Contribute
March 6, 2006
Dear Friends of CCT-
Like most arts organizations today, CCT faces numerous financial hurdles in its effort to balance art with business realities. One of our original intentions in beginning our “Cabaret & Café” series was to showcase Womack Center’s incredible acoustics and ambiance. This room offers an intimate environment that many consider to be the best cabaret setting in the Valley.
Unfortunately, this comes at a price. Despite a highly discounted cost, the expense of installing a temporary lighting system for each cabaret production makes it nearly impossible for CCT to make these events profitable – or even cost effective.
In reviewing our budget for the 2006-2007 Season, CCT has been forced to take a hard look at whether or not to continue the Cabaret & Café series and, if it is continued, to determine how this may be accomplished more economically.
Our alternatives are to (1) increase our ticket sales [a “given”]; (2) relocate the cabarets to Kendall Hall where lights and sound already exist [cavernous space with poor acoustics for cabaret]; and (3) obtain a lighting system for Womack Center to reduce rental costs.
We believe our best long-term solution is the third option. In fact, purchasing a lighting system for Womack Center would solve not only the instant problem of the cabarets, but would also go far toward alleviating the lighting deficiencies in Kendall Hall.
Despite our best efforts, our Kendall Hall shows remain dimly lit with little specialty lighting or color saturation. The reason for this is (at the very least) two-fold. First, the power available to Kendall Hall is limited. Second, we need more lighting instruments. Purchasing additional lighting for Womack Center would allow us to use to those same instruments to supplement what we have in Kendall Hall. In essence, we would be “killing two birds with one stone!”
The Challenge
Alan and Becky Fisher, have very generously offered a $250 “challenge grant” to begin a campaign to purchase the lighting system needed for Womack Center. Initial research indicates that the cost of a system will be in the neighborhood of $2000-$5000, depending upon its size and quality. Bids from local lighting contractors are being solicited to determine our exact needs and the anticipated costs.
Please meet the Fisher’s challenge and donate generously to the lighting fund. Remember, CCT is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization and your donations may be tax deductible!
Sincerely,
Gary Gallner, President, Advisory Board
Central Community Theatre