By STU CLAMPITT
news@readthereporter.com
Main Street Productions, Inc. (MSP) and the Basile Westfield Playhouse recently announced it has received a $100,000 capital improvements grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc.
“We had received a grant from them before when we first built the building for some capital projects in the inside,” MSP President and Facilities Director Bill Miller said. “Frank Basile suggested we contact them again after he found out we might qualify for another capital improvements grant this year.”
Basile was correct. After a long application process, MSP received the grant money this month.
Miller told The Reporter he will be using the grant money for a variety of upgrades to make the audience experience better when visiting the playhouse.
The improvements MSP originally requested were:
- New black rear operable curtain
- Security gates for Concession and box office
- Electric for new front light bars
- Sound baffles for the Rehearsal Room
- Additional stage lighting
- 10 Shure wireless microphones and distribution antenna
- Moveable foot/floor lighting
- Two new moving head spotlights
- New countertops, cabinets, mirrors, and lights for the dressing rooms
- Moveable black side teaser curtains
- An improved staircase for the stage
- Front fill speakers and amplifier
- New signage
- New computers for the tech booth, office, and box office
The lighting improvements will allow for special effects lighting and a stage with no shadows during shows.
“This was on the original grant request,” Miller said. “Due to the pricing increases in the past year, some of this may need to be pared back a bit.”
The grant application was a full-year process.
“We were notified in February that we might qualify,” Miller said. “We put the grant together and submitted it in June. We were notified in October that we were approved and received the funds December.”
About Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation
The mission of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation is to support charitable organizations that promote or preserve the arts and humanities. MSP will use the grant to continue making improvements to its theater and provide high-quality entertainment. For more information about the Foundation, visit awclowescf.org.