Dear Morris Community,
Our beloved Morris Theatre has reached a critical point: due to many unexpected and expensive emergencies over the past several years (a leaking roof we are replacing in stages, a projector that died, a furnace that stopped working, and more), our bank account is empty.
And yet, having a movie theater in our town is important to the appeal and liveliness of our community. Films bring thought-provoking stories to us, entertain us, create opportunities for going out, and generally add vitality to Morris. Losing our theater would decrease the list of attractions we can offer to people thinking about moving here, to students considering our university, to your future employees.
The Morris Theatre Cooperative Board has been working very hard to create new pathways for revenue, including cost-cutting, sponsored film screenings, new Film Clubs (see below), new advertising processes, and a non-profit entity that is in the works that can accept charitable gifts and apply for grants (coming soon!). But we need your help!
How can YOU help get the theatre back on its financial feet? Please consider the following:
- Come to the movies and buy some concessions, as often as possible! We need more people to take advantage of our historical community theatre to pay our bills. Please grab your friends and come see a film the way they are meant to be seen: on the big screen and with a community!
- Become a member! A lifetime membership in the Morris Theatre Cooperative costs $250, which includes:
- Pride in knowing you are investing in your community!
- A one-year membership in the highest level of our new Film Clubs (see below).
- Reserve either theater for your next company workshop, birthday party, family reunion, or other gathering. We have large spaces with screens that are perfect for your gaming group, family films, presentations, or other types of gatherings.
- Sign up for one of our new Film Clubs. These are various one-year deals that include free tickets, plus reductions on other tickets, concessions, and/or theater rental prices. There are clubs at every price point, from $20 to $100. Pick up yours at the theatre today!
- Give a gift certificate (available at the theatre) or a Film Club membership to a loved one!
- Place an ad with the theatre! To do so, please contact Pat at focusscreenmedia@gmail.com
- Volunteer! We have lots of fun ways you can help, and volunteers get free shows!
- Send us a donation. Your donations can be tax-deductible. Talk to us about how.
We also have not forgotten that we owe money to those of you who helped us in the past. Making good on those loans is also a high priority for us and we will get your money back to you as soon as we can.
If you or your company would like to make a gift to support the ongoing success of the theatre, that would be very welcome! Please contact us to discuss ideas and options.
Thank you for your support of the Morris Theatre. We’ll see you at the movies!
Sincerely,
The Morris Theatre Cooperative Board