No Place Like Home: Loss Of Lease Sets Stage For A Brighter Future For Main Street Theater

Faced with the threat of losing its lease, Main Street Theater is turning crisis into opportunity by taking the long-awaited step toward establishing a permanent home.   This summer, the theater is launching a campaign entitled “No Place Like Home,” seeking to raise $3.5 million to purchase and renovate its existing Times Boulevard location in Houston’s Rice Village community.

“For years, we’ve managed to create an incredible theater experience for our Houston audiences despite the limitations of our facilities,” says Executive Director ReBecca Greene Udden, who founded Main Street Theater in 1975.  “When our building went to a month-to-month lease late last year, it forced us to think long and hard about what Main Street Theater is today – and what we want it to be in the future.  After a thorough needs assessment and lots of analysis and discussion, the board and I ended up with what we think is the ideal solution to our needs.  We are so excited about this opportunity to create a stronger, better future for Main Street Theater by acquiring a permanent home.”

Main Street Theater’s goal is to acquire and begin renovating its property in spring 2010 and dedicate the new theater in 2011.  At 4,500 square feet, the new facility will retain the intimate 99-seat size that audiences love, but with improved sight lines.  In addition to the “on-stage” enhancements, the project will address much-needed upgrades behind the scenes, including an improved sound booth and more functional dressing rooms and prop storage.  The Studio Red Architects team is creating an “efficient jewel box” design that will enhance Rice Village.  Most importantly, the location will remain easily accessible to patrons of all ages.

To Udden, the reasons for supporting Main Street Theater’s future are clear.  “Houston is fortunate to have many exciting theaters that deserve our support,” she says.  “But Main Street Theater is distinctive, in that we offer a uniquely eclectic and challenging selection of plays and musicals to Houston theater-goers in an intimate setting. We also offer a wonderful array of programs to inspire and educate children and youth.  And we provide a great venue for training, employment, and exposure for our city’s professional theater artists.  With our own home, we’ll be far better able to do what we do best.”

The capital campaign is being led by Honorary Campaign Chair, Enid R. Robinson, who is supported by a campaign committee whose members include representatives from the Board of Trustees and other friends of Main Street Theater.   To fund its quest for a permanent home, Main Street Theater is seeking the support of foundations, corporations and individuals.

Moving into its 34th season, Main Street Theater has earned acclaim both locally and nationally.  The theater currently serves more than 120,000 community members annually through a year-round repertoire of top-quality productions for adults on its MainStage, live productions and dynamic learning experiences in its Theater for Youth program, and training and outreach opportunities through its Kids on Stage classes and camps.

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