PELHAM — A local theater group has decided to stay together with hope of performing in the refurbished Sherburne Hall someday soon.
The nonprofit group, Community Theatre and Arts, was considering dissolving because of a lack of a nearby affordable stage, said Selectman William McDevitt, who had a starring role in the group's production of "It's A Wonderful Life" a few years ago.
But after members of the theater group recently saw the progress being made to renovate Sherburne Hall, its board members decided against dissolving at a meeting last week.
"They are going to hold on in hopes that Sherburne Hall will give them a place to stage some productions," McDevitt said.
The work to renovate the hall, which began this summer, included a fresh coat of paint last week, McDevitt said. The stage already had been painted after the hall was given a complete cleaning, he said. New light fixtures have been ordered and carpeting will be installed. All the work should be finished before the end of the year, he said.
Along with $43,000 raised for the project to date, the Sherburne Hall Committee is seeking a donation or donations of between $7,500 and $10,000 to purchase new stage curtains to replace the tattered curtains now in place, McDevitt said.
Before Pelham Community Theatre or any other group can use it, the Board of Selectmen needs to develop a formal use policy, including establishing a user or rental fee, McDevitt said.
The hall was a gym in the former Sherburne Elementary School. While most of the building was turned into Pelham's new Town Hall and police station, this is the first time the old gym is getting some attention.
