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10 Years in Southbank

From work experience to the main stage

Actor Christie Whelan Browne tells how she came to be part of the MTC family

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‘It’s one of my favourite places to work.’

Christie Whelan Browne

This year marks 10 years of Melbourne Theatre Company in Southbank. To celebrate, we asked members of MTC’s community to reflect on the most recent chapter of the Company’s exciting history and what Melbourne’s home of theatre means to them. For actor Christie Whelan Browne, it all began with an 'audition' tape in year 10.

I first became involved with MTC in Year 10. My friends made a compilation VHS of all of my school musical performances and sent it in to ask if I could do work experience … and they said yes. Year 10 Christie would never have imagined that [one day] she would work for this Company. Sometimes I think back to that young girl and I think she’d just be blown away.

My first show at MTC [The Drowsy Chaperone], was a huge learning curve for me. I never got to study acting at university, so I learned so much from Simon Phillips and everyone that worked on that show.

MTC provides a workplace for so many people and so many actors. The storytelling is so great, the commitment to the work from the Company is incredible and there’s the support from donors who are so generous in their support of the art.

If you see me in the bows you’ll often see me crying – and it’s not because I’m loving the applause – it’s because I am seeing the faces of people who have been moved by what they have just seen. And that’s why I do it.


MTC invites you to help continue the story. Your donation will bring more inspiring stories to life at Melbourne Theatre Company. Every dollar contributes directly to a bright future for MTC and the cultural landscape of Melbourne and Victoria. Learn more and donate online at www.mtc.com.au/support-mtc/make-a-donation/

Published on 18 April 2019

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