Share the Stage is LIVE!
Famous Waikato faces support Share the Stage – check out the video!
The Share the Stage campaign for the Waikato Regional Theatre was officially launched yesterday, Monday 2 May, with the first public screening of the video at the Theatre site.
The Launch was timed to coincide with the Waikato Times' 150th Anniversary, because...
Waikato Times backs Share the Stage
Waikato Times, Monday 2 May...
A 150th birthday is surely worth a bit of a song and dance.
With that in mind, the Waikato Times – which today marks its sesquicentennial – is gifting a $20K present to you, the people of the Waikato, so you can enjoy a show in Hamilton.
Many shows, in fact. The Times is marking this venerable anniversary with a donation to the Waikato Regional Theatre’s just-launched Share the Stage campaign, in the sum of $20,000.
Read more on Stuff.
Theatre site progress
Preparation of the former Hamilton Hotel site for the construction of the Waikato Regional Theatre is now entering its closing stages.
Over the last six months the modern shops on Victoria Street and the ancillary buildings at the back of the site have been demolished.
The removal of the floor slabs for the latter structures was overseen by mana whenua from Ngaati Wairere, along with Heritage NZ, as part of the archaeological work needed to ensure clearances around the Hua o te Atua Urupaa nearby on the riverbank.
Meanwhile the former Hamilton Hotel building has been carefully dismantled, with both listed heritage items and re-usable timber being saved for re-use in the new building.
A major challenge was asbestos removal from the roof, which was placed there somewhat haphazardly sometime after the Hotel opened in 1923. The top of the building was ‘encapsulated’ with a tent-like structure over much of the summer as this work underway.
The roof is now being removed, as can be seen in this pic taken from the KPMG building.
The next round of work will see a large steel frame erected to support the street façade of the Hotel, after which the remaining rear of the building will be demolished.
The site preparation phase is due to wind up in June, at which point excavation for the foundations will get underway.
Theatre Operations Company coming soon
The set-up of the Waikato Regional Theatre Operating Company got underway earlier this year, with two Director positions being advertised soon after, calling for experience in developing and managing Performing Arts Centre operations.
Applications for those roles have now closed and appointments will be made soon. They will join two other Directors from the Waikato Regional Property Trust’s Board to form the new company’s governance.
The Waikato Regional Property Trust will own both the new Theatre and its Operating Company, which will run the program of commercial and community shows and activity. This model aims to separate that delivery of live stage experiences from the background asset management.
Our vision for the Theatre - 'Everyone has the opportunity to experience World-Class Performing Arts'.
Riff Raff Statue moved to Museum
The Riff Raff Statue has been moved to a temporary home while the Waikato Regional Theatre is being built next to his usual spot in Embassy Park.
Mayor of Hamilton Paula Southgate re-unveiled the city icon outside Waikato Museum-Te Whare Taonga o Waikato in early March.
Riff Raff will return to the new Embassy Park in early 2024, where he will take pride of place outside the front door of the new Theatre.
AdMark and Ebbet Group support Waikato Regional Theatre
Laurie Pilling is 'a true officer and a gentleman', whose influence and community support in Hamilton and across the Waikato spans decades.
Laurie and his award-winning company Admark Visual Imaging are financial supporters of the Waikato Regional Theatre, plus Admark also provided the signage for our SEAT car, generously supplied to support the project by the Ebbett Group.
We are immensely humbled by Laurie's huge support, and proud to call him a friend.
Porter Group backs Theatre
We were really pleased to welcome Porter Group aboard as a supporter of the Waikato Regional Theatre. Huge thanks to Murray and his team!
Here’s what they had to say…
“This Theatre will be a valuable addition to the Hamilton township and greater wider community, and we are proud to be a part of it”, said Director Murray Porter.
Porter Group’s community involvement extends beyond commercial projects to widespread support of many grassroots organisations.
The Porter family has always embraced a low public profile whilst simultaneously providing financial support of many rugby teams, BMX, motocross, motor racing, the Westpac helicopter, Hamilton Gardens, the Cambridge Velodrome, and the Hamilton Anzac memorial."
Read more.
Ngaa mihi
The Share the Stage team