It's Always Busy at Walterdale

Every week we receive many requests for rental of our space. Invariably the answer is no. We aren't trying to be mean, but what people don't realize is that we are a very busy building. On the surface it doesn't look like it because people outside of Walterdale are only aware of the public performances - our 6 productions, 3 workshops, and 2 major rentals (ADFA and Fringe) - however, in between those events we are busy using the space to prepare for them. The very day after a show closes the next production moves in and the build and rehearsals begin. Because all our members are volunteers many of them also have day jobs or day commitments and this means that rehearsals happen upstairs while the build progresses on deck. Sometimes, if rehearsal schedules are forgiving, two productions can share the space for rehearsals. That's actually happening now with Rabbit Hole rehearsing on Monday and Wednesdays and Much Ado About Nothing rehearsing Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends. Of course, we can use the upstairs as well for rehearsal but at some point the production needs to move to the deck to get familiar with that space. That is actually one of the perks of doing a show at Walterdale - we can build in-house and the production can rehearse on the set for more than just one or two nights. Now, you might think that there would still be some nights for rentals - but because we are relying on volunteers the time it might take to build and paint is approximated and often those dates that look 'free' might be needed if things run behind schedule. Add to that the concerns over having someone in the space with all the props and potential damage to set and props and the time required to make the space rental-ready, it becomes an impossibility. Rest assured, the space is not sitting empty. It may look dark from the outside but inside a crew may be busy at work hammering, or hanging lights or painting. Since the building is older we also need those times in between shows to do maintenance and upgrades. Those first weeks after a close are the best time. This past October we upgraded our dimmer panel - sharing the space with electricians and builders so that the build could still be accomplished on time. A similar maintenance operation will happen after Much Ado closes in December. It's going to get even tighter when the renovations commence. So, if you want to rent the Walterdale - it's an extreme long-shot. Don't feel bad. It's just the nature of how we use the space.