It has been an uphill battle from the start.
The Arizona Theatre Company has spent the last three weeks on a last-ditch campaign to raise $2 million in order to fund and put on its upcoming season-- it's 50th--or risk shutting its doors.
On Friday, the day of the campaign deadline, the theatre announced that it had raised $718,805. A lot of money, yes, but far from goal.
Still, the theatre remains optimistic about its future.
"At this moment, we have not hit our goal, although we're still wrapping up and will know with certainty where we stand over the weekend," said board of Trustees Chair Lynne Wood Dusenberry in a media release. "If there's another angel out there waiting for the last minute, now is the time to step up"
Mike Kasser, a member of the ATC Board and a business leader, said he could guarantee $1 million in donations from the Tucson community, if another million could be raised from outside Tucson (hello, Phoenix).
Right now, $368,673 has been raised from Phoenix donors and $350,132 from Tucson. So, according to the latest numbers, Phoenix is $631,327 short.
Steve Carr, a spokesman for the theatre, said other donations may continue to come in over the weekend that could be "significant" to the campaign.
The theatre will make a final decision about its future on Monday. It's options are to raise enough money to put on the following season, go on a temporary hiatus to restructure, or pull the curtain down altogether.
The theatre has posted a "Frequently Asked Questions" section on its website. If you'd like to contribute to the campaign, you can also do that through the website.
