Ocean State Theatre Company Reveals 'Take a Seat' Matching Challenge

With the recent passage of Question 5 on Rhode Island's 2014 ballot, the state has been authorized to borrow $35 million to support improvements and construction at arts facilities and historic sites throughout the state. In addition to the nine performing arts organizations named in Question 5, the bond will also fund a competitive matching grant program for other qualified non-profit arts facilities, of which Ocean State Theatre is one. In order for organizations to take advantage of the monies afforded through the bond initiative, each individual organization must raise funds via a 1:1 match.

To that end, Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), the not-for-profit professional theatre company, which recently opened its third season in Warwick, is excited to announce the launch of a new Matching Challenge. Proposed by a donor, who prefers to remain anonymous, the "Take a Seat" Challenge, which begins today and will conclude on May 17, 2015, (coinciding with the 2014-15 Season), allows participants to "purchase" the seat of their choice for $500, which will be matched by the donor.

"The generosity of last year's matching challenge grant inspired a new donor to come forward and propose this challenge," said Amiee Turner, OSTC's Producing Artistic Director. "Not only is it a wonderfully creative idea - which I love - it also gives patrons the opportunity to support the bond initiative, support our organization, and become a real part of Ocean State Theatre for years to come by placing their name, or that of a loved one or perhaps their business, on one or more of the fixed seats in the auditorium."

Each seat will be sold for $500, is 100% tax deductible, and will include name recognition on a plaque, which will be affixed to the individual seat. Seat locations will be sold on a first-come first-served basis. Each donor may make a single $500 gift for each seat or choose one of two payment plans (three or six month). Payment must be made in full by May 17, 2015, in order to count toward the match.

"The 'Take a Seat' Challenge will put OSTC in a stronger financial position, by raising capital for broad purposes, including those which may be applied toward the bond initiative, with the matching dollars going toward retiring debt incurred during the building of OSTC's state-of-the-art facility," said OSTC's Board Chair, Andy Cohen. "The match will be directly related to the number of seats sold and is only limited by the number of seats in the auditorium, so it could be as little as $500. If all 410 seats are sold, it could be pretty exciting!"

Ocean State Theatre Company invites the community to show its support and Take a Seat! Donations may be made at the box office, online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800. Ocean State Theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, RI.

Subscriptions and single tickets for the 2014-15 Season, which includes Dial M for Murder, The Meeting, The Last Five Years, Lend Me a Tenor, and Into the Woods, this year's holiday production of Meet Me in St. Louis, the seven Family Fun Fest shows including The Jester of Notre Dame, Bubbleology, Professor Paddy-Whack's Extravaganza of Songs & Silly Stuff, Freckleface Strawberry The Musical, Magical Moments, Squirrel Stole My Underpants and The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, and several special events are currently on sale to the public. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain on performance days.

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