KWINANA THEATRE UNDER THREAT!!

Every Theatre group's dream is to have their own home!
Why is it then that after 30 years KTW seems to be losing theirs.
KTW was enticed to move from their lovely digs in Atkinson Road to the now Kwinana Arts Centre on the proviso that they would have no less than they already had. For ten years this has been working perfectly, now it would seem KTW is faced with Arts Centre and Council indifference. Why are so many obstacles being thrown in their way in regards to the new lease agreement.
It would appear that the almighty dollar is greater than the community spirit of the Theatre. Over the years KTW has shown the quality of its productions through winning many awards. Most recently the Bunbury Festival Award for "Chinamen" and the oustanding production of "Too Far To Walk" which has been invited to present at the Finlay Awards. It would be a shame to see a theatre such as KTW be disbanded through greed of the almighty dollar...surely KTW is what community theatre is all about!

If you care enough to show your support, we welcome your comments returned to this e-mail address. Thank you for reading this.

Unfortunately it seems with most governments local or otherwise, I have found over the last few life times, because they are elected the make up of the councillors change over about a 10 years cycle period and like all things what went on at first generally will die later. I suppose this in the main is because they are almost totally different people and with indifferent views, ideas or agendaÂ’s.

So for all those who have sweetheart deals at present - work on ‘IT’ and reinforce ‘IT’ - the honeymoon is and will be quickly over.

There are number of community theatres, not saying yours is one of them, who sit on their hands and either hope or are stupid enough to think they have a solid deal with the council or the pending closure of their lease is not our concern or lets think about when it happens or itÂ’s too far away to worry about.

I am sorry and sad to hear that a theatre with such a great history would have to go BLACK - there must be other options - sometimes the best happens when your have the least.

Remember there has to be a negative to complete any positive working power circuit - lets hope you can re-circuit for the future.

Don't give up!

Joe McCabe

How is it that a message like this receives one reply, and even that one is a bit of a slap on the wrist for this club? Here is a community theatre company with a thirty year history in the town of Kwinana who are about to lose their home to corporate greed. I realise that these art centre's have to be run at a profit, otherwise why run them at all. However the Kwinana Community Arts Centre has two theatres. One of them was built for the community and the other was for the sole use of the Kwinana Theatre Workshop alone. They pay a lease for the use of the place yearly and pay for the upkeep themselves. On top of this the proceeds from each opening night at KTW go to a charity within the community. Over the past 30 years they would have donated more than $60,000 back into the Kwinana community. Now they face the very real possibility of losing their home becuase they cannot agree to the terms that are being set before them by the Council. The management of the Arts centre wants to take two weeks out of every Eight week season at KTW for the use of other groups. The Theatre company originally fought them on this, but finally gave in. They agreed, but only if they could run the technical side of thing (keeping in mind all of the equipment withing the theatre belongs to the club) and the front of house. This was all to stop them being locked out of their own theatre. They aslo wanted to have the right of saying who could and who couldn't use their theatre. The management would not agree to this. It now has to go back to the Council and if an agreement cannot be reached before December 31st, KTW will lose their home. People we need to put a stop to this now. Over the past few months I have watched as on theatre company after another have lost their theatres and no one seems to be doing anything about it. Write to your local MP, email the Government start petitions, just don't sit by and watch this happening saying that it's basically the company's fault for not seeing it coming.

Right, now that I've fininshed my rant, I thank you for reading this far.

I can't believe that KTW is under threat. It certainly seems that this year has not been a good one for amateur theatre. Lobby the council is what I suggest. You don't want other people using your theatre. Harbour Theatre are forever having to replace broken lights, headsets, seats, props are stolen, curtains ripped etc from other people using our theatre. Not to mention that other people use it while we try to organise rehearsals!

So I encourage KTW to do your best to prevent others from using your theatre. Threaten the Council with not voting for them in the next election, and in fact, run a campaign against them (I hope you have a large associate membership). Start a petition so that theatre goers can sign. Even send it to other theatre groups. We need to band together to convince the Government (local and State) that we need dedicated facilties. Harbour lost theirs a few years back and we have never fully recovered.

I wish KTW the best of luck.

Robert Tagliaferri
Pubilicity Officer
Harbour Theatre

Hello KTW
Kads have faced the same sort of problem, and we probably still do.
What councils dont seem to appreciate is that in most cases the theatre company supplies all the equipment, lights, sound gear and front of house. This stuff is paid for by the theatre company and exclusively used on the premisis.
It is about the only situation that I know that involves an entity paying rent and not having exclusive use of the facility.
You guys need to rally community support and stage protests, make the council take notice.
Rate payers need to know what is going on, so make a big noise about it. Stir up the press !, maybe its biased ineptitude may be useful for once.
I think that it is probably an example of the economic rationalism that pervades the public service as well as government. Except in this case they are attacking something that is self funded.
Is the Kwinana Council interested in the arts at all?, look at how much they have spent on sporting facilities in comparison.
Anyway you probably already know this, but best of luck and shame on the Shire Council.

I don't believe that demos etc are the way to go, basically because our support base is too small. Likewise trying to lead a negative vote at council elections.
At the risk of trying to teach grandmothers etc etc, try and get one or two councillors firmly on-side. Massage their whatnots when they need massaging, make them feel good, and feel a part of the Company. That way, you will always have a couple of voices to speak for you in council.
Maybe we at Melville have been lucky, but it seems to have worked for us. I do however agree with one comment made earlier - check your leases

cya

Stuart

"How is it that a message like this receives one reply, and even that one is a bit of a slap on the wrist for this club?"
If this reply was caused be me - sorry - I assure it was directed at your club - I know nothing about IT.
In fact it was pionted more at another club further south who sat on their hands in for about 4 years knowing that they were getting the push and even had the date - so all they have done is ask for extentions hopeing that the Council will let them stay on. Unfortunetly they had over a $120 000:00 in the bank, but as it aleged because of reasons no one can get to the bottom of during the 1998 - 99 year they have about a $40 000;00 bill from the Council and/or it's associates for what is beleived to be re-drawing of plans that was only supposed to be for an expression of interest, so I am told - but of course this could be wrong and possibly is not the full story - so much for gossip?

The piont is they new and did not bother or felt is was someone elses problem.

I agree we should all have a go about the situation, as it may be our problem in the future.

Brigetown Rep had a problem a few years ago when the Council was going to knock down the theatre for a new road - they had a go and after a referenum, payed by the Government of rate payers ( they lost by a few votes - it cost them money and the Council ) they hung on long enough untill the the p[lan was reversed by the state Government - sso fight city hall, you can win

Chookas

Joe McCabe

I know this isn't directly related to this issue but.....

I hazard a guess that approximately a third of us have a decent venue, a third of us are fighting to keep decent venues and another third are fighting to get a decent venue. Yet, hardly anyone agrees with me that there are too many community theatre groups. In fact most people who replied to the poll on said subject voted that there is room for more groups. Go figure?!? ( Bee firmly entrenched in bonnet).

So.... only Nonprofit, Volantary Based Theatre Companies that can afford to Build/Buy a venue should even think about putting on shows.

Too many theatres !
Very insightful observation Gill!
I wonder why not many people agree with you?
Lets ask a few people
Ok, quiet, everyone please put up their hand if they think that their theatre is redundant.
Hmm can't see anyones hands - strange, lets try again.
Can I have your attention again please !!!, come on please be quiet, you up the back shhh.
Does anyone know exactly how many theatres we actually need ?
Oh Gill, I see your hand is up - whats the answer . . . . . . . . . . . . .???
OK so maybe you can tell us which groups in your (not so) humble opinion can be dispensed with.
I'll just wait and see what your response is, you could probably lighten the overburden in local theatre by heroically getting another hobby yourself, maybe you will encourage other idiots to do the same.

Whoa there Gary. To Gill this whole theatre thing is a lot more than a hobby. I can attest to her multi-talentedness and the contribution she makes to the world of theatre. I think the point may be that, like the poor old South Sydney Rabbitos, we may have to face the reality that we don't have enough audience to share in Perth to make the number of clubs we have going concerns.

I agree with you that theatre is far from redundant, and that we should keep fighting the good fight. I also agree that the Schindler-esque decisions on who stays and who goes are almost impossible to make. But perhaps economic rationalism is headed for our beloved theatres and we should prepare ourselves.

Gary Said to Gill
>I'll just wait and see what your response is, you >could probably lighten the overburden in local >theatre by heroically getting another hobby >yourself, maybe you will encourage other idiots >to do the same.

Gary would like to apologise to Gill for his rudeness, Your comments dont make you an idiot and I was a little nastier than I had intended to be, I can only plead that the flu that is currently making my life miserable is making me cranky. Sorry.

In any case Theatre companies survive or not on their own merits, but KTW are suffering from different problems than a lack of audience.

Philosophically if there is any Darwinism involved then we have always got exactly as many theatre groups as can be sustained in this market place.

Thanks Leah for redirecting me away from the Jugular, you have almost saved me from hypocrisy.

Best Regards All
Cough, Hack where is the Neurofen, I know I just put it down a second ago. 8)

Gary and Mike,
My comment was not intended to be an attack and I sincerely apologise for offending you and anyone else I have upset. My comment was not intended to be an attack.

I was referring to a discussion some of us had on this site a few months back regarding my thoughts on merging groups where resources were a problem eg: a club who has lost their venue but has all the trimmings could unite with a group who had a venue but no trimmings to form a bigger, possibly better club. Most people disagreed with me but I still believe it makes perfect sense and I haven't been convinced that this is not worthy of a try in some, but definately not all, cases. Hearing that another group was possibly going to lose a venue only spurred me to put in my two cents worth again.

I promise you that I was in no way saying that any theatre group was less worthy and I fully support KTW in their fight to keep their theatre. I assure you that I am not an idiot but I will take more care with the way I express my ideas and opinions from now on.
Gill

Gill,

There is only one theatre group in Kwinana and there is only one theatre venue. This is why KTW losing their theatre is such a big issue. The nearest theatre company to them is Rockingham, who are a very insular company and make it extremely hard for outsiders to join in. An excess of companies down South in not the problem here!

Mae

The thing that upsets me, and maybe it's just a historical rumour, is that the move from Atkinson Rd in Medina to the Arts Center was at the request of the Coucil. The Council at the time believed KTW was nessacary as a part of the Kwinana arts community and would not build the center if KTW didn't join the party. Thus blackmailing KTW to give up their venue (which granted - was a dodgy old hall) and move to the little theatre at Sulphur Rd. As well, they gave up their right to run their own bar (where a lot of money would have been made) and the right to work and perform with out the crap the council and center seem to revel in putting us through. Our audience and members who remember Atkinson Rd recall a friendlier atmosphere and a more social group. At the center we can't go outside on Sundays, (due to church groups) have to re-arrange our year advanced programmes (due to dance festivals), and end up dealing with termites all on our own, all of which we do quietly and calmly and despite being told continually it is not our venue(Q?? why do we then look after it?). I love KTW, I love the people, and I love the strength that this fight to keep our theatre has given us. We've rallied together on this one but it still frustrates me that the council requested our move and then seem to want us out. Make up your minds, folks!!
Kerry
A KTW member for five years

Mae and ITAers,

Please let me clear up what was intended by my comment.

I made a big mistake in making a general comment in a very specific thread. I was not referring to KTW but rather, on reading of another group going through all this, used the opportunity to express my thoughts on community theatre as a whole. I did not express myself well.

Rockingham are certainly not the only insular company and this relates well to my point. If KTW was to lose their venue ( and I do hope it does not) it would be nice to think that KTW and Rockingham could become one. I see it as a positive thing. Double the membership, double the committee, more resources, no competition for audiences etc.

I know that many people would see this as meaning less opportunities for everyone. This may not apply to KTW or Rockingham or any other group specifically but I often hear of directors being unable to cast a show from the auditions so I don't believe that this would be a major problem. Wouldn't the end of a group be worse?

As long as two clubs do not have screamingly different ideas on repertoire and aren't poles apart geographically (ie: Blak Yak and Wanneroo Rep) I can't see why it couldn't work. Sure, a name change would be in order and there'd be teething problems but....

Anyway, I know that I am in a minority of one on this one so I have said the last that I will say on this subject. Thank you for putting up with my rant.

Cheers, Gill

Gill,
You're actually in a minority of at least two, it's just that I'm too gutless to own up as I've seen the bagging you have copped. I don't wish ill on any group (especially KTW where I have some good friends and who I know do excellent work), but you make some good points.
If the worst possible thing happens and a group looks like folding (for whatever reason), surely amalgamation is better than disintergration.
You are not alone sister,
Dean

I don't have any problem with the amalgamation arguement, except for the point regarding the type of work we put out there.
The Rockingham Theatre do great stuff - mostly musicals though - and KTW is where a lot of plain old actors from Rockingham have turned to as we don't have an overwhelming need for dancers and singers (no offence to Sue and Chad - love you guys for putting up with us actors who attempt your talents and botch it up!) But we act, they sing and dance and yes- our efforts could become a great unit, but I like the choice of groups and the healthy juxtaposition between the two groups.
Maybe it's just me, but I like KTW, where it is and the stuff we do, and I get a little sad at the possibility of losing our identity if we were to amalgamate.
That's it - it's really just an identity crisis!!
Kerry

Amalgamation isn't really an option, unfortunately. KTW effectively started off as an off shoot of the Rockingham Theatre and for them to re-join, well it would be like Blak Yak re-joining with Roleystone. It isn't that they do completely different stuff, it's more that they are completely different people, so to speak. Nope, the only answer is for KTW to keep fighting until they win. Love you guys and keep it up.


Mae