SecondStory Repertory (SSR), Redmond’s only professional theater company, faces the most severe financial crisis of its decade-long life, but on Dec. 7, passed the halfway mark for a $80,000 fundraising goal to avoid bankruptcy.
A Dec. 13 Teen Cabaret performance called “Save SecondStory” brought in an additional $2,300, so the total raised for the campaign so far is $46,967, according to artistic director Susanna Wilson.
“We also currently have pledges totaling $19,900 that will kick in once we make it to $60,000. We have just $13,133 to raise by the end of the year. It would be a great Christmas present to us if we can reach this goal by December 23rd,” said Wilson.
“I am heartened,” by the community’s response, she added.
Earlier this month, when SSR was still a few thousand dollars shy of its half-way goal, the board and staff made the difficult decision to cancel the January production of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” Almost immediately, the phone started ringing as community theatres and volunteers called in to offer help.
Amazing strides were made, by a wide variety of sources, to keep SSR’s January programming alive and to secure more pledges and donations.
However, in lieu of presenting “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” the following “PLAN B Programming” will go into effect:
• Seattle-based Theater Simple will mount five performances of “Myth Understandings” for SSR subscribers, at SSR, Jan. 15–17, 2010.
“Myth Understandings” is a fun, physical, sideways look at familiar myths and fairy tales and their battle to survive in our world of technology. It is appropriate for ages 5 and up. Single tickets will also be available.
• Village Theatre will offer SSR Children’s Theatre subscribers access to a limited number of tickets for “Meet Me in St Louis” (Jan. 8-10 Everett performances only), and their Pied Piper production of “Chasing George Washington” at the Everett Event Center.
• Book-It Repertory Theatre’s touring arm, Book-It All Over, will produce their own “Trickster Tales” for the schools that have already booked January student shows at SSR.
• SSR’s talented improv team, Split Second, will produce wonderful, fast-paced comedy in January.
Other in-kind support includes:
• Shunpike’s pro bono services assisting in transition team development and strategic counsel.
• SSR’s volunteers are helping with everything from ushering to public relations and legal advice.
• Holy Names Academy is hosting a costume sale to benefit SSR on Dec. 17.
“I believe in this theatre,” said Susanna Wilson, SSR artistic director. “I won’t pretend that this fundraising goal is easy. It’s not. But the overwhelming support and outpouring from the local and artistic community gives me hope. It will be down to the wire. I’m sure we’ll be working all through the holidays, but this staff and board will not sit back and watch SSR’s doors close without a fight.”
She and managing director Caitlin Frances are still working hard to trim expenses and monitor revenue. The donations come in daily and Frances is glued to her calculator. Donations of any amount will be accepted at http://www.secondstoryrep.org/supportssr/donate.html
