Council venue study says Q is top priority

27 August 2008

Council venue study says Q is top priority

Q Theatre has been identified as the number one priority in a study assessing Auckland’s performing arts venue needs.

The study, commissioned by Auckland City Council, identifies the need for three new venues, with the number one recommendation to progress Q Theatre “as quickly as possible”.

The study was undertaken by consultants Horwath HTL who consulted with a large portion of stakeholders in Auckland’s performing arts community over several months.

Q Theatre General Manager, Susanne Ritzenhoff, says “we’re obviously really pleased with this outcome as it continues to validate all that we have been working towards for the last few years.”

The study recognised that Q Theatre is “a well-advanced project that already has resource consent” and enjoys “very strong goodwill” from the theatre and dance communities.

The study highlighted three priorities in venue needs: a flexiform space of 250-450 seats (Q theatre), a 500-600 dedicated drama space and a 100-200 seat black box studio space.

Ms Ritzenhoff noted that while Q is an essential element of the city’s performing arts infrastructure, it is only part of the solution to creating a world-class city that showcases the unique aspects of our culture.

“It has been very encouraging to see Council addressing the needs of the performing arts and we look forward to providing a cultural landmark Aucklanders can be proud of,” says Ms Ritzenhoff.

ENDS

About Q Theatre

Q Theatre will be a mid-sized professional theatre in Queen St, Auckland, seating between 350 and 450 people. The stage and seating can be reconfigured, leading to different experiences for every audience.

Q Theatre aims to fill a gap in Auckland’s theatre needs and to provide theatre, dance, musicals, comedy, and small operas. Q Theatre hopes its size and flexibility will make performing arts more accessible to audiences. It will give groups, who might not otherwise be able to stage their shows because of a lack of suitably-sized and equipped theatres, an opportunity to present their work.

As well as providing an important addition to the Auckland Region’s existing arts and entertainment venues the Q Theatre hopes to:

• provide a venue where actors and other professional performing artists can establish their careers in Auckland

• provide a meeting place for artists and audiences, and become a hub for the performing arts in Auckland

• be a place that the city can be proud of both architecturally and artistically.

EDNS

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