The board of directors of the nonprofit nexStage Theatre in Ketchum announced Friday that a grant of $50,000 was made by the Hemingway Foundation in support of nexStage's capital campaign to purchase the theater's building in downtown Ketchum.
"We are very grateful to receive such generous support from the Hemingway Foundation," said nexStage Board Chair Bill Lowe. "It's recognition of the unique part the theater plays in affecting our community's sense of vitality is particularly gratifying and important as we continue to close in on our fund-raising goal."
An additional $25,000 was raised by the theater group by Monday, May 14.
Founded in 1987 by Richard K. and Shirley Hemingway, the Hemingway Foundation funds charitable arts and educational projects in Utah and Idaho. With this generous gift, and facing a deadline for the purchase of the theatre of June 30, the nexStage's capital campaign committee has now raised more than $1,275,000. The theatre needs $1.5 million to buy the building.
NexStage works as a true community theater, with education programs, cabaret, cutting-edge theater, ski films and community events. Well over 20,000 people attended functions at the nexStage in the past year.
Continuing its tradition, Laughing Stock Theatre's company presentation of "Arsenic and Old Lace" will open the last week of May, and in June, St. Thomas Players' will present the musical "Tommy."
The nexStage's Walk of Fame will honor those who make major donations to the theater's capital campaign. Commemorative bronze star plaques for each of these arts supporters will be embedded into the sidewalk on Main Street, beginning outside the nexStage Theatre. Large 16-inch stars will acknowledge $50,000 donors, while medium stars will acknowledge $25,000 donors. This summer, a star-studded Induction Ceremony, at which the plaques will be unveiled, will take place as the community pays tribute to the honorees.
Donation envelopes and capital campaign information packets are available at the theater and at various locations around town.
For more information, call Kathy Wygle or Prue Hemmings at 726-9124.
