In the mid-1970s Mary Amoore, QSM, established the Auckland Youth Theatre. Tim Bray joined the AYT as a teenage drama student in 1977. The year after graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Auckland, Mary employed Tim as an actor in their Theatredays (theatre –in-education) programme, and later became a tutor and director there.In 1991, when the Auckland Youth Theatre closed its doors. Tim approached the outgoing AYT committee and asked if he could take over the lease of the premises in Lower Greys Ave. These premises later became the birthplace of the SiLo Theatre, and is now home to The Basement Theatre.