Take A Seat ... Really!

“TAKE A SEAT …” By: TCA Tech Director Karen Bunch
 
There are so many connotations to that simple directive …
 
“Take a seat” in an interview is an invitation to start the process of hoped for employment. 
 
“Take a seat” in a crowd means you’re blocking someone’s view.
 
“Take a seat” in school meant, you were in trouble, sit down! 
 
But the Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) request for you to “Take a Seat” is actually a great way to support The Arts at the TCA! 
 
Ever wonder how a theater of this size is able to support our local Performing Arts groups?  The answer lies in the generous support of our patrons, local businesses, and foundations!
 
EXACTLY WHAT IS “TAKE A SEAT?”
 
In a nutshell, the TCA’s Take a Seat campaign, which started nearly 10 years ago, is a way for people to help sustain the TCA in tangible way that shows others you support The Arts in Tecumseh.  Simply make a $250 donation to the Take a Seat campaign, and we will place an engraved plaque on the arm of an available seat of your choice. The plaque includes 2 lines of text, with approximately 20 characters per line.  What can you fit in?
 
Seeing your name along with the names of people who have supported the theater throughout the years provides a connection to others that will be recognized for years to come.  It is a continual reminder of the personal stewardship involved in supporting The Arts, and may just encourage others to join in …
 
So who do you want to see on “your arm?”  Here are a few ideas!

• You can purchase a seat for yourself
• You can purchase a seat for your family
• You can purchase a seat for a friend or someone you would like to honor
• You can purchase a seat for your business
• You can purchase a seat in memory of someone
• You can purchase a seat for your favorite group
• You can even purchase a seat for your pet (yes, we have had pets and other animals perform on our stage!  (Thanks specifically to Kody Bear, Ginger, Sandy, Sam, and Pete!!!)
• Or if you like, you can simply purchase a seat and put an “artsy quote” with your name on the plaque; “To Be or Not to Be” – Shakespeare’s Family, comes to mind!!!

 
Remember, you don’t have to be a performer to support the Arts.  Many patrons who support the TCA have simply enjoyed watching productions that range from young kids performing for the first time in a choir concert or dance recital, to high school band and orchestras, to adult theatre and band and orchestras, to talent shows, all the way up to our professional touring season.  In fact, if you are reading this article, I’m betting there’s a very good chance that you already support The Arts!
 
So why not join the fun?  There are a total of 631 seat arms in the TCA (we counted!!).  Of these arms, 84 have been sold.  That leaves only 547 arms left from which to choose!  Seriously.  Think about that.  If all of the arms on the chairs are sold, that’s an additional $136,750 to help support Tecumseh Youth Theatre (TYT) , Tecumseh Pops Orchestra & Community Chorus, The Tecumseh Players, Tecumseh Public Schools, Tecumseh Schools Orchestra (TSO), Tecumseh Band Boosters, National Homeschool Music Ensemble (NHME), TCA Big Band & VocalAires, The Ballet School (formerly Tecumseh Dance Workshop), Dance Steps Studio, Inc., Encore Dance Studio, Infusion Performing Arts Academy, MST Dance Center, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, TCA Special Events and professional Touring Season shows, and many other groups and events throughout the year!  That’s amazing!!
 
We will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary in February 2021.  While that seems like a long way off, the reality is that if we are to sell all of the seat arms with our Take a Seat campaign, we have to start now, and sell about 25 per month!  Tell all your friends and neighbors about this fun, permanent way to show your support. Get yours while supplies last!
 
For me personally, to see names on permanently installed plaques within the theatre, some that harken back to the very beginnings of the TCA, of Youth Theatre, of long-time supporters, some still with us, and some who have passed away, to see those names simply proves that The Arts are a gift we hand down from generation to generation.  It is incumbent on all of us to be good stewards of future generations’ enjoyment, for if we don’t secure the future now, the chance of our children losing out is great.
 
SO, HOW DO I SIGN UP?
 
Like so many things in life, we have forms!  You can purchase a seat (or two or more!) by calling or stopping by the box office, Tuesday thru Friday, from 12 noon –  5pm, or by going online at https://www.thetca.org/merchandise.html. Depending on your method of purchase, TCA staff will mail, email, or hand you a form to fill out.
 
The Take a Seat fundraising challenge is a great opportunity to give back to the performers of today and the future … honor the past, live in the now, plan for the future – works in The Arts too!  Leave your mark on the TCA and help future generations to continue to have a place to call home.

Donations made to this campaign come with one obvious perk:  Your name, or someone you would like to acknowledge will have an engraved plaque attached to one of the arms of the seats in the auditorium.  You have your choice of seats to place your special plaque, and as long as no one already has that seat, we’ll have it installed in short order.
 

ORDER YOUR SEAT HERE