Crown Wharf Theatre

CROWN WHARF THEATRE Local business helpslight up theatre

The Crown Wharf Theatre charity has revealed its first founding partner as it continues to make big steps towards opening abrand new theatre in Stone.

LAUK Lighting, based on Stone Business Park in the town, has played ahuge role in the project so far and has become aGold Founding Partner.

Work started on the backstage area earlier this year and Oliver Freer from LAUK has not only donated histime and expertise, but the company is also providing all the required domestic lighting fittings for the project. Oliver has also helped the charity access vital electrical infrastructure equipment, which has been kindly donated by Schneider Electric.

The hardware alone would have cost the charity thousands of pounds, but in addition Oliver has given his time and professional expertise free of charge to producevital domestic lighting designs for the project, as well as an online 3D model of theauditorium which gives an interactive, panoramic view of what the theatre willlook like when it opens to the public.

Local businesses can become founding partners through making amonetary donation or, like LAUK, donating time, expertise and materials to the project. As agoldfounding partner, LAUK will be featured on aFoundersBoard at the theatre and will get aGold Founder plaque on one of the theatre seats. Plus they’llget a plaque and certificate for their business premises.

Oliver said: “I had atour of the theatre site in 2019 when it was nothing more than steels coming out of the ground. But I was so impressed by the project and its potential, so Iwanted to get involved right then to help make this areality. “The theatre will be an amazing community space for everyone in the town. It’s been amazing to see the project progressing, and to be playing a part in making it happen is incredibly satisfying.”

Crown Wharf Theatre trustee Leo Capernaros added: “Right from thebeginning, we’velooked to build strong relationships with businesses in the area who share our vision for the town’s future and can see the potential of this fantastic facility in the heart of the community. “Oliver’s help has been invaluable. We’ve been so fortunate to have so many people stepping forward and backing the Crown Wharf Theatre project. We couldn’t do it without them.”

The charity has been staging avariety of fundraising events this year, including an August Bank Holiday Theatre Takeover of the Joule’s Crown Wharf pub, and the charity’s first Wharfstock live music festival at Westbridge Park at the endof September.

And there are lots more coming up, including amusical theatre cabaret, as well as Christmas concerts and carolling withthe Cantiamo Chamber Choir, Revellation Choir and Florence Brass Band at the Joule’s Crown Wharf pub. Full details of all upcoming events are available at www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk

Anumber of funding bids have also been submittedfor the auditorium stage of the project. The charity should find out before the end of the year if they’ve been successful.

There is more information about becoming aCrown Wharf Theatre founding partner, and lots of other ways that businesses and residents can support the project, at www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk

CROWN WHARF THEATRE Fancy volunteering at the theatre?

The Crown Wharf Theatre team is on the look out for a volunteer co-ordinator.

Aspokesman for the theatre said: “We’ve been delighted over the last couple of years to have so many people wanting to help make Crown Wharf Theatre areality. The project is agenuine community effort, and we simply couldn’t do it withoutour volunteers, so a huge thank you for your support. “We rely on our Crown Wharfers to support our fundraising efforts and to help out at our events. Moving forward, we’ll needour volunteers to continue playing a big part when thetheatre is open: from box office and front-of-house to backstage help,technical roles and more. “This is why we’relooking for someone to come on board as our new Volunteer Coordinator. “The co-ordinator will play an important role in making sure our volunteers are well-informed and supported, and have agreat time as aCrown Wharfer.

“If you’re interested in this new voluntary role with Crown Wharf Theatre, you’ll find all the details on our website.”

For further information go online to: www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk /volunteer-coordinator.