Quincy Community Theatre fundraising kickoff event set for Thursday

QUINCY — Quincy Community Theatre will host a kickoff for its annual fundraising campaign, “Light the Way,” at 4:30 p.m. Thursday on stage at the theatre. The event will recognize and celebrate generous supporters of the theatre.

The campaign theme, “Back Where You Belong,” was inspired by the recent return of live theatre and education classes after months of shutdown due to the pandemic. Campaign co-chairs Bill and Brenda Stalder have been involved with QCT in numerous capacities for a couple of decades.

“This campaign celebrates the joy of many things, but especially the joy of volunteering together again, of connecting with each other personally, and building on the success of QCT,” the Stalders said in a prepared statement. “As a family, we have been especially blessed by Quincy Community Theatre, dating back to when it was the Quincy Community Little Theatre. The theatre family has truly embraced our family. For that, we are beyond grateful.”

The community has donated more than $100,000 to the Light the Way Campaign to pay for crucial repairs, increasing production costs and enhancements to QCT’s stage, sound system and lighting. The community’s support has been critical during the past 18 months as the theatre has navigated the financial impact of the COVID pandemic coupled with an aging facility in need of many technological updates.

“Our supporters never cease to amaze us with their generosity,” QCT board president Julie Schuetz said in a prepared statement. “This year’s campaign kick-off event also is intended to give us an opportunity to once again thank our supporters for the many ways they have helped us navigate one of our most difficult points in time. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a community that places high value on the arts and is willing to support it through financial means.”

Founded in 1923, QCT’s mission is to offer and perpetuate quality theatre entertainment and education in the performing arts through community participation. The theatre strives to make itself accessible to everyone who wants to partake, regardless of background or prior theatrical experience.

Community members may arrange their support online at 1qct.org, by calling 217-222-3209 or by visiting the QCT Box Office in the Oakley-Lindsay Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.