Dear Friend of Pentacle Theatre:
You may not recognize me or my name. I haven’t really been in the lime light. But I’m writing to you about something very important to the both of us: Pentacle Theatre.
You and I love our beautiful little theater in the woods. Undoubtedly, we have an endless list of reasons why Pentacle is so meaningful to us. But for me, Pentacle has literally changed the course of my life.
When I graduated from high school and began community college, I had a plan in mind for my future. I just knew I wanted to become a high school drama teacher. From the time I was very young, I wanted to teach. High school theater is where I wanted to make a difference.
But as I worked toward that goal, I began to realize that it was not my destiny.
What was my true calling? This uncertainty about the future weighed heavily on me. The panic about where my life was going, how to right this ship called “me,” was crushing. For many months, I was lost in a complete haze of uncertainty.
Enter Pentacle Theatre.
In early 2017, I was the stage manager for Pentacle’s production of Noises Off. This was my first time as stage manager for a community theater. And oh, was it a good one to start with! Noises Off is incredibly challenging from a backstage perspective. The show has a huge number of props, fast costume changes, a lot of lighting and sound cues, quick and complex scene changes, and a two-story revolving set with seven matching doors. It was my job to keep everything organized.
I quickly learned just how much I love being a stage manager. I found it challenging and exhilarating. Overcoming obstacles, making split second decisions backstage, organizing the chaos, and bringing everything together to help make a beautiful performance is the most enjoyable work I have ever experienced.
Pentacle Theatre helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life: I want to be a professional stage manager. It was Pentacle Theatre that helped me discover just what I want to do as a career and how I want to enjoy the rest of my life.
And that is exactly why I’m writing to you now.
Pentacle Theatre changes lives. It changed mine and I know it has many others.
But right now, Pentacle needs our help. A month or so ago, you received a letter about the President’s Challenge. Pentacle Board President Chris Fletcher’s challenge has raised $67,500 so far. To fully meet the challenge, we still need to raise an additional $18,500.
We know many of you have given above and beyond this year. Our hearts are full of gratitude. You have made a difference.
However, if you’ve been waiting to make your donation, please wait no longer. Your year-end gift is important now, more than ever. I am asking you to join me in giving a donation this holiday season to help support our wonderful little theater. Any contribution can make a huge difference.
COVID has put my plans on hold. I cannot work on any Pentacle shows. Financially, I cannot return to college to study my chosen profession. Given the nature of my work, I cannot hone my skills at home as some artists have been able to. Stage management is an inherently in-person art form, so it has been devastating to be unable to work on any productions. Not to have Pentacle Theatre has been crushing. But I’m hopeful that at some point in the future I will be able to return to backstage and put on a headset again.
With your financial assistance – and when the time is right – we can keep those stage lights on, the sets going up, the costumes being fitted, the music soaring and the audiences cheering. With your year-end gift we can ensure that Pentacle Theatre can keep offering life-changing opportunities for generations to come. I remain hopeful that someday I will be able to continue pursuing my dreams at Pentacle Theatre.
Thank you in advance for your support. May you have the brightest of holidays during this very unusual year.
Sincerely,
Brandon Gitchel
P.S. You can make the President’s Challenge a success either by sending in your tax-deductible donation in the enclosed envelope or by making a secure donation to PentacleTheatre.org. Thank you again for your generosity.
