Pop is winning. This is not a good thing.
For 25 years,
Trinity House Theatre has fought a battle to make sure pop doesn't win. Even in
the best of times, this is an uphill battle. But right now, we desperately need
your help.
You may have recently received our news update and
fundraising letter in the mail. If you haven’t already, please consider making
a donation to help us. You can do this securely online at http://www.trinityhouse.org/donate.html. If
you make a donation by October 1st, 2006 we’d like to give you a gift of
appreciation - a free T-shirt, a free lifetime membership subscription, or even
free attendance for life.
In case you don’t know, during our 25
years battling pop, Trinity House has produced over 90 plays. More than 20 of
them were world premieres and another handful were national premieres. We have
also hosted and sponsored art seminars, acting classes, film screenings, staged
readings for plays in process, and numerous concerts.
Because art
is important, these events fall outside the realm of pop culture. Events we
like to call “brave, truthful, and necessary works of art.”
And
the critics seem to agree. The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers called
Trinity House “The Best/Most Adventuresome Theater of Metro Detroit.” David
Tamulevich of Mustard’s Retreat said, “In a world where it’s tough to make a
difference, you come across a little place like this that actually does.” The
Detroit Free Press called Trinity House “one of the most delightful settings for
live music in metro Detroit.” One of our patrons called us “an oasis in a
cultural desert.”
You may have noticed there wasn’t a bad seat in
the house when you attended some of these events. Due to the intimate seating
arrangement of the venue, we refer to our concert series as "Live in Our Living
Room". Other than your own living room, you probably can’t find a more intimate
venue in Detroit. The Metro Times stated, “The Trinity House Theatre, with its
folksy intimacy akin to the knickknack-laden home of a Livonia granny, offers
considerable warmth.”
You may have also noticed at the concerts
you can listen to the band without the annoying noise of a cappuccino machine or
the loud buzz of a coffee shop or bar.
While providing a favorable
environment for you to partake in meaningful art, we also strive to nurture
artists and help them grow in their craft. Thanks to your help, we’ve received
many compliments from artists who have performed at Trinity House. Here’s a
small sample:
“You truly have one of the coolest venues anywhere
in the country.” ~ Dave Potts
“I’ve played a lot of places and
virtually none of them match this place. It’s a beauty.” ~ Tim Harrison
“This may be the best stage in the world.” ~ Ashley
Peacock
“Man, this is the best show of the tour” ~ Bill Mallonee
“Your humble little theater is one of our favorite places to
play.” ~ Phil Madeira
“Every town has its own appeal, but I think
the Detroit show will be my favorite. I was born in Detroit and I always feel a
little bit like I'm at home when I play there. The venue is one of the best in
the country and folks are always so nice to me there.” ~ Ryan
Adcock
So why are we in such desperate straits now?
Basically, the building (which was constructed in the 1850's) is
falling apart. While we have made major structural repairs to the theatre
building including straightening a foundation wall that was buckling, we have
many additional repairs to undertake. A foundation support beam has rotted away
causing one side of the building to sink (creating additional structural
problems). Another desperately needed upgrade is a new cooling system. You
have probably noticed the inefficient air conditioning in the summer months.
Not only do we want to provide a place for you to enjoy brave, truthful, and
necessary works of art, but we want you to be comfortable.
Your
generous gift of support will help us undertake these much needed repairs.
If you give at least $100 you will receive a special Trinity House
Theatre T-Shirt.
For a donation of $1,000 or more you can join
The Paul Patton Trinity House Theatres Founder’s Club. Your donation will be
recognized on our website and newsletter. You’ll also receive a lifetime
theatre membership subscription. The subscription entitles you to $3 off every
Trinity House show you attend.
For a donation of $5,000 you will
receive free admission to every Trinity House Theatre show for life.
If you can't give one of the amounts above maybe you can give $25
in honor of our 25th Anniversary. Even a smaller amount will go a long way
towards Trinity House Theatre’s ongoing battle against pop, but we need your
support now. You can make a charitable contribution online by visiting http://www.trinityhouse.org/donate.html or
you can mail a check to:
