October 7, 2007 

Dear Artesia Community Theatre Patron: 

Thank you so much for supporting our productions and Ocotillo fundraising events during this past year.  We hope each of you found the time to attend at least one of our performances.  Time flies quickly when you’re having fun and it is once again time to invite you to continue your support by renewing your membership, or perhaps becoming an ACT member for the first time.  

Please keep in mind, although Artesia Community Theatre is a very active member organization of the Artesia Arts Council, Inc., we are self-sufficient in the fact that we use only the funds we generate through performances, memberships and patrons to fund our future productions, pay storage costs and purchase needed equipment.  We do not ask for nor receive any part of the AAC yearly dues.  We continue to have a wonderful working relationship with the AAC on many projects to help promote theatre and the arts in our community and look forward to maintaining this relationship throughout the coming years.  We are glad to announce that the time when we will have a season ticket for you is approaching quickly as the renovation activities at the Ocotillo advance – next year, maybe? 

As we stated earlier, it is time for our annual membership drive.  We are coming to you today seeking your monetary support of our productions and programs through various patron classifications.  Membership cards will be issued to all who pay ACT membership fees and receipts issued for our patrons’ bookkeeping purposes.  All members are allowed – and encouraged – to attend and vote during all ACT meetings and will receive the “ACT News” newsletter either by email or snail mail.  There are also email notices reminding members of upcoming auditions and productions of the ACT, updates on the Ocotillo renovation and other events of interest such as Theatre New Mexico meetings, area theater activities and American Association of Community Theatre events.

 Special fundraising events have occurred during the last years that were open to all ACT and AAC members and patrons – a special “Denim & Diamonds” kickoff reception, an Italian dinner at the Holmes’, a Hawaiian Luau at the Lorang “Resort”, a BBQ at the Shuman’s, a nostalgic trip back to the ‘40s through our Stage Door Canteen, the Spring Tea, Razin’ the Roof – with all proceeds going directly into the Ocotillo’s Building Fund.  Our plans are to continue to work with the AAC to offer such uniquely special events such as the upcoming Medieval Feaste on November 17, 2007.   

For the 2007-2008 season, you will be treated to comedy, drama, mystery and mayhem:  The Medieval Feaste, an Ocotillo Fundraiser in November, Murder, Mayhem & Mardi Gras, our bienniel dinner theater in February, a musical in April and Brown Bags in June. 

Although the Artesia Community Theatre has a separate bank account and we are self-sufficient because we use only the funds in that account to fund our productions, we are still officially a division of the Artesia Arts Council.  Our account is listed as Artesia Arts Council, Inc., Artesia Community Theatre and uses the AAC’s non-profit number for identification.  As such, your memberships and donations are still considered tax deductible as applicable.  Just fill out the enclosed form and return to be included in the next production program. 

Thank you, again, for your support throughout the years.  With your support and continued attendance, we hope to bring you many more quality theatre productions for many years to come!