S3E7- BTE's March Madness - Raise the Region 2025

Ensemble members Managing Director Jon White-Spunner and Director of Development and Communications, Jared Whitford join Resident Artist, Aaron White, to breakdown the how, why, and when to support BTE during Raise the Region 2025 hosted by The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) in collaboration with the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships.

Supporter Spotlight: Rebecca Remaly and Stephen Weitz, and Mark, Jen, and Rosie Turnbough

Transcripts of all Season 2 and 3 episodes are available on our Buzzsprout website.

Check out our current season: http://www.bte.org
Ensemble Driven. Professional Theatre. Arts Education. Rural Pennsylvania. For Everyone. With Everyone.

Transcript

DCS3E7- BTE's March Madness: Raise the Region

Intro

[00:00:00] 

Aaron: Welcome to Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble Down Center, a podcast where we raise up our company, our people, our art, and our town, and support each other front and down center. It's all about Raise the Region! Hi there! Woo! I'm Aaron White, resident artist and ensemble member at BTE. 

 This episode, we're spotlighting Raise the Region, a 30 hour online fundraising event, and the incredible opportunity it provides our community to support its non-profit organizations. More specifically, we're going to let you know why and how you can help support BTE's mission year round in just a few minutes on March 12th and 13th.

Jon & Jared

Aaron: I'm here with my fellow ensemble members managing director, Jon White-Spunner.

Jon: Good afternoon. 

Aaron: And Director of Development and Communications, Jared Whitford. 

Jared: Hello. 

Aaron: Later in the episode, we will chat with some of our favorite folks who have taken advantage of Raise the Regions in the past.

Hi, guys. How you doing?

Jon: Hey, Aaron. 

Jared: Hello. We're good. 

Jon: I'm managing director here [00:01:00] and my responsibility is the business side of the company. Keep trying to make sure that we are here. 

Aaron: And functioning. 

Jon: And functioning. 

Yes. 

Aaron: And that we all get paid. because one of our missions is professional theater. 

Jon: Exactly. 

Aaron: How 'bout you Jared?

Jared: I'm Jared. I'm the communications and development director. So that's a role that involves all external communications and, developing the company mostly with fundraisers and grant writing and, Raise the Region and our events that we do.

What is Rasie the Region

Aaron: Well, can you tell me a little bit about what is Raise the Region? 

Jon: Raise the Region , is a partnership between, First Community Foundation, and a number of businesses, led by Blaze Alexander dealership. and it's something that started back in 2013.

And the object of it is to bring the community together around non-profits in the, in the region. And I think we cover, Five counties, I believe. What it [00:02:00] really does is it just highlights the importance of non-profits in our community and how much non-profits do for the community.

And over the years it's grown. I can't remember what it was in 2013, but now we're up to, I think, between 250 and 300 different non-profits take part in Raise the Region for 30 hours, During that time, the community knows that non-profits are a major part of what happens in their community.

 The very first. Raise the Region Blaze Alexander dealership, put up a sponsorship that helped stretch people's donations. And now there are a number of other businesses that have joined in thanks to their leadership. 

Jared: Community Bank, Pennsylvania Skills by MIele Manufacturing, UPMC, UPMC Health Plan, Larson Design Group, Weiss Markets, Evergreen Wealth [00:03:00] Solutions, and Toyota. Awesome. Yeah, a lot of sponsors that go into the stretch funds. Over the past, 12 years, they've raised 19 million for nonprofits. And so Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble has been in it since day one, right?

Jon: Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble has been a leading member of it over those years. One of the ways that you can win prizes in Raise the Region is by getting the most number of what are termed unique donors. And for a good number of years, BTE out of all the non-profits has been able to come out on top of that list of individual donors, which really says so much about the people who support us.

BTE March Madness

Aaron: I will say that, Raise the Region is March Madness for John White-Spunner. 

Jared: Absolutely. 

Jon: It's, it is an, for me it's an exciting time A lot of that is not only because I see us near the top of the leaderboard, but because I get a [00:04:00] chance to talk to a number of donors who live in different parts of the country, and who I don't get to speak to on a regular basis. And these people have been supporting us since the beginning of Raise the Region, and, it's a testament to the far reaching effect that BTE has had and continues to have in the theater world. 

Jared: We attempt to call every single member who is donating to us, , and it is just one of those times that we get to connect with our community, and people have been supporting the Ensemble Since the Ensemble started.

Aaron: One of the things I love to see, and also with the podcast too, , because you can see where folks are downloading the podcast, how far our reach has gone. I mean, really incredible. Seeing where our, our supporters and people who hold us fondly have landed. So, yeah, 

Jared: I tracked that on the website too. So I'm like, wow, we have someone looking at us in England today. This is wonderful. 

Jon: We tried, we tried, we tried to win the prize that was the, [00:05:00] Organization that got a donor from the furthest point on the planet away from 

Aaron: Williamsport and we're calling in our connections.

We Australia. Yeah, Japan. Yeah Yeah, 

Jon: but we didn't win 

Aaron: yeah, where was the furthest 

Jon: it was some point in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

Aaron: Oh, so we have to send somebody, I guess. We need 

Jon: to get someone on a boat. We should really start organizing that right now. We never, they, they never divulge that information.

Where did that actually come from? No.   

Aaron: Any other reasons why we get excited about Raise the Region at BTE?

Jared: I think the stretch funds are super exciting because, your dollar goes further. So when you're donating, it's actually making us more money than that $25 donation. You know, your $25 donation might actually be making us $30 to $35.

Jon: And I think it's also an affirmation of the fact that the work of nonprofits and us in the arts, costs money. This is something that is a constant [00:06:00] struggle. It's a constant effort to raise the funds in order to be able to provide the services ,in an affordable way to the people in our community and Raise the Region it's a significant moment for us.

I just love those 30 hours. I love watching the leaderboard and it's just, yeah, 

Aaron: There's something about competition that makes us all better, I like to say.

Yeah. 

Jared: You know, there is, a sense off joy that we're connecting to the community this way for those 30 hours. And I think it like trickles into, I say we ride the Raise the Region high well into the summer, well into the summer.

Jon: So, get on out there. We're going to be calling, all of the people who are. current donors. To ask them to continue to support us. We will be asking friends and family to reach out to their own circle of friends, because that's how it, that's how we grow it, so that if you [00:07:00] believe in BTE and you support BTE, ask your friends, ask your family.

Aaron: I happen to have a 10 year old who loves to perform and take theater classes.

If he wants to donate, he can use my credit card to donate to the company. 

Jared: Absolutely. Families, households, if you're thinking of giving us a gift of, $400 each family member giving us $100 would really help us get to that bottom to actually make donor.

Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Actually helps us meet that goal sooner than just one big lump sum of $400. Correct. 

What Does Your Money Support?

Aaron: So we raise this money and how does BTE use the money that we raise during Raise the Region?

Jared: So raise the region go directly to our operational costs. So those pay the salaries, the full time ensemble salaries. Those pay for our building utilities. Those pay for our maintenance costs. They also pay for the shows that you see on stage. Ticketing does not make up our budget every year.

Aaron: I think we're at like 35%. 

Jared: 30s? Yeah, some, some in the 30 something percent is ticketing. So an event like this, with the stretch funds, goes to that bottom line.

Aaron: And allows us to keep ticket prices [00:08:00] affordable, so folks can come see our shows. if our ticket price reflected what it actually costs to keep a company open. People will be paying the Broadway ticket prices. 

Jared: Yeah, close to that. 

Jon: That's been an important part of BTE's mission ever since the beginning, where we want to make sure that tickets are affordable.

We have a number of different ways that we do that. We, people can walk in the door in the first couple of performances and they can pay exactly what it is they want to pay. And that's, that's one of our ways of giving back to the community. 

Aaron: And so this allows us to make it affordable for everyone. And keep those, those pay what you decide or `low, low cost previews. 

Jon: Without the people who contribute, and this is true fact, if without the people who contribute, We wouldn't be doing this.

Jared: Agreed. 

Jon: We would not be having this conversation. There would not be a nice little clubhouse down here under the seats. 

Aaron: Yeah. Yeah. Where we record this. Yeah. Yeah. Where we are recording this, , [00:09:00] podcast, , without the individuals who donate every year. Yeah. 

Jared: Absolutely. 

Aaron: In many different ways, but particularly during Raise the Region 

Testimonials Intro

Aaron: One of the great things about Raise the Region is that our whole company, every individual, makes an active appeal to long time supporters, new supporters. We call them, up, we send them emails, and we get a chance to ask them and thank them for supporting us throughout the year. And in that spirit, in the immortal words of LeVar Burton, you don't have to take our word for it, here are some wonderful folks who give every year, And they can tell you in their own words why they support BTE during Raise the Region.  

The Turnboughs

Jen: Hi, my name is Jen Turnbough 

Mark: I'm Mark Turnbough

Rosie: Hi, I'm Rosie Turnbough, and I've done camps at BTE since I was like, Five, I think. Five or six. And then I've done some plays. 

Jen: I'm a longtime watcher, supporter of BTE mom of two kids that Have taken part of lots of [00:10:00] adventures in BTE, whether that be the plays and participation in that or workshops and other offerings through the education program.

Aaron: Henry is how old now? 

Jen: He is 16. He's 

Aaron: 16 and probably started doing theater school things when he was 

Jen: I think four? 

Aaron: That's a long run. Yes. Yes. 

Jen: He's enjoyed it and really got us hooked into the community in a lot of ways being not from PA we're originally from Maryland. Henry was born in Maryland.

Our other child here, Rosie, born in PA, came later, and quickly joined the BTE family, too. It helped us get acclimated to being here, honestly, sending your children out first to do the hard work of socializing with others. 

Aaron: Friend making, 

Jen: yeah. Yes, yes. Yes. So that.

Helped us being more introverted in style and having two more outgoing kids to get us connected was really helpful [00:11:00] on our end, but also watching them create their own world both on stage and then also with the friends that they were making through the process of both classroom and play...play.

Aaron: And bring their imaginations. I'm going to talk about you, Rosie. Is that okay?

Rosie: Yeah. 

Aaron: Okay. Because it's very clear that both of you have really strong internal imaginations. And then to see that, get a chance to get legs out into the world. I mean, , Henry grew up a little bit from when he was very, very small to where he is now. It's a pretty cool journey. 

Jen: He's called BTE his Happy Place. And it's through that acceptance of this

imagination that he's always had and ability to walk up to a stranger and start a conversation and knowing that that excitement to learn and explore through meeting new people and sharing what he's thinking about has really been helpful for him and defining to a lot of his [00:12:00] upbringing so very much appreciate that and the opportunities that BTE has created in that safe space.

Aaron: Speaking for myself, it's our pleasure. Yes.

Mark: So the kids got us, you know, included into the BTE family and community. And to be honest, it's something that... I always appreciated arts, but was never connected to arts, if that makes sense.

 But to watch the kids kind of be able to use that internal imagination and the confidence grow and it's like, man, I wish I did that as a kid. 

Aaron: Would you had, if you had the opportunity, would you have? 

Mark: Absolutely. Yeah, it would have been a blast. But, it wasn't my path, not that that was, was a bad thing, but just such a cool thing to be a part of even, later and watching what, BTE means to this community. 

We came because there was a job at the university and we liked Bloomsburg. It seemed like a cute, small town. Central Pennsylvania town. But we felt like outsiders for the longest time, almost by definition. We knew we were connected to the university, but we're not locals. But by being able to be connected, truly felt like [00:13:00] it's such an open, accepting place that we're like, Oh, we're surrounded now by people that like actually care about other people. Not that that doesn't exist in other places, but, you know, I'll never forget the first, theater workshop that Henry went to. And Elizabeth Dowd and Danny Roth were facilitating. And we went to the end of the first, the week, the production show.

And it was the most amazing thing to watch Elizabeth and Danny just engaging with Henry and all the kids. You see the side of what a kid might do at home, but watch them do it in front of others for an audience. Yeah. Wow, there's something magical happening. And so we've been connected since going to shows and, you know, being sponsors and, subscribers and , we try to catch as many as we can, as life allows, 

Aaron: as life allows and with two busy kids...

Mark: but, it's really enhanced our kind of life enjoyment. It's such an amazing thing to have here in Small town. Rural Pennsylvania to have this caliber of art available is something special for sure. 

Aaron: How about you, Rosie? What's it been [00:14:00] like being in those, those classes and those plays? 

Rosie: it's, it's pretty cool. 

Aaron: Pretty cool. 

Rosie: Yeah, pretty cool. 

Aaron: I'm gonna delve deeper. A little bit more.

Really? Why? Yeah, right? That's it. That's cool. So, what makes it pretty cool? What's your favorite thing to do while you're here? 

Rosie: It's just kind of fun to like, explore the characters. While you're being the characters. You just mess around and be like, My character does blap shmap 

Aaron: And to have a bunch of people that go, Oh yeah, blap shmack a blap. Yeah. Yeah. 

Rosie: And they just laugh. 

Aaron: Yeah. It's 

Rosie: like, you could just, you could just say, Blashmash me, to like, fifty people with, in the audience. 

Aaron: And, you've not said Blashmash in front of the whole audience. I was tempted. Yeah.

Rosie: Almost.  

Aaron: Why take advantage of Raise the Region as opposed to giving in all the other ways that you just [00:15:00] mentioned, Mark? 

Mark: We know that during the event, there's the opportunity to kind of maximize what I would love it if we had enough money to give something that would be truly meaningful... just in its own monetary donation.

Yes. But, but knowing that in the, Competitions and things that happen within it, the matching that happens, you can take your modest donation and ultimately make a bigger impact with it.

Aaron: I want to say, just so you hear me say it, that those small donations make this program go. Like those $25, $50, donations in a lot of ways also help us see how many people actually care, I think being part of a small town being part of a place where everybody gets to come and contribute , we dare not diminish that effort, you know, or, malign small donations.

Jen: It really does bring out the competitive spirit too.

And in a lot of ways it's kind of fun to cheer organizations on as you see the numbers tallying up and then you always wait and see, who [00:16:00] got the extra boost , it's been fun to participate and then, you know, it kind of makes you feel good to watch and know that the organizations that have helped Our family out are also getting the benefit of the funds they need to do the amazing things. 

Aaron: It is kind of fun to see all of these not for profits that are in our community. 

Mark: Everyone wins in it.   

Calling in from Colorado

Stephen: My name is Stephen Weitz. I'm a Bloomsburg native. I grew up in town and went to Bloomsburg High 

Becky: I'm Rebecca Ramelli. I'm also a Bloomsburg native., I grew up, going to Central Columbia. Go Blue Jays. 

Stephen: I Trained with some of the founders of BTE, like Elizabeth Dowd and appeared on the stage of the Alvina Krause, I'm going to go with three times, I think. 

Becky: And I took classes as a child actor, and was very, have been very fortunate to come [00:17:00] back post my college education to be an apprentice, an intern, and, and, a guest artist. 

Aaron: And are you in Bloomsburg now or where are you coming from?

Becky: We are not, although we met in Bloomsburg, we actually met doing a show called Human Hearts in 2003. I was doing an apprenticeship for the, the year and Stephen , and we met and we fell in love and the rest is history. And we now live in Colorado in a little town called Westminster, between Boulder and Denver.

Stephen: We actually founded our own theater company called the Boulder Ensemble Theater Company, B E T C. So close, but not quite the same. And we ran that company for 17 years and just stepped away about 18 months ago. I think that's something that, is a great parallel to what's happened at BTE in recent years. You know, with the founders stepping on to other adventures and, and yourself and others taking the reins. And I think that's [00:18:00] always, you, you can look at the terrifying side of it, but you can also look at the really exciting part of it, of new voices and new vision. And I think we're all excited to see what BTE's future look like. Absolutely.

Aaron: It sounds to me like BTE was also a synapse for the two of you too. I don't think I realized that you didn't meet while you were both here. Like you came back.

Becky: I, yeah, so I actually saw Stephen perform in Bloomsburg High School musicals. When I was in middle school, my dad took me to see, uh, Little Shop of Horrors and Man of La Mancha. And so I saw him and I think actually, and also your sister, didn't your sister give, My brother some lessons. I think that's right. Yeah, that's as close as we ever came when we were actually children. Yeah, yeah. So it's fun. We kind of have a shared history. I mean, we know all of the all of the landmarks, all the great, you know, wonderful and quirky things about Bloomsburg. We just didn't experience them together growing up.

But we have that reference point now. And yeah, I mean, I grew up [00:19:00] in Bloomsburg thinking that, well, this is normal. This is normal for any kid. Uh, kid, they grow up in a town or wherever they grow up, they have a theater company. And I, it wasn't until, , I left Bloomsburg that I realized what a unique and special thing it really is.

Aaron: Yeah, I, uh of course, , Alvina Krause's quote that there should be a a theater in every town, just like a church and church and

Stephen: Becky has the poster hanging in her office. The Avina Krause poster app. The, yeah. Oh, the 10th anniversary. Yeah. The, yeah. Oh, I do. Absolutely. 

Aaron: I've never seen that post. I would love to see that poster.

Becky: take a pick. Yes, it goes everywhere with me. I've had it framed for decades and decades. 

Aaron: Yeah, so I guess that kind of turns to, to Raise the Region. When did you guys start utilizing it as a way to support the theater?

Do you recall that?

Becky: I believe that I've been in almost if not every year since that began. 

 Even though we don't live in Bloomsburg anymore, [00:20:00] Bloomsburg is still a , huge part of my heart and a huge part of my history. And I know that I would not be the person that I am without Bloomsburg and particularly the experiences and the relationships that I had and that were so instrumental to me growing up at BTE.

I'd like to think that I really did. I mean, I live with my family and I had a house, but I also grew up at BTE. You know, I drank my first cup of coffee at age nine in the BTE dressing room. I cannot tell you how much sugar I put into it, but, um, But Betsy and David and Rand and Tom, they were all, they were drinking it.

They were, you know, and being a fly on the wall and hearing their stories. And, and I think the biggest takeaway looking back on it is to see a group of. Incredibly smart, incredibly accomplished adults act like kids and be creative and not be afraid to make, to make fun of [00:21:00] themselves , and just to be vulnerable. And that was something that I wasn't really seeing in other parts of my life and, really kind of opened me up to the possibility that, that that is something that you can carry with you, regardless of how old you are. or And just have joy and creativity in your life regardless of what you do.

Aaron: You can be that kind of adult, like, I didn't know I could be that kind of adult, which

Becky: yeah, that's acceptable.

Aaron: yeah, 

Becky: You know, my parents were also very involved with BTE. My mom actually was on the board was the president of the board for several years, and my dad was essentially the company physician, whenever one of the Ensemble Members was sick, had a cold, was, was pregnant, was, you know, whatever it is, he was the small town doc, uh, with them, which was really wonderful. And so, they also were very supportive of me getting not just getting involved, but also just being exposed.

So I went to see, , King Lear and, and Company and Streetcar Named Desire when I was nine years old, 10 years [00:22:00] old and, I was too young, right? But they didn't see it that way. 

And, but I was also, I was primarily just so taken with the idea that, that, that, Betsy Dowd, that Laurie McCants, that Rand Whipple are like, I know them. I know them and I am seeing them on stage be completely transformed into something else, you know, for the sake of telling this story and that was something that has always stuck with me.

Aaron: We have quite a few BTE kids that are entering into their teens, like tween, tweens and teens, and we had probably more 12 year olds than I would have imagined at Misery. That, I mean, that, that's sort of like, I, I want to see what this is.

I'm probably too young for it, but I want to see what it is, you

Becky: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. I would, I would usher as a, as a young teen and through high school, I would usher multiple times per production so that I could see the show multiple times. 

Aaron: It's a great way to see a show to usher and then, and then pop upstairs.

Becky: Well, and [00:23:00] that's, that makes me think about part of the mission of BTE, which is for everyone with everyone. That the company is so embedded into the community and, and vice versa. The community is so embedded into, into the company.

Aaron: I would say it doesn't work any other way, because the finances of having a professional theater company in this particular community without the community's full support and the company recognizing the service that they are providing to the community. The seesaw doesn't balance otherwise. That's one of the things that Raise the Region allows us to do it is it is our largest fundraiser. It's also when we get from larger donations into the hundreds or thousands of dollars to our $25 donations numbering into the many hundreds. That feels like a vote of confidence from the community. 

Stephen: Yeah, and it goes back to the, the, the roots of the regional theater movement in this country. That's what it was meant to be an [00:24:00] alternative to commercial theater, alternative to touring theater , a movement where the people of your community create theater and art for your community.

Aaron: So I think it's always a great reminder for us , to get poked and go, Hey, that's That's how all these theaters started. That's where they came from. That's, you know, that's where they were born. Um, and like you said, it doesn't work if that relationship isn't healthy. 

 It's a fragile thing and you know, it's easier for us to not exist.

Becky: exactly.

Aaron: It takes effort and a will

Stephen: any relationship. It takes work. Yeah. But it's fun work, most of the time.

Aaron: It's fun work. Yeah, there, there, there are a lot. There are myriad of benefits. 

 So, Raise the Region it's like a little reminder. Like a celebratory, competitive, uh, little mini March Madness Super Bowl reminder that, Hey, all of these non for profits need your support. Cause otherwise they aren't, they're not going to be there. Um, it's a really, uh, a fun way to celebrate [00:25:00] the, the need to, to pitch 

Becky: in 

Stephen: it's always such a profound reminder of how many organizations are out there doing amazing, impactful work in the time we live in looking out for each other is, is getting more and more important. And that's great. Looking out for the people who provide these services and whether it be arts, whether it be culture, whether it be, social services, it's, it's hugely important right now.

Community thru Connection

Becky: I was listening to an interview where they were talking about this, the idea of connecting with people and how it seems particularly nowadays that we connect with people over things we hate I hate this. Political thing or whatever you do too? Great! Well, that's not sustainable, right? So, like, it's important to connect with people about something that you love or something that really excites you. And I don't think that there's much that connects people better... connects humans better than stories. And storytelling. So I think that is why Alvina Krause is absolutely correct when she said she dreams of a theater [00:26:00] in, in every town in this country, because that is where people go to connect, to connect with each other, to connect with the person they're watching it with, to connect with the person they're seeing on stage. To connect with somebody who may not be there in person with them, but that the story resonates with them and, and they think about those relationships. I think that Raise the Region is a really wonderful time to think about this company is giving so much to me. so much to my community.

Aaron: By its structure, it's a communal pile on right. that you see this long list of people giving, you know, whatever they're giving and it's like, well, I'm going to do that too. And then sooner or later, not only do you raise more than you expected, but if we're all working together at the right hour block all of a sudden my $25 becomes $5000.

Becky: Exactly. Oh, I love all the challenges they do, too, throughout, throughout the Raise the Region event. The geographic challenges, or the, this time limited challenges. They're, they're really fun. From afar, you know, I'm watching this in [00:27:00] Colorado. But it really does get me excited every year.

Aaron: Yeah. And you get to participate from Colorado. , the difference between a gala or , a street fair, you can't do that from Colorado, but you can, you can participate and Raise the Region, 

Becky: you know, came back to Bloomsburg a couple seasons ago to direct, Grand Horizons and I was reminded pretty much every day that I was there, what a special place Bloomsburg is. It's really just such a wonderful town, uh, really incredible people, incredible community, um, and that is in part, a large part, because of places like BTE. 

Aaron: There are some wonderful community centers, BTE being one of them. But there's also the library, there's also, churches, there are many civic institutions in the town that I think are pretty special and also participate and raise the region , and even wider, I mean, when we were talking about the region, it is most of central and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Like there are [00:28:00] so many not-for-profits and so I should throw that in there too. Gives an opportunity for folks like you who are, tied to it by heartstrings you get to contribute and give back in that way.

Becky: Absolutely.

Aaron: Anything else that you'd like to say that, that, that we haven't said thus far? 

Stephen: I'm, just super excited and proud that you and others have picked up the mantle of the company. I know that it's hard to follow in the footsteps of people who've, , have done so much, um, and made such a powerful impression on all of us and countless other people. And I have nothing but absolute pride and commendation for the next generation who stepped in there to keep doing it and to keep, um, this institution alive. And I use that word very deliberately. It is an institution that part of. Bloomsburg and part of Central Pennsylvania. And kudos to you. 

Becky: What he said. 

Aaron: I'll reflect that gratitude. It can be hard to [00:29:00] feel like we got to fill those shoes. And, when particularly the two of you and many others are supportive in the way that you have been it makes it a much lighter burden to carry it means that we have the support of the folks who valued it beforehand and, you're still pitching in and always offering assistance if needed.

So thank you.

Time Block Prizes

Aaron: So Jared, what is our strategy this year? We have a couple different prizes right? 

No pressure. Take a breath. 

Jared: There is no pressure except the longevity of our company.

Aaron: Yeah. But that ain't hinged on this podcast. I 

Jared: don't know. It might be our, listen, I love it. Anywho. So we are going for two prizes this year. The Primetime Prize and the Afternoon Drive. The Primetime Prize is Wednesday from 8 -10pm and that's the non profit that raises the most money. So we're gonna try to get as many of you to donate larger sums.

Aaron: Cool. 

Jared: And then the next day, Thursday, from 2 to 5 p. m., [00:30:00] we're doing the afternoon drive, which is the most unique donors. So that's, if you're giving us our $25, our $30, our $50, which, by the way, BTE sustains on those low donations. Yeah. Like, it really truly we do, um, we want you to donate during the afternoon drive.

Got you. Get as many people,

 A unique donor as historically has been defined as a different email address. So you can donate on the same credit card, but you have to use two different email addresses and, and the home address can only be used twice. 

Aaron: So a husband and wife or a kid and a parent could correct donate on one card.

Jared: Correct. You can all donate on one card as long as the email and or home address are different. 

Aaron: So on the 12th, we want large sums between the

Jared: 8 to 10 PM. 

Aaron: Awesome. And on the 13th, we want, small sums and as many as possible between 

Jared: 2 and 5 PM. 

Aaron: Fantastic. You passed the quiz. 

Jared: Thank you. I've been practicing all day. 

Aaron: [00:31:00] So are there, those are the time blocks, are there any other prizes that we're going 

for?

Jared: Absolutely. And, you know, at the, at the end of the day, we're Hopefully wanting, you know, the grand prize, the big kahuna.

So if we raise, um, that is the nonprofit with the most unique donors, we'll get the grand prize this year. So, you know, if we can. Get the most unique donors. We can get that extra $5, 000. 

Yeah. So, so getting your family involved, getting your family, uh, calling your friends. Most recently I've been seeing on Facebook. People like linking friends and saying, you want to go see that? Oh, uh, let's see that. 

Such a wonderful thing. That's how. Yeah. 

Aaron: Yeah. So, uh, so totally do that for raise the region as well. 100%. Um, and don't miss the 12th and 13th of March. We will be there 

Jared: for sure.

Outro

Aaron: This has been Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble: Down Center. Ensemble driven. Professional Theater. Arts Education. In Rural Pennsylvania, For Everyone. With Everyone.

We'd like to thank the foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber [00:32:00] of Commerce for the use of equipment that helps us bring this recording to your ears. 

Don't miss your chance to help BTE and all area non-profits win in our own special brand of March Madness. Donate to Raise the Region March 12th and 13th. You can make your dollars go farther by helping BTE win the Primetime Prize from 8 to 10 p. m on Wednesday march 12th And the afternoon drive from 2 to 5 p. m. on Thursday the 13th. Thanks so much to the First Community Foundation Partnership and the Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships for hosting the event, and for all the local businesses who help sponsor prizes across the two days. You can make your donation at raisetheregion.org.

Our theater in the classroom” tour of discovering frederick douglas is also hitting the road this month to schools all across Pa and New Jersey Join the tour's kickoff at the free library preview open to the public at the Bloomsburg Public Library on March 15th at 12:30 and see the show mid tour at the Bloomsburg Renaissance Jamboree on April 26th. [00:33:00] In the Phillips Emporium at 2:00 PM We're so grateful to Sakai Kydex for sponsoring our TIC tour. 

book A TIC performance, Support our Raise the Region efforts, and get your tickets online at bte.org.   

Tag

Aaron: this episode, we're spotlight Mmm 

Speaker 3: And a boiled egg. 

Aaron: Ooh, that sounds good. It is. 

Do you do milk on your porridge? 

Jon: Yes. 

Aaron: Yes. Skim. Skim, not cream. And brown sugar. Wait, what 

Jared: is porridge? Like, 

Jon: cream of wheat? You will call it oatmeal.

Jared: Oh. So it's more like oatmeal, not 

Jon: cream 

Jared: of 

Jon: wheat.

Jared: I don't know what cream of wheat 

Jon: is. 

Aaron: I think porridge is a very All the storage comes together.

It's a 

Jon: very Scottish thing, porridge. Yeah, well, British Isles, yeah. They use oatmeal a lot. 

Aaron: Yes. And 

Jon: there we, we, and there we bairns.

Please 

Jared: tell me that was being recorded. Yeah. That [00:34:00] whole part. Great. It's going to go at the end. I love every moment of this.  

Cool. Did we answer all the questions? 

Aaron: I think so. What was, because I We didn't say the date enough. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. March 

Jared: 12th and 13th. Raise the Region is March 12th and 13th. Raise the region is March 12th and 13th.

Jon: Which is only. It's only two and a half weeks away. 

Aaron: You're, you're, you're quacking. I'm quacking. 

Jared: I love it.