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A Note About Our Building Campaign

            For some months, our Board of Directors has been studying ways and means to improve our existing facility.  We engaged Robert Whiteamire, a local architect and Bucyrus High School graduate, to work with our Building Committee to assess our needs and how we might best meet them. 

            Although we are looking at an ambitious 3 stage long range plan which includes enlargement of our lobby, renovations to the exterior of the theatre, our first consideration is the tear down and replacement of the existing costume house located to the east of our theatre building. 

            Some months ago, the Board applied for and received a matching grant from the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation for such purpose in the amount of $50,000.  The planned addition will be approximately 2400 sq. ft. and will adjoin the east backstage wing of our current building.  The facility will provide storage areas for costumes, props and large set pieces.  It will also include a laundry and sewing area for the care and maintenance of our costumes, an overflow area for temporary dressing rooms for those times when we stage large shows (usually musicals), cast restrooms and space for building set pieces.  The project has been estimated to cost approximately $150,000. 

            BLT is proud that the Bucyrus Area Community Foundation has recognized the valuable contributions BLT has made to our community over the years and the contributions we will continue to make in the years to come. 

            BLT was founded in 1951 and early productions were held in the current Bucyrus Elementary School Building, which was at that time, Bucyrus High School.  A move to a former bakery at the corner of Spring and Center streets met the young theater's needs for the next several years.  The original charter expressed the purpose for the Organization: to provide cultural enrichment, education and entertainment to Bucyrus and the surrounding area. 

            Several years later (1957) our current theater location was purchased and remodeled.  Through the generosity of the Shunk Foundation, other private donors and the hard work of volunteers, this former semi-trailer building became a community fixture.  Since the addition of dressing rooms and wing space to both sides of the stage in 1962, no significant changes have been made to our physical plant.  In those 49 years, four, five and sometimes six productions a year have been staged. 

            We have enjoyed a proud history which has been made possible by the generous support of our Crawford County community.  Through the years, more than 2000 children and adults have stepped onto the BLT stage as actors, musicians, directors and production staff.  A few have gone on to have professional acting careers...  most have simply enjoyed their time spent bringing quality live entertainment to our community.  We would like to continue to bring similar growth opportunities to those who choose to become active on- or off-stage as well as to our many loyal theater-goers.

            Please take a few moments today to review our tentative plans, to ask questions or to make suggestions. Our plans are ambitious.  We are aware they must be completed in stages and over a significant period of time.  With that said, the time to begin is now.  The matching grant offered by the Foundation is our impetus to move forward now. 

            BLT is aware that there is considerable confusion regarding our organization and the body wishing to renovate the former downtown Schine's Theater.  We were asked and we did consider whether that facility might lend itself to use by BLT.  After much thought and for a variety of worthy reasons, we determined that we can best meet our mission of providing amateur community theater by remaining in our current location.  Any funds we receive will be used only for the purpose of renovation of our Songer Avenue theater. 

            It is important for you to know that season memberships support and maintain our current schedule of shows; they help meet the costs of utilities, maintenance, paper products, etc.  Guest tickets pay for royalties and the other tangible expenses of staging our productions.  BLT is a small not-for-profit entity.  In most years, we manage to earn just enough income to meet our expenses... never enough extra to set aside to support a building project without individual and community support. 

            The BLT Board of Directors recognizes the challenging nature of our local economy.  We intend to be good and faithful stewards of whatever funding comes our way and to build appropriately.  We hope you will help us continue to meet the cultural, educational and entertainment needs of our Community. 

            We will be launching a more formal Building Campaign in the coming months and hope you will choose to be a part of our plans for the future. 

                                                Scott Painter, President