Port Townsend's oldest community theater organization announced today a challenge gift of $300,000 toward their building fund for the property at 1128 Lawrence in the city's Uptown Historic Business District.
The donor, Port Townsend resident Reid Austin, has given Key City Players a year to raise the matching funds.
Property purchase
In order to purchase the property outright at the asking price of $500,000, the KCP board voted to accept a two-year loan contract offered by board president Ian Keith.
Keith has been involved in community theater for about 10 years in various capacities with KCP, Bareboards and Passion, and Olympic Shakespeare Productions. Other KCP board members are Harriet Stay, Lee Wolodkewitsch, Kathie Meyer, Deborah Hammond, Catherine McNabb, D.J. Adams, Marj Iuro and Ginger McNew.
The theater group hopes to build a 150-seat mainstage theater with a comfortable lobby, and rehearsal, office, workshop and storage space. The present theater at 419 Washington is rented on a month-to-month basis and has 46 seats, plus removable seats to accommodate audience overflow. The Lawrence Street property gives KCP 8,500 square feet - six times the current space.
While KCP is still considering the details of the building, Keith said: "Theater use is the essential core of the design and won't become secondary to other uses. We're early in the design process and are eager to have input from as wide a range of people as possible."
Growing enthusiasm
During the past year, the theater's productions have been so popular the average audience count is at 100 percent. Although the official kickoff for the capital campaign is Saturday, the enthusiasm for a new theater has been building for months.
"I have been overwhelmed by the response of the public in support of our project," said KCP Artistic Director Denise Winter. "Already the enthusiasm of longtime and new participants at KCP has grown and become very focused because they know they are getting a new space. Everyone is stepping it up a notch. They already feel the positive energy of having better tools to create theater.
"Although we regret turning anyone away from a performance in our current space, we hope that those who haven't been able to get a ticket will support us in ensuring that more seats are available in the future," Winter said.
Visible money
Reid Austin had been to only one KCP production - the 2005 Playwrights' Festival - before deciding to give this gift to the theater. When he learned he had terminal cancer, he began to make plans for his estate. He considered several other institutions before deciding upon the small community theater organization that has been in existence for nearly 50 years.
"My money would be visible, and that's important," Austin said. "Hopefully it will be effective. This will put Port Townsend theater on the map. We're moving uptown - literally.
Keith said the gift is an investment in the theater's future.
"We hope Reid Austin's generosity will inspire others to join him in building a great new home for the performing arts in Port Townsend," he said.
Planning the future
For now, KCP is working out the cost of the facility. The size and other aspects of a theater, such as wing and loft space, depend on the success of the fundraising campaign.
The group has received several inquiries from people interested in purchasing and moving the house currently on the property. KCP wants to find a buyer willing to move it rather than be forced to raze the structure. In the meantime, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit plans to use the house as office and meeting space.
"It would be wonderful to see someone find a new home for the house uptown," said Winter.
At the capital campaign kickoff party Saturday, sketches of possible building ideas will be available for review, and people are invited to offer input on the new theater. Artifacts and images of past Key City Players' productions will also be on display.
"It just seems so right," Austin said. "The vibes are so good when you're standing up there. It's the perfect location."
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