The Westport Country Playhouse has succeeded in earning an $850,000 grant toward its renovation from the Kresge Foundation, the Playhouse said today.
The Kresge Challenge grant to the Playhouse was contingent upon the theatre’s “Campaign for a New Era” raising $4.5 million between Jan. 1, 2004 and Dec, 31, 2004.
According to Elisabeth Saxe, Playhouse development director, “We actually exceeded the Kresge goal within the year-end deadline. The largest individual gift to the challenge was $500,000 and the smallest $20. Every gift is treasured.”
The “Campaign for a New Era” has now raised a total of $27 million, inclusive of the Kresge grant, according to a Playhouse announcement.
The campaign’s ultimate goal through 2005 is $30.6 million to renovate and expand the Playhouse as well as create an endowment and support artistic and educational initiatives.
Construction began in early 2004, with the revitalized Playhouse scheduled to reopen in June, its 75th anniversary season.
