Formed in 1996 out of the Fortune Theatre's adult drama class, Interact was founded by experienced theatre practitioners Cindy Diver, Hilary Norris and Martin Phelan.
Over the years, Interact has grown from that one class to become a thriving theatre school for children and adults.
"We have always maintained a very close relationship with the Fortune Theatre over the years,'' Interact artistic director Cindy Diver said.
"There has been a lot of friendly koha on both sides, which has been great.''
Now there are moves to formalise the collaboration by bringing Interact Drama Classes under the umbrella of the Fortune Theatre. Due diligence on the proposal has been done during the past six months, and the scheme is expected to go before the Fortune Theatre board for approval this month.
As the performers' representative on the Fortune Theatre board, Ms Diver has stepped aside from the decision-making process to avoid a conflict of interest.
"As a board member, I know that the Fortune Theatre and Interact have very similar ideas on theatre practice,'' she said.
"We are bringing the proposal as a goodwill gesture.''
Board chairman Robert Aitken was positive about the proposal and felt that it could help the Fortune Theatre to meet its commitment to education.
"There could be benefits for both organisations in coming together and [it] could help the theatre to foster young talent,'' Mr Aitken said.
"Also, the Interact classes have a great reputation . . . and their young actors could be ambassadors for the Fortune.''
Ms Diver was looking forward to Interact students gaining increased access to the theatre, its shows, the skills of Fortune Theatre staff, sets, costumes and props.
"Giving our students access to a professional theatre will be a huge help in their development as performers,'' she said.
"There's something about being on stage in the theatre that brings the best out in them.''
Another huge positive would be the chance to have access to the ‘‘amazing professional actors'' who regularly came to the Fortune to perform, she said.
Interact students Rosie Naylor (15) and Danaka Wheeler (15), who have both studied drama from an early age and have worked on stage and in film and television, were excited by the prospect of closer ties with the Fortune Theatre.
"It would be great to have a chance to get on stage there,'' Rosie said.
For these talented young women, who both appeared in Robert Sarkies' Dunedin film Out of the Blue, the experience of acting in a professional setting was inspiring.
"It really hit home that this wasn't going to drama classes every week - it was the real thing,'' Danaka said.
