The following is an article from Pacific Business News featuring Deena Dray to discuss the progress of the new theater’s construction and campaign. Mahalo to editor Kelsey Kukaua for spotlighting Diamond Head Theatre. Click here to read the full article.
Pacific Business News checked in with Diamond Head Theatre’s Executive Director Deena Dray on the progress of its near 500-seat theater construction and campaign, in addition to what all it took to get live performances back up and running.
“The campaign is going well,” Dray told PBN.
“We have under $600,000 to raise on a goal of $22.3 million,” she said. “Our focus recently has been on seat sales for the new building. We have sold 314 out of 462, which is exciting. And everyone who has bought a seat has a story and a memory to tell us about their history and their connection to DHT.”
“It has been my favorite stage of the campaign: Construction continues, and it is amazing to see,” she added.
In January, DHT will launch its “Raise the Curtain” campaign for the community to participate in, she said, on track for completion in 2022.
Tickets are on sale now for the theater’s Christmas show, “Elf the Musical,” and going quickly.
“We are definitely on the road to recovery here, but it will probably take a year to get back to pre-pandemic levels,” Dray said. “Our annual budget is down by $1 million, so lots of cost-cutting still, and we lost over 1,000 season subscription patrons so we hope to see them coming back in the next six to twelve months.
“That said, I am optimistic! And grateful. The community has been very generous and super supportive. We’ll get there.”
