SOUP OFF RESCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 27th, Message from the Executive Director

By Gian Paul Morelli

COLUMBIA THEATRE’S “SOUP Off!” TO BE RE-SCHEDULED

The Columbia Theatre’s annual “Soup Off!” which raises funds exclusively to support the Eloise Pepper Arts Education Fund is being postponed and will be re-scheduled for Friday, March 27th at the Cowlitz Regional Conference Center.

 “This year, because the date followed so closely on the heels of the holiday season, we were not seeing the response we have normally seen for a week out. It has been a very popular event in the past, so we have decided to re-schedule to Friday, March 27th at the Conference Center,” said Columbia Theatre executive director Gian Paul Morelli. “In fact, the entire event, participating restaurants and all, is simply moving over to that date.  PLUS, we’ll have a few new additions for your entertainment.”

Soup Off! has annually raised $30-$35,000 for many arts education related activities at the Columbia Theatre.  Workshop scholarships, Artist fee support for the Rainy Months Series, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and the new “$2 for the Schools” program to encourage families with elementary school age children to attend performances all the while supporting area PTO’s.  

WHY WAS IT SCHEDULED SO EARLY?

 Usually, “Soup Off!” has taken place at the end of January or early February.  And over the years it has taken place at various locations (Elks, Country Club, Monticello Hotel).  Because the event has some peculiar needs (most notably access to adequate power to handle 20-24 soup warming stations and adequate catering facilities), the Conference Center is the only option and January 11th was the only available date in January or February of 2020.  March 27th is the next date available.

WHY IS THIS A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT EVENT—ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR?

We will be announcing a new initiative to expand our Summer Theatre Camp and revive the Big Community musical as part of summer educational programming.  This is an expansion of our Winter Theatre Workshop program with the ultimate goal: to develop a resident summer children’s theatre company.

This particular “Soup Off!” is critical to jump starting this initiative with the formal announcement of our summer offering.