ICCT needs help

ICCT - As we have reported previously, the Iowa City Community Theatre is deeply in debt. It's make or break time. If you want to see ICCT continue, please read this email plea from Kehry Lane, ICCT board member, and do what you can.

Folks,

I wouldn't normally use my personal contact list for this kind of e-mail. However, circumstances compel me to write to you all, as my personal friends, my family, and my theatre friends/family.

As some of you may know, Rachel and I have been serving on the board of Iowa City Community Theatre during the past year. When we joined the board last summer, we learned that the organization had fallen on economic hard times. This past year has been a struggle. We nearly canceled Wonderful Town (due to lack of funding), which was saved by the extraordinary fund raising efforts of it's production team. Due to their hard work, ICCT was able to proceed with the show, and make some money in the process.

Unfortunately, the money made on WT wasn't enough to bring us out of the hole. We still find ourselves in need of a substantial amount of money, or we should seriously consider closing our doors. The target is $20,000.00 by the end of May. We're hoping for 200 theatre lovers to contribute $100.00 each. If we meet this goal, we'll be able to retire our debt, and start next season with some cash on hand.

We've assembled a line-up of shows (and directors) for next year that we believe will enchant and delight audiences. We're planning on pursuing grants to help us sustain ICCT over the long term. We've got a strong slate of candidates for next year's board. We're moving in the right direction, and we need some brave, generous folks to contribute.

Simply go to our website, and click on the Donate button in the top right corner. You may use a major credit card, and the transaction will be securely handled by Paypal.

I'm writing to you folks, because I believe you all love local theatre. You believe in the mission of presenting theatre to the community, participating in theatre, and the joy that these shared experiences bring to all involved.

I got my start in my hometown of Council Bluffs, Iowa, with Chanticleer Community Theater. They too have been around for over 50 years. It was a precious resource for me as an individual, my theatre friends/family, and my community. It changed my life for the better, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities they provided me.

Although, I am not a life long resident of Iowa City, and my involvement with ICCT only started 18 months ago (when we were cast in Bus Stop), I do feel a connection to this long lived organization. I have the desire and hope to see the mission and tradition of community theatre live on in our city. I want community theatre to be there for others, as it was for me. If you are able, please help.

Sincerely,
Kehry Anson Lane

P.S. Please pass this e-mail along to anyone you feel may be interested.