Group Sets Stage for Theater Fund-Raising

An Oak Park task force is ready to tackle the daunting challenge of raising up to $5 million to build a theater for the community and the school district.

Last week, the Oak Park Visual and Performing Arts Task Force Building Committee received its nonprofit status and opened a checking account to begin banking donations.

“Our fund-raising really has to go through four stages,” said committee Chairman Larry Jordan. “We are right now at Stage One.”

First, the committee hopes to gather $5,000 to $6,000 to pay for a campaign meant to raise $50,000 to $60,000 for detailed architectural studies and drawings.

From there, Jordan said the committee will need about $100,000 for the campaign to raise funds to build the theater. Jordan said the committee is looking to wealthy individuals and major corporations that would like to have their names on a theater.

“We project the theater is going to cost between $4 [million] and $5 million in today’s dollars,” he said.

Despite the scope of the project, Jordan and his 30-member committee said, enthusiasm is growing.

The committee is looking for professionals to serve as artists-in-residence at the theater, Jordan said.

“When you think about it, the whole goal of the theater is to enhance the educational opportunities and provide theatrical performances in the community,” Jordan said.

The building committee’s next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room C-30 at Oak Park High School, 899 N. Kanan Road.

Donations can be sent to the Oak Park Visual and Performing Arts Task Force Building Committee, P.O. Box 953, Agoura Hills, 91376.