December 2005                    

Dear Friend,

The Players’ Ring has been a big part of the cultural community on the Seacoast since 1992 when it was founded to provide a theatre venue and to produce original works by local playwrights.  In its history, the Ring has provided over thirty production companies with performance space, and original plays have accounted for half of the each season’s offerings.  We have always kept our ticket prices as low as possible so that the price of admission never kept anyone out of the Ring.  Even today you can still get the best seat in the house for only $10.

Many of you know that our historic Marcy Street building is owned by the City of Portsmouth.  The agreement we have with the City to operate the Players’ Ring is simple:  the City has given us a place to create and we have to do the rest.  The Players’ Ring is in the midst of a major transition to ensure that this partnership and the future of this unique cultural institution stand on solid ground.

In the last year, the Players’ Ring has:

• Added three new members to our board
• Completed handicap-access projects through the United Way Day of Caring with the tremendous help of volunteers from Seabrook Station
• Partnered with Art-Speak, the City Cultural Commission, to help us define and promote our mission
• Obtained an in-kind donation from Northern Utilities for the installation of a gas-conversion line

We are actively seeking grants for operating costs and capital improvement projects.  Support from our Friends and local theatre community is important to illustrate the importance of the Players’ Ring.  We need your support to cover immediate needs, such as a gas furnace, and to help us qualify for grants in 2006.  We hope, therefore, that you will include the Ring in your 2005 year-end charitable contributions or your 2006 New Year contributions.

Support is illustrated in two ways:  Total dollars raised and the number of patrons who give.  Ask yourself what the Ring means to you: the price of two tickets, five tickets, or more?  We ask you to make a contribution in any amount, knowing that you are helping to support the future success of the Players’ Ring.

Sincerely,

The Players’ Ring Board of Directors

To send us your donation, please print out this page, fill in your information and send them to:

The Players’ Ring

105 Marcy St.

Portsmouth, NH  03801-4617

Yes, I would like to contribute to the future of the Players’ Ring.  Enclosed is my check for:

Gift amount:  $20________   $50________  $100________  $200________  Other___________

Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:_________________________________________________________________

Email Address:  ________________________________________________________________

Employer matching:  Yes______

Employer Name and Address: _____________________________________________________  ____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Players’ Ring Tax ID Number:  02-0458732

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 603-436-8123 or player@playersring.org