On January 18, 2008, the Sherman Theater, located in downtown Stroudsburg, announced its transition to a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and officially launched its capital campaign.

With the success of this campaign, the nonprofit organization will own the theater building making the Sherman a permanent fixture of arts and community in downtown Stroudsburg. Funds raised will also be used for the acquisition and expansion of the regional arts center.

Sherman Theater Executive Director Richard Berkowitz, as well as members of the Sherman Theater Board of Directors, also discussed the theater’s Community Collaborative Program – designed to unify arts organizations and nonprofit fundraising efforts throughout the Pocono region. This program’s success was recognized last year by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center.

In attendance at the ceremony were Mayor Charlie Baughman, County Commissioner Susan McCool, Rep. Mario Scavello, Steven Washington of Rep. John Siptroth’s office, the president of the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau Carl Wilgus, as well as representatives from each of the many arts organizations who work in conjunction with the Sherman Theater.

Representatives Scavello and Siptroth each presented $10,000 grants towards the capital campaign, while Commissioner McCool’s office has also committed to a grant of $10,000.

The Sherman Theater’s Spotlight Awards were among other topics discussed at the gathering. The Spotlight Awards were designed to highlight and honor youth achievement in musical theater. Berkowitz announced that Monroe, Pike, Carbon, and Wayne Counties have all announced participating schools.

Berkowitz concluded by saying that the Sherman will need full community support to obtain its goals. He encouraged businesses and individuals to participate through theater membership, donation, and ticket purchase.

UPCOMING CONCERTS IN SUPPORT OF CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

Feb. 8 – The Duprees & Shirley Alston Reeves
Feb. 21 – David Bromberg
(Note: Bromberg will be signing an instrument for the theater to auction at the event to support fundraising efforts)
March 6 – moe.
March 8 – Tommy Fleming
April 3 – The StepCrew
April 5 – Bo Bice
May 3 – Dickey Betts & The Great Southern
May 10 – The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

2008 SPOTLIGHT AWARDS – PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:

• East Stroudsburg High School North
• East Stroudsburg High School South
• Pleasant Valley High School
• Pocono Mountain East High School
• Pocono Mountain West High School
• Notre Dame High School
• Stroudsburg High School
• Wallenpaupack Area High School
• Western Wayne High School
• Jim Thorpe Area High School