In Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood, Taproot Theatre has successfully raised over $422,000 to repair its HVAC system following vandalism that left the theater’s cooling units stripped of copper wire. The theater exceeded its initial $400,000 fundraising goal, thanks to the generosity of 1,280 individual donors.

Community Support and Quick Action

The fundraising campaign, launched on April 27, was a response to the urgent need for repairs after thieves targeted two of the theater’s three air conditioning units in late April. Without a functioning cooling system, the theater faced the possibility of canceling its summer programming, including performances and youth acting camps.

Producing Artistic Director Karen Lund expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support, stating, “We have been so deeply moved by the outpouring of support from our community, friends, and neighbors in response to this unexpected and costly need.”

Swift Repairs and Future Prevention

Taproot Theatre worked closely with the city’s Office of Construction and Permitting to expedite the HVAC project. Construction began on May 14, with new units delivered by May 18, and the system was operational by May 21. To prevent future incidents, cages have been installed around the rooftop AC units. Additionally, the theater plans to utilize Seattle’s Back to Business program to enhance building security measures.

Despite the construction, Taproot Theatre managed to continue its run of “Barefoot in the Park” without canceling any performances, demonstrating the resilience and dedication of the theater staff and community.

Original reporting: KING5 Seattle — read the source article.