Unique campaign launched to raise funds to help move The Theatre on King Street to larger space a few doors down
Fundraising drive to relocate to former Custom Copy store
The Theatre on King is moving and there’s a crowdfunding campaign to help get the new space in tip top shape.
It’s not moving far though – the new location is just steps away from where it is now.
The Theatre on King (TTOK) is taking over the former Custom Copy storefront on King St.
That’s just around the corner from the theatre’s current home, which is accessible through the parking lot behind Fresh Radio and The Wolf.
The new venue has room for an additional 20 seats and a higher ceiling, which allows for a stage, instead of risers.
Ryan Kerr opened the theatre in 2013.
Since then, the theatre has housed more than 400 events and had more than 3,000 audience members.
But with only 30 seats, making a profit was nearly impossible.
“It’s really hard to break even when you only have seating for 30,” Kerr said.
It’s also hard to accommodate everyone who wants to see a show.
“This way I won’t have to turn people away, which is great,” he added.
The new space will have room for 50 viewers, while still maintaining the level of intimacy TTOK is known for.
“It’s still going to be pretty intimate, the actors are going to be right there in your face.”
At TTOK, Kerr produces his own shows, in addition to renting it out.
The artistic director keeps rental costs low, so artists can afford to take risks.
“I keep the prices low so that people can afford to fail. And artists need to be allowed to fail.”
Larger venues come at a higher cost, Kerr said, which makes it difficult to dabble with a new idea when you’re worried about breaking the bank.
“So, you can actually be more creative and take bigger risks.”
To help get the new theatre space up and running, Kerr launched a GoFundMe campaign (TTOK New Home), to back some renovations.
As of Friday night, $3,425 had been raised in three days for 49 donors toward a $15,000 goal.
He’s transforming a washroom to make it accessible, upgrading his technical equipment, and purchasing new chairs, for example.
When the theatre opened five years ago, it was not only financially challenging, Kerr said, but it also took a bit of work to find the right artists and audiences.
Now TTOK is like home for many artists, though that wasn’t Kerr’s initial intention.
“I didn’t set out to create a community and I didn’t set out to create a home for artists, although that’s what is has turned out to be.”
Now that the move is around the corner, Kerr said the community has really rallied to help out, which is very humbling for him.
“I’m actually finding out now how important this space has been for people and is at this point.”
TTOK is expected to produce its inaugural production in the new space in September.
NOTE: To donate to TTOK New Home, go to www. gofundme.com/ttoknewhome