Besides putting on stage productions, the Riverwalk Theatre has been doing one thing since moving to their current location in 1989: growing. Now, thanks to a $9,223 grant from the
Capital Region Community Foundation, they will begin a new campaign to make some much needed improvements to the facility.
"We need a new roof, electrical, heating and air conditioning," says Riverwalk Theatre Manager Michael Siracuse. "Our A/C is so loud, but in this heat we've had to run it during a show. The actors did well, but they had to speak really loud."
The Riverwalk Theatre
has made several improvements to their Museum Drive location over the last two decades, including a new lobby, restrooms, boardroom, an additional auditorium and more.
"The really great thing is that all of this was raised," says Siracuse. "We never had a loan, never had a mortgage on the building. Everything we have done has been paid for by the community."
Siracuse hopes that trend will continue with their last capital improvement needs. He estimates the updates will cost between $40,000 and $60,000. They are waiting on other outstanding grant applications before going to their membership for a campaign to raise the remaining funds.
"The support of our members and of the Community Foundation has truly humbled us," says Siracruse. "Now that we have these two auditoriums we're doing a lot more shows. It's given us a lot more flexibility in what we provide."
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