Sometimes, the best ideas are born over burritos and margaritas—and that’s exactly how the 23rd Theater Co came to life.

Riley, Flynn, and Charlie, three freshly graduated creatives from JMC Academy, weren’t ready to sit around waiting for auditions to roll in. Instead, with a nudge from their teachers and a shared love for storytelling, they decided to build something of their own: a theatre company focused on originality, community, and giving other grads a real shot at making theatre happen.

Their first production? Rope, a moody, suspense-filled thriller by Patrick Hamilton that unfolds in real time. Think Hitchcock vibes with a Gen Z twist—and a whole lot of heart behind the scenes.

Building a Company from Scratch

Starting a theatre company isn’t all applause and curtain calls. It’s long nights, tricky logistics, last-minute crises, and learning by doing—especially when you’re fresh out of uni. But Riley, Flynn, and Charlie are embracing the chaos with equal parts ambition and humour. “We just figured… why wait?” they said, echoing what many creatives feel in a competitive industry.

Their goal? To create a platform where new graduates can find their feet, whether that’s on stage, behind the scenes, or somewhere in between. The 23rd Theater Co is all about building a space where emerging talent gets to shine.

Why Rope?

“Rope” isn’t your average debut show. It’s dark, twisty, and asks some big questions about morality, privilege, and what happens when people start to play god. But more than that, it’s a bold choice for a young company—stripped back, intimate, and entirely dependent on performance and tension.

The action unfolds in real time, dragging the audience into the room as the story unravels minute by minute. It’s the kind of theatre that keeps you leaning forward in your seat, not sure whether to laugh nervously or gasp out loud.

The Real-Life Drama of Making Theatre

Behind the scenes, the trio have faced their fair share of drama. From venue issues to budget constraints to figuring out how to do a lighting plan with zero experience—it’s been a wild ride. But what keeps them going is the belief in what they’re building: not just a show, but a community.

They lean on each other constantly, bringing their different strengths to the table, and keeping the vibe fun—even when the stress levels spike. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” they admit. “But we do take the work seriously.”

What’s Next?

With Rope as their first official show, the 23rd Theater Co is already looking ahead. They want to keep making work that matters—shows that entertain but also challenge, provoke, and connect. And above all, they want to keep creating space for fellow emerging artists to jump in, try things, and grow.

So, if you see their name on a flyer or a ticket link online—don’t scroll past. This is the kind of theatre we need more of: bold, fresh, and made by people who love it enough to do the hard stuff.

Quickfire Highlights:

• 🎓 Fresh Grads doing big things with no time to waste.
• 🌮 The Origin Story? A dinner date turned business brainstorm.
• 🎭 First show, Rope: suspense, secrets, and serious edge-of-your-seat energy.
• 👥 Community-driven, not just cast-and-crew focused.
• 💪 Learning as they go, leaning on each other, and still having fun.
• 🧠 Tackling real themes—from morality to privilege—through story.
• 🎉 Future-focused, aiming to grow a theatre hub for emerging talent.

Want to see what the next generation of theatre-makers are cooking up? Keep your eyes on the 23rd Theater Co. They’re just getting started—but something tells us they’re onto something big.