FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        February 2009
Contact: Craig Shafer
publicity@pcpa.org
805-928-7731, 4100

ACT NOW!
Help Keep PCPA's Doors Open

PCPA Theaterfest has launched the ACT NOW! Scholarship appeal campaign with the goal of raising $200,000 by June 30th. Each year PCPA awards over $500,000 in scholarships to actors and technicians, which has a direct result in the work audiences see on stage and the supporting work that goes on behind the scenes. Donations to the scholarship fund can be made online at www.pcpa.org or by calling the PCPA Foundation (805) 349-9135.

Artistic Director Mark Booher said that PCPA is not immune from the economic collapse that has already forced numerous theatres across the nation to go dark.

“This year our ability to raise these funds is in jeopardy. The economy has taken a devastating toll on our endowment, on our grant prospects, and on our state funding. In order to continue to provide the quality of art you have come to expect from PCPA, we need to raise $200,000 by June 30th,” Booher emphasized.

Hundreds of scholarship recipients – the actors you see on stage and technicians who work tirelessly back stage and in the shops – who come to PCPA from around the region and nation, are the heart and soul of PCPA's mission. To make great art, in service to the community and to train the next generation to do the same, PCPA is asking the community to ACT NOW! by making a donation online at www.pcpa.org or contacting the PCPA Foundation at (805) 349-9135.

In addition to making donations, patrons can also help by purchasing tickets early and help spread the word about PCPA’s urgent situation. PCPA plans on staying in this community for at least another 45 years, which means PCPA will continue to give a strong return on your investment.

You may not be aware that:

• Tickets sales only make up 1/3 of our budget.
• Due to the economy, our income from grants, endowment interest and state funding is down.
• Numerous theatre companies across the nation have permanently closed.
• PCPA is not immune - our students are at risk, our productions are at risk, and our ability to introduce young people to theatre is at risk.
• While we cannot solve the nation's economic problems, we can join together to keep the arts alive here, now, and for the future.
• A typical PCPA scholarship is $290 a week.
• Donations to last year’s scholarship fund provided once-in-a-lifetime training opportunities for: 96 Interns - 43 Students - 17 Guest Artists
• Over 40,000 students annually experience live theatre through our Education and Outreach productions that tour to schools throughout the Central Coast and attend student matinees in the Marian Theatre.
• And, by providing professional training for the actors and technicians of the future we are making sure that live theatre continues to flourish and play a part in the lives of our children and grandchildren.

Please
ACT NOW!

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