Save the Playhouse Theatre for future generations to enjoy!
Save the Playhouse Theatre!
Dunedin, Otago
The Playhouse Theatre is Dunedin’s little theatre with a big heart.
We're best known for our Children's Theatre, which has been staging school holiday productions for over 50 years. The Children's Theatre is a very special part of Dunedin's theatre scene, with families returning term after term to see their favourite stories on stage, and to meet the characters at the end.
However, our 1876 building is in dire need of a refurbishment. We've been working on plans to upgrade it since 2021, with lots of professional help and community consultation along the way. We have some great designs drafted that would make the theatre warmer, drier, safer, more accessible - and would enable even more magical productions for many years to come.
In 2025, the Dunedin City Council approved a grant of $3.35 million towards our refurbishment project! We now begin the task of fundraising the remaining $2+ million to ensure this work can go ahead.
Saving the Playhouse is a long-term project and it will take a village. We would love any donation you can afford to give. Every dollar truly will help. Let's ensure we can keep this treasure going for many years to come!
For more information visit www.playhousetheatre.co.nz/refurbishment-project
Please contact us if you would like to talk about larger donations and/or sponsorship enquiries.
Image credit: Peter McIntosh, Otago Daily Times
Use of funds
The money will be spent on refurbishing the building so the Playhouse legacy can continue.
If we don't meet our target, it will be spent on re-roofing the leaking backstage green room so we can continue for as long as possible in a dry environment.
Other page links
Latest update
Thank you for your support, we are just getting started on our fundraising mission! 20 July 2025
Big congrats to the whole team, and kudos to Seven Sharp for giving the spotlight to something so special.
If you would like to watch the segment on Seven Sharp, here is the link:
Latest donations
Thank you so much for your generous donation, we really appreciate it.
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