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Capital Campaign: Taking Cortland to a New Stage!

Dear Friends:

"Curtain up! Light the lights! We got nothin' to hit but the heights!" Those inspiring lyrics from the musical “Gypsy” keep running through my mind when I think about the future of “CRT Downtown”. Since 1972, CRT has produced quality, professional live theater at The Little York Pavilion.

During that humble first season, the curtains rose on 45 performances and saw 4,500 people in attendance; quite impressive for an inaugural year! Over the years, through good times and rough, the show has gone on (as it must!), and CRT has established a reputation for producing some of the highest quality productions in the state. Currently, we present 88 performances and have seen over 17,500 people visit during the summer. Impressive - but in some ways, it feels like we’re only getting started!

Building upon that proud history, we are making the next logical step in our rich history to expand our productions to downtown Cortland, where we will help energize and rejuvenate Cortland and Central New York. We’ll continue to “summer” at the Pavilion but during the cooler months, CRT Downtown will be a hub of activity, productions and programming.

Along with more mainstage productions and better technical shops, our youth programs will also expand with after-school workshops and classes, teaching children not only “theatre” but necessary life-tools: improvisation, imagination, and self-confidence. Our campaign goal for a working downtown theatre is close to $2 million and we are well on our way to reaching that goal after a year of behind-the-scenes efforts. The time has now come for us to reach out to all of you who love the arts, and who value all that CRT brings to our community.

Won’t you help us “raise our curtain” and “light our lights”? Please consider making a generous gift to our Capital Campaign today!

Sincerely,

Kerby Thompson

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Economic Impact

Our most recent Economic Impact Study confirmed that our theatre has a significant impact on Central New York’s economy. Currently, CRT adds more than $1,697,000 into our local economy, with a majority of this impact being generated just within the three and a half months that we are in production. Think of the impact when we will have operating year round!

• Act One – Offices and Lobby COMPLETED!
• Act Two– Grand Hall and Theatre
  • Creation of 200 seat performance space, which will also be available for rehearsals, community events, dances and meetings.
  • Construction of a small catering kitchen for light dining fare.
  Act Three– Technical Shops
  • Restoration and insulation of the entire roof
  • Construction of new scenic, costume and props shops and storage
  • Completion of side façade, including new windows, insulation and siding
  Even in tough financial times, CRT has enjoyed a steady growth in attendance to our summer productions. With over 17,500 people attending our summer shows, we have reached nearly 90% attendance. This fact alone shows that we have a healthy future of growth with a solid following of supporters and theatre lovers!

Honoring our Past, Planning for our Future

Capital Campaign Committee
Honorary Chairs

Dr. William and Jean Cadwallader

Co-Chairs

John Folmer, Esq.*, CRT Board President
Dorothea Fowler*, CRT Board Secretary

Steering Committee

Dianne Galutz, CRT Guild Representative
Tom Knobel*, CRT Board Vice President
Dr. John and Una Lutz
Garrison Marsted*, CRT Board Treasurer
Michael May*
Adam Megivern*
Mark Re*
Donald and Carol Reed
Mike Shaffer, Esq.
Chris Xaver*
*CRT Board of Directors Member

Advisory Committee

Linda Hartsock
Nick Renzi
Mike Stapleton

CRT Board of Directors