After much consideration, the Upstage Board of Directors
has made the decision to close Upstage Theatre for Youth in Payson.
Upstage has been a great blessing to all who have taken part over the
years. We have enjoyed watching these young people grow and develop. We have enjoyed the relationships we have formed, and the people in this community have been so wonderful. We thank you all for your support.
- Securing a venue has been the single most difficult thing to overcome. Upstage has always performed at Peteetneet, which we have loved and appreciated so much. However, it has
become difficult to perform or rehearse at the Peteetneet because of steady price increases. Because the costs at Peteetneet continued to rise, we
tried to find other places to rehearse and perform. There simply are not any other ideal spaces for our youth theatre to be. Payson City runs Peteetneet. Even with our non-profit status,
the cost of the building is simply too high. The cost has gone up over 30
percent for each play over the past several years. Our last play cost 4 times more and we used the building only 1/4 of the time that we had 4 years ago. It is simply not possible for us to perform there any
longer. Our options are so limited in Payson and surrounding
areas. Our only option is the Huish, which will not be available for
years.
- Enrollment... One thing we all struggled with 10 years
ago, was making kids pay to be in an Upstage play. However, we had no
choice. We are non-profit and only wanted to have enough to keep
the program going. At this point we would be forced to raise the cost
substantially to pay for the building, storage facilities, and
insurance. To name a few. Upstage simply... grew..
Our final decision was made basically because we could not
continue to run Upstage without losing money quickly. The building costs,
and storage fees would consume the money before a new venue could be
found. We could not in good conscience raise enrollment, or loose money
just paying for storage. We were caught...
As we explored our options over the past year, our biggest concern
was to give back to the community people who have supported us so well.
We believe we have found a wonderful option.
Upstage Theatre for Youth is proud to announce the donation of our
new sound system to the non-profit Huish Performing Arts
Center. We will also be donating approximately $3,500.00 to close out our
checking account. Gordon Taylor has generously offered to match our
donation personally. That money will help to continue the amazing
transformation of this beautiful treasure here in Payson.
We are excited about this option. This building will be used
for the community and will be run by a non-profit organization who has the same
values that Upstage had, only on a larger scale. Offering quality family
entertainment, and opportunities to learn and grow. We know that our
donation will be a blessing to the people here in our city.
Upstage the name will be moving to Sandy, Utah. Our original
founder, Kerynne Vance will be running Upstage once again. Only this
time, she will be a little bit farther north. We know that company will
live on, and we are grateful that those in Sandy will have that
opportunity. We unanimously voted as a board to send the costumes, set
and props that have been saved from the many past plays with Kerynne. We
are excited for her and know that she will take great care of them. They
already have a home and a very supportive city.
We as the original Board of Directors... Michelle Fitzwater,
Dawn Garrett, Lisa Hansen, Carrie Houtz and Kerynne Vance. Would like to
thank those who came in on the operating board. Norma Barnum, Elizabeth
Couganhour, Shaelynn Meyar and Adam Cannon. We are grateful for
your help in keeping this dream alive as long as we have. We thank all
those who have directed, produced, volunteered and been involved in anyway. We are grateful for your service, and for your friendships.
Speaking for myself... Thank you to all of you. I am so grateful to have been a part of your lives. It has been a blessing to be associated with such a great cause. I am grateful for the opportunity. It has enriched my life and the lives of my family. Thank you to the Board for the wonderful friendships that I will hope to continue forever... Good Luck Kerynne... I know you will do great things...
Michelle Fitzwater
In behalf of the entire Board of Upstage Theatre for Youth
