Inspiring Audiences Since 1924

Membership support will ensure our historic regional landmark stays in it for the long haul

We hope that you and your family continue to be safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. And we look forward to that time that we can welcome you through our doors again.

For close to a century (and twenty-six years as a nonprofit) it has been our privilege to present a wealth of the world’s greatest artists on stage and screen. As a member of The Colonial Performing Arts Center, you can help us continue to provide our audiences with everything from awe-inspiring performances to straight up fun. Your support actively contributes to the cultural, economic and community vitality of the Monadnock Region.

Each year, The Colonial brings more than 50,000 patrons to downtown Keene. Nearly 7,000 of those are children from 120 schools that participate in a curriculum-based performance or outreach activity, 1,000 of whom attend for free. Additionally, our Community Scholarship programs provide free access to live performances for hundreds of low-to-moderate income seniors and families.

70% of The Colonial’s annual operating budget of $2.2 million comes from ticket sales and other event associated income which is earned by presenting dozens of events every month. That source of earned income has now been completely cut, but the theatre’s expenses have not been eliminated. We asks that people in the Greater Keene area consider joining, or renewing (or even upgrading) their membership now. These contributions will help ensure The Colonial stays in it for the long haul.

In addition to stabilizing the health of our cultural landmark, supporting The Colonial is a practical step towards ensuring stability for our region during these trying times. By supporting The Colonial, you support our employees and artists, as well as local restaurants, vendors, and others. Your donation is multiplied many times throughout the community.

Please consider joining, renewing or even upgrading your membership today.

Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated and vitally important to the future of The Colonial Performing Arts Center.

For more information:
Eric V. Weisenberger, Director of Development
603-357-1233 Ext. 104
eric.weisenberger@thecolonial.org

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Members, Patrons and Friends,

Two months ago, the entire performing arts touring industry came to a screeching halt. Almost overnight, thousands of performers, venues, staff, tech crews and support service industries found themselves unemployed. For a sense of scale, the concert industry alone is projected to lose as much as $9 billion this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Colonial staff has remained busier than ever throughout this tumultuous time. Working from home, we have been making a great effort to reschedule events, engage with patrons, performers, agents, sponsors and volunteers. Our overarching concern continues to be the health and safety of our patrons, employees, volunteers, performers and the community we serve.

In an effort to prepare and set a course for the eventual reopening of The Colonial we have been working closely with our fellow major NH historic theaters and providing recommendations to the Governor’s Re-Opening Task Force. The painful truth for performing arts organizations like The Colonial is that we were the first businesses to close and will likely be the last to reopen. It remains unclear exactly when and under what conditions the reopening will occur but we look forward to sharing the news with you, our patrons and members as soon as we know more.

While we remain excited about developing a lineup of shows for 2020-21, in order to bring you the next season we must successfully manage the critical economic consequences of our current reality. We are exhausting every option available to alleviate some of the serious financial losses we are experiencing. As painful as it is to do so, this has included furloughing some of the talented professionals on The Colonial team. Depending on the duration of the shutdown, additional layoffs may become necessary in order to come through this crisis and re-emerge on the other side.

Throughout this unprecedented upheaval The Colonial has turned to its core values for guidance and inspiration. Values that have come to the forefront in light of the crisis include our deep-seated commitment to the cultural and economic health of our community and our pledge to improve and preserve our unique, historic Theatre for the benefit of generations to come. With these principles informing our decisions, we remain confident that our audiences, performers, employees and volunteers will have a place to return to in the future.

We look forward to a time when we are allowed and fully prepared to reopen. When that day comes, it will be our pleasure to once again provide you with exceptional performances and share the uniquely life-affirming experience of live performing arts.

Until then, we miss you all.

Alec Doyle
Executive Director