The Footlight Club is in the middle of a major fundraising campaign after being told by the Boston Fire Department the theater must immediately replace all of its seats.
The Footlight Club is now working in partnership to update the theater to BFD requirements, according to a Footlight Club spokesperson.
http://www.footlight.org
The Footlight Club is the country's oldest community theater.
The Footlight Club, located at 7A Eliot Street, just celebrated its 139th anniversary on Jan. 4th and has already been fundraising for two years to replace its fire alarm, emergency lighting and sprinkler systems. And they have raised $180,000 thanks to donations and a $90,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council Facilities Fund.
Photo by Heather Jaskot for The Footlight Club
Interior of Eliot Hall Theater.
But in a December email request to Friends of the Footlight Club, the new updates needed for the country's oldest community theater, were highlighted.
"Unfortunately, the Boston Fire Department has just ordered us to replace all the seats in the theater immediately. The initial estimate for this is more than $400 per seat - with a total estimated cost of up to $200,000 to replace all the seats and risers."
Donations to support and preserve the home of The Footlight Club can be provided by making a contribution at Footlight.org or by mailing a check to The Footlight Club, 7A Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, Mass. 02130.