Local theater company in search of a new home

Leah Williams
Daily Egyptian

A local theater company has rallied together to continue its operations after the discovery of structural problems in its current building that are forcing it to find a new place to perform.

President Jackie Betz said The Jackson County Stage Company is preparing to move out of its building, located at 101 N. Washington St. The company also wants to determine the best ways to fund raise and also decide if it wants to purchase an existing building or conduct its performances at various locations in the area. Betz said she recently encountered a group of men looking at The Stage Company building, and when they were questioned, a bank officer introduced himself and specified that the men were there "with an eye to bidding on demolition."

She said the official also said he was working with someone at city offices regarding funding for renovation of historically significant buildings. "The building we currently use for our shows has become more fragile as time goes on," Betz said. "The Bank of Carbondale seeks the best remedy for the situation that faces them. They will determine the fate of this building." Elizabeth Berumen, marketing director for the Bank of Carbondale, said no determination has been made regarding the building and that right now the bank is exploring options available.

Tammy Charles, publicist for The Jackson County Stage Company, said members are considering buildings that would primarily be for storage and rehearsal as well as others that might provide possible performance space. Those places include the old Carbondale Community High School, Varsity Theater and Liberty Theater in Murphysboro.

In June 1983, The Bank of Carbondale gave the company an essentially rent-free lease to operate out of the Washington Street building. The Stage Company has performed its seasons there ever since October of that year. In January, an architect discovered serious structural damage inside the building, which is about 120 years old. The Bank of Carbondale made temporary repairs earlier this year, allowing the company to finish it season. "While we love this old building, The Stage Company never really intended for it to be a permanent home," Charles said.

The estimated cost for permanently repairing the building totals $1 million, an expense Charles said is roughly 10 times the cost of demolition. At the May 3 meeting, a fund-raising committee was established to work with the company's relocation committee. Another group will sort through holdings and determine what to keep, throw away, sell and move to a new location. Charles also said the members are also asking for people who may know or have a possible space for relocation. The Stage Company is planning to be out of its current location by August. Financial donations toward the company's relocation are also being accepted.

The company's 2004-05 season continues until the third weekend of July. Members are currently in rehearsal for "Pure as the Driven Snow," which will be performed at the Carbondale Civic Center, beginning May 27. They are also preparing for their summer musical "Honk!"

The company is mulling over the possibility of purchasing land and building from scratch, but that option may not occur by the summer deadline. "Ultimately, we want 'our place in our space' - that keeps running through my head as I digest all the suggestions voiced at last Tuesday's meeting," Betz said. "We made no decisions last week except that it's time to move elsewhere."