The Point, Eastleigh

The Point is a theatre and dance studio for contemporary performance and contemporary dance in Hampshire, owned and operated by Eastleigh Borough Council. As of April 2015, The Point is listed as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

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• Creation space at the point eastleigh
• Motherland r d week 3 at the point eastleigh 2011 a
• References

Established in 1997 with one of the first National Lottery grants and situated in Eastleigh's former Town Hall, 60 mi (97 km) southwest of London, 12 mi (19 km) south of Winchester and 22 mi (35 km) west of Portsmouth, The Point presents a year-round programme of theatre, 35mm film (non digital projection), light entertainment and contemporary dance performance.

It features a 312-seat theatre fitted with a single Cinemeccanica Victoria V projector in a single tower configuration, a 50-person maximum capacity rehearsal studio, a dance studio, dancing garden, café, meeting rooms and a purpose built 'Creation Space' studio. It also features residential accommodation for up to eight artists, so that visiting companies may live on site for short periods of time. The current director of the Point is Sacha Lee.

In November 2009, The Point opened its new Phase3 production space with artist and choreographer Akram Khan (dancer) given the honour of officially opening the new development. The Point’s Phase3 is a purpose-built 375-square-metre (4,036-square-foot) studio space, featuring a "Creation Space" with a sprung wooden floor and infrastructure for lighting, sound and multi-media and four modular seating blocks; living accommodation for up to eight artists and a fully accessible ground floor studio room.

In the design of the new structure a number of artists were used including design duo Jim Partridge and Liz Walmsely, who created the box office; film maker and artist Alys Scott Hawkins, who designed the sail-inspired sunshade for the roof terrace; Sculptor Jon Mills who created the metal railings that surround the roof terrace; Textile designer Ann Sutton, who designed the interior carpets and upholstery fabrics; Bernard Forrester, who inspired by dance movements, created gold and silver swirls on the interior walls; Designer Louise Slater who produced the intricate light fittings for the venue; Visual artist Carole Waller who created the glass installation in the new Atrium; and artist Peter Freeman, who created the Point’s roof top, LED light installation. The latest building addition has allowed the venue to launch its Domicile project.

Domicile is comprised four strands: Space for ideas: Aims to create a series of intensive engagements between visiting artists to The Point and established artists based in the region. Artists Quarters: Offers support to emerging and early career artists and companies. A year-long residency for four companies which provides a series of master classes and workshops, support and direction from industry experts, business and marketing development and opportunities to meet and talk with artists who will be resident in, or visiting, The Point. Home from Home: A residency program for those who have completed the Artists Quarters. This strand gives the opportunity to make The Point the artist/company’s principle creative base. Potential: The final strand providing opportunities for aspiring young choreographers (14 to 21-years) to engage with innovative choreographic ideas through a series of professional led classes.

In 2011, Eastleigh Borough Council opened a sister venue to The Point in Hedge End named The Berry Theatre. The 308-seater venue, which focuses on theatre for families and children, sits on the grounds of Wildern School and was officially opened by actor and director, Samuel West.

In December 2015, The Point's foyer and café bar was refurbished with funding from Eastleigh Borough Council and Arts Council England, featuring the work of artists from The Sorting Office studios, based in Eastleigh town centre.