Our Capital Campaign for the Futuretheplayhouseatwhitelake.org/Capital_Campaign_Booklet2016.pdf ·...
Transcript of Our Capital Campaign for the Futuretheplayhouseatwhitelake.org/Capital_Campaign_Booklet2016.pdf ·...
Our Capital Campaign for the Future
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“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
- William Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice)
White Lake Dramatic Club production of Charles P. Seager’s “Camouflage” in the early 1900s
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The ghost light. Always on. Always lighting the way. If
you have spent any time in a theater, you are familiar
with this solitary sentry illuminating an empty stage. Part
functionality and part folklore, the ghost light protects actors
and crew from tripping over a prop, missing a stair, or falling
headlong off the edge of the stage. It is also said that the
ghost light protects the spirits known to haunt theaters. If
you have heard the tale of our Lavender Lady, then you know
you are never truly alone in the Playhouse.
The ghost light also connects everything that happens in a
theater. It stands alone, waiting for the director, set designer,
lighting crew, costume designer, make-up crew and actors –
all the players who breathe life into the performance. And
when the curtains are drawn, when the set is struck and the
floors are swept, when the world of make believe fades into
memory and the house lights draw us back to the here and
now, the ghost light returns to its post.
For 100 years our ghost light has helped connect
everything and everyone at the Playhouse. From patron
to performer, from philanthropist to producer, we are all
connected. Without us, the Playhouse is merely a building
with a solitary ghost light throwing its beams across the stage.
If you are reading this, you are connected to the
Playhouse. You are someone who can light the way for the
next 100 years.
Yes, our Playhouse is 100 years old, and it needs our help.
Our vision plan outlines all the renovations and repairs –
“I enjoy knowing the children will get a more enriched life by having this beautiful theater in our small town.”
–Jason Zamojcin, Montague Patron and parent of a youth theatre performer
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from wiring to plumbing to expansion – and the time is now
to make this happen.
Please continue reading to find out more about how you can
help. Along the way, you will see familiar names, familiar
faces. We are, after all, a community of theater, and this truly
is our Playhouse, our good deed in a weary world. Thank you
for the role you play, and thank you for being connected.
“What a challenge to try and fit my feelings about the Howmet Playhouse into just a couple of sentences! My family and I love the Howmet Playhouse because of the intimate experience we get when we attend a show there. Whether we’re there for a comedy, tragedy, concert, or movie …we feel like “A-list insiders” that have been invited to an exclusive gathering.”
-Ron Derby, Blue Lake Township Derby Designs
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Repairs and Revisions:Building for the next 100 yearsThe list is long, and at 120 pages, the 2016 Vision Plan is
even longer. Regardless of the challenge, we know the value
that the Playhouse brings to the White Lake area, and we
now know the work that needs to be done. With your help,
this detailed plan will come to fruition and our Playhouse
will sparkle once again.
“The Howmet Playhouse is a lovely little theater. With the improvement and updates
that are being suggested, the Playhouse will continue to be an important, pertinent
part of the White Lake community. With some cosmetic and functional additions to the
lobby area, it will continue to be a warm, inviting venue. With the additions that will
be made to the backstage areas and stage space, it will be a wonderful place to perform.
Given an investment of time, money, and love, the Howmet Playhouse can continue as
a viable performance venue for the next 100 years.”- Bill Ebeling, Ann Arbor
Great Lakes Theatrical Consulting
The recommendations were
developed by Ed Francis of
the Resendes Design Group in
Detroit, a nationally recognized
theater renovation architecture
firm famous for the Fox and
Frauenthal theaters.
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If there is an area of interest to you – dressing rooms, stage
repair, handicap accessibility – please contact Beth Beaman,
Managing Director for the Playhouse. If you can help the
Playhouse, we want to help you give to what matters most for
you, your family, your business, your legacy. Thank you!
See more floor plan options in the full 2016 vision plan at: howmetplayhouse.org
Vision Plan OverviewWelcoming visitors since 1916, the community has a long-
standing history of supporting the Playhouse. Our capital
campaign goal is $3.6 million. The capital campaign proposal
provides for an addition that includes a larger lobby, box
office, accessible bathrooms, larger dressing rooms, and stage-
to-lobby access.
Additional renovations will be made to make the theater
more comfortable, accessible, and safe by paving the parking
lot, providing accessible seating in various locations in the
house, and updating the heating and cooling systems. All of
these improvements will bring the Playhouse into the 21st
century and allow for expanded, year-round programming.
“The Playhouse is that place in town where you walk in, marvel at its place in time, eyes adjust to the dimming prior to the most current and relevant shows, and you discover you’re surrounded by all of your neighbors and friends. These experiences are not duplicated in many other places. It’s magical.”
-Dan & Jen Hain, Whitehall Fetch Brewing Company
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Naming OpportunitiesPlease contact Beth Beaman or Frank Bednarek to create
the gift that will help you connect to your Playhouse.
Beth Beaman, Managing Director
231.894.4048 • [email protected]
www.howmetplayhouse.org
Frank Bednarek
231.740.2212 • [email protected]
Our 2016 Vision Plan provides a number of giving
opportunities to ensure the future of the Playhouse.
Please take a look at our giving levels to find the path that is
right for you.
Giving LevelsInner Circle $500,000 and above
Executive Producer $250,000 to $499,999
Producer $100,000 to $249,999
Director $50,000 to $99,999
Star $25,000 to $49,999
Actor $5,000 to $24,999
Impresario $1,000 to $4,999
Agent $500 to $999
Crew $1 to $499
“Look around the playhouse
auditorium before the show.
People chat anxiously. Listen to
their hushed awe as the stage
manager lowers the houselights.
Community theaters benefit not
just the audience, but the entire
community. They nurture new
artists. Shy children improve
their communication skills. Folks
meet new friends. Take it from
the late, great Edna Bloomdahl:
‘The Playhouse needs to be here. A
small theater in our community
is unique and important. It is so
perfect for a small town. Essential
to our life.’”
-Bill Iddings, MuskegonChairman, Friends of the
Playhouse
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Capital Campaign CabinetSo many friends. So many giving people who make the Playhouse come to life day after day.
There is always room for another friend. Please join us. Co-chairs
• Frank Bednarek
• Jon Blyth
• Jan Deur
• Thomas Spencer
Honorary Co-chairs
• Emery “Mac” Hatch
• John Hilt
• Holly Hughes
• Ken Mahoney
• Terry Sabo
• Edd Whalen
Friends of the Playhouse Committee
• Frank Bednarek
• Jon Blyth
• Dee Briegel
• Jan Deur
• Alice Gambel
Cabinet Members
• Beth Beaman
• Dee Briegel
• Anne Dake
• Alice Gambel
• John Gerig
• Kimberly Harsch
• Greg Hillebrand
• Bill Iddings
• Dee Jasick
• Heather O’Connell
• Mary Payne
• Irene Pierson
City of Whitehall Staff
• Laurie Audo
• Brenda Bourdon
• Scott Huebler
• Alyssa Seaver
Whitehall City Council
• Tanya Cabala
• Dick Connell
• Ellie Dennis
• Debi Hillebrand
• Jeff Holmstrom
• Steve Salter, Mayor Pro Tem
• Edd Whalen, Mayor
Howmet Playhouse
• Beth Beaman, Managing Director
• Claire Beaman
• Katie Beaman
• Tyler Frank
• Aidan Smith
• Roger Scharmer
• Tom Smrcina
• Mary Kay Specht
• Kevin Spencer
• Lynne Spencer
• Kathy West
• Doug Zwemer
• Jennifer Zwemer
• Kimberly Harsch
• Bill Iddings
• Heather O’Connell
• Irene Pierson
• Roger Scharmer
• Lynne Spencer
• Thomas Spencer
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“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
- Buddha
304 S. Mears Ave, Whitehall, MI, 49461 (231) 894-4048www.howmetplayhouse.org