Left to right: GSLCF Directors Bob Rouleau and Carolyn Leneway, GSLCF President Richard Hawkes, SLCT President Greg Posniack, GSLCF Secretary Cheryl Ravenscroft, GSLCF Director Louis Baca
Carolyn Holmes-Leneway
The Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation has awarded the Sun Lakes Community Theatre (SLCT) a grant totaling $3,200 to ensure that the “set-up” and “tear-down” that is required for SLCT’s three main performances per year can be done efficiently and safely without injury to their senior members. The intent of the grant funding is to enable SLCT to hire outside helpers for load-on and strike of the heavy performance stage sets and equipment. For each performance, the curtains, risers, poles, sets, sound equipment, lights, costumes, signage, etc., which are kept in storage buildings offsite, must be loaded onto a rented truck, transported to the venue, unloaded, and set up in a very limited timeframe. At the conclusion of the show, the reverse must take place. In the past, SLCT volunteers have accomplished this but are finding that the heavy lifting is a much greater challenge than can be done safely by seniors.
SLCT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing accessible and affordable live theater performances for the Sun Lakes community. The actors, directors, technicians, and support staff are all volunteers who present three main stage productions each year (spring, summer, and fall) at the Cottonwood and Oakwood ballrooms, that range from comedies to Broadway plays, to serious dramas, and dinner-theater. They have also revived their comedy troupe The ImproVables, which perform throughout our Sun Lakes communities.
The Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation is entering its sixth year as a charitable 501(c)(3) foundation serving the Sun Lakes community. During the past five years, The Foundation has raised and disseminated grants in excess of $250,000 in support of local organizations, clubs, and other charitable groups, such as Neighbors Who Care, AFMA Fire & Medical Authority Stations 231 and 232 Firefighters Food Fund, Sun Lakes Community Theatre, The Perfect Place – Adult Day Services, etc., all of which provide services, activities, and opportunities for our senior population.