Tamarama Rock Surfers

The Tamarama Rock Surfers was an independent theatre company that operated out of the Old Fitzroy Theatre in Woolloomooloo, New South Wales, Australia, and beyond. After 18 years, the group ceased trading in December 2015 due to lack of funding.

The story behind the name is that some of the founding members were regular board riders in Tamarama, a notoriously dangerous surfing spot known for its hazardous rocks. The name was to become a metaphor for the edgy and risky plays these performers were to produce. Formed by a collection of local actor/surfers in 1997, they felt at the time there was lack of a platform for new voices in the industry.

Since its inception, the Company produced over 200 main stage productions and premiered 130 new Australian plays. The Company was led by artists such as Jeremy Cumpston, Ansuya Nathan, Zena Cumpston and Alan Flower.

In 2011, Rock Surfers with the help of Waverley Council, moved to a larger venue at the Bondi Pavilion. Not confined to the space, the Rock Surfers have also performed in the Studio venue of the Sydney Opera House.

The company has also been the start of many other independent Australian theatre companies. It has also started many theatre careers like Tim Minchin, Kate Mulvany, Toby Schmitz, Sarah Goodes, Ewen Leslie, Suzie Miller, Iain Sinclair, Sarah Giles, Josh Lawson, Brendan Cowell, Blazey Best, Jason Clarke and Sarah Snook.

Many talented Australian actors, both veterans and newcomers, perform in plays at the Old Fitzroy Theatre such as Bojana Novakovic, Beejan Olfat, Jeremy Cumpston, Simon Burke, Pippa Grandison, Toby Schmitz, Victoria Hill, Damon Herriman, Mouche Phillips, Carole Skinner, Leah Vandenberg, Danny Adcock. In addition, many notable directors have recognised the space as one of Sydney's finest intimate venues, among them David Field, Simon Lyndon, Jason Clarke, Brendan Cowell, Van Badham, Jeremy Sims.

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