Hopgood Theatre’s patronage figures show how vital it is for schools: Campaign group
Dozens of schools will have nowhere to perform next year unless the Hopgood Theatre at Noarlunga is saved from closure, a campaign group led by a former drama teacher says.
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Dozens of schools will have nowhere to perform next year unless a popular southern-suburbs theatre is saved from closure, a campaign group led by a former drama teacher says.
The Hopgood Theatre at Noarlunga is just two months away from shutting down when a State Government funding extension runs out.
Save The Hopgood spokesman Harry Dewar said it was “astonishing” the Government had “created so much anger and heartache over a subsidy of less than $200,000” a year.
Mr Dewar, pictured, has obtained patronage figures for 2018-19 showing:
A TOTAL of 47 school productions, concerts and graduations, including many shows running for several nights each, were attended by 11,000 people.
EACH event involved 80-240 students on stage, with some schools’ concerts featuring their entire student bodies. Hundreds of students also worked in backstage roles or on sound, lighting and effects.
A TOTAL of 14 professional performancesplayed to nearly 6000 children. Patch Theatre Company alone attracted 2700 kids over four days.
AT LEAST 25community dance schools and academies put on their annual performances at the Hopgood.
TEN seniorstudents did assessable work experience at the theatre.
In addition, thousands of senior citizens attended shows targeted at them, including Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Police Band and Onkaparinga City Band performances.
While the theatre is a TAFE SA asset, its operation has been funded through Country Arts SA. But last year the Marshall Government cut the funding, before offering two extensions — the latest to run out in December.
“Schools affected are across the board — primary and secondary, public and private, suburban and rural,” said Mr Dewar, pictured, who taught at Aberfoyle Park High and Tatachilla Lutheran. “And there are no alternatives. There is simply nothing else like the Hopgood Theatre in suburban Adelaide or the Fleurieu Peninsula.
“Once it closes, these schools and their communities are left with nothing.”
Mr Dewar said the Government’s claim to wanting a sustainable funding model simply meant “they want someone else to pay for it”.
Local Labor MP Katrine Hildyard said the numbers of young people who used the Hopgood were “extraordinary” and the Government must “immediately commit to ongoing funding (if it) cares about access to the arts for young people in the south”.
TAFE SA said it was “exploring opportunities” with Onkaparinga Council to “build a strong community engagement model … through shared facilities, development of an innovation hub, and stronger economic development”.
“The Hopgood Theatre currently forms part of these discussions,” it said.
Education Minister John Gardner supported “those discussions continuing”.