By SHARON MONTAGUE

Salina Journal

The Salina Community Theatre launched a drive Tuesday to raise $4.375 million to construct a 23,000-square-foot addition and dedicate $1.125 million to an endowment.

Theater director Michael Spicer said he hopes to have a commitment for at least $3.25 million -- the cost of construction -- by the winter of 2009.If construction begins at that time, he said, the grand opening would be in October 2010, which marks the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Salina Community Theatre.

Already, Spicer said, the theater has received commitments totaling $800,000 from foundations, businesses and individuals. That includes a "significant donation" from Blue Beacon International, Spicer said, as well as a number of donations between $30,000 and $50,000.

The addition will consist of three levels.

The main level will include an expanded lobby with a new box office window and two concession windows; a 150-seat "black box" theater; and a kitchen for catering special events. The black block theater is a square theater with movable seats.

On the second level, there will be a balcony overlooking the lobby; a meeting room that will accommodate about 20 people; three offices; and a lighting and sound equipment storage level.

The basement will include a new dance and rehearsal room with a sprung dance floor, mirrored walls and a barre; and areas for property and costume storage.

Spicer said the theater has outgrown the current facility, which was built in 1973 and expanded in 1992. Audiences for community theater productions have increased from just over 17,000 in 1997 to almost 31,000 in 2006, Spicer said, and the theater now has 14 productions a year, including children's productions.

Spicer said there are many times during the year when a show is in production, auditions are being held for a second show and a third is in rehearsals. Classes and workshops also take up space in the facility.

With extra space, Spicer said, there will be room for current programs, as well as expansion into such areas as senior theater.

John Henningsen, the theater's education director, said the expansion also will provide needed space for adult and high school improvisational groups currently being formed. As things stand, he said, the groups often have to practice in the lobby while other areas are occupied.

The black box theater also could provide space to Kansas Wesleyan University for student projects or for small-group musical performances.

"It will offer us a greater opportunity for outreach," Spicer said.

On-site storage of costumes and props also will be welcome. Currently, Spicer said, the theater has about $50,000 worth of costumes stored in the basement of a downtown building.

The endowment of $1.125 million will be invested, and the income will be used solely for youth theater, Spicer said. The money will be used for scholarships, as well as to help with day-to-day operational costs for youth theater productions, he said.

As part of the expansion effort, the city of Salina deeded the community theater building and land back to the theater, which allows the theater board to apply to a broader range of foundations for grants. The city also agreed to provide building maintenance and upkeep for the next 50 years, Spicer said.

nReporter Sharon Montague can be reached at 822-1411 or by e-mail at smontague@salina.com.

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