President’s Message - July, 2007

I have been elected to a second term as President of Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center (APPAC). I appreciate the vote of confidence fellow board members have expressed in me, and I look forward to another year of progress toward our goal of transforming the State Theatre into a performing arts center.

A lot has been accomplished during the year since we purchased the State Theatre property, fifteen months ago. Significant ground work has been laid. Last March we hosted an investor appreciation dinner for the benefit of those investors who helped with purchase of the State Theatre

During my brief remarks at the dinner, I brought investors up to date on what we have accomplished during the past year. The list includes: completion of preliminary architectural work, a record level of fundraising, distribution of four news letters, removal of 14 tons of seats and debris from the stage area, presentation of a PowerPoint program to local organizations, refurbishing of our meeting room, creation of offices, acquisition of donor tracking software, approval of a fundraising plan, and creation of web site. These actions prepare us for the task of major fundraising that lies ahead.

Our board recently approved a facade design based on the 1937 renovated look of the State Theatre. It will feature a three sided marquee and two sided vertical Art Deco “ STATE ” sign. This will put a public face on our project. In June, we began the facade improvement program by pressure washing the front of the building and removing the unsightly awnings. This was done with the assistance of the Auburn Rotary Club.

Recently we were very excited to learn that the State Theatre has been chosen for the next Project Auburn program in May, 2008. This will virtually insure completion of the facade improvements, including signing. We are currently in the process of selecting a project architect and expect to have an announcement on this by September.

Finally, I want to mention the movie theatre operation at the State Theatre. The public’s patronage of movies at the State Theatre benefits APPAC as well as movie goers. While our ultimate goal is to bring a performing arts center to the State Theater, this will take time and a lot of money. Until we have progressed a lot further, movies will continue at the State Theater. And, even when the day comes that we are ready to convert the two movie theaters into a single performing arts auditorium, we seek to find a way to have motion pictures continue when live performances are not scheduled.

In closing, I want to thank all in the community who have donated to this great project or who have otherwise helped get us to this point. Of course a lot of work still lies ahead, as well as the need for your continued financial support.

Paul Ogden

President

Auburn Placer Performing Arts Association (APPAC)