PORTLAND — A community theater organization in Portland is asking for the public's help as it updates its historic building.  

The Portland Civic Players is seeking donations to replace the original marquee at the Portland Community Theatre, 231 Maple St. — along with other upgrades as part of a multi-year project. 

Anyone interested in donating to the theater can visit its GoFundMe page. The Portland Civict Players has raised roughly $40,000 of a $120,000 goal. 

The Portland Civic Players was formed in 1955 and is a completely volunteer organization, according to a press release. The organization purchased the building now known as the Portland Community Theater in 1971. The former Sun Theater movie house was built in 1948 and the marquee is original to the building, per the release. 

Mary Teachout, president of the Portland Civic Players Board of Directors, told The Sentinel-Standard the organization started the project in 2018 but she described it as “a struggle” since. An ice jam on the Grand River caused flooding in Portland in 2019. The next year, the COVID-19 pandemic began — delaying the project even further.

“(The theater) provides a great outlet for the community," Teachout said.

Replacing the marquee is now necessary for the Portland Civic Players due to safety concerns and functionality, according to the release. The steel structure is stressing the building and letters are becoming harder to find.

The current design, which requires letters to be placed and taken down manually, “is difficult and impractical to be used by the community at large” — according to the organization. Few lightbulbs are left around the outside of the marquee.

A new marquee will have an aluminum structure and LED screens instead of lettering, Teachout said. 

“We’re hoping the LED screens will make it much more user-friendly on our end and we’ll be able to use it for way more than just our own organization," Teachout said.

The exterior renovation begins a plan to renovate the entire theater over multiple years, according to the release.

The organization has raised roughly $16,000 in the last two years to complete some of the exterior work. The theater was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic — allowing organizers to raise funds, according to the release. The theater was sealed and painted on three sides and the walkway was covered in painted galvanized steel siding. 

Updates and repairs still needed include: 

The Portland Civic Players have applied for a capital improvement grant from the Michigan Arts and Council Culture for the project, Teachout said. She hopes the project can be completed in summer 2023. 

Teachout noted the Portland Civic Players offer an affordable theater experience between Lansing and Grand Rapids. The organization’s summer youth theater program had 75 participants.  

“We really do try to provide a lot to the community,” Teachout said. “The kids love the program and the shows we do. It’s a really big family atmosphere we try to provide. We have a lot of fun.” 

The Portland Civic Players will have auditions for “Shrek the Musical” in late August.

More information about the theater is available on the Portland Civic Players Facebook page and its website: portlandcivicplayers.com.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.