Commonweal Theatre Announces Grant Support

The Commonweal Theatre Company, located in historic downtown Lanesboro, has been the recipient of grant monies totaling nearly $50,000 during the first half of 2012. Now in its twenty-fourth season, The Commonweal continues to serve as a cultural, educational, and economic asset to the region. Currently, the non-profit theatre is in the midst of its summer repertory, featuring two plays: romantic-comedy The Philadelphia Story, and zany spy-story spoof, The 39 Steps. 

The Sons of Norway Foundation contributed $200 this past spring to help bring Professor Emeritus Errol Durbach to Lanesboro to serve as keynote speaker for Commonweal’s 15^th annual Ibsen Festival. The Preston Area Community Foundation awarded Commonweal $1,000 for the theatre’s Free County Night Program, which offers free admission for select performances to residents and employees of Fillmore or Houston County.

The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) has awarded The Commonweal $3,000 through a Small Towns Grant in support of the theatre’s upcoming production of the heartwarming drama, The Drawer Boy. This grant is in cooperation with the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc., through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Additionally, a grant from the Land O’Lakes Foundation in the amount of $5,000 has been given to the theatre in conjunction with The Drawer Boy, the Student Matinee Series, and a Hunger Drive. Patrons will receive $5 discount off a regular adult ticket to The Drawer Boy with the donation of fresh produce or a non-perishable food item brought to The Commonweal Box Office in support of local food shelves.    

The Target Corporation, because of its strong education support, granted The Commonweal $2,000 in order to remove barriers to Rochester schools and bring more Rochester area students to participate in Commonweal’s Student Matinee Series for the 2012/13 school year.

Additionally, the New York City-based Shubert Foundation contributed $15,000 to the company’s 2012 season. Established in 1945, the Foundation maintains that the most effective way to encourage the artistic process is by providing the general operating support that reinforces the structure that nurtures its development.

The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Specifically, McKnight includes as part of its mission to improve the quality of the arts in Minnesota and to improve access to the arts for all Minnesotans. In support of Commonweal’s work and contributions to the southeast Minnesota region, the McKnight Foundation has granted the theatre $25,000 this year in general operation support.

For more details, including information about schedules, tickets, and other Commonweal programs, visit www.commonwealtheatre.org or call the Box Office at (800) 657-7025.