Capital Campaign
Following more than a year of planning and privately contacting Playhouse supporters, a public Capital Campaign was kicked off in August 2017 to raise money for a new home for the Playhouse. Due to development of our former home, we are now renting a space on Main Street in Fort Mill. As much as we enjoy being on Main Street the space is too small for us. We are making do but we are not able to produce youth productions nor any plays with a cast larger than six. The stage is not big enough for more, nor is the backstage area.
Although we continue to produce quality entertainment, it is very challenging to continually find good plays with six or less people and preferably one set so it will fit in our present space.
We are raising money to buy land and/or a building suitable for the Playhouse to use as a permanent home and we are asking everyone for their support. This campaign is the first time the Playhouse has asked the public for money, but we find it necessary to do so now.
Our Campaign Objective
The Fort Mill Community Playhouse needs a permanent home. We began presenting plays under a tent in 1980. We moved into Fort Mill High School when it was built in 1987, and was given a home on Banks Street by the Leroy Springs & Company from 2002 until 2015. We have learned to adapt through the years, but it is now time to own and design our own home to fit our specific needs and better support the diverse entertainment needs of the community.
Today
We are renting a space at 220 Main Street in Fort Mill and paying rent for the first time in our history. A new home is critical for the Playhouse to move forward. Our present home only seats 60 patrons and the stage is very small. Due to our current situation, we have had to eliminate our Youth Productions and Dinner Theaters, in addition to the difficulty of finding plays we can produce is such a tight space. We often turn away potential audience members because of our limited seating. A new home is critical for the Playhouse to move forward and to provide new and expanded entertainment options to the growing Fort Mill area. Expanding the youth programs and productions is vital as well as bringing entertainment groups from outside Fort Mill.
Challenge
Our challenge is to raise money for land and a building for a new Playhouse. This would be a permanent home for the Playhouse. We will be able to bring back Youth Productions and the audience favorite Dinner Theaters. To assist with on-going general expenses, space could be rented to interested parties during non-productions periods.
There is a huge misconception that we only need a building to use about 4 times a year for performances. This season we are producing 6 plays, holding an Improv camp plus two 2-week Performance Camps. This does not include rentals of the space. With performances, rehearsals, set building, costumes, all the parts it takes to get a production on stage and meetings in the building, our space is in use by the Playhouse 75% of the time.
Request
We have been searching for a building and looking at property since December 2015. With the explosive growth in Fort Mill, property has become quite expensive and we cannot purchase anything at this level without a capital campaign and donor support. You have the opportunity to support the performing arts in Fort Mill, to make sure the performing arts remain in Fort Mill and to help the performing arts thrive in Fort Mill.
Thank you for your kind consideration and support!
| Capital Campaign | |
|---|---|
| FMCP Building | $250,000 |
| Auditorium | $150,000 |
| Education Center For the Arts | $100,000 |
| Lobby | $75,000 |
| Ticket/Service Desk | $50,000 |
| Concessions | $50,000 |
| Conference Room | $25,000 |
| Platinum Star | $10,000 |
| Gold Star | $5,000 |
| Silver Star | $2,500 |
| Bronze Star | $1,000 |
| Name a Chair | $250 |