.edu.au/