Northern Sky Theater’s Constellation Campaign to raise funds for their new Creative Campus in Fish Creek is closing in on the last 20% of their $6.7M campaign goal. The company recently announced an anonymous match as an incentive for 20 additional donors to give a gift of $5,000 or more to be recognized on the company’s donor wall once their new space is completed.
“The community response to ensuring the future of Northern Sky here in Door County has been overwhelming,” stated Artistic Director, Jeffrey Herbst, “we are thrilled to announce this match as we head into the final weeks of our fall season.”
The incentive will run now through October 31st and will match any new gift of $5,000 with the hope that Northern Sky will add 20 names to their donor wall. Plans for the design of the wall will be revealed sometime after the company breaks ground.
The Northern Sky board of directors is committed to raising 90% of the total campaign goal in pledges or gifts before they break ground on the corner of county roads A & F.
“It has become increasingly critical that we begin building our new facility as soon as possible,” stated Managing Director, Dave Maier. “Our rental options are disappearing faster than we can replace them. This includes the farm where we have built sets for the past 20 years. That particular property sold last year and our lease is up in 2019.”
The purpose of the Constellation Campaign is to raise funds for Northern Sky’s new creative campus in Fish Creek. The campus is needed to safeguard the company’s future and provide new strategic opportunities for mission-focused programming.
Northern Sky currently operates from a host of rented facilities spread all over the county. The company rents office space in Ephraim, set and costume shops in Baileys Harbor, a rehearsal hall in Egg Harbor, four large storage units in Fish Creek, and fall and winter indoor performance venues – all at an annual cost of approximately $80,000. The new creative campus will eliminate the need for such non-housing rentals. Moreover, it will give Northern Sky a secure home and centralize its support operations.
The creative campus’s site plan includes two buildings to house an indoor theater, administrative offices, a box office, costume and set facilities, and storage spaces. The 244-seat indoor theater will serve as a place to hold rehearsals, readings, workshops, and fall and winter performances.
The amphitheater in Peninsula State Park will continue to be Northern Sky’s summer performance venue, and the Constellation Campaign will also provide funds for much-needed upgrades to the company’s home there, including improved sound and lighting, updated merchandise and concessions buildings, and new restrooms.