Maryland Ensemble Theatre Holds Bowl-A-Thon to Raise Funds for New Venue Today

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET), Frederick's largest producing non-profit theatre will be holding a Bowl-A-Thon at Terrace Lanes today, April 26 to benefit their ongoing Capital Campaign to raise funds for a second performance venue. The Bowl-A-Thon will provide a fun activity for the whole family to participate in that will help the MET better serve its students and patrons. MET will cover the costs of all the bowling, food and drinks and is looking forward to enjoyable afternoon at the lanes that will include prizes for the top earners.

The Bowl-A-Thon is open to all participants who collect pledges. Bowlers can collect per pin pledges or flat donations of any denomination and will bowl two games beginning at 1pm today, April 26 at Terrace Lanes located at 12 W. College Terrace in Frederick. Bowlers must RSVP by April 24th to Lorrie Lee at the MET at 301-694-4744 or llee@marylandensemble.org to reserve their space and receive the pledge forms.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre incorporated and began producing full seasons of theatre in 1997, and since 2003 has performed and operated out of the lower level of the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street. Currently MET occupies roughly 12,000 square feet which encompasses the performance venue, the administrative offices, a classroom, a rehearsal area and the backstage area including dressing rooms, scene shop and storage. Recently the Maryland Ensemble Theatre signed a new six-year lease extension with the FSK that included 1,700 square feet of space previously occupied by Volunteer Frederick. Every year the MET produces over 200 events including thought-provoking theater, fun family entertainment, theater camps and classes, artist residency programs for public schools, and dozens of special events. The new performance venue will primarily serve the MET's educational programing, providing the family theatre its own space and classrooms for the Ensemble School and Fun Camps but will also host additional MET programming including The Comedy Pigs and shows produced by ensemble members under the MET-X banner.

Since September of 2013 the MET, led by a Capital Committee that includes Dr. Mark Pitts, Rich Haney, Tad Janes, Abby Sievers, Kai Hagan and Suzanne Beal, has raised roughly $70,000 of the $100,000 goal for the transformation of the new space into a second performance venue. Significant contributions from the Delaplaine Foundation, the George L. Shields Foundation, the Baker Foundation, and extremely generous individual donations from Dr. Mark and Shawn Pitts, Suzanne Beal, and Jim Hochadel have all contributed to the success of the campaign. Renovations are already underway and the new space is scheduled to be open for the beginning of the next season in September of 2014.

For additional information visit marylandensemble.org or call 301-694-4744.

Photo Credit: Joe Williams