HotHouse Theatre has an over 20-year history of presenting and creating theatre works and grew from the Murray River Performance Group which formed in 1979. As one of the last remaining professional theatre companies in regional Australia, HotHouse has a rich and celebrated history in commissioning, producing, nurturing and presenting new, contemporary Australian theatre within a vibrant regional setting. We work and perform in the Butter Factory on Gateway Island which was built in 1928 and converted to a theatre with the creation of HotHouse Theatre in 1997.
As a critical national incubator of distinctive Australian works, HotHouse’s investment in artists, audiences and community engages locally and impacts nationally. Currently, through responsive artist development programs and a well-established subscription model HotHouse Theatre:
- Collaborates with other significant organisations to co-commission and co-produce contemporary Australian theatre of the highest standard;
- Partners with Australia’s boldest and brightest independent artists and companies.
- Supports artists to develop new work year-round through our unique Month in the Country residency program;
- Presents resonant and culturally relevant touring productions.
HotHouse has had success raising support through a broad range of partnerships and where possible, we co-commission and co-produce when developing and presenting new work. We have strong relationships with our five government funding bodies at commonwealth, state and local levels.
The Company has an annual turnover around $1M and currently receives recurrent funding from the Australia Council for the Arts, Create NSW, Creative Victoria, Albury City and the City of Wodonga.
HotHouse is an equal opportunity employer who acknowledges that we live and work on Aboriginal land, and pays respect to elders past, present and future.
Our Mission
Through the power of new Australian theatre, we explore compelling ideas and inspire our community to embrace creativity.
Our Vision
To be a creative force in Australian theatre-making and a cultural force in our regional community.
HotHouse Theatre is an adventurous producer and presenter of high quality Australian theatre, and a centre for artistic retreat and development. Located on the border of regional NSW and Victoria, we also provide artistic and professional development programs for the communities of Albury-Wodonga, and the surrounding regions of Southern NSW and North East Victoria.
We began as the Murray River Performing Group in 1979, when nine brilliant, determined Victorian College of the Arts theatre graduates descended upon the border towns of Albury-Wodonga. Their mission: to settle in the region and respond theatrically to its life and spirit. In 1997 we transformed into HotHouse Theatre, a contemporary, professional theatre company offering diverse, exciting theatre fare to our regional audiences.
In 2016, we are a versatile organisation with deep local roots and broad national reach. The people of our region continue to support us generously: as engaged audience members, as sponsors and givers, and as enthusiastic partners and participants in our community programs and services.
Our Values
Creativity
Creativity is at the heart of everything we do. We support Australian artists to make adventurous, compelling work, and the people of our community and company to converse, explore, and express.
Curiosity
We are inquisitive about our home, our people and the broader landscape. We explore the interests, stories, experiences and social dynamics of our community and connect them to the heart of our theatre-making practice and our satellite events.
Collaboration
We partner with amazing theatre artists and companies throughout Australia to make culturally relevant work. We collaborate with local businesses and organisations to invite our community into a critical dialogue with us.
Cultural Leadership
Individually and collectively, we are active in the life of our region. We acknowledge our remarkable roots and understand that without the support of our community, we would not be here. We lead activities. We get involved. We are a gathering place, a cultural oasis, and an enthusiastic partner. We show up and support other organisations and events in our community.
Consideration
We are an inclusive organisation and we support diversity in our workplace. We show respect for everyone who connects or works with us. We listen, we try to understand, we are compassionate. When our partners and collaborators think and work differently to us, we consider this an opportunity to learn.
