A public plea for funds proved effective for Georgia Shakespeare. Two weeks ago, the theater company took to its website with a "save the theatre" campaign. The goal was to raise a total $500,000 in two phases including $150,000 by Friday to complete the 2011 season.
About $306,700 was raised from 976 donors in 14 days. Many donations were from individuals who had not contributed to the company in the past, while six contributions came from foundations or businesses.
Producing Artistic Director Richard Garner was astounded by the support.
"It was the sheer number of individuals responding," said Garner. "Almost everybody who sent something sent a note of some kind." From two-page letters to encouraging words such as "success" or "thrive" written on the bottom of checks, everyone wished the company well, he said. "One thing we are taking very seriously is this is a lot of faith in us, and we have to be good stewards of this. I feel a great sense of responsibility with each and every one of these people."
Within hours of Garner posting the letter on the Georgia Shakespeare website, the company saw contributions ranging from $3.27 in a Ziploc bag delivered by a young supporter up to a pledge of $50,000 from a leading foundation.
Of the total $500,000 needed before year's end, the first $150,000 will allow the company to complete the season with a production of Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie," The remaining $350,000 is needed to meet other financial obligations including debt payments and support for a new business model. They now have more than $150,000 toward the second goal.
"We are off to great start, but we have to push through," said incoming board co-chair Paul Pendergrass. A core group of board members are focused on creating a new business model for the company, he said, including immediate plans to hire a managing director from a pool of candidates obtained in a nationwide search. Another change will be to consider a larger location in Piedmont Park with twice the seating capacity and an extended run for "Shake at the Lake,"of Shakespeare under the stars at Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park. The number of free tickets and paid seating it offers could then be increased.
The outpouring of support has left them encouraged and intent on positioning the company for future success, Pendergrass said. "There is broad base of support out there and we just need to tap into it," he said.
