The Hot Springs Giving Circle, a local group of philanthropists dedicated to making a difference in Garland County, is helping patrons and actors at the Pocket Community Theatre, 107 Ravine St., keep their cool this summer.
"For our type of nonprofit organization, (community support) is critical; when it happens, it's a great blessing," said James Kendall, one of the directors at the theater. The amount of the grant, was used to purchase new cooling units for the theater, was not released.
The theater started the grant application process last year after one of its members pointed out the benefits of working with the Giving Circle. The theater itself is a nonprofit, so revenues from ticket and concession sales are used to pay utility costs, purchase the rights to various productions, and pay royalties. Outside donations and grants are sought for any "big ticket" projects.
The Giving Circle grant was used to purchase two smaller air conditioning units for the front of the theater, to facilitate a more comfortable environment for both patrons and actors. All the units in the building were examined to see where the greatest need was, and the units cooling the front of the theater were "knocking on death's door," Kendall said.
"The air conditioning units at the front are very important. Whenever someone comes in (to watch a production), the first thing you want them to feel is comfortable. You don't want to look out into the audience and see people fanning themselves. They are not having fun when that happens," he said.
Before awarding the theater grant money, members of the Giving Circle toured the facility and asked questions about the building and the plans for the grant money. The stipulations for receiving a grant are very specific -- organizations must have a solid plan, with clear and specific details explaining how the funds will be used.
"They were all very sweet and very concerned. They really just have a heart for giving," said Tami Pultz, chairwoman of the Pocket Theatre.
The theater itself was built during the 1940s, making it difficult to keep the temperature regulated throughout the seasons. For that reason, the theater's volunteers are perpetually looking for ways to upgrade, keeping the efficiency at the forefront of their vision. In the future, they hope to procure some sort of signage to increase their public presence and make the theater easier to locate.
The timing worked out wonderfully, as the new units are already up and fully running just in time for the summer production in August. This season, the theater is staging an interpretation of Ian McWethy's comedy "Bad Auditions by Bad Actors." The play follows a failing community theater and the last-ditch effort to stop its tragic demise.
"I really wanted to use (the show) as a recruiting vehicle. It's one that gives people of all experience levels a chance to be on stage," said Kendall. He added that he hopes this show will launch the theater into the public eye and increase the theater's community exposure.
Rehearsals for the summer production have already begun, and the show is set to premiere the first Friday in August. It will run the first two Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in August.
Local on 06/22/2017