After years of planning and fundraising, Hershey Area Playhouse is proud to invite the community to celebrate its new home at the groundbreaking ceremony, at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 15, 2005 on the campus of Country Meadows of Hershey.

Hershey Area Playhouse plans to begin construction of an intimate 150-seat state of the art community theater in late winter and will house its quality amateur theater productions, workshops and camps at this location. Construction is expected to take four months.

The theater building is a 136-year old barn that was generously donated by Country Meadows and the Leader Family. The Playhouse will rent the theater for one dollar per year for 29 years and be responsible for the renovations. In addition, Country Meadows made the first pledge of $100,000 toward the $1,000,000 construction goal. This generous gift was soon matched by The Hershey Company. Senators Jeffrey Piccola and Chip Brightbill aided the Playhouse by facilitating a $125,000 Community and Economic Development Grant. Many of the other pledges came from generous individual supporters and local corporations.

The Playhouse currently has more than $920,000 dollars pledged toward its goal but plans to continue aggressive fundraising to exceed the original goal in order to meet anticipated construction cost increases. The campaign budget includes a $25,000 operating endowment.

The new theater is designed by Hummelstown native Charles Alexander. Brechbill & Helman of Chambersburg will act as construction manager in this design/build project using many local subcontractors to complete the project. The project is being financed by Sovereign Bank.

Groundbreaking will occur at 11 a.m. followed by a community celebration including food, children’s games, entertainment by Hershey Area Playhouse singers and tours of the future Hershey Area Playhouse theater until 3 p.m.

The celebration is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted for food and beverages. In addition campaign pledges may be made at the ceremony and used cell phones and chargers are being collected to help the cause. Fox’s receipts are also collected to benefit the Playhouse.

Many significant naming opportunities remain for the new Hershey Area Playhouse including the terrace, make-up stations, sound equipment, theater posters, individual seats and others ranging from $1,000 and up. For more information, please contact the Hershey Area Playhouse at 533-8525 and leave your name and number or email hersheyareaplayhouse@hersheyareaplayhouse.com. Pledge forms also are available on line at www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com.

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