HELP US THRIVE IN OUR SECOND CENTURY!

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$1 million ensures an exciting future for the Barre Opera House.

Very little has changed since the Opera House was first built in 1899. It is a unique piece of living history. The Barre Opera House is a source of community pride and a tribute to our city’s colorful heritage.

The Opera House has a history of fiscal responsibility. We reliably land in the black each year, and generate enough revenue to sustainably support our programming.

But since our last capital campaign 25 years ago, half a million visitors have walked through our doors. That capital campaign included the addition of a

new lobby, dressing rooms, box office and elevator, making the building handicap accessible. Smaller projects have been completed since then, but now the Opera House needs
major renovations, plus upgraded technology so we can continue to attract top talent.

We must be responsible caretakers of our remarkable theater, and make sure the Opera House continues to make Barre proud. Won’t you join us? With your help, we will launch another generation of performances and events that continue to make our community an amazing place to live.

HELP US KEEP THE ARTS IN THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY

When You Donate to the Barre Opera House, You...

Bring top-notch shows to Central Vermont. In the last ten years, we’ve dramatically expanded our programming to include 18-20 main stage performances, a student matinee series and an ambitious summer youth theater program. We estimate 25,000 visitors attend each season.

Help kids shine through theater and music. Our youth summer theater camps attract around 100 campers from 8-10 communities each year. Last year, two performances of our production camp drew over 400 attendees for each show!

Give kids an opportunity to experience live performances. Our student matinee series attracts schoolchildren from throughout central Vermont and beyond. As with our theater program, all kids are admitted, regardless of ability to pay.

Contribute to a thriving downtown Barre. The Opera House serves as an economic driver for area businesses
– according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity Calculator, we generate over $1.25M in annual spending. Our shows help keep downtown restaurants, hotels, and bars busy.

Preserve a one-of-a-kind historic gem. Wendy Waszut-Barrett, a top expert in theater restoration, says

“You and your Board are stewards of a very important opera house in the United States. Your theatre is significant within the framework of American theatre history.”