Company B to receive $1.5million in funding
10 May 2006
The Australian Government has announced that Company B will receive $1.5M in funding towards the redevelopment of Belvoir St Theatre.
The redevelopment involves renovating Belvoir St Theatre and a recently acquired warehouse on the corner of Belvoir and Elizabeth Streets, Surry Hills. The warehouse will provide Company B with its own rehearsal space, plus far greater wardrobe and administration areas.
The project is well under way, with both theatre and warehouse renovations expected to be completed on schedule by September 2006. The total cost of the project, including buying the warehouse, is approximately $11.6M. In March 2004, the State Government made the initial major contribution of $5.5M, and in March 2006, the City of Sydney Council gave $300K. Company B has raised $3.2M from its supporters, which is the largest amount ever raised by a performing arts company in Australia.
Louise Herron, Chair of Company B Board, said, “This government funding is a magnificent boost to the project and we are extremely grateful. It means we can complete the project without taking out a mortgage, which would have been a significant drain on our resources. Most importantly, it means Company B can focus on its real purpose: to create innovative, imaginative and inspiring theatre that is accessible, relevant and affordable.”
“Company B is extremely pleased about the support of the Australian Government, complementing the support already received from the State and local governments. This funding is in addition to $3.2M raised from a wide range of extraordinarily generous donors, who have demonstrated in the most direct way possible the importance of theatre to Australians.”
Ms Herron said, “The success of Company B’s own fundraising campaign is due to the recognition of the Company as one of Australia’s leading theatre production companies, with successes like Cloudstreet, Judas Kiss and Stuff Happens. We are enormously grateful to our artistic director Neil Armfield and all actors, staff and patrons of Company B for their part in creating this company, which will now move to the next phase of its development, continuing to contribute to the Australian artistic community and the wealth of Australian culture.”
Company B has a final goal of raising a further $300K by the end of 2006. Fundraising will continue through the Seat and Step Campaign, which involves selling naming rights to the theatre’s seats ($1,000 each) and steps leading to the Upstairs Theatre ($5,000 each). About half of the seats and steps remain to be sold.
Belvoir St Theatre has been the home of Company B since 1984. After 20 years at Belvoir St the company outgrew the building, which had not been altered or upgraded since it was originally converted into a theatre in 1972. The renovations include a new entrance, new seating, disabled access to all levels of the building, improved backstage facilities for performers and technical crew, greater foyer space and better conditions for audiences.
The renovations to both the theatre and warehouse are on schedule, and will be ready on Wednesday 13 September for the opening night of Stephen Sewell’s It Just Stopped, directed by Neil Armfield.
