Helen Newberry Joy Hospital announced their support of the Erickson Center’s Performing Arts Theater project by making a significant contribution to the project. The Erickson Center for the Arts is currently engaged in a capital campaign to raise 1.65 million dollars for the construction of a Performing Arts Theater to be built next to the current Erickson Center Building. HNJH and the Erickson Center have been partners for over 20 years by providing access to fitness opportunities with the HNJH Wellness Center’s Curtis location.
“Just as the availability of quality healthcare is vital to our community, our board felt the availability of performing arts opportunities was equally as important and wanted to support the Erickson Center’s Performing Arts Theater project,” said Hunter Nostrant, HNJH CEO. “The arts enrich our communities and culture and we are pleased to help contribute to this project.” Recently, the Center acquired a one million dollar grant to partially fund the project. Assuming the fund-raising goal is met, the construction of the new building is tentatively set to begin in the spring/summer of 2020 with a grand opening in 2021.
The recent success of the musical productions Shrek, The Wizard of Oz, and Seussical, were the impetus for the decision that a new facility was needed. The new facility will house a 160 seat theater with a large permanent stage and a graduated floor for better sightlines to the stage. In addition, it will provide a welcoming lobby and backstage dressing rooms for the performers, features not present in the current facility. The lobby will be dedicated to Helen Newberry Joy Hospital as a result of the generous donation.