Fall 2009

As you know by now, we recently completed our 25th Anniversary Season. In one way, it is hard to believe--how quickly the years have passed--but when you think of the people served and the programming provided, it is a little less so.

Well over a million people have come through these doors since that brilliant first season in the spring of 1985-hundreds of thousands of them children. They have attended professional performances, community concerts, lectures, workshops, corporate meetings and recitals. More than one-hundred-thousand children have attended our educational series, School-Time Performances, since it began in 1997. For many, it was the first live performance experience of their young lives. We inaugurated five other series over the years, the Merck, Sampler, Family, and On-Stage series and, new last year, Tuesdays with Stories.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors--The Merck Company Foundation--and our Friends and Business Partners. Some of our supporters have been with us from the very beginning when Ed Nash led the RVCC Foundation in raising one-million dollars to get the theatre built; others joined us earlier this month. Whether they are old friends or new ones, we appreciate their support more than we can properly express.

Now, we look ahead to the next 25 years and all we plan to accomplish for our patrons and community, most especially the children. Today, we are asking you to join Friends of the Theatre. In the spirit of the times, we continue to offer our special celebratory rate of $25. Gifts of any amount are, of course, welcome and put to good use, but through the power of sheer numbers, a gift of at least $25 from each of our patrons would put your theatre on solid footing for Season 26 and beyond.

Two years ago we began our Ticket Fund, to which our members can dedicate half their gift and thereby provide tickets to those whose financial circumstances otherwise would not allow them to attend performances. Combined, our members' generosity has allowed us to serve 1,500 families, school children and veterans since 2006.

Whether twenty-five years ago, or just last week, I hope the theatre has entered your life in a way that makes you consider us a friend. I hope as well that you will consider becoming a Friend of the Theatre this season. With your support, the next 25 seasons will be just as bright and beautiful as those that came before. Please join today, on-line or by mail (pdf or doc).

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