COLUMBIA CANCELS REMAINDER OF SPRING PERFORMANCES

Most to be rescheduled for the new 2020/2021 season

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of the remainder of scheduled performances in the 2019/2020 season due to the ongoing coronavirus quarantine.

The cancelation of our current season, our spring recital season, as well as any planned summer programming is very disappointing. Even as we tried to salvage the May performances—including the dance recitals, it became clear that the uncertainty of the situation has called for us to pause until the dust settles and we have a better sense of what this new reality will be. We’ll just have to start fresh in the fall.

Like every other small business, the theatre’s income and programming has been significantly impacted.  Traditionally, the spring is a very busy time for rentals and preparation for summer programming.  A planned summer theatre camp for kids and community musical has had to be mothballed.

But, we will be back in the fall with a new and exciting season!

NEW DATES FOR CANCELED PERFORMANCES SET…

After discussions with artist representatives, the theatre has re-scheduled the musical DISENCHANTED to Friday, October 2, 2020.  Likewise, Neil Berg’s  50 YEARS OF ROCK & ROLL has been re-scheduled to Thursday, May 20,2021;  and HARRY JAMES ORCHESTRA WITH SPECIAL GUEST THE SWING DOLLS will happen on Sunday, November 15th  at 3:00 p.m. The HARRY JAMES concert is made possible by the generous support of the Apex Foundation to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII.  It is FREE to all veterans and active military.

Current ticket holders to any of these canceled events can contact the theatre ticket office for information on refunds and exchanges.  The Box Office phone number is 360.575.8499.                                                                                            

ARTS EDUCATION IMPACTED…

The Columbia Theatre's fundraising event, Soup Off, meant to raise money exclusively for arts education programs at the theatre, has been re-scheduled to November 7, 2020. Two other performances of the Sunday afternoon Fibre Federal Credit Union Rainy Months Series have been canceled and will not be re-scheduled although the series will pick up again in January 2021.

For more information contact the theatre at (Administrative) 360.423.1011 or (Box Office) 360.575.8499.

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SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON THE ELOISE PEPPER ARTS EDUCATION FUND.

ARTS EDUCATION AT THE COLUMBIA THEATRE.

You may not always see it. You may not always recognize it, but arts education is an ongoing, year-round activity of the Columbia Theatre Association.  From individual hands-on instruction in the technical elements of a production, to the onstage presence in our formal theatre workshops, the Columbia Theatre seeks to be an inspiring community arts resource for our region. 

SOUP’S ON FOR ARTS EDUCATION AT THE ANNUAL“SOUP OFF!”

Once a year, the Columbia Theatre has a friendly competition between restaurants to fill the coffers of the Eloise Pepper Arts Education Fund to support arts education related events at the Columbia.  This year’s event will be held on Saturday November 7, 2020 at the Regional Conference Center.  

WHAT IS THE ELOISE PEPPER ARTS EDUCATION FUND?

This “operating fund” was established in 2010 to honor the late Eloise Pepper, local educator, and believer in the power of the performing arts to change the lives of our youth.  Eloise initially provided the seed money to create the Pepper Studio Theatre which operated from 1997 through 2008 before the space was “re-purposed” during the 2009 renovation.    

WHAT DOES THE PEPPER FUND SUPPORT?

Of the nearly $32,000 raised during “Soup Off! 2019”here is where it went:

Fall Southwest Washington Symphony Children’s Concerts         $2,900

The Columbia Theatre Association donates the use of the theatre and staff time to provide the opportunity for the SW Washington Symphony to introduce 4th graders to symphonic music. More than 2,400 students and faculty participate free of charge.

Winter Theatre Workshop “Down in the Dumps”                             $7,000

A 10 week theatre workshop for 8-13 year olds including movement, acting, and vocal work with a focus on a fully produced musical with 2 public performances. In 2019 it was “Down in the Dumps” with 30 participants supervised by 4 faculty and staff.  The underwriting went to support the overall program and to provide scholarships to offset tuition.

Fibre Federal Credit Union Rainy Months Series                                $7,500

This series with a lead sponsor of Fibre Federal Credit Union is a Sunday afternoon series of 4 performances from national touring children’s theatre shows. The funding went to assist in underwriting the entire program in order to keep admission fees inexpensive.

Mainstage Series Student ticket discount.                                            $9,462

In 2019/2020 season the average ticket price was $39.  To encourage family attendance at our Main Stage events, all tickets for students 17 and under are priced at $20.  There were 498 reduce price tickets disbursed.

Missoula Children’s Theatre Summer Theatre Workshop.             $5,000  

The Arts Education Fund covers the cost above and beyond tuition for this weeklong visit by Missoula Children’s Theatre. In 2019, 58 students participated.