12th February, 2008

Q THEATRE GIVEN A LIFELINE

Auckland City Councillors voted today to advanced $200,000 to Q Theatre at their Annual Planning Direction Setting meeting. The advance will allow Q Theatre to obtain resource consent necessary to complete a central government funding application by 1st April.

Susanne Ritzenhoff, Q Theatre General Manager, says “we’re pleased the Council made the decision to keep Q Theatre alive and we look forward to working with Council to get a favourable funding outcome from Central Government.”

Central Government funding is now critical if Q Theatre is to go ahead with creating a new performing arts venue for Auckland. Q Theatre will make a funding application to the Lotteries Significant Projects Fund, a new fund designed to enable the completion of community projects costing over $1m.

Over 100 members of Auckland’s performing arts community turned out in support of Q Theatre, including Michael Hurst, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Peter Elliott, Elizabeth McRae, Roger Hall, representatives from Silo Theatre, DANZ, Tempo Dance Festival and the Comedy Festival as well as concerned general public including a former Mayor of Auckland and university professors.

“We would like to thank all the Aucklanders, not just the performing arts industry and our donors who turned up today, but also the general community, who have written or spoken in support of Q.”

“It’s vital for Q Theatre to show the Government the depth of feeling and support that exists in Auckland for this inspiring venue which will showcase the continued high quality of New Zealand’s performing arts. If Aucklanders would like to lend their voice to this critical application we would welcome their support,” says Ms Ritzenhoff.

ENDS

© Scoop Media