“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
ó Mark Twain
recited by Preston Mitchell at theater groundbreaking
By Shelley Smith
ssmith@salisburypost.comChildren participating in the production of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” flocked from Meroney Theatre through the streets of Salisbury in full costume and makeup for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Fisher Street Theater Thursday afternoon.
The Fisher Street Theater will be used exclusively for children’s performances. It has been in the works since 2007.
“This is another exciting adventure for this marvelous theater,” said Preston Mitchell, president of Piedmont Players Theatre’s board of governors. “We are beginning a new chapter for the kids of Rowan County.”
Mitchell said the theater will be a great asset for the children wanting to get involved or already involved in theater and will especially benefit theater camp and auditions.
“We still have a waiting list for children’s theater camp,” said Mitchell, who also noted that PPT has had more than 150 children show up for auditions for a production with 20 to 25 roles.
“Young people are our greatest asset, and why we do what we do,” Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz said. “We are very excited to see the future.”
The organization has raised $2.4 million toward its $3 million goal. The 250 seats in the theater are being “sold” for $1,000 each, and a plate bearing the donor’s name will appear on the seat. Approximately a third of the seats are still available, and the donations are tax-deductible.
In tough economic times, $1,000 may seem like a huge commitment. However, organizers say, if that $1,000 cost is broken up over three years, donors are only spending 93 cents per day while making an investment in the future of Rowan County’s children.
Piedmont Players Theatre, Inc. purchased the Fisher Street Theater, formerly the Friendly Cue, in early 2007 from L.B. and Larry Lowe. The building is around 20,000 square feet, and the original part of the structure dates back to 1925.
According to Mitchell, the theater hopes to complete building and renovations in June or July of 2010 and have a ribbon cutting by Christmas of 2010.