In addition to Arts Centre Melbourne’s six stages, there are several other locations within the venue where performances are also held. These include public spaces, rehearsal rooms and function spaces. We also have several foyer spaces which are open to the public.
The Leaper Family Pavilion is located within the Theatres Building (under the Spire) on level 8 and features a spectacular domed ceiling finished in gold leaf. The space seats up to 350 people and is used for theatre and cabaret style performances.
The Lounges are home to a stunning backlit wall comprising more than 464,000 marbles and memorabilia, providing a kaleidoscope of colour and interest. Designed by Ashton Raggatt McDougall the objects were donated by Arts Centre Melbourne team members in the mid-1990s. These intimate perfomance spaces seat up to 90 people and are located in the Theatres Building adjacent to the State Theatre Stalls foyer and the Fairfax Studio foyer.
The Show Room is a 'black box' theatre space with a retractable seating bank in the space formerly used as the State Theatre Rehearsal Room on level 3. It can be accessed from the lift. Nestled between the Playhouse and Fairfax Studio, and adjacent to the State Theatre and Amcor Lounges, it is suitable for touring shows by small companies, simple sets and facilitating interaction between the audience and performers.
This room is traditionally used as a rehearsal space for Playhouse main stage performances, however at times it is also used for small-scale performances. This includes family shows, interactive works and workshops. It's located deep in our building and not usually accessible to the public, so you will be directed on how to get there by a staff member from Arts Centre Melbourne on arrival.
This is our large, red-carpet foyer in the Theatres Building – it is the pre-performance hub for theatre shows. It houses our Box Office and theatre entrances for the State Theatre, Playhouse and Fairfax Studio and connects through to our car park.
This is located next to the entrance for Fairfax Studio. It is a place where you can relax and have a drink before seeing a show. You'll know you've found it when you feast your eyes on Jeffrey Smart's vivid painting 'Container Train in Landscape" along the main wall opposite the bar (which opens one hour before performances).
The foyers of the Playhouse Theatre feature a stunning collection of western desert paintings by important First Nations artists. It also contains a bar that opens one hour prior to performances in the Playhouse.
Our Forecourt is positioned directly outside the main entrance to the Theatres Building, next to outdoor café Protagonist. It is a used for a variety of ticketed and non-ticketed activities, and is one of Arts Centre Melbourne’s most prominent activation spaces. Events in the space have included comedy shows, dance and theatre performances, music, and public participation events.
This public open space is the grass area situated between the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall. It is also the home of Forward Surge, a public art sculpture by Inge King. This location is open to the public and at times hosts outdoor events. It’s also a good place to lie back on a bright Melbourne day and enjoy a moment in the sun.
