Wayside Theatre Continues Fundraising Campaign to Stay Open
By: Hayley Mason
Updated: February 21, 2013
MIDDLETOWN, VA- The Wayside Theatre is halfway through the fundraising campaign to keep its doors open. The theater staff held a public meeting Wednesday to let the community know just what it takes to operate and stay afloat.
"We went through quite a few numbers last night," says Warner Crocker, the artistic director at the Wayside Theatre. "This is how much it costs to do a play. This is how much we bring in with ticket sales. This is what happens when a show doesn't meet expectations and this is why we need to raise $250,000 a year in order to keep Wayside Theatre functioning."
In January, the board launched a fundraising campaign to raise $90,000 in 90 days.
They said if they didn't reach the goal by March, they would have to cancel the remaining shows and shut down. So far, they've raised $67,000 and are selling donated artwork to bring in additional funds.
"A big focus of our campaign is turning those folks who respond in an emergency into annual donors, so we don't have to have emergency campaigns going forward," says Crocker.
They say they are confident they will reach their goal. But, want committed donors for the future. The Wayside Theatre is the second oldest professional theater in Northern Virginia.
To donate to the theatre click here.
