Academy may lose its home!
Due to economic pressures, Academy is now being charged for the use of its current home, the East Greenwich High School Auditorium. For the past two years, the School had allowed Academy use of its wonderful facilities in exchange for our Internship program where students are mentored and trained in stagecraft and any element of Theater that they would like to learn more about. Certificates of completion are provided to all students for inclusion in College applications and many former interns are now pursuing their craft elsewhere with a wider perspective and breadth of experience than if they had been exposed only to their Drama classes. Academy gives people experience when other institutions require it beforehand.
In addition to the Internship program, Academy raises money at each performance for the EG Drama department to assist in improving the infrastructure of the auditorium and any other costs that the Department may have. The local community becomes aware of the school's program and efforts and much goodwill has been generated between "town and gown" as a result.
With the institution of hefty hourly fees for use of the space in addition to the loss of Swift Gym as a rehearsal venue, this one-two punch has resulted in Academy being forced to decide if they can remain a part of East Greenwich, as there are no other suitable venues for performance available in the area. The expense of paying over $50/hr for rehearsals and performances would break almost any institution, but Academy, as a non-profit, simply does not raise enough money in an entire year to pay would it would cost for even two shows' worth of production in that space.
We are hoping that money can be raised to allow us to stay in Avenger auditorium until a suitable local venue can be found. For 55 years, we have been proud to be from, for and by the East Greenwich community. To move elsewhere...we would persevere and continue...but both East Greenwich and Academy would be forever altered.
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