For the past ten years, Actors Theater of Orcas Island (ATOI) has been using seats donated to them third-hand by a theater in Monroe. These seats have reached the end of their life and need to be replaced. Actors Theater President, Doug Bechtel, says “the largest complaint we receive is about the comfort of the seating and the amount of leg room.”
New risers for more leg room and high quality seats will cost around $18,000. ATOI has $3,000 to spend on the seating leaving a balance of $15,000 to raise. This was far above what the Actors Theater thought they could raise. Then Bob and Phyllis Henigson stepped in and pledged $10,000 towards the new seats if ATOI is able to raise the remaining $5,000.
The Actors Theater is soliciting tax-deductible donations to reach their goal of $5,000. Donations of any size are solicited. Individuals and organizations donating of $150 or more will receive a small brass plaque on the back of the seat with the donor’s name. For $300 you can have your name on two seats and so on. They have already received 12 pledges of $150.
Donations under $150 will be pooled and one or more plaques will read: “Friends of The Actors Theater.” ATOI reminds people that, even though they put your name on the seat, it is it not a reserved seat. They will continue their current policy of first-come, first-seated.
Donations can be mailed to The Actors Theater of Orcas Island, P.O. Box 1198, Eastsound, WA 98245. For additional information, contact Doug Bechtel at 317-5601.
They also have a supporter who has agreed to pick up the seats in Seattle to reduce costs.
Thanks once again to Bob and Phyllis Henigson for stepping in to support a community treasure. Actors Theater is a bargain for such a significant part of the fabric of our community. If you have not seen a production yet, then do so. You will then have a thousand reasons to make a donation.