Answers to your Questions

What having Upstage at the Opera House could provide:

• With both an arts and events management background, the Upstage team is the most equipped local entity to forward community arts and Culture at the Opera House.  Our team also has expertise in working with youth as well as nonprofit management.  All of these skills will provide the most well rounded, community driven approach to the programming and events at the Littleton Opera House.
• Expansion of arts and cultural events at the Opera House will continue to bring commerce to Littleton, drawing patrons to the area who patronize other local businesses.  An active arts scene also improves the quality of life in the region making Littleton a more attractive place for new and young families to settle. 
• Upstage will have an increased investment in the wellbeing and future of the opera house as the venue itself is key to the theatre group’s operations. 
• Upstage will provide an artistic hub offering educational programming, classic entertainment and new works to provide entertainment, community building, and education to the members of our town while bringing people in from all over the region to participate in events. 
• At least a ten year commitment to developing the arts & culture in this community.

 
On financial impact:

• Taxpayers annual taxes are expected to be reduced by this agreement.
• Through several warrant articles, the towns annual financial need at the opera house has increased in the past few years to nearly $95,000 for improvements to the building as well as operating costs.  The town responsibilities to the building as its owner and landlord have been preliminarily estimated at approximately $30,000 in the first year and approximately $20,000 - $25,000 in subsequent years.  This significant financial reduction will save the town approximately $75,000 annually.
• As a tenant of a town owned building, Upstage has worked with the town management to ensure a plan where Upstage and the town share responsibilities appropriately for the long-term care of the historic facility.  Like most lease agreements, the town will remain responsible for the shell of its building and important safety systems, while Upstage will be responsible for the interior spaces it operates.  The town and Upstage will also hold individual insurances as required which is an expense for both parties.

On refurbishment and improvement:

• Over the last several years, the town management and the Opera House Commission have worked hard to save the opera house and restore it to its original glory, Upstage plans to continue their important work.
• In addition to committing to maintaining the building in its current state.  Upstage intends to seek grants and private donations to continue to make improvements to the opera house.  These improvements will include items such as contributing significantly to grants the town has obtained for better lighting and sound equipment, rehearsal space, dressing rooms, stage rigging, access, storage, media abilities, storage space, additional performance space, etc. 
• Upstage believes in the value of the opera house as a historic entity and does not intend to detract from the important historic look and value of the opera house.  Any changes made to the building have to be approved by the department of historic sites and the town management. 

On the Opera House’s Community Status:

• As a Community Theatre and an arts organization, Upstage Players is looking to be the stewards of the Opera House to ensure that the programming being offered provides community/cultural enrichment and provides a high quality/varied experience.
• Town usage: all current town meetings and gatherings will remain at the opera house.
• Upstage usage: Upstage will continue to schedule its current programming at the opera house, expanding to more programs as time and budget allows.  This will allow more opportunity for the community to participate in or attend productions.
• Community usage: The community will continue to be encouraged to book the opera house for private functions as the calendar allows through Upstage instead of the town.  Upstage has no desire to change this element at the opera house as the community events provide income to keep the building running and an opportunity for people to be in the space and become aware of upcoming performance functions. 
• Tourism Usage: The Opera House is an important cultural stop in the town for both locals and tourists.  People like to come in and see the historic venue, visit the museum and use the rest rooms.  Upstage understands the importance of this and welcomes this practice to continue.  Upstage’s main office will move into the Opera House and be open more often than the current town office runs in the building providing more time for visitors.