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Support Sutter Street Theatre

Hi, my name is Mary.  I love my family, my God, and my community.  I am also very involved in theatre.  For the past six years, my daughters and I have been involved in a community theatre that has quite literally, changed our lives.  Relationships have been formed, skills have been learned and I have even had the chance to help out in a myriad of ways, including being an assistant director in a handful of productions.  In total, between the three of us, we have been involved one way or another in over 30 shows in our short time there.  The girls have done shows at other theatres in the area and have benefited from them all, but Sutter Street Theatre is one theatre that we consider "home".  January is always a tough month financially, and this morning I woke up and realized that perhaps, I could do something to give them a boost.  As many of you know, Sutter Street Theatre is located in the Historic Distric of Folsom - not exactly a low rent area.  Operating costs to produce one show are not cheap, and this little theatre only seats 60 which means that, in line with theatres across the country, only 40% of ticket sales go toward overhead expenses.
Their youth shows are wonderful and their Artistic Director, Connie Mockenhaupt, has said time and time again that she will not charge children to be involved in community theatre because she doesn't want any child to not have the opportunity to perform due to a lack of money.  What an amazing gift for the youth of our community!!  This means, however, that casting for their shows (aside from their workshops for which their is a fee) are audition only which I can say from experience, has been a wonderful teaching opportunity for my girls in itself. 

Personally, my family has benefited not only by having a chance to experience wonderful productions as an audience member, but we have also been given the chance to explore other aspects of the theatre.  Mia has been Stage Managing for two years now!  Stage Managing.  Two Years!  Did I mention she's 14?  This is a small theatre so she has huge responsibilities when she is stage manager.  Everything from managing the actors to props to costume care and much, much more.  Zoe is 12 and has run the spotlight and done lights for showcases.  These are experiences that are priceless to us.  Gifts, really. 

The staff isn't paid richly, unless you count the reward of smiling faces of their audiences and performers alike - which I am certain THEY DO.  Most of the staff, including directors, are volunteer.  They are giving Folsom the gift of theatre and I am thinking it is time that we give back.  For anyone who has followed my posts on social media, has enjoyed the Sutter Street Theatre productions and teaching opportunities,
has performed on the Sutter Street Theatre stage or who has worked in the background. I am asking that you think about contributing.  Let's show Mike, Connie, Allen, Eileen, Alison, Rafael, Kale, Cory, Dian and Jenny how much we really appreciate all the blood, sweat and tears that they have shed so that this little theatre can survive and thrive!  I can't imagine the Historic District without this gem.

Organizer

Mary Comstock
Organizer
Folsom, CA
Theatre Production & Technical Academy Inc
 
Registered nonprofit
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