The Hardin County Playhouse has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for a new home. The crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe has a goal of $100,000.
The playhouse has been in Hardin County for 47 years. It’s been at its current location at the Historic State Theater in downtown Elizabethtown for 10 years.
Artistic Director Bo Cecil says the playhouse got notice in July that its rent was going to double.
“That, of course, was a big shock right there. And so we responded with, ‘Could we negotiate something else?’ But they did not want to do so. And so, they then they told us they were still going to double the rent, but they were also now not going to renew our lease," said Cecil. "So it was a bit of a predicament.”
The playhouse is researching options for buying or renovating a property. The lease for the current location expires in August. Cecil says the theater isn’t sure yet whether it will buy or renovate a building.
“We’re trying to work with the city of Elizabethtown to figure out a way the playhouse can stay in the downtown area," said Cecil. "Elizabethtown, in the last several years, has been experiencing a revitalization of the downtown area. So we believe that an entertainment organization, such as the playhouse, would bring in a lot of business for the other local businesses.”
The playhouse launched its GoFundMe campaign on Oct. 19. As of Oct. 23, the GoFundMe campaign has raised $775 from five donations, ranging from $25to $500.