Theatre 1
About Theatre 1
HOTA’s purpose‑built Theatre 1 has been operating in the heart of the Gold Coast since 1986, presenting memorable live performances across comedy, theatre, dance, live music, and large‑scale musical productions.
Seating 1,121 guests across the Stalls and Balcony, the theatre creates an exceptional audience experience with both performance and production excellence in mind,
Featuring in‑house technical infrastructure, state‑of‑the‑art AV and lighting, and complete on‑stage and back‑of‑house facilities. The venue supports large cast productions, as well as premium presentations, corporate events, broadcast recordings, and landmark civic occasions.
Past performances include Robbie Williams, Nick Cave, Laurie Anderson, Henry Rollins, Ross Noble, Daniel Sloss, and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, alongside major touring musical theatre and orchestral productions, including Les Misérables, Come From Away, and The Lord of the Rings.
Venue Details
- Capacity
- Full Theatre: 1,121
- Stalls: 719
- Balcony: 374
- AABB Rows: 28
- Cocktail: 250
- Banquet: 180
- Stage type
Proscenium arch
- Stage dimensions
16.03×23.05 (W×D)
- Stage size
335.25m²
- Grid
Full Height Fly Tower
- Orchestra pit
Yes (40 Musicians)
- Loading dock
Yes
- Dressing rooms
8
- Green Room
Yes
- Best for
- Theatre
- Music
- Dance
- Comedy
- Film
- Corporate
- Cocktail
- Dinner
Theatre 1 Gallery
Quick Downloads
Downloadable content for venues.
Theatre 1 Seating Plan
Accessibility
Wheelchair access
AD)Audio Description
Audio Assistance
Enquire about Theatre 1
Submit your details to enquire about hiring a venue or booking an event.
Other Venues at HOTA
Lakeside Room and Lakeside Terrace
Theatre 2
A classic black box theatre designed for focus and flexibility, this versatile space is ideal for performances, presentations, workshops, and breakout sessions. With 105 retractable tiered seats and a multipurpose flat-floor stage, it easily adapts to suit everything from intimate theatre and cabaret to keynotes and rehearsals. Enhance your event with Production and Technical services available to hire through our in house team, to ensure seamless delivery for both events and performances. Refined and highly adaptable, it’s a space where ideas and creativity take centre stage.
Panorama Room
Cinema 1
Cinema 2
Studio 1
Studio 2
Lounge Room
