Totem Pole Kicks Off Capital Campaign with $1 Million Pledge

Totem Pole Playhouse received a $1 million pledge at its Capital Campaign kick off celebration on April 22 at Hauser Estate Winery in Biglerville.  The donor, Charles Q. Smith, is a 60 year Totem Pole season ticket holder and former board member.  The $2.5 million dollar Capital Campaign will support upgrades to the 40 year old theatre and one million of the campaign has been earmarked for the existing endowment.

Board of Directors announced a $ 1 million pledge at its kickoff celebration for a $ 2.5 million capital campaign April 22, 2010 at Hauser Estate Winery, Biglerville. The campaign, fully supported by the Board of directors, called "Recalling the Past, Embracing the Future" has already received $100,000 of the million dollar pledge which was used to install brand new seats in the auditorium and revamp both bathrooms on the East side of the Playhouse.

The donor, Charles Q. Smith, has asked that recognition be given in memory of his mother, Jessica Weaver Smith who was a season subscriber to Totem Pole since its beginning in 1950. "My Mother used to ‘drag' me and my Dad to the original concrete block pill box called a theatre near Pine Grove Furnace", said Smith. "Soon we all came to love the theatre and became season subscribers through all the years in the old dance hall at the top of the hill and then into the present location." Mrs. Smith died at age 95 in 2000 and attended her last Totem Pole play just a few months before her death.

Ray Ficca began the evening at the Hauser Estate Winery with a history of theatre throughout the world and how it has impacted the Cumberland Valley with the creation of Totem Pole Playhouse 60 years ago. Ficca, the 4th artistic director of the theatre states, "Mr. Smith's pledge will help bring the 40 year old theatre into the 21st century and beyond."

Jessica Smith was one of the early women graduates of Gettysburg College, received her MA in English Literature from Penn State University and began her teaching career as an English teacher and dramatics coach at Biglerville High School. Later in her career she taught speech, English and World Cultures at the Chambersburg Area Senior High School where she also coached dramatics and directed pageants and plays. The auditorium at Totem Pole Playhouse will be named in her memory.

Charles Smith (CQ as he is called by his friends) continues as a season subscriber now for the 60th year. He served as Vice President of the original Caledonia Theatre Company board of directors when the theatre was struggling financially. During his 9 years on the board he helped raise several hundred thousand dollars.

"I believe the performing arts are one of the best vehicles to create a learning atmosphere for young people. As a premier professional summer theatre and one of only a few left in the nation, we must preserve this wonderful tradition and make it grow in attraction to younger generations. As they say, ‘You don't know how good you have it until you lose it'. With our new Artistic Director Ray Ficca and the rest of the seasoned staff we are ready to roll out the carpet for this 60th year of great performances at Totem Pole Playhouse. I am glad to be a small part of it", Smith said.

Elise Overcash, President, of the theatre's Board of directors states "CQ's $1 million pledge to the Capital Campaign will provide an opportunity for Totem Pole Playhouse to shine into the future, providing the core of the financial requirements needed for the theatre, facility and grounds improvements."

Executive Director Judy Houser stated that Mr. Smith's generosity will benefit not only the theatre goers throughout our region and beyond, but also provide a cultural and economic impact for the betterment of our communities.

David Black, Chair of the Property Committee has overseen the plans for the improvements to the 40 year old theatre which will be accomplished in phases over the next several years. The changes include expanded covered patios on both sides of the theatre, additional restrooms, small catering kitchen and family restroom on the west side, repairs to the stage and house, additional storage, permanent administrative office, box office improvements. One million of the campaign has been earmarked for the existing endowment.

Sue McMurtray, Managing/Marketing Director and fellow Rotarian of CQ Smith knows firsthand of Mr. Smith's love of the arts, witnessing his joy at weekly Rotary meetings when the program is anything art related. CQ's love of singing and serving as song leader for the club is a highlight of his week. It is always a pleasure to share CQ's reviews of the theatre's summer shows every two weeks.

For more information on how to "Enhance the Future" of totem Pole Playhouse contact Judy Houser at 888-805-7056 or visit http://www.totempoleplayhouse.org/.

Photo: Ray Ficca, Charles Q. "CQ" Smith & Elise Overcash