Peterborough Players' Auction Fundraiser Set for Tonight

The Peterborough Players' annual fundraising auction and gala is set for tonight, November 7, 2015 at 5:30p.m. This will be the 27th auction the Players has conducted on behalf of its non-profit professional theatre.

This year will bring many changes to the gala and auction. Attendees will be seated at reserved tables on the theatre stage where they can savor hors d'oeuvres and sweets, enjoy a full open bar and bid on live auction items. This year's event is catered by Sunflowers Restaurant and Catering of Jaffrey.

Another new feature is the ability to pre-bid on the live auction items. Anyone can go to www.peterboroughplayers.org/auction for the link to the live auctions. Those interested in bidding on an item need to register to begin bidding before the event. It is also possible to preview all of the silent auction items at the same part of the website.

Live auction items include many exceptional travel opportunities. You can bid on a one-year membership at one of the most exclusive skiing & sports resorts in the country, The Hermitage Club of Vermont. There are also vacations in Great Britain, Southern France, Québec and Martha's Vineyard. Additional live auction items include extraordinary wine packages, wine tasting tours, dining, backyard fireworks display, more travel packages, professional Kamado ceramic grill, and tickets to Red Sox, Bruins, Boston Symphony Orchestra and much more.

Over 100 items have been graciously donated to the Peterborough Players for the auction gala.

Prior to the Gala's live auction will be a fundraising event earlier in the evening entitled, "Paintings In A Pouch." Over 20 renowned artists from the region were commissioned to do small paintings just for the Players' auction. Each painting is hidden in a silver pouch and give a separate number. Gala attendees pick a number and discover which artist they received. Artists include: Daniel Thibault, John Sirois, David Dodge, Sue Callihan, Betty Glass, Kim Cunningham, Caleb Massin, Barbara Mahar, Joan Barrows, Joe Caracappa, Gail Hoar, Soosen Dunholter, Lee Dunholter, Maude Odgers and Carolyn Edwards.

"The annual auction has been a pivotal part of our fundraising efforts for the Players and we are always looking to make it a better experience. We received comments that the live auction lasted too long and that sitting in the theatre seats was not convenient for engaging with other people. We listened and reduced the number of live items as well as created reserved table seating. We believe our friends and fans will find this new gala format fun and entertaining. We are also excited we can now allow individuals to pre-bid on the live auction items. It gives people from around the country the opportunity to bid on something they may want and it gives us a chance to increase our revenue," said Patti Hance, Chairperson of the Auction 2015 Gala.

The Players has engaged professional charity auctioneer, Mark Fodero, to be host, oversee all auction activities and conduct the live bidding process. Mr. Fodero is well known throughout New England for his successful benefit auctions. He has been the auctioneer for many profitable fundraising events including the Currier Museum of Art, RiverWoods Gala, and the Southeast Land Trust.

Tickets for the Auction 2015 Gala are $75 each. Tables of 8 can also be purchased. Prices for tickets are $95 each after October 28th. Tickets can be purchased online at www.peterboroughplayers.org/auction/ or by calling the box office at 603-924-7585. The Peterborough Players Theatre is located at 55 Hadley Road in Peterborough, New Hampshire, approximately 90 minutes from Boston.

The Peterborough Players, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has been providing professional theatre to audiences since 1933. It has been globally recognized as one of the most important regional theatres in North America. The Wall Street Journal has called the Peterborough Players "American summer repertory theater at its most accomplished." Information about the organization can be found at www.peterboroughplayers.org.