George M. Harvin of Henderson, left, sits with Tommy Deadwyler, director of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, at the arts and education facility on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson. Harvin has “taken” several seats in the McGregor Hall “Take-A-Seat” Campaign to honor his family and show community support. The center is seeking donations to secure the programming to attract patrons and to meet start-up facility needs as the inaugural year of the hall takes shape.
The Performing Arts Center at McGregor Hall wants you to “leave your mark and ‘Take a Seat.’”
In addition to purchasing tickets for events in the new performing arts center, patrons are being given the opportunity to leave a lasting impression by naming a seat in honor or memory of individuals, groups, businesses and organizations.
“The completion of the Performing Arts Center at McGregor Hall marks an important milestone for our region,” said Tommy Deadwyler, director of the new arts and education center located in Henderson at 201 Breckenridge Street. “We have created the Take-A-Seat campaign to provide an opportunity for area citizens and organizations to mark their place in history on this important landmark.
“Soon our new center will have brass markers on each of the 997 seats in the hall with the names of those who have demonstrated their love of the arts.”
A gift or pledge of $1,000 secures the lasting tribute, noted John Wester, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation (ECCF).
“We started the Take-A-Seat campaign soon after our doors opened,” Wester said. “The heavy lifting has been done by some generous donors to get our beautiful new facility in operation. Start-up funding is needed now to help us secure the programming for 2016-2017 to attract patrons and meet ongoing facility needs.
“Already dozens are getting on board with Take-A-Seat to help us make this exciting new venture an immediate success. Already we have some individuals who want to remember family members with a memorial plate,” Wester added. “Businesses and civic organizations also are seeing this as a way to show their support and creating a lasting tribute for their entity.”
Wester added that the gift to the Hall is a meaningful way to mark a birthday, anniversary or holiday. Special gift acknowledgment letters are sent to persons who are specified.
Among those who have shown their support is George M. Harvin of Henderson, who has “taken” several seats.
“I want to remember my family and I want to show appreciation to the community,” Harvin said. “Those are the basic reasons, but this is also a fun thing. This is a really positive accomplishment for our town and I certainly want it to succeed.
“There’s the obvious fact that it is renovating and revitalizing downtown,” he added. “It’s also a show of pride in the community. That’s the biggest thing.”
“McGregor Hall belongs to all of the communities surrounding its central location in Henderson,” added Deadwyler. “We are seeing support grow from beyond Vance County’s borders to bring in friends from Granville, Franklin and Warren counties as well as Mecklenburg County, Virginia, and beyond.
“Contributions to McGregor Hall’s ‘Take-A-Seat’ campaign are welcomed from all individuals and organizations who will be enjoying the events our new theater is able to offer,” Deadwyler said.
“At every event, donors will have the pleasure of knowing their generosity has made it possible for someone else to experience the unique joy of entertainment, understanding and self-discovery that comes only with the performing arts available to our communities.”
For those who wish to make installments to make the contribution, the donation can be spread over four payments within the scope of a year. Credit card payments are accepted.
A brochure is available from McGregor Hall with more details on the project, and additional information and a pledge form are available on the web at www.mcgregorhall.org. Forms and payment information should be mailed to the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, the Performing Arts Center at McGregor Hall, P.O. Box 1333, Henderson, NC 27536.
Questions can be directed to Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or info@mcgregorhall.org or James Edwards, ECCF board treasurer, at (252) 213-8221 or jamesdedwards@gmail.com.
Image Information: George M. Harvin of Henderson, left, sits with Tommy Deadwyler, director of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, at the arts and education facility on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson. Harvin has “taken” several seats in the McGregor Hall “Take-A-Seat” Campaign to honor his family and show community support. The center is seeking donations to secure the programming to attract patrons and to meet start-up facility needs as the inaugural year of the hall takes shape.