Wellesley Players Look to Donate Set Pieces As They Lose Rehearsal Space

WELLESLEY, MA – Amid financial difficulties, the Wellesley Players will lose their rehearsal and storage space in Allston come March, according to President Ken Fisher.

The theatre troupe, which has been performing in the area for more than 90 years, moved out of Wellesley and currently splits its time between Allston and a performance space in Watertown. But Fisher says come the end of February, the space in Allston will no longer be available and replacement space is unaffordable.

The troupe initiated a GoFundMe campaign for $40,000 to pay for 18 months of space and offset some of its current budget deficit, but received a little over $5,500. Now, it is departing Allston without a replacement and must liquidate much of its inventory.

"Though we aren’t 'folding,' we have significantly lost a footprint in the community theater space and we’re without concrete plans for continuing to mount productions," Fisher said in an email to Patch.

The Wellesley Players have donated a significant portion of its furniture and other pieces to Wellesley High School and is extending an offer to non-profit organizations in the area for the remainder of its inventory.

Items include:

• Costume clothing (all manner, including wig heads, accessories, et al)
• Theatrical props - household pieces (clocks, faux glasswear, flower pots, suitcases, etc.)
• Assorted lumber and millwork
• Tools and hardware (including saws, drills, casters, ropes, etc.)
• Paint and paint supplies

"We are deeply committed to using whatever resources we have left to the betterment of Wellesley-identified non-profit organizations," Fisher said in the email, adding that the mission is actually stated in Wellesley Players' bylaws.

Click here for more information about the Wellesley Players.

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