Donations to Help Absolute Theatre Grow

We want you to Give to the Max on Give the Max Day Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. As that day approaches, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support of Absolute Theatre in downtown Rochester, especially the time we have been performing at the Historic Chateau Theatre. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the incredible generosity of individuals like you who value the transformative power of the arts.

Give to the Max Day is a momentous opportunity to make an even greater impact on our theatre company. This annual day of giving brings our community together to support the causes we hold dear, and we invite you to join us in ensuring that the arts continue to thrive in our city.

Absolute Theatre has been a beacon of creativity, innovation, and inspiration since 2016. We've produced remarkable performances, engaged with our community through outreach programs, and provided a platform for local artists to shine. Since day one, we pay each artist working with Absolute Theatre a small stipend whether on stage, in our orchestra or part of our wonderful design and stage teams. Although the pay is small, it is our commitment to one day support the staff and artists with livable incomes, drawing more diverse artists to perform in Rochester.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged us like never before, but we adapted, persevered, and continued to bring the magic of theatre into the lives of our community members, both in-person and virtually. However, much of the funding that assisted arts organizations in Rochester during the pandemic alluded us because our administrative staff is still working on a volunteer basis.

Further, helping to create a performance space in the Chateau has provided us with some unexpected financial challenges. As the city works to enhance the building, Absolute has been required to rent much more lighting, sound, and staging equipment to make our productions more theatrical than the Chateau’s usual clients. Although we have done stunning performances since being a part of the Chateau, we have been sinking our resources into the infrastructure, while doubling our audiences from previous years. People want to see more of us at the Chateau, but to do that we need a financial commitment from you, our community. Ticket sales alone cannot help us grow.

As the Chateau Theatre becomes a temporary home to more community activities, it makes rehearsing on site more and more difficult. So, your donations would help us secure rehearsal and set building space to prepare our productions and then move into the Chateau for more magical productions.

Your donation on Give to the Max Day will enable us to:

Produce Exceptional Productions: Your support will allow us to create compelling and thought-provoking theatre that entertains and enlightens. In November, we are presenting the holiday musical “Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings” and in February, the  sexy and hilarious tale Venus in Fur.” Neither production can be supported on ticket sales alone.

Empower Local Artists: With your help, we can provide opportunities for a more diverse group of local actors, directors, and artisans to showcase their talent and passion. Our artists haven’t seen a higher stipend since our beginnings in 2016. We’d like to reward the excellent work they do.

Engage with the Community: Your contributions will enable us to expand to continue to build our presence in downtown Rochester at the Chateau Theatre, making the theatre accessible to a wider audience. We have seen many Mayo patients stop by for one of our performances since becoming a part of Peace Plaza downtown. We went from serving hundreds to serving thousands in a single year.

Sustain the Arts: By donating, you are helping to ensure that the arts continue to thrive in downtown Rochester, and that the magic of live theatre remains a vital part of our cultural landscape.

Your donation, no matter the amount, makes a significant difference. Whether you can give $10, $50, $100, or more, every dollar helps us continue our mission and bring the joy of theatre to our community.

Please mark your calendar for Give to the Max Day on Nov. 21, and consider donating to Absolute Theatre. You can contribute easily through our Give to the Max Day profile, which is available at [Donation Link]. And don't forget to spread the word – share our mission with your friends and family and encourage them to support us as well.

We truly appreciate your support and dedication to the arts. Your generosity allows us to keep the curtain rising, bring stories to life, and touch the hearts and minds of all who experience our productions.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Absolute Theatre family. We can't wait to share another incredible season of theatre with you, and we look forward to your continued support on Give to the Max Day.

 Stay connected with us on social media and be sure to watch for updates and announcements about Give to the Max Day!