Towers Players was established in 1962 to provide cultural and artistic activities for the community of Charters Towers and District.  From humble beginnings where productions were produced in a local Theatre (the Theatre Royal), a small group of interested community members successfully purchased the old Anglican church, St Paul’s Playhouse (built in 1883), and transformed the building into a working theatre.  The organization continued to grow and became incorporated in 1996.  The organisation has always been a ‘not for profit’ body and achieved charitable status under ATO regulations in 1999.

The first big production in Towers Players history was ‘Calamity Jane’ 1977. This show was highlighted by the US Ambassador to Australia attending the production as part of US Bicentennial celebrations. 

Other successful productions followed over the next 30 years.  To mention a few memorable highlights:

• In 1994, for the first time, a professional Director was employed to produce ‘Oliver’.  This show was performed 8 times to sell out audiences at St Paul’s Playhouse with over 900 people attending.
• In 1997 ‘The Sound of Music’ was our first production in the recently opened World Theatre.
• From 1996-2004 Towers Players competed in the North Queensland One Act Play Festival with considerable success including Best Director and Best Actress awards.
• In 2003 ‘Grease’ was Towers Players first ever ‘sell out’ at The World Theatre.  In the eleven year history of the theatre this was the most successful production with over 1700 people attending the 3 shows.  This was the first Towers Players musical at The World Theatre to have a local production team.
• In 2004 ‘A Kids Summer Nights Dream’ was performed in the Playhouse showcasing the children and youth of Charters Towers.
• In 2006 Towers Players acquired the rights to stage the first North Queensland production of ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’.  A cast and crew of over 150 people participated in this project.

Towers Players has also established a strong bond within the district through its contribution to a variety of community events.  These include:

• Charters Towers – the Musical (part of the 2005 Queensland Music Festival).
• Performances in various tourism related strategies such as ‘Ghosts of Gold’ video, Charters Towers Ashes book launch etc.
• Involvement in commemorative and celebratory events such as Centenary of Federation, Richmond Hill State School Centenary Play, Hughenden Dinosaur Festival 2006, Opening Gala of the World Theatre etc.
• Assistance with SES accident training exercises.

Towers Players has been the recipient of the Senior Cultural Australia Day Award.