They're passing the envelope at Ephrata Performing Arts Center.
And it doesn't contain the name of an award winner, but a request for help.
As with many facilities for the arts these days, EPAC is hoping for a little extra from patrons who keep culture alive in tough times. Starting at the tail end of the last theater season and extending into this one, EPAC has been inserting contribution envelopes in its theater programs, most recently at last week's opening of playwright John Guare's "House of Blue Leaves."
"Luckily, our subscriptions have held out," said Joanne Pike, board president at EPAC. "But like everyone, it's week-to-week."
Or, in EPAC's case, "play-to-play," Pike said.
In 2003, EPAC launched an ambitious $2 million renovation program, which included the installation of a raised roof, new seating, restrooms, new plumbing and electrical systems, including heat and air conditioning. The theater has paid about $1 million so far, but "we have the rest of the mortgage to pay," Pike said.
That's coupled with a spike in electricity rates in Ephrata. In February, many area residents saw their utility bills skyrocket as the result of deregulation of the power industry, which forced the borough to purchase higher-priced power.
Ed Fernandez, artistic director at EPAC, acknowledged that with productions, rehearsals and meetings, the theater is "an alive building," power-consumption-wise, and that electric bills are "part of the situation."
Subscriptions and single-ticket sales cover about 40 percent of EPAC's budget, Fernandez said, and while grateful for that support, "unfortunately the arts get hit the hardest" in a struggling economy.
That's true all around the local cultural scene. In January, it was reported that the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster laid off four full-time employees from its 30-person staff. The city's Theater of the Seventh Sister also dropped some shows because of budget costs.
At EPAC, Fernandez has seen some positive results. While the theater has long had a contribution basket in its lobby, stepping up what Fernandez jokingly called "our begging campaign" via envelopes has "increased some some offerings," he said.
Stephen Kopfinger is a Sunday News staff writer. Contact him at skopfinger@lnpnews.com or at 291-8799. 