Here at BLT I get some flack because I ask for money. (Tax deductible donations that is.) It is the dirty little secret that art, including theater, costs money to produce. The other secret is that ticket prices do not cover the costs associated with producing quality theater. Here at BLT we decided not to raise ticket prices for another year, counting on you to make a donation to make up the difference.)
As set and lighting designer Steve Cooper observes in the foreground , actors Gabriel Sedgemore (Juan Julian) and Eloisa Cardona (Ofelia) rehearse a scene during the cue to cue rehearsal for Anna In The Tropics, July 29, 2012. Photo by Craig Orsinger for Burien Little Theatre.
BLT, unlike some small theater organizations I know of, does not have one or two big donors who write a check for $10,000 or $20,000 a year and all is good. No, instead Burien Little Theatre depends upon well over a 100 people to write smaller checks so we can continue to provide better live theater to the greater Burien area.
In many ways I prefer our model. BLT produces such high quality work while keeping ticket prices affordable that I do not mind asking each of you to donate what you can to keep the quality high. It is a great investment in your community. Surprisingly, once you donate, your sense of ownership in BLT will rise and you will feel better about yourself for helping your community grow and improve.
I know for many of us $10 is a big bite out of the monthly budget, and besides, “If I don’t do it, someone else will.” Sadly, when it comes to BLT, if you don’t do it, no one else will.
This year, Burien Little Theatre is in need now more than most years. As an experiment, we are co-producing “Anna in the Tropics” with the Latino Theatre Projects, But this project came up before our annual fund drive. (The annual letter BLT sends asking for donations.) Things are tight here at BLT. Will you help? Please send us what you are comfortable with donating. If it is $5.00 or $50,000.00 or something in between, I can assure you it will help more than we can express.
Please take a moment right now and send a check to Burien Little Theatre (BLT) at:
BLT
P.O. Box 48121
Burien, Washington 98148
As I posted before Elaine’s name is lonely on the BLT Donors’ page. Now Craig has joined her, but if we are to continue making better live theater we need YOU to join them. Please make a donation today.
