The 22nd annual “Pitch In” put on by the Friends of the Concord City Auditorium from Aug. 20 to 22 will get the historic municipal theater ready for its 108th year as the home of Concord's community-based arts and entertainment. Pitch In crew chief Joye Olson makes a long to-do list and checks it off with the help of the 100 or so very good Friends of the Audi who just show up and pitch in every August.
The crews work in partnership with the city, working on projects planned with Public Properties Superintendent Harry Dangora and his staff. This year special attention will be given to the stage and orchestra floors, with the theater curtains getting a thorough vacuuming. The Friends will purchase and install equipment to upgrade stage lighting, archive the theatre's show records, and firm up plans to refurbish the seats.
Volunteers who participate annually say the project is fun, a true community-building event with a barn-raising spirit. Running from 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m. daily, the sessions always start with light breakfast or supper. Then crews form and the projects begin, with a job available to suit every skill and interest. The Audi's large mailing announcing the fall season's schedule will be assembled at the Monday morning session with help from RSVP.
The volunteers' maintenance labor helps hold down the city's costs of operating the Audi (and our taxes), which in turn helps lower production costs and ticket prices. Result: more than 100 public events each season that stay affordable and accessible to everyone. It's a Win-Win-Win!
In the theater spirit, The Friends guarantee dramatic working conditions, an interesting cast of characters, roles for stars and chorus, no heavy lifting, air conditioning, absolutely no pay, and a chance to earn a “Sweat Equity” card.
