The Red Rattler Theatre Inc exists due to the hard work and commitment of volunteers.
It was converted from a factory, and is now staffed, by people who give up their time to support independent arts and performance in Sydney.
The Theatre is managed by a team of Directors. These positions are also voluntary, and do not draw a wage. There are also two Volunteers Coordinators who manage volunteers, bar rosters etc, and are the first point of contact for volunteers.
The Theatre runs on a not-for-profit basis, and all takings from events are returned to the Theatre to ensure its ongoing success. The Theatre has no paid staff at all. The only people who are paid are the trained techies, and they are paid direct by event organisers.
The Theatre is always looking for volunteers, to help staff events, and help us maintain and improve the Theatre space. Here’s what we can offer in return:
• Bar experience (RSA required; if you don’t have an RSA, we’d love you to help out at events working the door, collecting glasses, etc)
• Event management experience
• A great reference
• A drink voucher for each two hours of staffing or maintenance (to be redeemed at end of shift or at a later event)
• A legal work environment – we are fully insured
• Eco Rate and Priority bookings for your event – remind us you’ve volunteered when you apply to put on an event! The Theatre only considers birthday and private party applications from active volunteers (ie, those who work a minimum of four hours a month)
• Free entry to the gig you are working on
In general we suggest that at first you volunteer behind the bar, or as a glassie if you don’t have an RSA. This will give you the chance to get a feel for the place, meet people and work out what you might like to do. We also occasionally hold maintenance working bees, and there are many other ways your skills can be applied to keep this multi-faceted community organisation alive and flourishing.
If you’re interested in being part of The Red Rattler Theatre Inc, please email volunteers@redrattler.org and tell us how you’d like to help.
RED RATTLER GRANTS 2011
The Directors are hopeful that a grants scheme will be launched in 2011.
The Theatre borrowed close to $200k to convert the old greasy warehouse into a fabulous venue. These funds are separate to the ongoing mortgage on the building, which is the private debt of the Directors (the community will never be expected to contribute to this). The 200k was paid for mandatory fire service compliance, building the bathrooms and amenities, the bar, sound booth, stage, garden, fire exits, smoke vents, etc etc. Payback for the set up of the theatre was planned over 5 years. Amazingly, in just 18 months, almost 120k of that has been repaid through the effort of volunteers contributing their time and energy, and community support.
The Directors believe the set-up debt will be paid off by around August 2011, if not earlier, if the same level of support is maintained for the Theatre.
The exciting news is that the Theatre will be in a position to return a share of surplus back into our communities. After the usual ongoing venue running costs (approximately $5,000 a week), and getting our long overdue building maintenance and eco sustainability plans moving, there will be enough money to start a grants scheme that can nourish the arts and activists scenes in Sydney and beyond.
The Rat volunteers will drive this initiative. Volunteers will work out the structure of the grant scheme, choose what projects will be supported (events at the Rat, outreach projects, arts, music, writing or film projects, band tours, solidarity or activist grants, lots of small grants or a few larger grants ... ). The possibilities are endless and exciting!
All volunteers who contribute 4 hours or more of their time a month to the Theatre will be eligible to apply to be on this committee. The longevity of the Theatre can only succeed with the support of existing and future volunteers.
