Hamilton's Meteor Theatre reaches out to the community
20 Apr 2016
GiveaLittle campaign launched to save Hamilton's Meteor Theatre.
METEOR SUCCESS STORY
Since the gift of The Meteor theatre by Hamilton City Council to the community in February 2014, The Meteor theatre has grown from strength to strength, and is now recognised as a thriving creative hub in the Hamilton CBD.
However, the theatre now needs the community’s help.
Over 40,000 people have been through the theatre as users and audience, bookings past and present have been back to back, and community satisfaction with The Meteor rose to 80% in a recent HCC review.
A representative Trust of the theatre and public has been working hard along with the 3 part time staff to ensure that The Meteor theatre contributes to Hamilton’s booming arts community.
The business of the theatre has been proven to be a success, with the Trust believing that many users paying a little is better for arts development in Hamilton that a few paying a lot. A shared risk model means that new works can be tested here at low risk to both developing local artists, and national touring groups. The Trust has also been well supported by individuals and community funders’ financially, and with “in kind” support.
So far in 2016 the Theatre has hosted touring comedians and plays, a puppet show, original theatre performances, literary events, touring music performers, local plays and art exhibitions, a costume exhibition, a pet photo booth, and musicals. The theatre is also the home of weekly secondary school theatresports, and the offices of Orchestras Central and the Hamilton Gardens Arts festival as well as other individual creatives. The occupancy to date is a testament to the Trust’s willingness to think outside the box when booking acts, and offering the shared risk model.
The last milestone for The Meteor theatre to meet the conditions of the final gift of the building by HCC, is the earthquake strengthening of the building. The Trust has elected to combine this with some much needed renovations to the theatre to soundproof the auditorium, replace the auditorium floor, provide back stage bathroom and changing facilities for theatre users, improve a separate rehearsal space, and provide disabled access to the front entrance.
Over the past 2 years the Trust has raised $750,000 from community funders and supporters including Hamilton City Council, Lotteries Community Grants, Donny Trust, Trust Waikato, Fuel Festival Trust and other individuals, towards the capital building works. The Trust has worked hard to establish and launch The Meteor, now it is turning to its neighbours, users, supporters of the Arts and of Hamilton. Today the Trust has launched its givealittle campaign in an attempt to gain support from the public for the balance needed, approximately $600,000. Technical Manager Alec Forbes states: “We put the building’s survival into the hands of the community. We have not asked before. We ask now”.
Help save The Meteor by going tohttps://givealittle.co.nz/cause/savethemeteor or if you want to hear how you can help, email http://info@themeteor.co.nz/ or contact The Meteor via their website http://themeteor.co.nz/