It’s the resounding success of shows like their current run of “Chicago,” the musical, that put the Twin City Players into the sort of situation they are in now, in search of the funds to install a new parking lot at their playhouse along Glenlord Road in St. Joseph next year.
As one of the oldest, continuously operating community theaters in Michigan, The Twin City Players organization is actually well underway in that effort, announcing this week that it is the recipient of a $20,000 Frederick S. Upton Foundation grant, along with an additional matching challenge grant of $15,000. Both grants will be used by TCP for its fundraising campaign to install a new parking lot at their facility on Glenlord Road in 2019. Interestingly, the TCP building itself was originally part of the Emlong’s Nursery property and later served as a bus barn for the St. Joseph Public School system before the theater group acquired it.
Bill Klein is President of the Board at the TCP. He says, “We are thrilled that the Upton Foundation is once again lending its support to the Twin City Players,” and adds, “The grants go a long way in helping us achieve our long-desired goal of a new, expanded parking lot which will greatly enhance visits to our facility for patrons and participants.”
Klein reminds supporters that, “One of the grants is a matching grant so we will need assistance from the community to reach our fundraising goal. Every single dollar is needed and appreciated. We hope the grant will be a motivating factor for others to support the arts at TCP by donating to the campaign.”
The matching challenge grant will provide a way for TCP to double contributions up to $15,000. All donations made in the 12-month funding period from the award date will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $15,000 by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation. Community members wishing to support the new parking lot can make donations to the campaign online at www.twincityplayers.org, by mail at TCP, PO Box 243, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or by phone at 269-429-0400.
Formed in 1932, Twin City Players is a volunteer based nonprofit organization that strives to engage the community in quality theatre that changes lives and to be recognized for organizational excellence producing quality performances in southwest Michigan. The TCP Playhouse is located at 600 West Glenlord Road in St. Joseph. For more information about TCP, call 269-429-0400 or visit online at twincityplayers.org.
