Statements
Mission
Senior Center for the Arts/The Larry Keeton Theatre has the sole purpose of creating opportunities in the arts for all members of the community.
Background
Senior Center for the Arts, d.b.a. The Larry Keeton Theatre (SCA/TLKT), produces stellar quality community dinner theatre, musicals, plays, concerts, classes, summer camp and other events. SCA/TLKT provides volunteer opportunities for people of all ages on stage and off as performers, creative crew, kitchen crew, serving crews, and audience members. SCA/TLKT is an employment resource for creatives as we contract production talent in the areas of director, stage manager, music director, costumer, set designer/builder, light design/engineer, sound design/engineer, dining room manager, and kitchen manager. We practice nontraditional, inter-generational, and diverse casting and are pleased that our audience is beginning to reflect the rich diversity of our community. We strive to develop new programs while amplifying old ones to better serve our volunteer performers, production crews, house staff, center members, and patrons. SCA/TLKT has the luxury of possessing an in-house costume shop, set build/storage shop, and props shop filled to the brim with materials and resources. These resources allow us to support arts in our community by 1. Loaning costumes/prop/set pieces to zero and underfunded scholastic drama programs from elementary schools to colleges (Belmont University, Hickman Elementary, East End Prep Charter, Metro Parks Theatre Dept. etc.) and 2. Barter for program ad space and/or nominally charge other nonprofit theatres in Middle Tennessee for performances. We seek local youth and adult arts and civic groups to volunteer as servers, ushers, and kitchen support during our productions as a means to fund raise for their organizations. We offer our facility gratis, when available, to Metro Nashville Government as a community meeting space, and we operate as a rental venue for parties, weddings, etc., for nominal fees at competitive prices compared to similar venues. SCA/TLKT provides training in performing arts and technical creative skills (lights, sound, set, costuming) to volunteers and contractors of all ages and abilities. We offer community members opportunities to participate in the arts as enthusiasts, hobbyists, retired pros, wood-shedding pros, young artists in training, devoted season ticket holders, new audience recruits, and as community sponsors for a graduated perks package. We are a full-service, highly reputable dinner theatre in the heart of Donelson serving Middle Tennessee.
Impact
SCA/TLKT's 2018-2019 Season is in progress. So far this season, SCA/TLKT produced Steel Magnolias, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and A Christmas Carol: The Musical. We are presently in rehearsals for our March/April production of Sister Act and will be closing out our season with The Wizard of Oz in June of 2019. SCA/TLKT began its 5th Season of the LKLIVE Music Series, featuring Jennifer Bruce & The Nine, in March 2019. We will host Songwriters in the Round in April 2019 and The Lynn Beal Big Band in May 2019. Keeton Kids Performing Arts Camp is scheduled May 28 - June 7th with the campers being added into the summer production of The Wizard of Oz running June 13th through 29th. GOALS: SCA/TLKT is currently undergoing long-range strategic planning. SCA/TLKT will continue to subsidize tickets to over 400 volunteers, students, seniors, under-served community members, and actors in addition to providing scholarships to summer camp. SCA/TLKT will produce five to six main-stage productions for more than 8,000 attendees while increasing our season ticket holders and audience numbers. SCA/TLKT will feature notable and famous local and regional artists in our LKLIVE Concert Series. SCA/TLKT will continue providing volunteer and fundraising opportunities to area youth arts education/service organizations and local adult civic clubs. SCA/TLKT will continue to be a source for materials for outside production organizations and schools. SCA/TLKT will increase rentals to generate additional income.
Needs
Assistance with year-round operating funding is needed to contract shop stewards/managers to organize, catalog, and oversee rentals for our huge costume, props, and set shops. In addition, funding is needed to hire professional Teaching Artists to recruit/facilitate/direct shows for our over 50 troupe, The Prime Time Players. Gifts for general operating expenses are always welcome, and the SCA/TLKT would like funds to reward actors with small honorariums, stipends, and/or gas cards. We also need volunteers in the box office, kitchen, shops, backstage, onstage, etc.
CEO Statement
Since stepping into the role of Senior Center for the Arts (TLKT) Administrator in September 2013, my love of this "homegrown community theatre that could" has multiplied many times over. To be a part of such a community and family- minded theatre is a privilege. We are inter-generational and pride ourselves in that The Larry Keeton Theatre is a training ground where young future professionals hone their amateur skills, recreational performers of all ages feed their theatre habit, and retired pros play for the sheer fun of being back "on the boards." Enthusiastic patrons, both seasoned and new, are offered the opportunity to see professional quality productions at highly affordable prices. With season tickets for six full productions with dinner costing only $150, The Larry Keeton Theatre is the best ticket in town! Continuing this year is our fantastic LKLIVE Music Series that is serving an even broader audience in our Donelson -Hermitage community. We would love to share with you personally all of the wonderful ways your generosity can help Senior Center for the Arts and The Larry Keeton Theatre. For a conversation and/or a guided tour, please call 615.231.1231. "An absolute delight...' The Tennessean: 'I invite you to come see what everyone is talking about".
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Performing Arts Centers |
| Secondary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Performing Arts |
| Tertiary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Arts Education |
Areas Served
Primarily Davidson County with particular connections to the Donelson, Hermitage, Old Hickory, East Nashville, Madison, Antioch, and Mt.Juliet areas of Middle Tennessee
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
