July 24, 2019
Contact:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001
State of Oregon approves funding for Cottage Theatre expansion project
Cottage Grove, OR — One of the bills passed during the Oregon Legislature's final jam-packed weekend of the 2019 session was HB 5050, a 43-page bill that includes some good news for Cottage Grove. Under section 39 of this bill, Cottage Theatre's Theatre Expansion project was approved for $375,000 in state lottery bond funding during the upcoming biennium. Cottage Theatre will be expanding its facility to add 50 additional seats, remodeling all public spaces, and upgrading technical capabilities.
"We are absolutely thrilled to receive this strong support from the state," comments Cottage Theatre Executive Director Susan Goes. "Our 'ACT III' project will make a significant economic impact on our community, and we are exceedingly grateful to partner with the State of Oregon to make this project a reality. We send thanks to all of the many legislators who helped get this bill passed, especially Senator Floyd Prozanski, who worked throughout several legislative sessions to secure funding for this project."
Cottage Theatre is beginning work on the remodel this summer, with planned completion in 2021. "Originally we had planned to do the entire project in 2019," states Cottage Theatre Board Treasurer Mark Allen. "However, this spring the total project costs unexpectedly jumped from $1.5MM a year ago to $2.5MM due to the current Lane County construction environment. So we will be implementing the project in phases while we continue to raise the needed funds."
Cottage Theatre, founded in 1982, produces a year-round season of plays and musicals and offer summer theatre camps for children. A member of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), Cottage Theatre was one of just six theatres in the nation selected to give a world premiere as part of the AACT 2018 NewPlayFest. The theatre offers 80 public performances each year and serves an annual audience of 11,000 patrons. The ACT III expansion will allow for 4,000 more patron visits annually.
Additional funding for Cottage Theatre's remodeling project has come from the Oregon Cultural Trust, Faye & Lucille Stewart Foundation, Travel Oregon, Autzen Foundation, Chambers Family Foundation, Mildred Baker Fund, and especially from individual donors. Cottage Theatre is selling seat sponsorships to help raise the necessary funds to complete the project. More information is available from Cottage Theatre at www.cottagetheatre.org or by calling 541-942-8001.
The theatre is closed this summer for the first phase of the ACT III remodeling. It will reopen and continue its 2019 season in October with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)[Revised], a zany romp through 37 plays in 97 minutes. Tickets will go on sale September 11.
###