`Adopt a Seat’ plan seeks renewal of Opera House

CAMDEN — As the Camden Opera House heads toward its 100th birthday in the spring of 1994, a group of midcoast individuals in coordination with the Camden Opera House Committee head toward an ambitious project to renovate the opera house’s interior.

“Our primary source of financial support is the `Adopt A Seat’ campaign,” said Rolanda Klapatch, chairwoman of the auditorium’s renovation effort. “We will be putting in 500 new seats of a classic design in keeping with the historic atmosphere of the opera house. For $185, an individual or group can purchase a seat and donate it to the opera house. On the `adopted’ seat will be a permanently affixed brass nameplate with an inscription of the adopter’s choice,” Klapatch went on to say.

Along with the price of the seat comes a portion of the associated renovations, such as painting and carpeting. The plan calls for the seats to be sold by the end of the summer so that an order can be placed with the manufacturer in time for an early 1994 installation.

“We hope the `Adopt A Seat’ campaign will attract a cross section of midcoast citizens. We are targeting individuals, families, neighborhoods, service groups and the business community. Just about everyone in this area has been in the Camden Opera House for one event or another,” said Klapatch.

People may donated smaller amounts of money, which will be pooled with others to buy community seats.

Seats may be paid for in full at the time of the initial donation or in three monthly installments due within 90 days. Please enclose the inscription of approximately 25 characters or less for the chair’s nameplate.

Checks should be made payable to Camden Opera House `Adopt A Seat’ and mailed in care of Treasurer, P.O. Box 815, Camden 04843.