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Discover our newest multi-format theatre by the waterfront that will open in 2022.
Breaking new ground for our next generation
We’re moving into our next phase of growth as an arts centre, while building on the work we’ve done since we opened in 2002.
To do even more for our next generation of artists and audiences, we're building a new multi-format theatre along our busy waterfront. The new waterfront theatre will fill the gap between our existing large venues and smaller studio spaces, and enable us to commission, produce and present more productions, especially those that tell Singapore and Asian stories. We broke ground for the theatre’s construction on 18 Jun 2019 and it is targeted for completion in 2022.
To mark the opening of the Singtel Waterfront Theatre, Esplanade will feature a series of commissioned works by Singapore and regional artists from Oct – Dec 2022 which will showcase the possibilities for collaborative exchanges between artists in the region. In addition, there will also be a host of free performances and other activities for all to enjoy. Before that, Esplanade will be inviting various communities of supporters, audiences and artists in Singapore to help the centre finetune this new space through a series of free performances during the trial & orientation programme.
The Singtel Waterfront Theatre, designed by architects61, was awarded Honourable Mention at the 2020 edition of the S.Arch Design Awards that was held in Tokyo.
Here’s how you can support us
As a charity and not-for-profit organisation, we need your support and generosity to carry us into our next stage as a centre for everyone.
The new theatre has an estimated development budget of S$30 million—S$10 million of which will come from the government, and about S$20 million of which will be raised by Esplanade through corporate sponsorship and public fundraising. Singtel has donated S$10 million towards the development of the theatre, the largest single donation that Esplanade has received since we opened in 2002. In appreciation of the generous gift, the theatre has been named the Singtel Waterfront Theatre for a period of 15 years from the time it opens in 2022.
Here’s how you can help us make our waterfront theatre happen.
Why this and why now?
There’s opportunity for us to reach even more schools and students. This new space is an additional platform for us to work closely with artists and arts groups to nurture in our future generation empathy, creativity and a relationship with the arts.
Many of the commissioned or produced works at Esplanade have done well and even gone on to be performed overseas. We want to scale up these works and continue to create new productions through a 550-seat venue for greater impact. Moreover, a majority of new works created regionally and internationally are made for medium-sized venues like the one we’re building. This means audiences in Singapore will also get to experience more inspiring performances from around the world.
Many community, youth and arts groups have done well in small venues and are ready for larger platforms. But going from 200-seat venues to a 2,000-seat theatre is too big a step for most so this is where a 550-seat theatre can do its part for artists.
Existing theatres that seat around 500 in Singapore are mostly for hire. A programmed space at Esplanade can actively produce and present works critical to the growth of the arts industry.
For more information, please refer to the following press releases.
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Did you know?
Esplanade sits entirely on reclaimed land. If you were to travel back to the '60s to where the centre stands today, you would end up in the refreshing waters of the Singapore Straits.
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