FAQs
Is HotHouse in crisis?
IT’S HARD TIMES. If we were an AFL or NRL team, we would say we are in a rebuilding phase. The company faces several challenges. The economic climate has produced higher costs while also reducing the dollar amount individuals and families are spending beyond the essentials. This reduces our capacity to earn Box Office income.
Both partner local governments are also dealing with challenging economic times and have indicated reduced financial allocations to HotHouse in their next financial year.
AND EXCITING TIMES. We have new creative leadership and are planning the 2027 program to celebrate 30 years of HotHouse Theatre. We are one of the few remaining regionally professional theatre companies in Australia and we think that is worth celebrating. We’re getting back to our DNA of working in partnership, creating with our community and sharing theatre with the region.
So while it’s not the easiest of times to be operating a regional theatre company, we know that, with our community’s help, we’ll keep striving to be here for 30 more years.
Is HotHouse facing closure?
HotHouse was thrilled last year to be awarded multi-year investments from both state governments, through Create NSW (2026 – 2028) & Creative Victoria (2026 & 2027). This gives the company a solid financial foundation to operate from. HotHouse has always operated on this basis and is about to celebrate 30 years, which is a demonstration of how the company has a history of responding to challenges and remaining relevant, resourceful and revolutionary.
Our plans for the company’s 30th birthday are exciting. We are reconnecting with our community and with the broader region. We are getting back to our DNA.
So we are certainly around for the forseeable future.
Is the Butter Factory closing?
HotHouse needs to reconsider how we can operate the BFT. We want this venue to be a thriving hub of activity. A place where our community wants to come because there is something happening that appeals to them.
Like any home, the BFT has costs associated with it so the doors can remain open. If Wodonga Council reduce or remove their funding, HotHouse must consider the impact on the company’s budget and weigh that up with alternative options. That is one of the reasons we will be opening an Expression of Interest process to hear from community, businesses and organisations to share use of the space.
No decisions have been made.
If the Butter Factory closes, does this mean HotHouse closes?
HotHouse Theatre is a professional theatre company, operating as a not-for-profit public company, limited by guarantee.
The Butter Factory Theatre is a venue on Gateway Island. Wodonga Council own the Butter Factory Theatre building and HotHouse leases it. Like any building lease (eg a house), HotHouse has furnished it to operate as a theatre.
They are two separate operations. One is a creative business. One is a venue. If HotHouse no longer holds the lease to the Butter Factory Theatre, this will not mean that HotHouse closes.
How many jobs will be impacted?
The company has undergone a recent restructure to align our staffing levels with our budget. Currently HotHouse has 5 roles across the company structure, all working part time.
How much funding does HotHouse need to survive?
Our best-case scenario is to have secure funding from all our government partners, to have strong earnt box office income and a range of sponsors and donors that support the company.
To operate at a base line, sustainable level, we are striving for at least an additional $250,000 per annum. But we want to grow, because we have a big vision and big ambition for this company. Our longer-term ambition is to grow this to at least a $1 million p.a. organisation. Bold. Ambitious. Challenging. Yet you must dream to make the dream come true.
What can the community do to help HotHouse?
Advocate – We need you to be our voice. Tell your local elected member, local, state and federal, why financial support for the company is an important investment for the community.
Connect – Now is the time for the company to connect with partners, sponsors and donors. This is going to be all about connecting in person, sharing our story, sharing our vision and sharing our future success. We need our community to connect us to the right people.
Promote – Word of Mouth is ALWAYS the best way to promote our shows and our company. We have a positive story to tell. We are about to celebrate our 30th birthday. Our 2027 program will reflect the DNA of the company. We will live up to our vision of Making theatre here, felt everywhere. Share our story. Share your support for our future. Help us bring the community along with us.
Show up – We are confident that our program is going to be something you want to come to. We need you to buy that ticket, come to that event, bring along a friend. We’re showing up for the community, strong in our belief that this professional theatre company still has a role in this region. We are asking you to show up for us.
Donate – HotHouse is a charity and a Deductible Gift Recipient. This means that donations are tax deductible. You can donate any time, you will find the link on our website. We will again be a part of AusArt Giving Day in October, so look out for that too. Or if you are a part of a service club or organisation that would like to know more about our programs and if they align with your priorities, we would love to meet.
