Spotlighters Theatre Seeks New Venue Over Renovation

Following a year long process of submitting and being awarded the initial bid from the Baltimore Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office for the old Read's Drugstore (in the west-side Howard-Lexington Streets Superblock); Spotlighters Theatre has decided to not pursue acquisition and renovation of this property.

The theatre completed a Feasibility Study with the help of Arts Consulting Group of Washington, DC to determine the depth of public, corporate and private support of this specific project. These results greatly informed the decision of the Spotlighters' Board of Directors to pursue other options.

While many of the philanthropic individuals and organizations that were interviewed for the study supported the project, there were concerns about the large cost of the venture for an organization of Spotlighters' size. Many of the individuals interviewed responded with suggestions to meet the theatre's imminent need of a new facility.

These included:

- Alternate Property, with a more reasonable price-tag and that would be useable as is, with only renovation for a performance space.

- Corporate infrastructure building and staffing to provide for the needed growth to manage a larger facility and operation.

- Development and Marketing Staff, to expand the theatre's reach for audience members, as well as to establish a more complete and secure giving program for the theatre.

In consideration of the concerns raised and suggestions offered, Spotlighters is investigating securing Capacity Funding Grants from local corporations and foundations to support hiring a full time Director of Development/Marketing to meet the needs of the growing organization before entering into a Capital Campaign. The theatre is also looking at alternative properties in Baltimore City, and also near the Beltway that will provide the unique facility that a theatre in-the-round requires.

The theatre expects to have the new staff person in place by mid-2017, and will continue to investigate options for our new home. Spotlighters hopes to remain in Baltimore City, and in Mt Vernon, but more so we hope to continue to provide exceptional, diverse and intimate theatre to our patrons. The Board of Directors has held several Town Hall Meetings to share information with our patrons, and to gather input regarding tangible and intangible aspects of the essence of Spotlighters, and requests for patron amenities such as parking, accessibility, larger restrooms, etc.

Individuals interested in supporting our Capacity Funding Campaign to allow Spotlighters to hire a full time Director of Development should contact Fuzz Roark, Managing Artistic Director. (Spotlighters Theatre 817 Saint Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21202; Fuzz@spotlighters.org; 410-752-1225)

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