Fire and water spring 2024 fundraiser
Goal: $100,000
Springtime greetings to all of our VORTEX friends!
The VORTEX is in full bloom. The Butterfly Garden has been replanted, and the pollinators are returning. We are thrilled about the theatre that has grown at The VORTEX over the past few seasons. Some of the very best art that the theatre has ever created has come to life, and we want to thank you for being a part of this growth and excellence. Every time you come to a show, for drinks at The Butterfly Bar, for dinner at Patrizi’s, you have supported our artistic community and helped us thrive. Our cultural harbor has become a home to thousands. We have a mighty community of diverse artists, activists, audiences, and butterfly lovers.
It is also a time of fire and water at The VORTEX. Our original, mid-twentieth century roof leaks onto the stage and the audience whenever it rains. Rain runs down the interior walls of the bathrooms. We have patched and fixed and caught water in trash bags and held on for 30 years, but the time has come: we must replace the entire roof on the building right away. It will cost us a minimum of $35,000.
We have also outgrown our 1994 electrical service and have finally made it through city permitting to get more amps and increased capacity. It will also cost at least $35,000, and we have already paid the city $12,500.
Additionally, we need to match several grants that we have received. Coming up first is our $150,000 TCA District Grant for the world premiere of The Black Feminist Guide to the Human Body, by Lisa B. Thompson, which has been in development for the past few years. This production runs April 12-May 4. We also need to match a $5,500 TCA grant for Summer Youth Theatre’s production of Thrive, or What You Will, by LM Feldman (July 26-August 3), and a $50,000 NEA grant for Sunny Days, by Reina Hardy (August 22-September 14).
During this springtime Fire and Water Fund Drive, our goal is $100,000 to keep the rain out of the building, to keep the electricity flowing safely to the compound, and to meet the financial obligations of productions The Black Feminist Guide to the Human Body; Thrive, or What You Will; and Sunny Days. It is a lot, and we need your help.
If you are able to make a $1,000 donation to The VORTEX between now and May 1, you will become a Fire and Water Hero and will receive a brick on our Legacy Walk. It can be your name; the name of a beloved family member, friend, or pet who is no longer with us; or the name of your descendant or teacher who you want to honor in perpetuity. This Legacy Walk will exist for new generations of audiences who will discover theatre and performance at The VORTEX. This next section of the Legacy Walk receives high visibility at the base of the stairs leading up to the Box Office. We will also place a brick in this section of the walk for Cortney DeAngelo, a dear company member and artist who recently passed. Please join the Legacy Walk now.
We realize that this is a large goal, and we don’t ask often for your help. We really need your help now. All it takes is 100 donors at $1,000 or 1,000 donors at $100! If everyone who loves The VORTEX pitched in $10, we would hit our goal. Or perhaps a mix of donations in all ranges! You may also sign up for a recurring monthly donation. Please donate whatever you can, and consider going for the brick!
We will celebrate with all donors at a big happy hour in late May. Thank you for helping us keep out the rain and energizing our building!
With love and hope for the future,
Bonnie Cullum, Producing Artistic Director
Melissa McKnight, Managing Director
Krystle Cline, Financial Director
The VORTEX is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations are tax deductible.