Rehearsal space hire in Carlton, Melbourne

Why rehearse at Fringe Common Rooms?

Fringe Common Rooms isn't a generic studio tucked behind a shopping strip. It's a fully-restored heritage ballroom inside the Victorian Trades Hall — one of Melbourne's most iconic buildings — where Melbourne's independent arts community has gathered, created, and pushed boundaries since 1859.

When you rehearse here, you're working on a real stage, with touring-grade sound and a full LED lighting rig already set up and ready to go. No hiring extra gear, no compromising on space, no sterile white walls. Just you, your company, and a room that genuinely understands what artists need.

As the home of Melbourne Fringe, we offer discounted hire rates for independent artists. Whether you're blocking scenes for a festival run, rehearsing a new cabaret, workshopping a new work, or running lines for an upcoming season, this is the space for you.

The Ballroom

Your main rehearsal and performance space. The Ballroom is a fully-renovated heritage event space with vaulted timber ceilings, hardwood floors, and — yes — a mirror ball. With a professional stage, sound system, and full LED lighting rig, it's the closest thing to performing live that a rehearsal room can offer.

Specs

• Capacity: 174 standing · 114 theatre-seated
• Stage: 5m deep × 4m wide, raised platform with wheelchair lift
• Floor: Hardwood
• Balcony: Outdoor balcony available for breaks
• Ceiling: Vaulted, heritage timber beams

Perfect for:

• Theatre and musical theatre productions
• Cabaret, comedy, and spoken word rehearsals
• Dance productions requiring a full stage
• Film and TV rehearsals
• Full tech-and-dress run-throughs
• Large ensemble and orchestra rehearsals

Included in every hire: Full tech package. Sound system, LED lighting rig, DJ gear, backline, and microphones. See the full tech specs below.
Bonus: Free break-out space: When you hire the Ballroom, The Lounge is included at no extra cost. Use it as a green room, a warm-up space, a props and costume area, or a quiet room for the director while the rest of the company works on stage.

The Lounge 

Our second space is an intimate, saloon-style room with vintage charm and more character than most rehearsal spaces will ever have. Ideal for smaller companies, script readings, workshops, production meetings, and solo artists who don't need a full stage. It can also be used as a green room and break-out area when combined with the Ballroom.

Specs
•    Capacity: 76 standing · 48 seated
•    Setup: Flexible, soft furnishings can be arranged or cleared
•    Access: Step-free, wheelchair accessible

Perfect for:
•    Script readings and table work
•    Small ensemble rehearsals
•    Production meetings and workshops
•    Warm-up and cool-down space alongside Ballroom hire
•    Solo artist rehearsals and run-throughs
•    Auditions

Tech included in every hire

We include professional-grade tech in every booking — no additional AV or equipment hire fees on top of your venue hire. Instead of coordinating multiple suppliers, Fringe Common Rooms comes ready with everything most productions need: a touring-grade sound system, full LED lighting rig, DJ gear, backline, and a complete microphone package. Fewer moving parts, a clearer budget, and a smoother rehearsal for your whole team. See our full tech specs below, or download the PDF.

Sound System

2× d&b V10P loudspeakers

Top-of-the-range FOH speakers, perfect for live music

2× d&b B6 Sub (omni directional)

Full, powerful low end

6× dbTechnologies Opera 12 foldback speakers

Stage monitoring — 2 on stage, 4 available

1× Allen & Heath SQ-5 48-channel digital mixer

Professional audio console

1× Full microphone package

6 vocal mics, 4 multi-purpose mics, 4 instrument mics

4× BSS ARR-133 DI boxes

For keyboards, bass guitar, and acoustic instruments

Lighting & AV

8× Pluto 800 wash moving head (LED)

Colours and movement across the whole room

2× LED Fresnel 50 Nitec

Wash and fill lighting

1× Pharos Jnr Compact LED Profile (19–36°)

Spotlight with adjustable angle

2× Pluto 350 moving head spot (LED)

Moving spots — for all the looks you could ever want

1× LSC Manta Lite DMX Lighting Console

Multi-channel lighting control desk

1× Epson EB-L615U 5k Laser Projector

Full AV projection

1× Antari Haze Machine

Soft atmospheric haze to make your lights pop

DJ Gear & Backline

2× Denon SC5000 DJ decks

Top-of-the-range decks — “a real paradigm shift in DJ technology”

1× Pioneer All-in-one XDJ-RX3

Crisp, polished, party-ready all-in-one

1× Allen & Heath XOne:96 mixer

Professional DJ mixer with legendary filters

2× Reloop RP8000 Direct Drive Turntables

For the vinyl purists

1× Yamaha Tour Custom drum kit

Professional 5-piece, perfect for live music

1× Fender Mustang GT200 guitar amp

Plug in and play

1× Yamaha Upright Piano

Her name is Tina Tinkles

Technicians

For straightforward rehearsals, you may not need a technician at all. For anything more hands-on — operating the lighting rig, running live sound, or using the DJ setup — you'll likely need to either hire one of our in-house technicians or bring your own. If you're not sure what level of support you need, our team is happy to talk it through before you book.

We have expert in-house technicians available:
•    Base rate: $55/hr (inc. GST)
•    Extended hours (8+ hrs): $90/hr (inc. GST)
•    Late night (12am–7am): $90/hr (inc. GST)
•    Sundays & public holidays: $90/hr (inc. GST)

Getting Here

Fringe Common Rooms is centrally located in Carlton, just 5 minutes from Melbourne CBD, in the heart of the city's vibrant arts and culture precinct. The venue is housed in the historic Victorian Trades Hall, situated near RMIT University, a short walk from Lygon Street cafés, restaurants, and shops, and close to Carlton Gardens and the Melbourne Museum. Fringe Common Rooms is easy to reach by tram, train, and bus, with multiple stops within a short walking distance. See how simple it is to get to Fringe Common Rooms.

Address

Fringe Common Rooms
Trades Hall
Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts
Carlton VIC 3053

Accessibility

Fringe Common Rooms has full stair-free access. There is a wheelchair lift into the building at the main Lygon Street portico entrance. 

Once inside the building, lift access is available. This will take you from the ground floor to the first floor, where Fringe Common Rooms is located.

An accessible bathroom is available both on the ground floor and first floor of the building.

Within the Fringe Common Rooms Ballroom, the stage can be made accessible by the installation of a temporary mobi-lift. If stair-free access to the stage is required, please ensure that this is discussed with the Venue team before the day of your event.

Other accessibility features include a lowered section of the bar, and wide doorways. Please note that the doorway leading from the Fringe Common Rooms Ballroom to the adjacent outside balcony features a small step of less than 10cm high.

• Step-free access throughout the venue
• Stage wheelchair lift in the Ballroom
• Gender-neutral and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms
• Step-free entry from the street

If you have specific access requirements or would like to discuss accessibility before booking, please get in touch. 

How to Book

Step 1

Fill out our online enquiry form. Tell us: what you're rehearsing, which space you need, your proposed dates and times, and how many people will be in the room.

Step 2 

If your dates are available, we'll get back to you within 2-3 business days with a custom quote and any further questions about your needs.

Step 3 

Book a venue tour (optional but recommended). We offer free, obligation-free venue tours Monday–Friday. See both spaces in person, check out the tech, meet the team, and get a feel for the room before you commit.

Step 4 

We'll send a booking agreement. You pay a deposit to lock in your date and we'll add you to the calendar.

Step 5

Your rehearsal. No notes from us.