HELP US TRANSFORM OUR NEWEST DUCKLING INTO THE SWAN WE NEED…

Thanks to Creative Partnerships Australia every dollar you donate will be matched in funding!

Red Stitch has recently taken over the lease on the old theatre behind  St Martins church in South Yarra and we have to say… it’s pretty amazing! As a company, we have been steadily growing since our humble beginnings way back in 2001, and anyone who has come to see a show at our theatre on Chapel Street knows that we are sometimes quite literally bursting at the seams! While we have no desire to move from our intimate and much-loved home in St Kilda,, we have been searching for a space that can house our rehearsals, workshops, scenery and props, and office / admin hub for AGES. And we think we may have finally found it… 

This former church hall in South Yarra, which was once home to Polyglot Theatre, offers us a full-time rehearsal space and alternative performance space where actors and creatives can explore and play on a ‘stage’ with the same dimensions as the one they perform on. Previously, we have used vacant office spaces, classrooms, and, when we’ve been desperate enough,used the Red Stitch theatre as a rehearsal space during the day and then performance space for a DIFFERENT show in the evening. It’s hectic. And crazy. And we are super excited to have this venue to meet the needs of our expanding artistic programme. 

Sure, it’s a bit run down and spider-web-y at the moment, but we have called on the ensemble to don their overalls and facemasks and they have been working unbelievably hard at removing the old seating bank,  pulling up carpet, moving around desks, painting walls and scrubbing all surfaces to transform our amazing ugly duckling. With just a bit of extra help from you, we believe we can turn this old darling into the rehearsal space swan of our dreams!  

With an estimated total overhaul budget of $200,000 we are prioritising accessibility, with a planned upgrade of all pathways, entrances and exits and new accessible toilets. We will also be building new, mobile seating banks to give us creative flexibility, installing a foyer space and building an administration hub.  And we’re excited to announce that our final production of the year, Oil, will be our premiere performance at this new venue.

Creative Partnerships Australia have come onboard with their Plus 1 funding scheme and they will match all donations received to a total of $50,000. We will honour their commitment and yours through the installation of a board in the foyer space of Cromwell Road onto which all contributors of over $200 will have their name placed. 

So, join us for the ride, and help us continue to grow our big little theatre so it can become just that little bit bigger!