Performing Arts Center Eastside

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From: Kent Phillips, Managing and Artistic Director, Bellevue Civic Theatre

Bellevue Civic Theatre

[ website ]

Dick Collins
PACE
855 106th. Ave NE.
Suite 150
Bellevue, WA 98004

Dear PACE:

This letter is in support of the PACE Performing Arts Theatre designed to serve audiences on the Eastside. Bellevue Civic Theatre, the largest professional theatre company in Bellevue and second largest company on the Eastside, believes PACE will be a huge benefit to the arts community for several reasons:

  1. The seating size will allow larger Broadway style productions to be produced on the Eastside. This will attract thousands of theatre patrons. Those Eastside patrons will then be exposed to other Eastside arts groups, like ours, and all will benefit.
  2. A large center will add focus and credibility to the Eastside arts scene. It will form the foundation of a vibrant theatre and arts community.
  3. Bellevue Civic Theatre may directly benefit by using the facility in cooperation with other theatre groups to produce larger shows, possibly during the holidays. These local productions, using local professionals, would have Broadway style sets and lights. This can only be achieved in venues with 1500 seats or more. The economics of such a production in a small house does not work.
  4. Even if Bellevue Civic Theatre doesn't lease the space, the impact on our organization
  5. will be positive. The thousands that attend PACE programs may want to sample smaller style shows "just up the street." The marquee value of this project will act as a magnet for theatre on the Eastside.
  6. Finally, Bellevue Civic Theatre may work with PACE to create packages for our season tickets holders that could include larger shows in this new facility, a benefit to both companies.

This is just the beginning of the possibilities once the Performing Arts Center is open. The economic impact would be huge for non-arts groups like restaurants and local shops. A recent study showed the economic impact of Bellevue Civic Theatre to the community is around 1.5 million dollars a year. That is with 15,000 patrons a year. Imagine the impact when the number of patrons is multiplied by a factor of 10 or 20. PACE makes sense for the arts community and the business community ... period! You have the full support of Bellevue Civic Theatre.

Kent Phillips
Managing and Artistic Director
Bellevue Civic Theatre
206-404-4332