Columbia’s Theater Scene Faces Challenges and Opportunities in 2024
Columbia, a vibrant city bursting with culture, finds its beloved live theater scene at a crossroads as three foundational companies navigate their unique challenges. Trustus Theatre, Columbia Children’s Theatre, and Town Theatre are all dazzling stars in the local artistic landscape, but they now face tough decisions and significant financial pressures heading into the new year.
Trustus Theatre: A Million-Dollar Question
Trustus Theatre has been the heartbeat of Columbia’s professional theater scene since its inception in 1985. However, its journey into 2024 brings a hefty challenge: the need for $1.5 million to upgrade its aging downtown venue located in the bustling Vista neighborhood. According to Executive Artistic Director Jessica Fichter, if they can’t secure the funds, they might have to pack their bags and find a new home. “We’re looking at some serious renovations,” Fichter explains, citing necessary updates to plumbing, electrical systems, and seating. “It’s not fancy; it’s just to make the building usable year after year.”
Despite the looming financial worries, Trustus continues to bring bold performances to the stage. The theater is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary season, featuring thought-provoking productions like “What the Constitution Means to Me” and an exciting adaptation of Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” slated for summer. To support their mission, Trustus relies heavily on ticket sales, grants, and community contributions, with around 50% of income coming directly from ticket sales. Fichter expresses hope, urging the community to rally behind the theater as they push forward.
Columbia Children’s Theatre: A Shift in Home
Meanwhile, across town, Columbia Children’s Theatre has also hit a bump in the road. Originally based at Richland Mall, the company was forced to relocate after the mall was sold and plans to demolish it were set into motion. While they found a new home at West Columbia’s Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center, their new space currently lacks an area to host performances, which means they’ve had to scramble to find alternate venues to host their shows.
William Mitchell, the company’s director of marketing and development, noted the challenges following this unexpected move. “We were given just 30 days’ notice to vacate,” he said. “Now, we have costs to store thousands of sets and costumes, and we’re still working towards raising $50,000 in community support.” As of the latest update, they’re just shy of halfway to their goal, with only a few weeks left to secure the funding necessary to ensure their programming continues without interruption.
Town Theatre: Celebrating a Century of Community
As the oldest community theater in Columbia, Town Theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary in a big way. While they’ve had their share of COVID-related disruptions, they’re now back in action with a major renovation of their downtown venue. “Our building has seen a lot of wear and tear over the years,” remarked the theater’s representative. They’ve initiated significant renovations to enhance the auditorium and lobby, ensuring that the venue remains a cherished space for community performances.
Though the Town Theatre is doing well financially, having reported a budget surplus of about $679,000 in its latest financial year, they are cautious about the types of productions they can offer. They maintain a reputation for being somewhat conservative in their programming, focusing on selections that appeal to their traditional audience base. However, Scruggs believes Columbia’s diverse theater offerings allow for different tastes, ensuring that everyone can find something that resonates.
A Unified Front for Columbia’s Arts
Even though these three theater companies face their own unique challenges, they are tied together by their shared commitment to enriching Columbia’s cultural fabric. As Trustus, Columbia Children’s Theatre, and Town Theatre maneuver through these exciting yet uncertain times, they reflect the resilience and vibrancy of the city’s artistic community. It’s clear that a bright future is ahead if the community rallies as one to support these invaluable institutions.
So, Columbia, the question remains: will you allow our live theater scene to take its final bow or stand strong and support our local talent? Let’s keep the lights shining bright on our theaters!
