If a theft can be made all the worse by who or what it victimizes, then it doesn’t get much lower than the recent burglary of the Long Beach Playhouse, a nonprofit arts organization that relies upon community support just to survive.
Now the Playhouse, currently in the middle of its annual community fundraising campaign, is hoping Long Beachers will help compensate for the damage done by the thief.
On November 5, a man inquiring about working for the Playhouse and claiming he had an appointment with a staff member talked his way into the LB Playhouse offices, where he took advantage of the business manager’s stepping away from her desk to steal $1,000 in cash, a laptop and an employee’s wallet.
“What’s disturbing is we are the second arts organization in a week to have this happen. And based on the description, it appears to be the same individual in both cases,” says Artistic Director Andrew Vonderschmitt, referring to a similar theft that occurred the next day at Musical Theatre West. “As much as we have enjoyed having an open-door to the community at all times, we are now keeping all entrances locked and secured. We are hoping to install a security camera, as well.”
Security cameras cost money, of course—and the Playhouse suddenly finds itself in an unexpected hole.
“Our goal was to raise $50,000 from our community campaign,” Vonderschmitt says. “Now we have to raise $52,000 to replace the stolen money and laptop. I hope the public will help us.”
Vonderschmitt says last year the Playhouse raised nearly $60,000 during its community campaign, pointing out that such fundraising is necessary for the survival of the Playhouse.
“Everybody that is a nonprofit has to actively seek out donations and foundation money or some kind of fundraising that’s going on,” he says. “[… T]he standard is that about 60 percent of your operating income comes from donors and grants, while 40 percent comes from ticket sales and concessions. […] No arts organization survives on ticket sales alone. It’s just not possible these days. […] And I think that’s a general rule even when the economy is good. […] All arts organizations’ ticket sales have gone down, and we’ve experienced that, too. We need to fundraise just to break even.”
Long Beach Police Department’s Nancy Pratt says that the Long Beach Playhouse suspect was a black male, 24 to 30 years-old with short hair and glasses. A suspect with a similar description was provided by Musical Theatre West, but Pratt says it is unknown if it is the same individual responsible for both thefts. Suspects remain outstanding and the investigations are ongoing.
To contribute to the Long Beach Playhouse, please visit www.lbplayhouse.org. Anyone with information on either burglary incident should contact the LBPD’s Burglary Detail at (562) 570-7351.