Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006 - 09:56 PM
Justin Bailey, Florence Morning News
Florence Little Theatre will spend 2007 building its future as construction of its new theater building on South Dargan Street is set to begin in January.
The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation awarded the theater a $10 million grant Jan. 20 toward the construction costs for a new theater to be built at 509 S. Dargan St. on a block adjacent to the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library.
The Florence Little Theatre plans to build a 35,000-square-foot venue on Dargan Street between Pine and Elm streets, the block just north of the new library.
Florence County and McLeod Health donated portions of land they owned in the area, clearing the way for future construction. The new theater location is projected to include a 400-seat auditorium with stage and orchestra pit, rehearsal hall, set construction area, costume storage area, dressing rooms, box office and concession areas.
Greenville-based architectural firm Craig Gaulden Davis was chosen to design the new theater.
A ground-breaking ceremony was conducted Oct. 19 at the new theater site. Construction is expected to take 18 months to complete. The theater plans to open its 2008-09 season in the new theater.
Other organizations and private entities will be able to use the new theater for lecture presentations, corporate and private receptions, and civic meetings, all of which will increase the theater’s revenue, said Patsy Stone, the theater building committee chairwoman.
On Dec. 18, the theater announced the establishment of a $1 million endowment fund that should provide the theater with long-term financial stability, cover operational costs and allow for diversified programming expansion. It will give the theater the financial freedom to provide programs and performances for school children and others who might not have experienced live theatrical productions, theater executive director Sue Schatz said.
The theater has programs in place that help reach the area’s youths, such as the theater’s summer camp and the Children’s Workshop.
The FLT Schoolhouse Players, a volunteer theater group, provides four theatrical productions to area school children in kindergarten through sixth grade during school field trips. The endowment will allow the theater to expand these programs and to create new ventures to attract more children and adults who haven’t been exposed to live theater before.
Th e endowment fundraising process’ kick-off event will be a gala titled “Swinging on a Star” at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at Osbornes in Florence. The gala will feature big band music from the 1940s, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing, a silent auction and a reverse raffle. Tickets are $125 per person.
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