Please donate to the transformation of The Meteor, Hamilton's unique and treasured black box theatre.

The One Victoria Trust is now running a successful theatre operation at The Meteor, but there is still much to be done to make the building an effective and resilient venue.

Thanks to the enormous generosity of our supporters over the past two years we have already raised $750,000 for the needed capital works, but we still have $600,000 to go! We are hoping to achieve $500,000 from grants we have applied for and events we are holding at The Meteor between now and the end of November, so we are asking the community to help us get the balance of $100,000.

We have a legal deadline to complete essential structural strengthening, or the building will be taken back by Council and sold.

This challenge is also an opportunity. The proposed re-engineering will allow The Meteor to have some fantastic upgrades that will transform the experience for our audiences and community.

Auditorium – replace (squeaky) floor, double glaze feature windows (for soundproofing), fit new soundproof doors that are built for the space

Modern proper dressing rooms – including backstage toilets and showers for the first time, and a Green Room

Rehearsal room – soundproofing to allow simultaneous use of multiple spaces

Workshop water-proofing – seal the northern wall of the theatre workshop, adjacent to the carpark, which currently leaks

Ramp – creation of new main Victoria Street entrance-way, including an accessibility ramp.

The Meteor is a unique and historic building with a great future as a flexible and exciting venue, once we raise the funds to transform and future-proof this great theatre for Hamilton.

Please help us continue to provide this wonderful venue and creative hub for the people of Hamilton and the Waikato Region, and beyond.

As well as donating here, you can stay in touch and support our efforts by joining The Meteorites, see http://themeteor.co.nz/support-us/.

Last year approximately 20,000 people used or visited The Meteor, for theatrical performances, musicals, comedy, dance, music, art installations, and more. The theatre contains New Zealand's biggest Black Box auditorium, a gallery space, rehearsal rooms, and we have developed a shared 'creative cluster' office space that is home to Orchestras Central, Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival and a range of creative individuals.

Originally built as the Innes soda pop factory and fondly remembered as Skateworld, The Meteor is a magnificent and versatile building, with historical significance for Hamilton, and is worth saving! Located in the heart of the Creative Precinct, this venue serves the many and varied creative and cultural needs of our City.