December 1, 2017, Cornwall, ON – Aultsville Theatre is now officially stepping up its public campaign to raise funding for its 2018 capital refurbishment fund. With a theatrical lighting replacement project planned and projected at $295,745, the theatre organization has several initiatives underway to secure funding for this and future upgrade projects needed in the immediate future.

“Full replacement of all lighting fixtures is now necessary to maintain operations, and would dramatically improve Aultsville’s production abilities. Due to age, replacement parts and lamps for the lighting fixtures are increasingly difficult to find, and some are no longer manufactured.” says Janet Martel, theatre manager.

There are several accessible and convenient ways for the community to offer immediate support to the campaign and more specifically the lighting project. On top of any corporate donations that may come forward, the Cornwall Concert Series Association and Aultsville Theatre will jointly host a benefit concert on December 15, 2017 at 8 PM – “Beethoven on Record”, featuring a live performance by two outstanding Canadian musicians: violinist Andrew Wan, Concertmaster of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO), and pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin, Silver medalist and laureate at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2015. “We are thankful to the Cornwall Concert Series for organizing this event for the theatre, and to the generous sponsors of this event – Schnitzel’s, Dr. Topouzov’s dental office. We’re hoping the community sees this as a great way to support our upgrade initiatives” said Felicity Svenson, President of the theatre Board. “All net proceeds from the concert will contribute to Aultsville’s immediate capital funding goal.” Tickets are now on sale at the Cornwall Civic Complex for $40, or by calling 613-938-9400.

An on-going feature of the overall fundraising campaign is Aultsville’s Seat Sponsorship Program. For a $150 donation, donors receive a charitable tax receipt, and can add their name or other inscription to an individual brass plaque affixed to the large display in the theatre lobby. “If all 400 remaining seats were sponsored, the $60,000 raised would not only provide the balance of matching funds required for the lighting upgrade, but could provide a solid funding base for a future sound system upgrade, as well” added Krystle Mitrow, Vice President and Treasurer of the theatre Board.

Although the $23,000 loan recently secured through City Council, was imperative to leverage other sources of funding for lighting replacement project in the short term, the Aultsville Theatre organization will continue its efforts to raise funding and financial support for all their refurbishment projects and objectives on an on-going basis.

Approximately 25,000 people enjoyed access to Aultsville Theatre last season – audiences, performers, presenters and community groups alike. The completion of this lighting upgrade is imperative to the continued success of the theatre as a space for life-affirming experiences for community betterment. For more information on how to help this project, or to support the above-mentioned initiatives, contact the theatre at (613) 932-1661 or info@aultsvilletheatre.com.