Jersey Opera House Open House

Jersey Opera House will open its doors to the local community this spring with Open House, a week-long initiative running from 30 March to 4 April, inviting local performance groups to step onto the Opera House stage in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Designed to remove the pressure often associated with performing in a major venue, Open House offers clubs, classes and societies the opportunity to experience the theatre from the stage, without the expectation of a formal performance or ticketed audience.

Throughout the week, the Opera House auditorium will be made available to a wide range of community groups, including choirs, dance classes, music clubs, schools and performance-based societies. Participants will have direct access to the stage, with stock lighting, a dance floor and a speaker available for backing music. A range of time slots will be offered to accommodate different group needs.

Speaking about the initiative, Rebecca Stanier, Programme Manager at Jersey Opera House, said: “I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to pioneer this new initiative for the Opera House. The community groups that hire the venue for their productions are a large, valued part of our organisation and operation, and we want to expand our network even further. We know not everyone is able to host full scale productions, so this is our way of inviting them in, to experience being on the stage.

“We also want to encourage wider community engagement in the performing arts, for many reasons including that we know it has a hugely positive impact on wellbeing and confidence. Open House presents the perfect opportunity to witness what happens in sessions or classes; we’re hoping it will bring new participants to these classes, further supporting the islands creative economy and engagement.”