Lights, camera, action: Dubbo Regional Theatre receives $1 million in NSW Government funding to upgrade lighting

Audiences and performers alike will benefit from a major investment by the NSW Government in the Dubbo Regional Theatre. See what’s planned.

Audiences and performers are set to benefit from a $1 million investment by the NSW Government in the Dubbo Regional Theatre, with a stage lighting upgrade to be installed within the next 12 months.

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders was joined by Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin to make the announcement on Tuesday, with Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson welcoming the funding.

Mr Franklin was the former state director of the Nationals and during this time was part of a campaign launch held in 2011 at the Dubbo Regional Theatre, which he maintained was the “best theatre in NSW”.

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin, Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson, with Dubbo Regional Theatre staff Nathan Exelby, David Brown, Tiffany Rowland, and Kevin Comber. Picture: Supplied

“That’s why it’s so exciting to be here today to announce the upgrading of this lighting,” Mr Franklin continued.

“This is an important project for the Dubbo region that will shape its future as a destination for arts and culture, and enhance experiences for audiences and performers alike.”

The funding for the theatre is part of the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program with $72 million going towards projects to ensure “museums, theatres, performance venues and galleries are fit-for-purpose and continue to present quality arts and cultural experiences”.

Mr Saunders said the funding would allow Dubbo Regional Council to upgrade to “more modern LED lights” at the theatre which will reduce cost, waste and labour, giving users and audiences a better experience.

Kim Hague, council’s manager for regional events, said the theatre upgrade would lead to increased audiences.

“One of the big impacts is that we can have multiple shows much closer together and have that bigger turnover which means we can have more shows and events here,” Ms Hague said.

“Particularly from a show perspective, we have 35 per cent of our ticket holders come from outside the Dubbo LGA, so to increase that number of ticket holders coming through, also increases that visitor economy coming to Dubbo.

“They’ll come here, they’ll stay the night, they’ll visit other hospitality venues and drive that economic and social value.”

Ms Hague added that more local events would also be added to the schedule as a result of the project which she said would help meet the demand with “people looking to get out there to see shows and feel experiences and do things that they haven’t been able to do for the past two years”.