This is a very difficult blog post to write. But it is more than necessary.
I am writing to you with an urgent request for your help. Wayside Theatre has reached a critical juncture in its life here in its 50th Anniversary Season. Throughout its past Wayside Theatre has always struggled to make ends meet, and valued patrons and friends, like you, have always responded to the call for support. I hate to keep asking you for support, but our need at the moment has reached an urgent stage.
For those who follow me here and come to see productions, Wayside Theatre is your theatre. For those who follow me and cheer us on for afar, Wayside Theatre may not be your venue for live entertainment, but it is a big part of who I am. Believe me when I say that those associated with the running of this institution have taken every step that they can before making an emergency public appeal. But as the economy lags, we find ourselves having no other recourse beyond shutting the doors. I know you would like to have the opportunity to help before we reach that unthinkable step. This is that opportunity and I hope the good work we’ve done over the years and the promise of more to come will lead you to action.
There are many reasons we face this current crisis. In brief, a continually depressed economy has led to an industry wide slump in ticket sales for theatres across the country in these last months. This, coupled with Wayside Theatre’s current long and short-term debt has put us in a position of having to pay some major creditors quickly if we are going to continue. We need to raise about $90,000 in the next 45 days if we are to keep Wayside Theatre open. Four of our sister theatres across the country have shared with us that unless they have a good Christmas season they will be shutting the doors following the holidays. Our situation is even more dire. We need your help to even get to our Christmas Season.
Here’s what we’re asking. We’re trying to reach 5,000 individuals who have participated in a Wayside Theatre activity in hopes that we can receive at least a $50 donation from as many of them as we can. Our goal is $90,000 in 45 days. If, as an example, each of our 800 subscribers gave $50 we’d quickly be close to half way towards that goal.
If you are interested in reading more specifically and in depth about Wayside Theatre’s situation we have prepared a document that you can find on our website at www.waysidetheatre.org that goes into greater depth about the historic and mounting challenges that we face. It is more than interesting reading.
Given the urgency, we’d like to suggest that calling our Box Office at 540 869- 1776 to make a donation with your credit card would be the best way to make your donation count as soon as possible. But certainly, you can send a check or visit us at www.waysidetheatre.org and hit the Donate Button to give that way.
I know that some of you reading this letter have been annual donors. We also know that some of you recently gave to the $50,000 challenge. We are all grateful, as always, for that support. But, as we reach out to those who enjoy the fine quality of professional live theatre or our rich educational programs, we also know that some of you may receive more than one letter or email for this emergency appeal. Please have patience with us, as we try to contact as many Wayside Theatre fans as we can in a quick manner. Please also know that we have reduced our already small staff recently in order to cut costs during this challenging time.
If you have any questions please contact any of us at Wayside Theatre at 540 869-1776 or via info@waysidetheatre.org.
Thank you for your support of the Wayside Theatre over the years and we hope in this appeal to keep your theatre up and running.
