Time Running Out For Opera House Donations

Heads of the have had their eye on buying the for months now, but without a few hefty donations their big plans for the theater might go unfulfilled. The Board of Directors have to come up with about $2 million by Jan. 15, 2011, otherwise the historic Newport landmark will go back on the market.

The Jane Pickens is currently listed at $1.425 million by owner Kathleen Staab. The additional $500,000 would go towards "upgrading the Jane Pickens heating system, installing required fire safety systems, the addition of sound and lighting systems for some small scale live productions, and employing staff to continue operations, and to engage in future fundraising to return the Opera House to a single stage theater for film and performing arts," one board member said.

The Friends of the Jane Pickens recently held as a fundraiser to help raise money for a new heating system as well. If the theater is bought up by the Opera House, the Friends of the Jane Pickens would still play an instrumental role of keeping the arts and authenticity alive at the Jane Pickens theater.

Liz Drayton, Secretary of the Board of Directors at the Opera House, said they are looking for "big donors" who are looking to support the revitalization of the theater. She said they are looking for donations as large as $500,000 from the area's philanthropists, but any size donation would be helpful.

"So far we haven't found the right people who understand the value of the project," she said.

Despite the lack of donors willing write large checks, she said the project has garnered community support.

The Opera House board's vision is to make Washington Square a hub for the entertainment arts.

"It would revitalize Washington Square as Newport's year-round town center, using them as the magnet for business and the dynamic pumping heart of the arts center," she said.

The overall plan is a merging of the two theaters "under the auspices of one non-profit" said Drayton.

By bringing the two together, they would operate under one board and one manager who would oversee all areas of both theaters. It would also mean a variety of space options for other people and companies looking to book events.

The same would go for fundraising. With the merge, all money raised would benefit both theaters instead holding separate events to support the two individually.

Depending on who ends up buying the Jane Pickens, it could be turned into anything from a church to a night club, but the Opera House promises to keep it's authenticity as a independent film venue.

"We intend to keep it as a film house to revitalize arts, entertainment, conventions, and symposiums," said Drayon. "It's about economic development, urban revitalization, and this community's commitment and investment in its own future."

Drayton said that Staab has done a "phenomenal job of putting on dynamic programming" and compared her to Atlas holding the theater on her back.

"The film business is very difficult. It's not a profit making business," she said.

She said that if the Opera House does buy the theater, Staab and the board have left open the possibility of working together.