The Dunedin Theatre Network will present to the Dunedin City Council a 30-page report outlining the state of the scene, and the need to upgrade at least three of its main venues.
It includes proposals such as turning the Athenaeum, which has space for an audience of about 60 people, into a two-venue complex (120 and 600 seats respectively) at a cost of about $15 million.
Other ideas included revamping the Playhouse Theatre’s backstage for about $5.8m and reconfiguring the front and back of house of the Mayfair Theatre in South Dunedin for about $13m.
Theatre Network spokesman Brent Caldwell said the designs had taken about two years to complete, with the support of the city council and other interest groups.
While the figures were indicative, the idea was to give the council and public a "sense of what could be achieved".
"There's some big decisions to be made and these three venues — the Playhouse, Athenaeum and Mayfair — just want to provide the council with the best information possible so that they can make a really good decision moving forward with all the other stakeholders who have a voice in this.
"So we've worked with some different people to come up with the designs that we think will show what is possible and it's really our way of saying to the council, this is what is possible with some support from them."
The organisation had previously received $100,000 from the council to prepare the report and the proposed designs of the projects.
"If the ideas get council backing for cornerstone funding there's a much better chance of being able to go to charitable funders and to raise funds from those types of places."
Mr Caldwell said the three theatres played a huge part in Dunedin’s "entertainment ecosystem".
"For example, the Children's Theatre at the Playhouse has been a regular part of the Dunedin scene for many, many years.
"In fact the children who are on stage at the Playhouse are the grandchildren of people who performed there themselves. So it's sort of like the proving ground for the performers of the future."
Cr Carmen Houlahan said she would "not have a single bad word against amateur theatre", but if there was still money left in the council budget, she would like it first to go towards a new professional theatre.
This was particularly important as, since the closure of the Fortune Theatre in 2018, many professional performers had not returned to Dunedin as a result of the lack of options.
Cr Steve Walker said as a proud Unesco City of Literature that markets itself as a creative and artistic centre of excellence, a thriving Dunedin theatre scene was "an absolute no-brainer".
Cr Mandy Mayhem said she believed the art, process and effects of live performance were "incredibly important in the current world of social media, digital technology, and screens".
"Sharing an experience with live actors and live audience members is not only important, it’s necessary for human connection."
Mr Caldwell said the network hoped to see some action by the end of next year.
