SCR gets major challenge grant

Young Chang

COSTA MESA -- They were there from day one, when South Coast Repertory

built its permanent Costa Mesa theater in 1978.

A decade later, the Kresge Foundation gave another grant, this time

for SCR’s construction of a second stage.

On Tuesday, the foundation continued to support the repertory with a

$750,000 challenge grant for its expansion and endowment campaign, called

“SCR: The Next Stage.”

Once campaign leaders raise $2 million, the foundation will contribute

$750,000 to SCR’s expansion project, which is expected to cost $42

million. $32.8 million has been raised.

The $2 million will represent the end of SCR’s capital campaign, which

has a $24-million goal.

“Kresge has been very supportive of us over the years,” said David

Emmes, who co-founded SCR with fellow artistic director Martin Benson.

“We’re very encouraged that a national corporation like that would look

to promote the arts.”

Based in Troy, Mich., the independent, private foundation is one of

few in the country that provide capital money for construction. The

foundation aids theaters, universities, medical centers and other

businesses,

“It’s a very significant grant for us in that it challenges us in this

very public part of the campaign,” said Sue Van Gemert, the fund-raising

campaign director. “It’s designed to bring in the last gifts needed to

finish off the building.”

The grant amount will go toward the building of a new 336-seat theater

called the Judie Argyros Stage, the expansion of the current Second Stage

into a 99-seat multipurpose space, the Nicholas Studio, and a complex of

offices and classrooms within these buildings.

The project includes a remodeling of the Mainstage, to be renamed the

Segerstrom Stage, and renovations of the box office, concession areas and

restrooms.

“The Next Stage” also supports the theater’s endowment and funding for

five years of operating expenses.

Campaign leaders have until December 2002 to raise the $2 million

required for the Kresge grant.

“We’re certainly very hopeful,” Van Gemert said about meeting the

goal. “And we’re off to a good start.”