Ann Arbor Civic Theatre has announced its new fundraising campaign, called Raise the Curtain. The campaign will run until the end of the year, with a goal of raising $40,000.

A2CT is one of the oldest community theaters in the country. As such, it provides not only entertainment but opportunities for everyone in the community - regardless of experience or income - to participate in and experience live theater.

“Most people in the community don’t know what it costs to present a show,” said managing director Suzi Peterson in a press release. “So we thought we’d show them, and give them an opportunity to help. We have created a video that demonstrates - in time-released photography - the process from literally the ground (or in this case the stage) up. It’s really a fun video, (also) found on our website, which shows just how much work, and money, goes into producing a play. Even with the efforts of hundreds of volunteers per season, the cost of materials, royalties, facility rentals, and overhead is more than ticket sales alone can cover. That’s why we are reaching out to the community, via social media, print media, and good old-fashioned phone calls, to help us raise the curtain on our productions for another 84 years.”

“We continue to offer scholarships, youth theater workshops, camps and performances, as well as conducting extensive outreach to bring in more community members each year,” added program director Cassie Mann in the same press release. “Without this campaign and the resulting infusion of financial support, it will be difficult for us to continue our ambitious season of shows and the range of programs and scholarships we currently offer.”

A2CT kicked off the campaign with a musical theater singing contest, Civic Open ’12, on December 1 at The Last Word. Thirteen contestants sang to a full house and received feedback from local celebrity judges Russ Collins, Cynthia Canty, Deb Polich, and Broadway composer Neil Bartram. The first and second-place winners, Katy Kujala and Ryan Sequin, respectively, received cash prizes and a chance to sing on the Lucy Ann Lance show.

For more information on A2CT and how you can contribute to the Raise the Curtain campaign, call the A2CT office at 734-971-2228 or visit www.a2ct.org.