Venue Hire

Our venue can be configured to suit a range of event styles and formats:

• Banquet: up to 180 guests
• Theatre: up to 230 guests
• Cocktail: up to 300 guests

If your event is expected to exceed 300 guests, please note this in your enquiry or quote request. Our team will assess your requirements and explore whether alternative configurations or additional spaces can be accommodated. 

The Cell Block Theatre operates as a dry-hire venue, allowing you the flexibility to curate food, beverages, furniture, and styling to suit your event.

Clients are responsible for engaging their own caterer, bar service, furniture hire, and styling suppliers. To ensure events are delivered safely and to a high standard, we require that all bookings engage:

• an event or wedding planner, and
• a Gold Licence caterer.

Once confirmed, supplier contact details must be provided to the National Art School team for approval and coordination.

While we do not currently maintain a formal preferred supplier list, our team is happy to recommend trusted suppliers who are familiar with the venue and have successfully delivered events at the Cell Block Theatre.

The Cell Block Theatre features a state-of-the-art audio system designed to support everything from lectures and film screenings to live music, performances, and celebrations.

Your venue hire includes a lectern, lectern microphones, and access to the basic house PA system, ideal for smaller presentations, talks, and simple AV needs.

For more complex events, we recommend selecting one of our audio packages to unlock the full capability of the theatre and ensure the best possible sound for your audience.
 

Presentations Package

Ideal for conferences, ceremonies, panel discussions, and keynote events, the Presentations Package enhances clarity and flexibility for multi-speaker formats.

This package supports up to eight wireless microphones (handheld, headset, or lapel), all integrated with the theatre’s house PA system for clear, balanced sound throughout the space.
 

Celebration Package

Perfect for wedding receptions, celebrations, performances, and after-parties, the Celebration Package delivers a professional DJ-ready sound experience.

The package integrates seamlessly with the Cell Block Theatre’s in-house PA and includes all essential equipment for DJ performances or pre-recorded music, while also supporting speeches and announcements. Energy, atmosphere, and seamless transitions throughout your event.
 

Live Music Package

Designed for concerts, live performances, and amplified events, the Live Music Package makes full use of the theatre’s advanced sound system to deliver powerful, high-quality audio for both performers and audiences.

This package provides:

• A professional digital mixing desk capable of handling large live bands, theatre productions, and complex performances
• A comprehensive range of microphones, DI boxes, and mic stands for vocals and instruments
• Dedicated stage foldback speakers so performers can clearly hear themselves on stage
• Full integration with the venue’s high-end house sound system, delivering clear, immersive sound evenly across the room

Ideal for multi-piece bands, theatrical productions, and large-scale live events where sound quality is critical.
 

Technical Support

All audio and AV components are managed in-house by our technical team. An additional AV Technician fee of $126.50 per hour applies and covers bump-in, event duration, and bump-out. If you need detailed technical specifications or wish to use an external technical team, please note this in your enquiry so we can assess feasibility.

The Cell Block Theatre features a state-of-the-art lighting and video system designed to support a broad range of events – from lectures and film screenings to live music performances and large-scale productions.

Included with your venue hire, alongside the audio inclusions, is access to our basic house lighting and in-house projection system, including projector and screen. This setup is ideal for talks, presentations, and film screenings. For events with more ambitious lighting or visual requirements, we recommend selecting one of the lighting packages below to fully activate the space.

Our lighting system includes colour-changing house lights, architectural wall and ceiling washes, moving wash lights, moving spotlights, and effects lighting, allowing for everything from subtle ambience to dynamic stage production.

Bronze Lighting Package

A clean and consistent lighting look, ideal for presentations, ceremonies, and simple events.

• One static lighting state in colours of your choice
• House lighting and architectural washes set to a fixed colour
• Even room and stage coverage

Silver Lighting Package

Designed for events that require mood changes, transitions, and visual variation throughout the program.

• Multiple colour wash states for room and stage
• Preset lighting cues and sequences
• Colour-changing house lights and architectural washes
• Moving wash lights to enhance atmosphere and depth

Gold Lighting Package

A fully dynamic lighting experience suited to performances, concerts, weddings, and large-scale celebrations.

• Complete lighting rig including moving wash and effects lighting
• Floor-mounted and rigged moving fixtures
• Multiple programd cues, sequences, and effects
• Dual haze machines to enhance lighting impact
• Ideal for live music, theatre, and high-energy events

Video System

The Cell Block Theatre is equipped with a professional-grade video projection system, suitable for film screenings, presentations, and integration with live lighting design.

The system features a high-brightness 4K projector mounted within the theatre truss and a large motorised projection screen in a widescreen (16:9) format, providing clear, sharp visuals across the room. Multiple HDMI and SDI input points are available both on stage and at the technical control position, allowing flexible content delivery for speakers, performers, and production teams.

Technical Management

All lighting, video, and AV systems are managed in-house by the National Art School technical team. An additional AV Technician fee of $126.50 per hour applies and includes bump-in, event operation, and bump-out.

If you require detailed technical specifications or wish to enquire about using an external technical team, please note this clearly in your enquiry so we can assess feasibility.