Park Square Theatre Expansion Moves Closer to Fundraising Goal
May 7, 2012

Park Square Theatre is nearing the finish line on its goal to build a second stage in the Hamm Building in Saint Paul. The Next Stage Campaign, a comprehensive effort to transform Park Square, will enhance the theatre's ability to serve the community by investing in its facility, capitalizing its operations with working capital and artistic innovation funds, and doubling its artistic output.

"We're truly honored by how our audiences are helping us meet the challenge of undertaking an expansion during a stagnant economy," said Michael-jon Pease, Director of External Relations. "In these times, it's a true vote of confidence when someone gives, whether it's $100 or $100,000. Trust like that inspires and invigorates our work."

"We have architects, engineers, legal advisors and our project manager on payroll now, taking us into final design," said Artistic Director Richard Cook. "And I have artists with fantastic projects waiting in the wings. As soon as we reach the last $600,000 in gifts and pledges, we are ready to go!"

The first physical change has already taken place - a $500,000 remodeling of its 350-seat proscenium auditorium. With two stages, Park Square will double its artistic programming from 10 to 18 shows per season, attracting an annual audience of 100,000 to downtown. That audience will translate into $100 million in economic activity over the next 20 years.

Artists Raise $50,000 for Park Square Theatre Expansion: Linda Kelsey, Saint Paul actress, five-time Emmy Award™ nominee and co-chair of Park Square Theatre's Next Stage Campaign, raised $50,000 for the expansion the old fashioned way - by putting on a show. Kelsey assembled a cast of great women from the Twin Cities theatre scene to perform a one-night only benefit performance of Love, Loss and What I Wore on February 13, 2012. Leah Cooper directed Kelsey, Guthrie veterans Sally Wingert and Virginia Burke, Mo Perry and Aditi Kapil. Local fashion designer and Project Runway contestant Christopher Straub created 20 original fashion illustrations for the show that were projected above the stage.

"I've been reaching out to so many great theatre artists to help with this campaign," says Kelsey. "Now that we're in the final countdown to build the new stage, I realized it was time to put these volunteers on stage. The sold-out house was with us every hilarious and touching moment of the night."

Nicholson Challenge Grant Met: With the proceeds from the event, Park Square was able to match a $50,000 challenge gift from local philanthropists and long-time Park Square subscribers Richard and Nancy Nicholson.

"Park Square is one of the most interesting theatres in town," says Dick Nicholson. "I just love the variety of plays-from serious to fun-but always so well done. The role the theatre plays in making Saint Paul a dynamic and vital city to live in and visit is only going to increase when we build the new stage."
New Challenge Grant from the City of Saint Paul: The new, 200-seat thrust stage will be built in underused space within the company's Historic Hamm Building home facility. The Theatre is now raising funds to match a $25,000 Cultural STAR grant, which follows $370,000 in capital grants for the expansion. Park Square now serves Saint Paul's largest teen theatre audience: 25,000 students annually. With the addition of the second stage, that audience will grow to 40,000 teens, many of whom will have their first introduction to live theatre at Park Square.

"The City is proud to invest in our arts and culture organizations," says Mayor Chris Coleman. "It's great to see Park Square expand its programs when they're needed more than ever."

For more information on the Next Stage Campaign, visit Park Square's website at parksquarewhatsnext.org/ns-tour.php.

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