Note to existing subscribers: We will be reaching out to each and every subscriber individually with season options within the next week or two. Thank you for your patience and continued support!
Cancellation Announcement: Blood Brothers & Annie
Renton Civic Theatre has cancelled its 2024 productions of Blood Brothers and Annie.
Instead, this new season will follow the calendar year and start in January 2025. Additional programming is planned in 2024 – stay tuned! Subscribers will be contacted individually and refunds are available if desired.
Updates and Open Forum Announcement
Posted on Wednesday, September 11th
As part of our commitment to transparency, we are pleased to share several updates regarding the governance and future of Renton Civic Theatre.
First, we are publishing the results of the background checks for our current board members. In the same folder, you will find our newly implemented Code of Conduct and the Board’s bylaws. As we continue revitalizing the theater, additional rules, codes, and guidelines will be created and finalized. All approved documents will be available in this always-public Google Drive folder.
Next, we would like to share our current priorities, so you have insight into what we are working on behind the scenes to bring live theater back to Renton:
- Community Outreach: We are planning opportunities for the community to engage with the theater (more details on that below).
- Board Recruitment: We are actively recruiting new board members, focusing on residents of Renton, individuals with legal expertise, and those who can contribute diverse perspectives. Use this form to apply.
- Cost-Cutting Initiatives: We are identifying ways to reduce our annual non-production operational budget by tens of thousands of dollars.
- Fundraising Initiatives: We are devising and deciding on several fundraising events that will happen through the rest of the year, and into next year, to help us recover and bounce back to producing high-quality live theater as soon as possible.
- Theater Clean-Up: We are organizing volunteer days to clean and optimize storage at the theater.
- Season Subscriber Outreach: We are contacting season subscribers to ensure they are supported and informed.
- 2024 Programming: We are brainstorming creative programming options for the remainder of 2024 that will bring entertainment to Renton while ensuring we have the capacity to address all of the above.
Lastly, we are excited to announce our first community outreach event: an Open Forum. We have scheduled this Open Forum for next Tuesday, September 17th, at 7:00PM, and will take place at Renton Civic Theatre. This will be an opportunity for you to visit the theater, meet the board, share your thoughts on the future of RCT, raise any concerns, and learn how you can get involved in this new chapter.
You don’t need to wait for the forum to get in touch. You can always reach out to us via the following options:
- Email the Board directly at board_of_directors@rentoncivictheatre.org
- Express interest in volunteering by filling out our volunteer form here.
- Apply to join the Board by filling out our application here.
- Interested in donating? You can support this new chapter of RCT by donating here.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to ensure Renton Civic Theatre remains a vibrant space for art and community.
A Message from the New Board of Directors
Posted on Sunday, September 8th
The new board of directors for Renton Civic Theatre is pleased to announce a new chapter in the organization’s leadership. Graham Arthur Blair has been elected as the President of the Board of Directors. Brad Lo Walker will serve as Vice President of Operations, and Lisa Stromme Warren as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Eleanor Withrow will serve as Secretary, and Samantha Simas as Treasurer. Kiki Werner will also serve as a member of the board.
Everyone on the previous board has stepped down, including former board President Alan Parsons. Former Artistic Director Bill Huls has also resigned. That means that Renton Civic Theatre is now under 100% new leadership. The previous board members have been helpful in supporting a productive transition.
We would like to thank and praise those who stood up and spoke out in the last few weeks. We hear you and commend your bravery in speaking out.
We are focused on correcting the transparency and accountability issues that existed under previous leadership. This change is vital to restoring trust and ensuring that Renton Civic Theatre operates with integrity and openness moving forward.
You’ll hear more from us in the coming weeks and months. For now, we want to say that this theater will look and feel very different than it has in the past. The safety of our actors, patrons, and employees is paramount to us, and to that end, all members of the board will be subject to background checks before being allowed to serve.
We look forward to building a new and thriving theater community with the goal of making everyone feel safe and wanted.
Signed
Graham Arthur Blair
Lisa Stromme Warren
Brad Lo Walker
Eleanor Withrow
Samantha Simas
Kiki Werner
Questions? Visit the FAQ on our About page.
Questions?
Please visit our FAQ on our About page.
We encourage the community to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Join Our Board
Renton Civic Theatre is seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Directors. We are especially looking for expertise in the following areas:
- Finance / Accounting
- Grantwriting
- Legal
All applicants will be subject to a background check.