Camelot Receives Completion Funding for Its New Theatre from South Valley Bank and Trust

 

Talent, OR, Dec. 1, 2010 ‐ It's not often that a business is threatened by the news that a road is going to go right smack through the middle of it. Such was the case of Camelot Theatre Company only three years ago. If the story of Camelot's success in overcoming this daunting development were one of its performances, it would be a modern day Perils of Pauline. Told by an initial feasibility consultant that raising the money to build a new theatre was impossible, Camelot has nevertheless overcome numerous odds to be on track for completion of the James Morrison Collier building just before a bulldozer demolishes its original home in June 2011.

This story has many heroes:

Livia Genise and Doug Warner, Camelot's management team, whose creativity and passion made the Theatre worth saving

Camelot patrons, whose ticket purchases and donations reflect their love of this theatre Loyal sponsors and advertisers who have helped underwrite Camelot productions over the years

The Camelot Board, who had the vision to seek alternatives to the Theatre's closure

The City of Talent, which bought and has now sold to Camelot the land for an alternate site after purchasing the old theatre, providing some of the initial capital

Bob Phillips, the financial wizard who donated his considerable expertise to head the successful Capital Campaign

Generous donors such as Jim Collier, after whom the new Theatre building is named

Bruce Richey, the architect whose innovative design brought the Theatre in under budget and garnered Camelot a spot in the prestigious 2011 Prague Quadrennial, an exhibition of the best in theatre design

Richard Hay, Oregon Shakespeare Festival's renowned designer, a consultant on the project, who counseled a focus on the Theatre's technical aspects

Adroit Construction, low bidder and high performer, now working non‐stop to keep construction on schedule

The list doesn't end here, however. The most recent hero is South Valley Bank and Trust, providers of a loan just signed November 30, to provide completion funding for the new Theatre via a manageable mortgage at a very favorable rate. Too often in these times, banks are cast as the villains. But small, local lenders like Mickey McKay of South Valley are the lifeblood of the Rogue Valley economy.

The community will be invited to join in the celebration of this happy ending and new beginning at multiple events in June.

In the meantime, all are invited to Camelot's production of White Christmas, running December 1 through December 31. The theme of saving a business is echoed in this heart‐warming story of two former army buddies who travel to a lodge in Vermont where they discover their former commander, the owner of the lodge, is at risk of losing it. They bring up their actors, lend their talents, and, of course, the show goes on!

About Camelot

Camelot Theatre is an intimate 103‐seat year‐round theatre just 10 minutes north of Ashland, OR, dedicated to creating the finest affordable theatrical experience in Southern Oregon. Camelot produces a total of eleven productions each year, including plays, musicals and musical events, in a supportive environment for professional and amateur theatre artists and technicians. Artistic Director Livia Genise and Producing Director Douglas Warner focus on award‐winning shows that entertain, uplift and inspire. Camelot's new James Morrison Collier building, a 164‐seat, technically sophisticated replacement for the present structure, opens in June 2011. Next to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Camelot is the Rogue Valley and Ashland region's longest‐running theatre company and "Off‐Bardway's" most successful live theatre.

For more information about Camelot, including a photo review of the progress on construction of the new building, visit http://www.camelottheatre.org Back to articles...