New forestage lift to take performances at MAC to new heights

Published on 27 July 2018

Sunraysia’s popular Mildura Arts Centre theatre is now able to cater for more performances, and even bigger acts and audiences, following the recent completion of the forestage lift.

The new lift, commonly known as an orchestra lift, was made possible through a $200,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and was officially opened tonight by Federal Member for Mallee Andrew Broad on behalf of the government.

As well as a significant contribution through community fundraising, the 444 Foundation, which is overseen by the Mildura Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, also contributed $100,000 to the project.

Councillor for Arts and Culture Jason Modica said the forestage lift would boost capacity and increase flexibility for the Mildura Arts Centre’s theatre.

“The new lift, which sits between the stage and the audience, can be lowered or raised as needed to either provide more space on stage, more audience seating for up to 500 people, or allow for an orchestra pit,” Cr Modica said.

“This allows us to cater for larger audiences, which for some of the bigger touring acts is a requirement, as well as acts that require more stage space, as we recently saw with the successful Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with more than 50 musicians on stage.

“It’s fantastic to see yet another boost for the arts in our region with this project, which will also provide increased tourism activity given the bigger events our city will now be able to host.

“On behalf of my fellow Councillors I’d like to thank members of the community who contributed to this project and our Federal Member for Mallee for his support in attracting Australian Government funding to make it a reality.”

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au