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About this project
For the first 50 years of operation The Rogers Theater was one of the most influential forces shaping the lives of those living in Shelby, North Carolina. 650 people would line up on a regular basis and impatiently wait for the front doors to open. From its debut with “Love on the Run” with Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, and then “Gone With the Wind” & “The Wizard of Oz” to “Billy Jack” & “Grease”, rarely could you find an empty seat. Children’s matinees for 5 bottle caps were no less crowded.
Unfortunately the last 25 years have not been so gracious to The Rogers Theater. This amazing 1936 art deco architectural masterpiece has been empty and waiting for its return.
Recently purchased by Historic Preservation Specialist and Contractor, Gary Kulas. The Rogers Theater has begun to awaken. Using every effort to avoid the word “demolition”. Mr. Kulas explains the process to “delicately and respectfully remove” all the components that were in need of replacement or that just could no longer be used in the theater’s future plan of operation. “The restoration of The Rogers Theater will be as historically accurate as possible, while using every available aspect of modern technology”.
We plan to use the funds gathered here on kickstarter.com to be used as “matching funds” for federal and state grants received to restore The Rogers Theater. In other words, every dollar raised from kickstarter.com will do 2 or even 3 dollars worth of restoration.
The initial focus of our restoration from this point forward will be on the exterior front of the theater. Restoring the entrance back to its 1936 design of glass and aluminum with a centrally located ticket booth. The marquee is also in need of a lot of TLC. Then focusing on the lobby and all immediate visuals upon entering. We need to concentrate on “first impressions” in order to get as much bang for every dollar and prep the theater for future investors and traditional financing if necessary.
An intricate mosaic tile floor is planned for the lobby of The Rogers Theater. The lobby floor is designed for 20 “Stars” like those of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. These 32” Stars are available as an incentive to contributors. Many other incentives are being offered depending on the size of the contribution.
Knowing that the act of operating a non-first run movie house is rarely a profitable business, The Rogers Theater Building is being designed as 2 separate businesses. The 1st is a 300 + seat Multi-Purpose Performing Arts Center & Banquet Facility. The main level of the theater will be used from everything from Cinema, Live Theater, Live Dinner Theater, Music Venue, Comedy, Cabaret, Banquet Center and Wedding Receptions. A substantial contribution can be rewarded with future use of the facility, as well as other incentives. The restoration plans also include a 110 seat, multi-level, fine dining restaurant in what was the balcony area of the theater. The Balcony Restaurant will be meticulously designed with art deco flare, right down to every detail including staff attire and the live music streaming from the baby grand piano. The superior cuisine combined with the ambiance and décor will attract repeat diners from Asheville, Charlotte and beyond. Your contribution could make you one of our front-of-the-line VIP’s
In addition to the finest in quality entertainment, and a first class banquet facility. We plan to make the Performing Arts Center available to the people of Shelby, NC. for any worthy cause or event. This will be a place for the community to celebrate and be proud. The youth, elderly, special needs and charitable organizations are all welcome to experience the grandeur or The Rogers Theater. It is our goal to compliment life in Shelby, and never complicate life in Shelby. We also have promotional plans to create shopping incentives that will encourage tourism and re-establish Shelby as a destination. We want the entire Historic Uptown District to benefit from the rebirth of The Rogers Theater.
If you’re like many people with fond memories of growing up in Shelby and attending The Rogers Theater, but you’ve since moved away and don’t see yourself coming back often enough to enjoy all the incentives that you’d be receiving as a contributor. You can always transfer the incentives to a friend, relative, or whomever. Your potential use of the Banquet Facility can be gifted to someone that is soon to be married. Or, your recipient will think of you every time they dine at The Balcony Restaurant and walk past those waiting to be seated. Or, your Star on the Walk of Fame can be in honor of a dear friend. The options are endless and we are negotiable.
Your donation will be sent to 'Status Ante Quo' (the way things were). A North Carolina 501 (c) 3 non profit. Every cent received through kickstarter.com will be sent directly to The rogers Theater for its restoration. Your donation is tax deductible.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me by email at: rogerstheater@aol.com and please visit our web site at: www.rogerstheatershelby.com
Gary Kulas
The Rogers Theater
Project location: Shelby, NC
13
Backers
$690
pledged of $24,000 goal
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$10 Minimum Pledge
Our unending appreciation, a heart felt "Thank You", and the pride in knowing that you were a part of it all.
4 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift, your name will be mentioned as a "Rogers Theater Supporter" in the program book at the rededication ceremony. You'll also receive 2 "I saved The Rogers Theater" window decals for your home or auto.
2 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift, your name will be mentioned as a "Rogers Theater Supporter" in the program book at the rededication ceremony. 4 window decals, and a four day advance ticket purchase opportunity for all theater performances for the first year.
2 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift, your name will be mentioned as a "Rogers Theater Supporter" in the program book at the rededication ceremony. 4 window decals. Four day advance ticket purchase opportunity for the first year, and 2 free tickets to any select performance during the first year.
5 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift, your name will be mentioned as a "Rogers Theater Supporter" in the program book at the rededication ceremony. 4 window decals. 2 "I saved The Rogers" T-shirts. 4 free tickets to any select performance(s) at The Rogers Theater during the first year. and four day advance ticket purchase opportunity during the first year.
0 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift, your name will be mentioned as a "Rogers Theater CORNERSTONE supporter" in the program book at the rededication ceremony and all program books for the first year of operation. 4 window decals. 4 "I saved The Rogers" T-Shirts. 8 free tickets to any select performance(s), and four day advance ticket purchase opportunity for the first 2 years.
0 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift, you'll receive all of the rewards of the above $500.00 contibution plus; Verbal aknowledgement with 'stand up - take a bow' at the rededication ceremony, Your name engraved in a brass plaque as a "Main Supporter" and displayed in the lobby of the theater.
0 BACKERs
Contributions can be rewarded with use of the facility for Fundraising, Banquets, concerts for profit or charity, etc. You can reserve the 300 seat Performing Arts Center for yourself or gift it to someone, or to a charity as a tax deduction. You can also make contributions to The Rogers Theater through the non-profit of "Status Ante Quo" as a tax deduction. Email to rogerstheater@aol.com for details. If you have any other ideas as to want you might like from The Rogers Theater in exchange for a contribution, we are open to discussion. If you are a business and would like to market your product or services, please contact us.
0 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift you'll receive all the rewards of a "Main Supporter" listed above. Plus you'll recieve; A STAR in our mosaic Walk of Fame, 8 annual complimentary tickets each year for the first 4 years (32 total), Your name on the brass plaque as a "Capital Supporter" and displayed in the theater lobby.
0 BACKERs
With this tax deductible gift you'll receive all the rewards of the above "Capital Supporter". Plus you'll receive: Your STAR in the Walk of Fame, 12 annual complimentary tickets to any event for the first 4 years (48 total), And VIP seating, front-of-the-line seating and 25% discount whenever attending the Balcony Restaurant. You will be aknowledged as a "Keystone Supporter" in all printed material, verbally and 'stand up - take a bow' at the rededication ceremony, and on the brass plaque in the theater lobby.
0 BACKERs
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