Editing Ballarat (section)

===Performing arts===
[[File:Her majestys ballarat.jpg|thumb|Her Majesty's Theatre, built in 1875]]
Ballarat has a lively and well-established theatrical community, with several local ensembles as well as a number of large [[performing arts]] venues. Major performing arts venues include the 800-capacity Her Majesty's Theatre,<ref>{{cite web|last=Dewey|first=Christine|date=25 November 2024|title=Performance review: Resurgence: Opening Night Gala, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat|url=https://www.artshub.com.au/news/reviews/performance-review-resurgence-opening-night-gala-her-majestys-theatre-ballarat-2763020/|website=artshub.com.au|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref> the 857 seat Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- not stated -->|year=2025|title=About the Venue|url=https://wcpa.com.au/|website=wcpa.com.au|location=Wendouree (Ballarat), Australia|publisher=Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref> and the Loreto Abbey Theatre in the Mary's Mount Centre which is part of [[Loreto College, Victoria|Loreto College]] a Roman Catholic girls school with 500 seats.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- not stated -->|year=2025|title=Mary’s Mount Centre|url=https://loreto.vic.edu.au/loreto-college/facilities/marys-mount-centre/|website=loreto.vic.edu.au|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref> Ballarat also hosts the smaller 90 seat Post Office Box Theatre which is also used by [[Federation University Australia|Federation University]]'s Performing Arts Academy program.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- not stated -->|title=Camp St, P – Old Post Office|url=https://federation.edu.au/about-us/facilities-and-services/timetables/room-resource/camp-st|website=federation.edu.au|location=Ballarat, Australia|date=24 May 2024|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>

Some notable theatre organisations in Ballarat include Ballarat National Theatre (since 1938);<ref>{{cite web|last=Hines|first=Wayne|title=History of Ballarat National Theatre Inc|website=Ballarat National Theatre|date=4 October 2023|url=https://www.bnt.org.au/about-us/history-of-bnt|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref> BLOC (Ballarat Light Opera Company; since 1959);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blocmusictheatre.com.au/content/about-us|title=About Us|publisher=BLOC Music Theatre|access-date=18 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811230305/http://blocmusictheatre.com.au/content/about-us|archive-date=11 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=BLOC Music Theatre is a multi award-winning amateur theatre company entertaining the Ballarat community for over 60 Years.|website=BLOC Music Theatre|url=https://blocmusictheatre.com/|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref> the amateur theatre troupe Creswick Theatre Company (since 1981);<ref>{{cite web|title=Creswick Theatre Company|website=Visit Ballarat|date=26 February 2019|url=https://www.visitballarat.com.au/explore/creswick-theatre-company/|access-date=28 June 2024|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628084347/https://www.visitballarat.com.au/explore/creswick-theatre-company/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|website=CRESWICK THEATRE COMPANY|date=28 June 2024|url=https://creswicktheatre.com.au/our-history/|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref> and the female-led boutique company, Salty Theatre (established 2018).<ref>{{cite web|title=Salty Theatre|website=Creative Ballarat|date=1 July 2022|url=https://www.creativeballarat.com.au/artists-makers-creatives/salty-theatre|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

The Ballarat Civic Hall is a large public building constructed in 1956 as a general purpose venue. Its stripped classical design was heavily criticised during its planning, however it has gained some cultural significance to the city with its cavernous spaces holding many significant events over the years. Civic Hall was closed in 2002 and public pressure forced the council to redevelop it in 2018<ref>{{cite web|author=Marcus Power|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/civic-hall-plan-to-go-before-ballarat-city-council/1698639.aspx|title=Civic Hall plan to go before Ballarat City Council – Local News – News – General|work=The Courier|date=7 December 2009|access-date=18 August 2010}}</ref> as a modern performing arts and exposition centre. The refurbished building is a modern interpretation of its original 1950s built form and features a 1000 capacity main hall capable of use for concerts, meetings and civic events.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ballarat Civic Hall – Here Studio Architects|url=https://www.herestudio.au/projects/ballarat-civic-hall|access-date=2025-01-18|website=Here|language=en-AU}}</ref>

{{anchor|regent}}The Regent Cinemas, which opened in the heart of the city in 1928, was once the largest [[picture palace]] in regional Victoria, with nearly 2,000 seats in [[Stalls (theatre)|stalls]] and balcony.<ref name=kirkham2024/> It was designed by noted Melbourne theatre architect Cedric Heise Ballantyne,<ref name=ct/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244197852|title=Ballarat's new picture theatre|newspaper=[[The Herald (Melbourne)|The Herald]]|issue=15,713|location=Victoria, Australia|date=28 September 1927|access-date=28 June 2024|page=16|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><!---ABC article says also [[Arthur Purnell|Arthur W. Purnell]], but not borne out by other sources, and seems unlikely---><ref name=kirkham2024/> and who was also responsible designing the [[Regent Theatre, Melbourne|Regent Theatre]] on [[Collins Street, Melbourne]].<ref name=kirkham2024/> After the interiors were damaged by fire in 1943 (although the front [[facade]] survived), the architectural firm Cowper, Murphy & Appleford redesigned the building. [[Hoyts]] ran the cinema from its inception until it closed the venue in 1964<ref name=ct>{{cite web|title=Regent Cinemas in Ballarat, AU|website=Cinema Treasures|first=Ken|last=Roe|url=https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/36448|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref> or 1970. It was acquired and renovated by the Anderson family, who reopened it in 1976. It was completely refurbished and the interiors redesigned to create a [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]] containing three separate theatres in 1986, and a further three screens were added in the early 2000s. The facade remained intact, and the sign at its entrance showed the words "The Regent Multiplex", while the vertical sign simply said "Regent". On 24 June 2024, the owners announced the closure of the cinema, effective immediately, to the dismay of many patrons and the mayor of Ballarat.<ref name=kirkham2024>{{cite web|last=Kirkham|first=Rochelle|title=Historic Regent Cinemas Ballarat announces closure, effective immediately|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|date=25 June 2024|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-25/regent-cinemas-ballarat-announces-immediate-closure-films-movies/104017206|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

Ballarat has its own symphony orchestra, the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra, which was formed in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Orchestra|website=Ballarat Symphony Orchestra|date=13 December 2023|url=https://ballaratsymphonyorchestra.com/about-the-orchestra/|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

The city has several dance clubs as well as a highly active live music and jazz scene.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Live Music in Ballarat Victoria|website=Ballarat Live Music Scene|url=https://www.livemusicscene.com.au/ballarat/|access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>