INA – The Rend Lake College Foundation has exceeded its initial fundraising goal to renovate the RLC Theatre on campus. But it’s not done yet.
College officials challenged the Foundation Board of Directors to raise a quarter of the estimated $200,000 needed to revamp the RLC Theatre – a staple of cultural events for communities in this area. The Board answered by raising nearly $63,000 so far. However, with original estimates not accounting for some dire improvements, the Foundation’s members are still pounding the streets for support.
“Whatever additional funding the Foundation can raise will take the financial burden off of the college and enhance the project with sound equipment and lighting that were not included in the estimates,” said RLC Foundation CEO Pat Kern.
A new incentive for contributors has emerged as the college began accepting bids for the project recently, according to Kern. A contribution to the cause will earn donors membership and benefits of “Friends of the Theatre.” With a $1,000 gift, “Friends of the Theatre” will get an exclusive chance to purchase theater tickets for upcoming productions.
“They will actually get a phone call one week before tickets go on sale to the public,” Kern said.
A $1,000 gift also means an invitation to the Theatre Renovation Gala Celebration to be held shortly after the project is completed. College officials expect to begin in mid-November and finish in mid-January – just in time for Theatre Director Tracey Webb to begin rehearsing for the spring musical.
Additionally, the contribution of $1,000 will guarantee name recognition on a “Friends of the Theatre” plaque. Thousands of future guests and audience members will read the names on the plaque as they pass by it in the Theatre lobby for years and years to come.
Lead contributor Dr. Evelyn Claxton, a retired RLC Liberal Arts Division Chair, along with instrumental fundraiser and RLCF Board Member Mary Ellen Aiken, have proven their commitment to this vital project.
“This is not only good for the college, it is good for the surrounding area,” Aiken said. “It’s going to be beautiful and I think it needs to be done. My respect for the Theatre goes way back to when it was built. Being from Benton, my husband and our daughters enjoyed the theater experience so much through the Pyramid Players. Any time there is a performance at the theatre our family woud attend.”
Aiken added that she has provided piano accompaniment for several RLC musicals. This interaction over the years has been a catalyst for her close, personal connection with the actors and musicians who work hard to provide entertainment and cultural enrichment to the public.
Additional contributors and fundraising champions so far include Aiken and her husband, John; Kyle Childers; the Franklin County Arts Association; the Pyramid Players; Lois Jenkins; Vida Hendrick; Dorothy Swinney; Foundation Board Member Dr. Robert Parks and his wife Marilyn; Pat Kern; RLCF Board Member Rich Yunkus; RLCF Board Member Millie Caldwell and daughter Cindy, an associate professor of mathematics at RLC; and Wilma Guy. Also, the Foundation received a $10,000 donation from an anonymous contributor. Those who have pledged their much-needed support are RLCF Board Members Jody Rubenacker and Dr. and Mrs. Warren Petty; RLCF Board Member JoAnn Joy with U.S. Bank; and Foundation Board Member Chris Johnson with Walgreen’s Distribution.
Joining these “Friends of the Theatre” is as easy as calling the Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1214. Monetary donations, as well as contributions of appreciated stock, can be gifted and deducted from taxes.
The renovation will be an amazing transformation of the 40-year-old RLC Theatre. Plans call for brand-new, wider seats; new carpet; a center isle; acoustic wall treatments; a new, deluxe stage curtain; and increased handicapped-accessible seating. The project will also mean repairs for a fully-operational thrust stage. The thrust stage is unique. According to Webb, RLC is the only community college in Illinois to have such a stage. Operating on a hydraulic system, a functioning thrust stage can be extended to within feet of the front row, in effect connecting members with the players by putting the audience closer to the action. It also raises and lowers the orchestra during a performance.
“I feel the thrust has been missed for the last several years,” Mary Ellen Aiken said. “I think it is going to make it much easier on the musicians because they won’t have to go up and down a ladder to get in and out of the orchestra pit. And we will be able to get a piano into the pit without having to lift it manually.”
To take part in making this renovation a reality, contact the Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1214 and pledge to take part in this tremendous project for the surrounding communities and their community college.