Exciting News from Executive Director, Sarah Boone
I am thrilled to announce that The Weaver Family Foundation has very generously donated $25,000 to Theatre Jacksonville as part of a challenge grant to raise additional funds for the theatre’s operating budget. With this gift, we have gladly accepted a challenge to raise $50,000 in new contributions over the coming months. Once we reach our $50,000 goal, the Foundation will then match these dollars with another $25,000 donation bringing the total amount of monies raised to $100,000. This is an exceptional opportunity for the Theatre Jacksonville community to unite in support of this beloved institution. With cuts in our budget forced by increasing losses in city funding, it will be up to all of us in the private sector to fill this financial void now and in the future.
I invite you now to join me and the Board of Directors in answering the Weaver challenge by making a contribution to the theatre. Your new donation, no matter the amount, and any increase over past donations that you make will count toward the match. And remember, donations to Theatre Jacksonville are tax deductible. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!
Many thanks to the Weaver Family Foundation for publicly endorsing Theatre Jacksonville.
Now it’s our turn to pick up the Foundation’s cue and invest, so that together we can continue to make a difference in Jacksonville’s cultural scene. See you at the theatre!
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Sarah Boone, Executive Director
Get out your iPods everyone and download a few sound bytes from your Little Theatre! On October 4, Executive Director Sarah Boone, Marketing Director Staci Cobb and acclaimed director/teacher Shirley Sacks sat down with Chris Laning of “Your Neighborhood Stage” Community Theatre Podcast for an interview. Each episode Chris and his partner, Rob Scardino tackle a topic of interest to community theatre, spotlight a community theatre organization, highlight a particular play or musical, and list some of the shows recently released for community theatre productions.
Theatre Jacksonville is included in episode 1.21 and is currently available for download through iTunes or directly download the mp3 file by right clicking HERE
Drop by the YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD STAGE WEBSITE to see all the other great interviews they've done.
Notice anything different when you came to see Leading Ladies and Happily Red? After 16 years, the Main Lobby has gotten a much needed face-lift.
The design of the new Lobby (created just for us by the incomparable Ginny Stine of Ginny Stine Interiors) was inspired by the art-deco architecture of the building. The burgundy palatte was traded for the soothing shades of gray - and complimented by the one-of-a-kind carpet designed and hand-made just for Theatre Jacksonville (again, a Ginny Stine creation). Our wall of mirrors and chandelier were retired after many years and replaced with a panel of frosted glass and fabulous art-deco sconces. Even the front doors got an overhaul.
Spearheading the project alongside Executive Director Sarah Boone were Board Members Sally Larkin Hall and David Laffitte. Hall and Laffitte were instrumental in managing all of the intricate details of the project. Head contractor Marc Angelo of The Angelo Group did a wonderful job coordinating all of the fabulous expert craftspeople and onsite Supervisor Dave Ranney was invaluable in overseeing the renovation. Oasis Rugs handled the ordering and shipping of the carpet while Tammy Brown of Brown and Brown Installation saw to the prepping and installation.
This project would not have been possible were it not for the generous grant Theatre Jacksonville received from the City of Jacksonville and the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville. Those funds, coupled with money from our Harold K. Smith Endowment Fund made all of the renovations possible.