Old Globe raises $41 million

The Old Globe Theatre is more than halfway home in a newly announced fundraising campaign that aims to raise $75 million by 2010.

The goals: $20 million in construction funds to spruce up the San Diego company’s main stage, replace its smaller second one and build a new education center; $22.5 million to boost its endowment from $3 million to at least $25 million, and $32.5 million for operations and new artistic initiatives, including commissioning plays.

Pledges total $41 million so far, Old Globe officials said Thursday, including a $20-million gift from long-time theater supporters Donald and Darlene Shiley, $10 million from developer Conrad Prebys and $5 million from Karen and Donald Cohn, founder of DataQuick Information Systems.

Also, $3 million comes from Kathryn Hattox, who chairs the Old Globe’s board, and Sheryl and Harvey White, who donated $5 million to the theater in 2000, have kicked in an additional $1 million for the new campaign.

Mike Boehm