Storage warehouses belonging to Amateur Theatre Society burgled
Residents are asked to report any leads on the stolen items to the chairperson of the organisation.
Storage units belonging to the Amateur Theatre Society, of which Benoni’s Protea Stage Productions is a member, and a boxing club were broken into on February 11 at Pam Brink Stadium, Springs.
According to the chairperson of the Amateur Theatre Society, Mark Worrell, they have never experienced issues of this magnitude before.
“We found that the doors were broken and the was place ransacked. Cables, and everything electrical, were taken.
We managed to erect some barricades, but it did not work.
“Thieves broke in again later that evening, and when they found nothing of value they moved to our neighbours, the boxing club,” said Worrell.
The Amateur Theatre Society has been running since 1970.
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“It is an inconvenience. We are an NPO and do not have a lot of money. It is sad and upsetting that this happened,” he said.
Bob Stone, Worrell’s predecessor, touched on the effects of crime on the organisation.
“Sadly, this is not the first time our storage facility was broken into. It will have a significant effect on our ability to put on shows,” he said.
Apart from the cables, plumbing and costumes, several theatre lights were also stolen.
“We would like to get the lights back if possible and ask any scrap merchants and pawn shops that may have received the lights to contact us,” Stone said.
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Plans to hold fundraisers are underway as the organisation looks forward to putting on productions later in the year.
“We will try to raise money any way we can to replace the stolen items and install a reliable security system. We welcome any donations that will help our cause.
“I know we are a small organisation, but we have contributed largely to the culture and communities of Springs and Benoni.
“We have had many members come and go and some have even gone so far as to become aspiring actors and actresses,” said Worrell.
If anyone has any information on the stolen items or would like to donate to the organisation, contact Worrell on 083 320 4991.
