Theatre group Franklin Players cues for your assistance
After a break-in at their premises, the non-profit is seeking assistance to help keep its spotlight shining bright.
Franklin Players, a community theatre group, is in great need of your assistance. This, following a recent break-in at the Roosevelt Park Recreational Centre where they are based and which saw damages to equipment they use to put on their shows.
The group’s chairperson, Soné Pieterse, said despite their efforts to maintain security measures, perpetrators managed to gain access to the premises, resulting in the theft of valuable equipment and vandalism of their theatre space. Costs of repairs and new equipment exceed the non-profit’s current capabilities and hence, they desperately need assistance from the community.
This theatre group has called the recreational centre home for the past 62 years, and as Pieterse described, has been enriching the community’s cultural landscape and contributing to the collective identity of the neighbourhood.
“Community theatres like Franklin Players play a vital role in fostering creativity, cultural expression, and social connection within the community. They provide a platform for local artists and performers to showcase their talents, offer accessible and affordable entertainment options for residents, and serve as inclusive spaces where individuals from all walks of life can come together to experience the transformative power of the arts,” she said.
Pieterse added that people should feel compelled to support Franklin Players because of the invaluable contributions they make to the community. As she sees it, through their investment in the theatre company, individuals are not only helping to sustain their operations, but also ensure that the arts remain accessible to all members of society, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The community can be of service in various ways – you can volunteer your time and skills to assist with aspects of operations; make monetary donations to help cover the costs, or simply by spreading the word about upcoming performances and events.
Knowing the community is rallying behind them in their time of need would be incredibly uplifting for the team. “It would reinforce our sense of purpose and reaffirm our belief in the power of collective action to overcome adversity.”
Details: Soné Pieterse 081 357 3669.
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