Embassy Theatre struggling with operational costs, asks for community support
The Embassy Theatre is asking for the community’s help during this difficult financial year through their Raise the Curtain campaign.
The nonprofit is looking to raise 2 million dollars to offset money lost from the lack of stage activity.
News.
New tonight, a local campaign to raise money for the embassy theatre is determined to preserve the arts in fort wayne.
Fox 55's nico pennisi speaks to the nonprofit about the hardships they've faced this year and how you at home can help.
The embassy theatre is asking for the community's help during this difficult financial year.
Through their raise the curtain campaign they're looking to raise 2 million dollars.the loss of stage activity from touring companies has hit the organization hard."we're run a lot more like a business than a nonprofit, so we've always been really strong under the leadership that we currently have.
However, this year, we've lost a lot of revenues because of tours."chief marketing officer carly myers says touring is one of their largest sources of revenue.
Without it, they've lost $1 million in 2019-2020 and are expecting an additional $700,000 loss for the next fiscal year.
That's why they're asking for your help.
"we've launched the raise the curtain campaign right now to help us offset a lot of the lost revenue we're feeling from the pandemic of not having those sold out shows that we normally have from broadway, from the philharmonic shows."
Chief philanthropy officer lucas weick says the money will go toward operation costs.
The 92- year-old historic building is expensive to run.
Even keeping the lights on cost a pretty penny.
"some of our peers throughout the nation have had to close their doors.
We have never closed our doors.
We've been working the whole time."
Weick says the response has been great so far."individuals reaching out asking how they can help and support as well as organizations like arts united are very supportive of the arts here in our community."the nonprofit hopes residents will support the arts, that way they can continue to bring broadway to fort wayne.
At the embassy i'm nico pennisi fox 55 news fox 55 has included a link to the raise the curtain campaign on our website at w f f t dot com
