Venues

The Willoughby City region is rich in venues that are designed specifically for the performing arts or are successfully used to present performances and accommodate a wide range of other public and private, single and regular occasions.

In 2006, the Willoughby City Council’s Performing Arts Unit was involved in staging over 600 events with thousands of attendees from all over Sydney. The opening of The Concourse in 2011 will enhance the range of world-class performing arts facilities on offer to the wider community.

Willoughby has a range of halls, auditoriums, theatres and small rooms that can be used for performances, auditions, rehearsals, conferences, exhibitions, creative classes, corporate and community meetings, workshops and other special occasions. For a comparison of these venues, download the  Venue Comparison Table - 43 KB. 

Venues for hire

Zenith Theatre & Convention Centre

The Zenith stages performances of the Willoughby Symphony as well as theatre productions and other musical acts.

Joe Ciantar Music Rehersal Studio

The Joe Ciantar Music Rehearsal Studio is a professional music rehearsal studio available for casual hire.

Other community centres

These community centres make great rehersal spaces.

• Bales Park Centre
• Beauchamp Pavilion
• Gore Hill Park Centre
• Warners Park Centre

When booking your venue, consider our range of music, sound and audio-visual equipment that is available to hire, or our additional event planning services such as catering, staffing, ticketing and box office functions. To make a booking enquiry, you can download the  Venue Booking Enquiry Form - 51 KB, outline your proposal and fax it to our Operations Coordinator on 9411 8774.

Staff Support

Whether you are holding a party, a live concert, a rehearsal or seminar, the Performing Arts Unit has a range of highly skilled staff that can assist with planning and presenting your event.

We can provide duty managers, ushers, front of house managers, box office assistants, sound and lighting technicians and waiting staff depending on your requirements. Contact us to discuss what type of staff you need and rates of hire.

Catering and Bar Service

The Performing Arts Unit offers catering for all kinds of functions throughout the day or evening. We offer a range of menus for breakfast, morning/afternoon tea, lunch, dinner and hot/cold canapés.

Bar and alcohol services are only available at the Zenith Theatre with the hire of our waiting staff. We offer sparkling wine and a wide selection of beer and wine.

Contact the Performing Arts Unit for a comprehensive list of catering menus and selected snacks and beverages available for sale.

Administration Service

The Performing Arts Unit offers a wide range of standard administration services to help organise and present your event. Services include: faxing, photocopying, binding, name labels and registration desk service. Contact us for a more comprehensive list of services and fees.

Ticketing and Box Office Functions

If you are holding a public performance or seminar you can arrange to have your tickets sold through the Performing Arts Unit for a small booking fee. We can also provide box office staff to manage your patrons on show nights.

Musical Instruments and Equipment

If you are putting on a musical, dance or theatrical show, some instruments and equipment are available for hire for your rehearsals, auditions and performances.

Yamaha and Steinway pianos are available for hire, as are the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, timpani, bass drum and music stands.

Sound, Lighting and Audio-Visual Equipment

A wide range of sound, lighting and audio-visual equipment suitable for performances, conferences and other special occasions is available through the Performing Arts Unit. Some of our equipment is accessible at no extra charge with the hire of your venue.

Call us for a comprehensive list of equipment incuding speakers, amplifiers, mixing desks, play-back equipment, a wide range of microphones and stands, conference and theatrical lights, data projectors, monitors and video players.

Event Planning Service

No matter what type of private or public occasion you have coming up, the Performing Arts Unit can help you plan it. We encourage you to approach our team as early as possible to discuss all the logistics, such as timing, venue access, equipment, staging, ticketing and catering. The Performing Arts Unit can organise many aspects of your event to help it run as smoothly and efficiently as possible for you and your guests.

Marketing Support

If you are putting on a public concert, dance or theatrical show, you can take advantage of many promotional outlets available through Willoughby City Council for no extra charge. Your event can be listed in:

• the Performing Arts website and Performance Calendar
• the Council homepage and Diary Dates 
• the monthly Performing Arts e.news
• the monthly Live & Local banners, posters and pamphlets displayed at venues in Willoughby and beyond
• the What’s on in Willoughby monthly pamphlet

For any enquiries or advice on hiring one of our venues or to discuss our additional services, call the Performing Arts Unit on 9777 7555 during business hours or email paunit@willoughby.nsw.gov.au.