TAP Currently Raising Funds to Repair Water Damage

Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP) opened the first ever Winter Play Reading Festival in downtown Sturgeon Bay on Feb. 16. The opening comes after the repair of significant water damage to the theater lobby after a burst pipe in the third floor air handler. The water flowed down the three floors to the basement and caused irreparable damage to the boiler.

Eagle Mechanical, Wulf Brothers, Square One Restoration, and Stoneman-Schopf Insurance worked together to clean the building, repair damage, and replace the boiler, making it possible for StageKids Acting classes to continue the same week and the scheduled festival to open.

Although initially concerned that the damage would effect future productions, TAP Artistic Directors Robert Boles and James Valcq are looking forward to a successful 2017-18 performance season for the year-round professional theater. “Once again we are reminded of what brought us to Door County from New York City in the first place,” said Boles. “The community really pulled together to help us work through and repair the damage.”

While insurance has covered a great deal of the cost, TAP is still looking at out-of-pocket expenses of more than $5,000. The amount cuts into budgeted programs, challenging the nonprofit theater’s mission of “providing affordable, professional year-round theatre to Door County’s residents and visitors.”

To offset some of the financial burden TAP has created a Go Fund Me campaign. To donate, visit gofundme.com/repair-taps-water-damage or call 920.743.1760. All donations are tax-deductible.

The second week of the Play Reading Festival continues Feb. 24-26. The lineup is: Feb. 24 – Constellations by Nick Payne; Feb. 25 – The Cripple of Inishmaan; and Feb. 26 – Stella And Lou. Performances begin at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 2 pm on Sunday. Pay-what-you-can at the door. For more information, call 920.743.1760 or visit thirdavenueplayhouse.com.