Save Us From Extinction - Westacre Theatre

• Save us from Extinction!
  Donate before it's too late...

Whilst this headline might all sound rather alarmist. We’re deadly serious. Because Westacre Theatre is on a fundraising mission and we need your help, to quite literally ‘Save us from Extinction’. At our 'Live by the Lake' launch party on Thursday 11th July 2024, we launched our huge Crowdfunder Campaign.

As a theatre we’re facing big challenges and our urgent campaign is to support crucial upgrades and secure sustainable future for Westacre Theatre.

UPDATE
Here is a very important public announcement from our patron Stephen Fry.

We’re doing all we can to keep our head’s above water but the reality is that our indoor theatre can only fill 83 seats and we can’t schedule enough 'sell out' shows to cover our expenses, which are increasing every year.  Also our theatre space under our gorgeous canopy outside is reaching the end of its life… so we’re at crossroads, and we need your help.

Our focus with this Crowdfunder is to kick-start the campaign, showing bigger funders that our community supports and values us. We eventually need to raise around 500k in matchfunding.. and we are starting here!

NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL AND EVERY PENNY WILL GO TOWARD A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR THEATRE.

We're determined to secure investment so we have a sustainable future for Westacre Theatre.

A future where the next generation can continue to have a space to flourish and benefit from the incredible skills and joy the Performing Arts brings. To ensure that a much loved and treasured community arts venue will not have to close. By investing in our natural habitat, we will be able to treble our capacity so that we can then reach an even wider more eclectic audience and provide an even more inclusive, varied and exceptional programme. 

This is why we have an ultimate investment goal of £3M to make Phase 2 a reality.

Much loved community asset is under threat

It’s no surprise small community arts venues are under threat. After the ongoing impact of the global Pandemic, cost of living crisis, high inflation and now a change in Government. Our audience numbers are growing, we’re reaching and engaging with new people and our diverse Performing Arts programme is receiving huge praise. But if we don’t implement Phase 2 of our master plan that was approved back in 2012, then the future of Westacre Theatre is looking bleak. With the Performing Arts slipping ever further off the National Curriculum it is imperative that versatile Arts venues like ours remain a sanctuary and inspiring space for future generations. 

We have to do everything in our powers to keep our doors open for our Young People and wider valued community.

A tragic day for our community if we had to close

Investing in our natural habitat will make sure we have a sustainable future. Implementing Phase 2 of our master plan, that boasts a fabulous new 250 seat auditorium with connecting foyer, bar area and green room, accommodation, large workshop and scene dock at the rear, box office, lavatories and dressing rooms. Improved parking and increased capacity to almost triple what we have currently. Will mean we can attract larger touring companies, get more bums on seats which equals more revenue and a much brighter future to look forward to.

Key elements of our growth plan are to:
+ Extend the range and scope of the arts programme
+ Maintain and extend the range of community partnerships
+ Create innovative marketing and promotional opportunities
+ Develop and integrate work with young people doubling the capacity for providing these classes to local young people, many of whom have special educational needs.
+ Strengthen the staffing structure
+ Extend the volunteer network

We’re seeking investment of £3M to make Phase 2 a reality.

Our primary goal is to raise £500K which we can then apply for matched seed funding. We are approaching local businesses, unearthing grants, going for seed funding opportunities… but a big part of all this is to encourage our incredibly supportive community and loyal audiences to actively feel motivated to fundraise for us. Whether that’s walking the length of the Norfolk Coast, to selling homemade dog biscuits to organising a readathon / danceathon or whatever wonderful fundraising idea you might have. Please pledge any support you can.

As our Campaign grows we hope to be able to provide even more exciting rewards as thank you gifts to people who pledge certain amounts. We also plan to offer a ‘fundraising’ marketing tool-kit for anyone who wishes to our fundraising marketing to help promote their efforts. 

The ball is well and truly rolling and we are determined to do everything in our powers to make sure every single penny counts towards making our dream of keeping the doors firmly open at Westacre Theatre, forever…

Thank you so much.

From all the Team at Westacre Theatre x