LAKEPORT ? An informal reception, held Thursday, Nov. 29, highlighted renovations to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.
A newly-poured concrete floor extends from the back of the theater to the beginning of risers for seats. Part of the floor was blocked off with police tape, displaying the dimensions of what will eventually be a stage.
“We just finished pouring the floor but a lot of the work here, you just can”t see,” said volunteer Mike Adams, who cited new heating and air conditioning and electrical fire alarm systems.
The fundraising committee recently reported that it had raised $767,000, of which $287,000 comes from local individuals, businesses and organizations. “These community donations count toward meeting the $300,000 ?Soper Challenge,”” said Fundraising Committee Chair Nina Marino. Jim and Florence Soper will match $300,000 in local donations by contributing $200,000.
The completion of “Phase I” construction will allow the theater to “open the door.” Adams said that Phase I is nearly complete.
“The second phase includes a redo of the lobby, new handicapped-accessible bathrooms and a restoration of the front of the theater,” Adams said.
The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is scheduled to open in 2008 for limited productions. The Lake County Arts Council presents its “Winter Music Fest” on Jan. 26 and 27. Other upcoming productions include the Lake County preliminary for the national “Poetry Out Loud” recitation contest for high-schoolers on Sunday, Feb. 10, and a Lakeport Community Players production of “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16.
Various donor levels are available, ranging from “Grand Tier” ($25,000, donated by the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation), to “Balcony” ($500). Naming opportunities are also available for donors who wish to cover the value of the following commemorative areas: stage, box office, lobby, marquee and men”s and women”s dressing rooms. Display windows will also be commemorated on an ongoing basis at $600 for every six months or $1,000 for one year.
A complete list of donors who have sponsored commemorative areas and top community donors can be found in the recent Soper-Reese Community Theatre newsletter that was distributed in the U.S. Mail.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
