Home / Campus News / CLC launches Dryden Theatre campaign

CLC launches Dryden Theatre campaign

In order to transform the Dryden Theatre into a top-shelf event space, Central Lakes College recently launched the Dryden Theatre Campaign to raise $130,000 for the following upgrade:

  • New, more comfortable theatre-style seats.
  • Better technical support with the addition of a sound/lighting booth.
  • Improved visibility with new seating risers.
  • Updated curtains, making the space more attractive and acoustically tuned.

“The Dryden Theatre offers an intimate space with an extraordinarily up-close experience,” said Patrick Spradlin, Theatre Director. “Over the past few years the theatre has begun to show its age and our capital improvement plan will result in a better experience for audience members.”

During his tenure at CLC, Bob Dryden (retired theatre director) proved to be a visionary with a goal to construct a flexible space theatre, which could be used for a variety of performances and presentations. In 1991, the Black Box Theatre was opened and was later renamed the Bob Dryden Theatre in honor of the man who imagined it.

Since, over 75 theatre productions have been viewed there, ranging from one-man shows to full-scale musicals. It even held a 1998 gubernatorial debate, featuring Skip Humphrey, Norm Coleman and Jesse Ventura.

Once the much-needed upgrades are completed to the Dryden Theatre, audiences will be exposed to a wider variety of plays in the space, along with a new music series featuring selected professional artists whose talents will be best showcased in such intimate confines.

To date, just over $42,000 has been raised. And through the generosity of Theatre friends Dutch & Irma Cragun, gifts to this project will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Donations made prior to December 31 can be claimed on 2017 tax filings and are 100 percent tax-deductible. Contributions will be accepted until March 31, 2018.

To donate go to www.clcperformingarts.com and click on Dryden Theatre Campaign.

 

About Jessie Perrine

Call Now Button
X
X