HCCT-02-20 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HCCT Membership Drive Challenged To Make Goal

Economic conditions impacting efforts to reach 1,000 mark.

COTTONWOOD SHORES, TEXAS (Oct. 18, 2002) – As the Hill Country Community Theatre (www.hcct.org) opened its 17th season this week with the gala for “Bell, Book & Candle” on Thursday, its annual membership drive neared the 700 mark, well short of extensive efforts to sign up 1,000 patrons for the 2002-2003 season.

“We had 865 regular and contributing members at the close of our last season in August and now hope to significantly exceed that mark before the current show ends on Oct. 27,” said Ruth Meredith of Horseshoe Bay, a member of the HCCT Board of Governors and Membership Committee chairperson.

“About 10% of our patrons are new members, some from as far away as South and West Texas, with new local growth coming from Spicewood, Burnet and outlying areas,” she noted.. “We are deploying every means of communication available – direct mail, e-mail, letters and personal contacts -- to reach our goal.”

“Only through memberships, tax deductible contributions and ticket sales to the general public, visitors and ‘Winter Texans’ can we sustain and enhance the quality of our productions,” said Neal Younker, HCCT President.

“We anticipate this year to be a watershed year for physical improvements and long-range growth, including qualification for significant grant and foundation requests,” Younker emphasized. “It is imperative that we expand our membership to maintain this momentum.”

The 147-seat playhouse, a chartered 501 (c) 3 and a member of the Texas Non-Profit Theaters Assn., surpassed 7,300 total attendees in the 2001-2002 season. That growth reflects an expanded production schedule, improved lighting and air conditioning, extensive publicity efforts and higher levels of volunteer participation.

MFHS Students At Rehearsal

HCCT is encouraging more youth involvement in its shows as actors, stagehands and audience members, particularly for those volunteers who want to qualify for the Holbert Scholarship. The program awards up to three scholarships in the amount of $500 each to graduating seniors from Burnet, Llano and Marble Falls who have demonstrated interest in the theatre arts, maintained at least a B average in their high school careers and plan to use theater in some way in their chosen course of future studies.

On Oct. 16, about a dozen theatre students from Marble Falls High School were guests of HCCT to see dress rehearsals of “Bell, Book & Candle” and to discuss professions in the theatre with guest director, Dennis Martin of Burnet. Other area schools will be invited to dress rehearsals for future productions.

Engaging Shows…Affordable Memberships

“The new season also includes: “Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” for which auditions are at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 21; Dec. 5-15; “Leave It To the Navy” (musical), Feb. 13-March 2; “The Miracle Worker,” April 10- 19; “Same Time, Next Year,” May 29-June 8; “The King & I” (musical) July 31-Aug 17.

Individual membership costs remain unchanged for the new season at $75, a savings this year, since individual ticket prices have gone up by $2 for non-musicals and $3 for musicals, to $12 and $15, respectively for individual show tickets. A child 12 years or younger can be a regular patron for only $35 for all six shows. A key advantage for members is the ability to reserve their preferred date for a performance three days before the general public, because popular nights and plays sell out.

Season members also receive invitations to special Patron-only events at HCCT, such as one-night only fund-raising productions and the annual Patron Potluck Supper (which drew 250 persons in early October), as well as voting privileges. Additionally, HCCT honors volunteers with a free picnic each spring.

“Contributing memberships” for singles or couples include the Bronze Level at $300 a year; Silver, $500; Gold, $800, Platinum, $1,000, and Life, $5,000. Amounts over the $75 patron membership are tax deductible. Contributions of any size are welcome.

For more information on the current performances, tickets or HCCT membership, call the box office at 830-798-8944. For volunteer opportunities (box office, costumes, make-up, props, lighting, set building and painting) or upcoming auditions, please contact Executive Director Bruce Hennie at 830-693-2474 or www.hcct.org

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:
Preston F. Kirk, APR
HCCT Governor
Spicewood, TX
830-693-4447;
F 693-9898,
kirk@281.com

Bruce Hennie, Executive Director
Hill Country Community Theatre
Cottonwood Shores, TX,
830-693-2474
bruce@hcct.org