Campaign for a Permanent Home

“Some men see things as they are, and say, ‘Why?’
I dream of things that never were, and say, ‘Why Not?’” 
~ George Bernard Shaw, Irish Playwright

In 2004, The Irish Rep embarked on a $20 million capital campaign – Campaign for a Permanent Home.  The campaign is dedicated to facility acquisition, re-design of the premises, and establishing various funds for long-term fiscal stability.  Since launching the campaign, The Irish Rep has raised a total of $9 million from public and private sources (please see below for a summary). 

In February 2007, the dream began to be realized when we purchased our premises with substantial support from our loyal patrons.  However, it required us to enter into a $1.8 million mortgage to close the immediate funding gap.  Today, the mortgage principle of $1.18 million comes due in less than eighteen months. 

The re-design in May 2010 with an expected completion date of mid-2012.  The City of New York’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Department of Design and Construction have taken a major leadership role in seeing that this part of our campaign is successfully completed.

The re-design will include upgrading of bathrooms, a complete renovation of the second floor to incorporate a new flexible performance space, an overhaul of the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage’s theatre’s interior, re-design of the theatre frontage and W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre, and, among other projects, various equipment purchases.

The establishment of funds for fiscal stability, i.e., an operating endowment, asset replacement funds, and other funds, will commence after we have finished the acquisition and with the confidence that the renovations and construction phase is fully funded.

We invite you to come along on The Irish Repertory Theatre’s continuing journey towards ownership of our West 22^nd Street home in New York City.  You can become a vital partner in our quest by contributing to our Campaign for a Permanent Home.

As you have taken a moment to read this, we hope that you will support our Campaign for a Permanent Home at the highest level you can afford, so that we can realize that dream of owning our home outright and so we can create a more hospitable and functional space for you to visit.  We want you to feel at home at The Irish Repertory Theatre.

$100, $500, $1,000, or more, public recognition begins with a contribution as little as $500.  Large or small, every single contribution means the world to us – our world, literally! 

Recognition on our “Wall of Honor,” located in our lobby, begins at $1,000, while naming of our Mainstage theatre seats begins at $5,000.  For those able to contribute more we have numerous other naming opportunities available ranging from naming rooms, floors, or even the entire performing arts complex that we call home!  Name it for yourself or in memory of a friend or family.

If you would like additional information about our capital campaign, please let us know and we’ll be happy to send it to you.

We trust that you will take pride in associating your name in perpetuity with The Irish Repertory Theatre, established in 1988, and “one of the finest theater companies in America” –Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal.

And, such an alliance will earn you The Irish Rep’s deepest gratitude – forever.

“The Irish Repertory Theatre is a treasure – a national treasure – which must be preserved.”
~ Harold Prince

Campaign for a Permanent Home Summary

Phase I (Facility Acquisition)
Goal: $5.67 million / Paid+Pledged: $4.49 million / Need To Raise: $1.18 million

Phase II (Renovation, Construction, Equipment Purchases)
Goal: $4.63 million / Paid+Pledged: $4.07 million / Need To Raise: $564 thousand

Phase III (Fiscal Stability)
Goal: $8.95 million / Paid+Pledged: $0 million / Need To Raise: $8.95 million

Phases I, II, III Capital Campaign Expenses Total
Goal: $750 thousand

Updated: September 1, 2010