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New nonprofit aims to renovate Milton Theatre

Calliope Project fundraiser set April 29
March 17, 2017

A new nonprofit plans to raise the stakes at the Milton Theatre by renovating the historic building to attract more national acts.

The Calliope Project will serve as the theatre's nonprofit arm, focusing on fundraising to improve sound and lighting systems, install a sprinkler system and rebuild the balcony, as well as supporting educational ventures and the performing arts.

“I wanted a nonprofit that would not just care for the educational part of it, but that will ensure the viability and continuance of the Milton Theatre as a physical building and as an influence in the arts here in the area,” said Fred Munzert, CEO of Premier Centre for the Arts at the Milton Theatre.

The nonprofit's first task is getting a new sound and lighting system. Previously, the theater would rent equipment for some performers, but installing modern, high-quality equipment could open the door to bigger acts.

“It's very challenging for us to meet some of the national requirements,” Munzert said. “We end up negotiating our way through some things, but the nonprofit is going to raise the funds to replace the entire sound system and lighting grids, so that we can bring in these acts and really meet the requirements that they have to perform.”

The theater is not struggling to book acts, Munzert said. More than 250 shows are already booked for 2017, and he expects that number to exceed 300 by the summer. Some acts – such as Beatlemania, a musical featured on Broadway – are national; some are local; and all offer a variety from children's performances to comedy, musical entertainment and plays.

“I love pushing the artistic limits. I think it's important to do that,” he said. “That's what artists should do. They should challenge people to think.”

Calliope Project board member Rob Rector, who is also a patron of the theater and local filmmaker, said the upgrades will also benefit the local community and performers who rely on the theater.

“I think we may overlook the opportunity that we have here in Milton with a venue such as this,” he said. “It's so important on so many levels for a community to have a center like this that can not only bring various aspects of the community together, but also provide a platform for local artists to share their hard work and labor.”

The theater, which sits on Union Street next to the Broadkill River, was built around 1910, and has served as the town's basketball hall, fire station, social center and community stage. It also has hosted various retail businesses and restaurants.

“These places are few and far in between, and to have one that's as rich with history as the Milton Theatre is, that's especially exciting because it has so many years of artistry inside its walls,” Rector said.

The Calliope Project is just getting started. There are five board members - Rector, Rob Waters, Lorraine Dion, Thomas Hurd and Leslie Eichten - but the group may expand to 10 at some point, Munzert said. For now, the focus is on tackling the first fundraising campaign.

Munzert estimates the sound and lighting upgrades will cost $50,000 to $100,000. Once those systems have been purchased and installed, the nonprofit will move on to the next upgrade: a sprinkler system and bringing back the theater's balcony. Munzert said staff is working on bringing food service to their shows, including an expanded bar, hot hors d'oeuvres, cheese plates and desserts.

“We're growing, and we're only going to continue to grow,” Munzert said. He said he hopes to bring the theater's historic capacity of 500 people back. Now, the theater is limited to 200 seats on the main floor, or 292 people in standing-room only. Adding a balcony will significantly increase seating, and make the venue more attractive to well-known performers.

“It will change the game,” he said.

Property owner Glenn Howard said he's thrilled with Munzert's plans for the building, and impressed with how the theater has thrived in its three years in existence.

“If I had all the money in the world, I'd put the balcony in and I'd do it for him,” Howard said. “He's really giving it his all, and I think it's great. I love what he's trying to do.”

To celebrate the new nonprofit and the theater's third anniversary, the Calliope Project will host its first fundraiser, “The Calliope Project Experience,” on Saturday, April 29. The event will feature guest speakers, musical performances, and announcements about upcoming shows. Tickets for the event are $25 for general admission or $50 for VIP. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to miltontheatre.com or call 302-684-3038.

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