Aaron Elmore, co-founder and artistic director of Theatre in the Rough, is proposing that Theatre in the Rough join us in fundraising for the finishing of McPhetres Hall. They propose to act as an intermediary between donor foundations and Holy Trinity, particularly for those donor foundations who do not fund churches, but may want to participate in the community-use aspects of our facility. As recipient of grants for McPhetres Hall, Theatre in the Rough could help us fund our project. In return, Theatre in the Rough would exercise design oversight in McPhetres Hall and ensure that the resulting space was optimally configured for performing arts uses and users.
What this proposal is:
This is Currently a Conceptual Proposal
Details of the alliance would be worked out as required, and would be subject to approval by the Vestry and the Theatre in the Rough Board. Without these details, this proposal is just a direction for consideration. Should we explore an alliance with a non-church non-profit, as a means of seeking donations from foundations that support arts groups, but do not support churches?
This is a Direction Suggested by the Rasmuson Foundation
A Rasmuson Foundation employee first made a suggestion along these lines. It has also been endorsed by the Skaggs Foundation. We believe that these foundations see value in our project. They know Juneau and the local arts community, and they recognize that McPhetres Hall met a variety of community needs. But many foundations do not make donations to churches. This approach would provide a means whereby foundations could support our project without funding a church.
This is About Funding a Multiple-use Community Space
Through our insurance settlement and church-based fundraising we have the resources to build an unfinished shell. This approach would encourage Theatre in the Rough, as a representative performing arts tenant, to seek funding to finish the community space as a multiple-use space. Certainly Theatre in the Rough wants to create the best small theater experience possible, and with this approach some aspects of the finish would turn out differently than without this approach. But the space would still be a multiple-use space and non-theater uses need not be compromised.
What this proposal is not:
The Proposal is Not About Relinquishing Ownership or Control
HT would continue to own the space and we currently anticipate that rental of the new space would function very much like our past history of space rental. It is likely that Theatre in the Rough would have some guarantee or preference for certain scheduled periods, but in most respects this alliance shouldn't change issues of priority and control significantly from past practices.
The Proposal is Not About Misleading Donors
Any grant applications developed as a result of this proposal would include full disclosure of ownership and relationship between the parties. Grant applications would be developed together with donor foundations so they would have opportunity to request clarifications or supplemental information. At any time before funds are accepted, if Holy Trinity, Theatre in the Rough, or potential donor foundations find that this approach isn't working, we can walk away.
The Proposal is Not About Exclusivity
The title Theatre in Residence is in no way intended to imply exclusivity. It is intended to convey a sense of partnership and mutual commitment to the larger community we jointly serve. As Theatre in Residence, Theatre in the Rough would expect to have sufficient access to the Hall to stage all their regular season productions, and to rehearse and store props onsite. During the run of a performance, and for a few days on either end, Theatre in the Rough would expect to be able to leave the Hall configured for the performance, and to have exclusive use during performance hours. Depending on particularities of the set, some portion of the Hall should still be available for other uses during non-performance hours.
During rehearsal periods Theatre in the Rough would use HT space regularly, but most rehearsals would be able to use either the Hall or the Meeting Room, so rehearsal periods would not forestall other uses of the Hall. Theatre in the Rough has historically done two productions per year. Between Theatre in the Rough productions, and/or while TR was in rehearsal, many other uses of the Hall would be expected and encouraged.
This proposed alliance is intended to open the church to the wider community. We hope to emphasize and extend existing relationships with groups who have used our space in the past, and encourage new relationships. We expect this alliance to result in increased use by a more diverse community.
Further, the alliance is expected to benefit the arts community by providing superior facilities. When configured as a theatre, our community space will be second to none, designed and maintained with arts uses and users in mind. The design, finish, and maintenance will exceed in all ways spaces like the UAS Noyes Pavilion or the JDHS auditorium. It should be very popular with the entire arts community. When configured for non-theatre uses, the theatre accouterments will be inconspicuous and out of the way, leaving a space at least as functional and convenient as the former Hall.
Further Information
