'Give Us a Boost' Campaign to Replace Theater Seats at Prospect Park Gets Under Way by - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

'Give Us a Boost' Campaign to Replace Theater Seats at Prospect Park Gets Under Way

By ,
December 18, 2013 at 10:44am. Views: 140

The Redlands Theatre Festival and its founder and artistic director, Cliff Cabanilla, are working to replace the seats that are broken, cracked and faded in the outdoor Avice Meeker Sewell Theatre in Prospect Park, home of the popular Redlands Theatre Festival. The festival is kicking off its "Give Us a Boost" theater seat campaign to replace all the seats in the theater. "It's really amazing that they have lasted this long," said Cabanilla, who also is the founding theater instructor and former department chairman of theater at Crafton Hills College. The theater seat campaign is a great opportunity for area theatergoers, companies, clubs, trusts, civic groups and others to give the city of Redlands-owned park and theater a boost in replacing the theater seats, Cabanilla said. With a tax deductible gift of $75, a donor can purchase a seat that comes with an engraved brass plate. "People have said, 'You should charge more.' But, no, we're only charging for what it really costs (for the chair and plaque)," he said. "This is not a money making deal.' Rather than display the brass plaques on individual seats, where they will tarnish and be exposed to the elements, the plaques will be placed on display at the theater at every performance at the venue. The rest of the year the brass plaques will be protected inside and out of the weather, making sure the gifts and recognition will last decades. "We did brass plaques on the (first) seats initially but discovered they tarnish almost immediately...So we decided to do this instead," Cabanilla said. "Plaques work for indoor theaters but out in the elements they don't work. (This way) they're protected for the next 30 years." The first Theatre Seat Campaign was launched and donations came in from area groups and individuals. The effort stalled, however, needing $7,000 to complete all the new seating installation. A grant from Target pushed the effort over the top to complete the project. Since 1972, those original folding chairs and first permanent theater seats have witnessed much. During the past four decades the summer Redlands Theatre Festival has: • Produced more than 200 plays and musicals • Staged more than 1,600 performances • Featured more than 300 company members on and off stage • And entertained more than 500,000 audience members Cabanilla said the new "Give Us a Boost" campaign has already started online, with donations from theater patrons already coming in to www.RTFSeats.com. Mailers advertising the campaign are being sent out to season ticket holders as well. Now is a great time for people to give a unique Christmas gift to someone, or yourself, Cabanilla said, and also get a tax deduction at the same time for the 2013 tax year. The seat campaign continues through the new year. TO PURCHASE SEATS Go to www.RTFSeats.com Make checks payable to: Redlands Theatre Festival and send to RTF Seats, P.O. Box 8055, Redlands, CA. 92375

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Woman's Club

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

November 13, 2026 at 04:48pm. Views: 167

Join the celebration on Sunday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Richard Rollins Community Park. Come play, have fun, win prizes and help celebrate 48 years of Grand Terrace!

Photo Courtesy of: BBOP Center

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 673

BBOP Information Session The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center, an Inland Empire economic and workforce development hub and a project of Time for Change Foundation, has launched Pathways to Prosperity, its Employment Training Pathway Program (ETPP), a comprehensive workforce initiative designed to connect residents facing barriers to employment with the skills, credentials, hands-on experience and employer relationships needed to enter and advance in high-demand careers.

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino's California Theatre from 1930

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 464

Nearly a century after opening its doors, the downtown landmark remains an important connection between the city's entertainment history and its cultural future. In downtown San Bernardino, the California Theatre of the Performing Arts stands as a reminder of a time when attending a movie or live performance was one of the most anticipated social occasions in a growing Southern California city.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 434

With winter approaching, emergency officials are coordinating flood prevention, roadway maintenance and public alerts to help residents prepare for dangerous weather. A heavy rainstorm can change the landscape of San Bernardino in a matter of hours. Streets that ordinarily carry commuters and school buses can become difficult to navigate, drainage channels can fill rapidly, and neighborhoods near foothills may face increased risks from flooding and debris.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 418

A sweeping decision involving California's most serious criminal sentences has drawn strong opposition from San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, placing the county's chief prosecutor at the center of a statewide debate over justice, victims' rights and executive authority.

Photo Courtesy of: West Valley Water District

By Socorro Pantaleon, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:14am. Views: 325

Group photos of WVWD Board Members and winning students of the 2026 Poster Contest

Photo Courtesy of: CalKIDS

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:13am. Views: 508

During National Scholarship Month, families are encouraged to check their eligibility for scholarships supporting college and career training.

Photo Courtesy of: Khouri Evans-Dangerfield

By Mike Hoover. President, Inland Empire Civil War Round Table, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 324

University of Redlands student Khouri Evans-Dangerfield will examine slavery, constitutional law and the decisions that divided a nation during a free November 15 presentation at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 323

November 11 screening of acclaimed film “All We Imagine as Light” invites students and community members to experience international cinema and discussion. Films can transport audiences to places they have never visited, introduce them to unfamiliar experiences and encourage them to consider how people in different parts of the world navigate relationships, work and personal challenges.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Willam Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 330

A decision announced in Sacramento could change the sentences of hundreds of California prisoners, bringing renewed attention to the death penalty and the future of criminal punishment across the state. Governor Gavin Newsom announced November 5 that he intends to commute the death sentences of all 548 people currently sentenced to death in California.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 388

November 21 event at Olive Avenue Market will introduce residents to drought-tolerant landscaping, city rebates and the benefits of native plants. A beautiful garden does not have to depend on a large lawn or plants that require frequent watering.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:17am. Views: 265

A school announcement can contain information that changes a family's entire afternoon. A reminder about an upcoming meeting, a schedule adjustment or a message from a teacher may determine when a parent leaves work, arranges transportation or helps a child prepare for the next school day.

--> -->