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About the Project

The Benson Theatre is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that fosters the success of local artists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and underserved populations within the historic community of Benson. Our goal is to acquire and restore the historic Benson Theatre at 6054 Maple Street in Omaha to serve as a shared community space for business education and artistic performance. Benson is a flourishing arts and entertainment district, and the timing to restore our historic theater and bring more diverse entertainment and vital business education to our community has never been better. The Theatre’s prime location in downtown Benson has the potential to bring thousands of new visitors to the Benson business district for more than 500 events annually.

Donate to Omaha Gives! Today, May 22, 2013

It’s time for Omaha Gives! The city’s first charitable holiday and 24-hour online giving event is going on now through midnight tonight. Here’s how you can support the restoration of the Benson Theater:

Visit our donation page at omahagives24.org. Search for us under our legal name, KindAir at The Benson Theatre. Our donation page will be live all day Wednesday, May 22, and will close at midnight.

Using your credit card, make a minimum $10 donation. All Omaha Gives! donations made to KindAir at The Benson Theatre on May 22 are 100% tax deductible, and there’s no maximum donation.

Share the Omaha Gives! event with your friends and family, and encourage them to support KindAir at The Benson Theatre. The more new donors that give to us today, the better our chances are of receiving part of the more than $400,000 in matching funds and hourly cash prizes.

Watch our fundraising progress throughout the day on the Leaderboard at omahagives24.org!

Come to our Omaha Gives! Fundraiser

May 22, 2013

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Help us celebrate Omaha Gives! The Benson Theatre will be open for tours and live jazz tonight, and we’re having a party next door. The Pizza Shoppe Collective is hosting an open reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to ring in Omaha Gives! with Lucky Bucket Brewing. We’ll have a short presentation with Michael Alley from Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture on the theater restoration around 6:00 p.m.

Omaha Gives! is a huge opportunity to show off Omaha’s spirit of giving. We hope that you will support the Benson Theatre today, and continue to support more education and diverse entertainment for Benson and greater Omaha in the years ahead.

Fundraising Goal

The Benson Theatre Project is currently raising $250,000 to purchase the historic Benson Theatre by April 2014. We raised more than $70,000 in cash and in-kind donations during Phase I of fundraising to lease the building from April 2012 to April 2013 and apply for 501(c)3 nonprofit status from the IRS (granted in September 2012). Your tax-free donation will help preserve a historic landmark and support more educational opportunities for Benson and the greater Omaha community.

Help us reach our goal and donate to the Benson Theatre Project. For more information on Benson Theatre sponsorships, contact Amy Ryan at (402) 218-3678 or amy@bensontheatre.org.

Programming

The Theatre’s programming will include educational workshops and seminars during the day and entertainment in the evening. Our nonprofit will provide performance space and vital financial education resources that are not currently accessible in this urban area.

Entertainment:

Benson’s first 225-seat assembly theater
Benson’s first community space for theater and cinema presentations
Future home of the Omaha Film Festival
Partnerships with performing arts organizations that will bring more diverse musical performance (including jazz, blues, and opera) to Benson
Vaudeville and comedic presentations
Private events and fundraisers
Student internships
Volunteer opportunities for seniors and youth

Workshops:

Corporate-sponsored basic business, marketing, and financial planning workshops for artists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and underserved populations including at-risk youth and the working poor
Business Plan Writing
Strategic Marketing Plan Development
Financial Planning
Product Branding
Fundraising
Media Kits
Tax Law/Insurance

Historic Restoration

The Benson Theatre first operated from 1923-1926 as the Benalto Theater. From 1927-1953, the theater was part of a chain of neighborhood theaters owned by the Epstein Bros. The Benson Theatre could originally seat an assembly of 400 for vaudeville performances, film screenings, and community events. The Benson Theatre Project is working with Omaha architect Alley Poyner Macchietto and Omaha general contractor Lund-Ross Constructors to complete the historic renovation. The estimated $850,000 project will include:

New infrastructure systems, including electrical and HVAC
Preservation of the original theater stage
Reconstruction of the building’s original sloped floor
Construction of a new projection booth and staff offices
Reconstruction of the original theater lobby
Use of energy efficient construction techniques and sustainable materials and equipment

Take a Tour

Come see the historic Benson Theatre! Contact Executive Director Amy Ryan at amy@bensontheatre.org to schedule a tour, or visit the theater during events throughout the spring. Stay updated on upcoming events and Like the Benson Theatre on Facebook.

Donate

Help us meet our fundraising goal and donate to the Benson Theatre Project. Your tax-free donation will help preserve a historic landmark and support more educational opportunities for Benson and the greater Omaha community. For more information on Benson Theatre sponsorships, contact Amy Ryan at (402) 218-3678 or amy@bensontheatre.org.

Many Thanks To Our Sponsors