This is a message from Producing Artistic Director Richard Garner.
Dear Friend of Georgia Shakespeare,
THANK YOU!! Because of the remarkable generosity of 986 people over the past thirteen days, we have some stunning news.
As of 1:00pm on Thursday, September 22, we have surpassed our $150,000 initial benchmark goal by $48,727 AND have received another $108,000 in pledges towards our total goal of $500,000. That’s a total of $306,727 in support and pledges, putting us over 60% of the way to our final goal!
Our doors will stay open and our Fall production of The Glass Menagerie is a “go”! And, we are well on the way to stabilizing the finances of Georgia Shakespeare and announcing a vibrant 2012 season.
I am unable to summon the words that can adequately say how moved I and all the rest of us at Georgia Shakespeare are for this incredible outpouring of support. It has come from friends of all sorts from all around the country.
Almost every check or on-line donation we received also came with a heartfelt note letting us know how much this company means to our friends. In one case it was a two page note from a local school teacher and in another case it was simply the word “Success!” written on the bottom of a check from friends in North Carolina.
We had children who have benefitted from our educational programs dig into their piggy banks for us and we’ve had a local foundation call us up and say they didn’t want to be left out of those who stood up for us.
We heard from former employees who’ve told us their time here has helped shape their professional careers. And we heard from local artists who donated their time and talent on our behalf because they said Georgia Shakespeare is their artistic home. The cabaret they put together for us raised almost $18,000 this past Monday.
When I first wrote my appeal about our situation, I spoke of some of the images from the past at Georgia Shakespeare that make up the story of this company. There are now new extraordinary stories that will forever be a part of what this theater is:
- 4-year old Eirinn Lucas bringing in her plastic pumpkin with $3.67 she raised by selling her artwork.
- 8-year old Beatrix Clark bringing in a baggie filled with $30 of her birthday money, tooth-fairy money and some change she “found on the ground”.
- Former acting intern Sid Solomon, now living in Brooklyn, exhorting all of his friends around the country to buy him an “imaginary birthday beer” by sending a donation to us. We know for a fact that Sid has a lot of nice friends.
- And 983 other stories all as personal as these.
We have lots to celebrate but we still have important work ahead of us. What now? Come see The Glass Menagerie and look for your name proudly displayed in our lobby. Continue to tell your friends about us – we still have to reach our final goal by the end of December. And please read the letter on our website from our Board leaders.
Most importantly, please know that if you are one of the 986 people who responded to our plea, you are our hero. We are literally still here because of you. Thank you.
My very best,
Richard Garner
Producing Artistic Director
