Broadway Theater continues fundraising campaign
Performers were rehearsing for the Broadway Theatre’s 2015 Christmas celebration when a broken furnace sent 30 people to the hospital.
The malfunctioning furnace leaked carbon monoxide into the building, poisoning its inhabitants.
More than a year later, the
The organization created a campaign called “Heat the Seats” and has collected approximately $4,000 in donations. Cynthia Kilmer, the Friends of Broadway chairwoman, hopes to expand fundraising efforts to reach the goal.
“(We) have been organizing and brainstorming strategies to collaborate with the community and raise money,” Kilmer said.
Ideas have included arranging a banquet and putting on public programs outside of the theater, she said.
The Broadway Theatre opened in 1929. The building served as a venue for silent films and theatrical performances. Because of closing for the winter, the
“(Our holiday program) is a big fundraising event for us so we have had a major financial setback,” Kilmer said. “We were still able to do things in the summer and fall with no heat. But when the cold weather comes upon us, we can no longer do anything.”
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“We are going to have to borrow money and have to get another mortgage,” Kilmer said. “It does not look like we will be able to avoid that.”
The
“As a non-profit, we do not have a lot of money,”
Kilmer understands the venue’s goal may not be met, but she “maintains an optimistic mind” in regard to Broadway’s challenges.
“We think it’s a worthwhile cause to keep running,” she said.
Outside of community performances, the theater has been home to many Central Michigan University events, such as the Alpha Psi Omega’s Rocky Horror Picture Show Production.
Those interested in donating to Friends of Broadway can visit the nonprofit’s Gofundme page.
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