Performers and theatregoers say they are disgusted by the Limelight Theatre’s decision to scrap acknowledgements of country before shows.

Before their annual general meeting on April 9, the theatre’s former president, Gwen Browning, announced their committee had decided to remove acknowledgements of country from pre-show routines.

The reason given was due to perceptions of inconsistency with previous performances, with some directors electing to include acknowledgements, while others did not.

Limelight member and performer Brittany Isaia attended the meeting. She says this decision was made without consulting any members.

According to Ms Isaia, another member suggested a bylaw to include an acknowledgement before every show, which was then overturned 15-22.

A second vote was then proposed to keep the choice at the discretion of each director, which was also overturned.

“I had to spend some time sitting with my own thoughts about whether or not I want to continue to be involved in a production that’s being held in a theatre that felt it was ok to make a policy like this,” Ms Isaia says.

The cast of the theatre’s current production Alice by Heart have responded to the controversy, seeking to publicly separate their own views from the Committee’s.

Director Naomi Capon says this decision came as a shock to her, coming months into the rehearsal process.

“The AGM took place when our rehearsals were well over halfway so when this decision came to be I was quite disappointed at the fact that I kind of lost a decision that I did not expect to lose,” Ms Capon says.

Ms Capon has been working on an alternate message to play before the performance, collaborating with Indigenous cast member Indigo Grace.

“It’s been a very difficult journey, but we’ve decided to make a video to acknowledge it and put an [acknowledgement] in the programs,” Ms Grace says.

“It’s obviously important to acknowledge the custodians of the land, it’s important to my culture and who I am.”

Limelight Theatre posted its own response earlier today, saying they instead choose to acknowledge the land via a plaque in the foyer.

Ms Capon says she’s heard some people may boycott the theatre, and while the whole team understand the sentiment, they hope people will still come and see the show.