Harrisburg Improv Theatre Needs Help Repairs& Roof

One of the best kept secrets in the central PA area is that the city of Harrisburg has its very own world class improvisational comedy theatre. 

By all accounts the Harrisburg Improv Theatre (The HIT) has been a smash success (check out our review on google, facebook, or yelp.) We have had nearly thousands students take classes, hundreds of performers grace our stage, brought touring acts to our city, and even taken what we do in midtown to theatres all over the country. 

The Harrisburg Improv Theatre started by "accident" five years ago in a humble little space in the heart of midtown. What I mean by that is that we wanted a place to see, teach, and perform so we made it happen. It was brought to life by the community and never would have existed without the people who walked in the doors, watched shows, took classes, became performers, and the millions of odd jobs associated with keeping a theatre running. Charna Halpern founder of the first dedicated improv theatre, The IO, said “One thing I learned early on: It’s not about money. It’s about your army — and that’s where I was strong,” The HIT has it's own ever growing army and we need to lean on that strength now. 

The Theatre does not operate like a traditional for profit business. Jake and Somers's background in the local DIY music scene served as a training ground as that style and ethos permeates the HIT. We have no full time employees and Jake & Somers have other income streams as well. Because of this we are able to keep prices low, and offer A LOT of scholarships and internships so money never needs to stop someone from being  part of our community. Additionally, the hit regularly donates our time and performances to dozens of community events and causes.
A recent graduation intro to improv class show.

This winter our long time tenants above the theatre unexpectedly moved, which opened the door for us to take a leap of faith and expand into a second class room. The downside is that it costs time and money to make that space available and we lost some crucial income from the renters that The Hit used to survive these past years.

In summary: The DIY nature of the Harrisburg Improv Theatre's opening and the sudden opportunity to expand upstairs has put a strain on us that will hinder us from moving forward.

Things have gone so amazing these past five years, but as you can see we have the opportunity to expand our space, and also a growing list of repairs and issues has gotten to much for us to simply do ourselves.  We don't want to see the space suffer or degrade more because we were to afraid to ask for help.
And honestly we need it.




The video shows just a few of the overwhelming things in need of attention at the theatre.

CLASSROOM SPACE EXPANSION
-Expanded to add a classroom & needs building repairs and improvements, patch drywall, fix ceiling, fix ac leak, repair ac, paint entire space, random repairs. 
-Educational materials & display 
-Painting the hallway




EXTERIOR
-box office roof replacement
-replace entire front of building do to rotting
-backed up sewer & maintenance
-new signage for front windows & side
-Better lighting on side of building
-Remove drywall backstage/water damage
-replace drywall backstage
-replace lights on store front
-basement clean out sewer
-repair balcony space
-trim trees
-replace broken hose nozzle
-make back lot even, spread tan bark or gravel
-cut down trees around parking lot
-remove dumping/trash
-seating out front
-repaint front exterior 
-make path beside building even/spread tan bark/gravel
-We want to make the back area of the theatre a really nice hang out area/better lighting

***possible staircase to back deck to second floor.  Depends on the city, and if we have funds***  Could be more expensive then we estimated***



INTERIOR
-remove and replace drywall in box office
-paint box office
-Better insulation of the building
-floor lighting replacement
-fresh paint on most of the building
-Hot water heater for theater bathroom repaired
-squirrels in walls removed
-fire alarms
-Regular paid cleaner for classroom and theatre
-additional cost of class room utilities etc.
-pa snake for running sound
-ac repair in theatre upgrade thermostat
-purchase vacuum
-concession signs
-repaint theatre space
-repair broken sink concession booth
-mini fridge backstage
-better back stage area
-shampoo carpet
-insulation open window to basement
-toilet seat new
-paint stage
-more theater seating?


This help will be so amazing, and allow us to focus on bigger and better things at The Hit.
We love you all and we cannot ever ever ever thank you enough.
Love really is HERE.

http://www.hbgimprov.com
https://www.facebook.com/HBGHIT
https://www.instagram.com/hbgimprov

NOTE: By the time this campaign was launched some of the items have been taken care of which is great, but has put a strain on other things!