Paramount donations up despite downturn

AUSTIN (KXAN) - During tough economic times theater organizations typically suffer the most due to the lack of donations. But the Paramount Theatre has been recognized nationally for being able to increase its donations by 100-percent in the past three years.

"Here's Jimmy Buffet," said Ken Stein, Executive Director of the Austin Theatre Alliance as he points to a wall underneath the Paramount stage with hundreds of celebrity signatures. "Thanks for being somewhere that I can hear."

It's a wall not many see inside the Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin. Beneath the stage is where hundreds of celebrities over the years have scrolled their signature after performing. Despite the big names, small theaters make very little money from bringing them in. Instead they rely on donations.

"About 30% of our budget comes from donations and without that we would have to close our doors," said Stein. "It doesn't matter how big the celebrities are.  I could sell every seat in the house and still not make a profit."

That's because Ken Stein, the Executive Director of the theater wants to keep tickets reasonably priced.

“If you knew it was going to be a minimum of 100 dollars to get through the door, I just don't think that's going to be a place you will enjoy going," said Stein.

Call it his savvy business sense, but Stein has turned the Paramount from a theater that almost shut down four years ago, to becoming a national model in fundraising. "We've actually seen our donations go up 100% in the last three years," said Stein.

The Paramount raised 2 million dollars this year. That's a half a million more than they need to run the theater. He did it by talking about the theater instead of touting the shows.

"Yeah lot of people probably don't like my stage announcements before every show," said Stein. "But that was the first thing I did, I have to tell those people what a beautiful building we have and how we can't loose it."

Austinites opened up their wallets, especially during a gala earlier this month. The money will pay for lots of repairs. "It's just like living in an old house," said Stein. The repairs go from chipped molding and paint, to a broken chandelier. "It came off one of our beautiful Congress Avenue windows," said Stein showing an ornate fixture. "We came in after a storm and found it on the balcony."

The extra money will also help bring in a big upcoming season.

"So we're bringing in some of the biggest names we've ever brought in so far," said Stein. "Don Rickles, Tim Conaway, Woody Allen, and Diane Keaton."

It's all because Austinites want to see something old stick around in our city.

"I think because there is so much change happening in Austin, protecting and saving the piece of our history is really exciting for people," said Stein.
 

The upcoming season begins in October.