Columbia’s Theaters at a Fork in the Road: What’s Next for Trustus, Columbia Children’s Theatre, and Town Theatre?
In the vibrant city of Columbia, something big is brewing in the theater scene. Three of the area’s well-loved live theater companies are facing some serious crossroads, and the talk of the town is how they’ll navigate their futures. Let’s dive right into the drama!
Trustus Theatre: Seeking $1.5 Million for an Upgrade
Founded way back in 1985, Trustus Theatre is the lone professional theater company in Columbia focused on adult performances, and they are currently eyeing a hefty $1.5 million to upgrade their cherished home in the Vista neighborhood. Executive Artistic Director Jessica Fichter recently shared with us that if they can’t raise these funds soon, they may have to look for a new home altogether.
“We need to tackle some structural issues, add new seats, and improve our lighting and plumbing,” Fichter mentioned, describing plans to modernize this historic building, which was completed in 1936 and is worth around $752,000 according to county property records. “It’s not about getting fancy; it’s all about functionality to keep the theater running.”
Despite these hefty financial needs, Trustus has continued to wow audiences with bold and adventurous pieces, serving up compelling performances like “What the Constitution Means to Me” during the November elections and preparing for the exciting Elton John musical “Aida” in the summer. But with ticket sales only covering about half of their expenses, attracting generous donations is essential for their survival.
Columbia Children’s Theatre: Facing Financial Pressure
Meanwhile, Columbia Children’s Theatre, which has been the heart of family-friendly entertainment since 2005, hit a snag when they were pushed out of their Forest Acres location last year. The theater made a move to West Columbia but found itself without a performance space. Director of Marketing and Development William Mitchell explained that the new site can’t accommodate shows or store their precious sets and costumes, leading to a serious financial strain.
In November, the organization launched a fundraiser aiming to collect $50,000, as the looming deadlines pressured them to pay off debts and keep their doors open. “Without this funding, our future could be very uncertain,” Mitchell explained. “We’ve already committed to seeing this season through, but we need to ensure that we can keep our programming going beyond that.”
Town Theatre: Celebrating a Century While Renovating
On a brighter note, Town Theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary, a milestone that coincides with the restoration of their beloved theater building. As Columbia’s oldest community theater, they’ve been delighting audiences since 1919, and their history is rich with tradition. While they’ve had some setbacks during the pandemic, the final phase of renovations has kicked off, bringing with it much excitement and fresh new vibes.
Scruggs, a representative for Town Theatre, shared that the aging facility has needed an upgrade for a while now. “With the renovations, we’re aiming to make our space more welcoming and supportive of the various productions we host,” she said. “It feels great to finally move forward.” Though they’re secure in their venue, maintaining a balance in programming to cater to their audience needs remains crucial.
“We need to offer a mix of classics that our patrons love while still introducing some innovative pieces,” Scruggs elaborated. “There’s a fine line we walk, but it’s important for the theater culture in Columbia to showcase a variety.”
United by a Common Cause
All three companies are heading into uncharted waters, addressing financial challenges while trying to foster a love for the arts amongst their audiences. Their situations may differ, but they all share the same goal: to keep the unity and vibrancy of Columbia’s theater scene alive and well.
With Trustus working for upgrades, Columbia Children’s Theatre rallying for support, and Town Theatre celebrating a milestone while modernizing, the future may hold promising opportunities if the community steps up to support its local arts. After all, in a world with so many distractions, it’s vital for theater lovers to come out and enjoy all the wonderful stories waiting to be told on stage.
So, Columbia, what will it be? Let’s rally together and keep the lights on these beloved theaters that bring art and joy to our community!
