AMAZING OUTPOURING, BUT MORE MAY BE NEEDED IN FUTURE >>>

On Nov. 5, the board of directors for downtown Olympia's Capital Playhouse issued a letter to all past donors asking for help. Capital Playhouse's rent was past due. Along with the rent, show royalties, basic salaries and program continuation all needed funding. If $20,000 couldn't be raised within the month, the performing arts education center was ready to suspend operations.

"We thought we were going to have to close Capital Playhouse," explains the secretary of the board of directors Ned Hayes. "The situation was dire."

Hayes said that since sending the letter, Capital Playhouse has received a majority of the funds immediately necessary to continue operations. He says the outpouring of support from the community has been amazing, and because of recent donations the Playhouse believes they have the funds to finish out this year's productions.

"The kind of response we've gotten from the community has superseded our expectations," Hayes says. "We've received a majority of the funds we need to keep going. We still need a bit more, but we have turned the corner."

Capital Playhouse, a non-profit performing arts education center, has been open 24 years. The Playhouse operates a variety of different theatre and arts projects and maintains operations through ticket sales, program enrollment fees, and donations.    

Hayes says Capital Playhouse's finances took a turn this past summer. The Playhouse provided scholarships for children looking to attend the summer children's programs and could not afford the fees. Hayes says providing scholarships for children in need wasn't a wise financial decision, but it had been a standing policy never to turn away a child looking to participate.

"We wouldn't turn down a child," Hayes says. "So we paid out much more money for the programs than we had coming in."

To make matters worse, some long-term donors Capital Playhouse relied on needed to forgo their regular donations because of the tough economic times. The drop in sizeable donations crippled the Playhouse's operating budget. By early November the future looked bleak.

The board decided the only option would be to reach out to the community. The letter, sent to past donors and participants, explained the shortfalls in Capital Playhouse's finances, how individuals could donate, and how their donated money would be put to use.

Hayes said recent donations have relieved the immediate financial crisis, but Capital Playhouse is by no means out of the woods yet. Hayes explained there was no long-term endowment for Capital Playhouse. The board is currently exploring every cost saving measure possible.