Answering Your Questions.
On April 16, 2024, we announced that Legacy Theater Company will change its name and mission.
You can watch/read our announcement HERE.
As of May 1, 2024, Legacy Theater Company will change its name to THE SEEING PLACE. Our new mission is:
to foster community through education, music, and theater. We aim to illuminate the truth about our lives and ourselves, while also serving as a ministry to uplift and inspire individuals. Through high-quality productions, classes, and workshops, we aim to foster community, encourage personal growth, and find meaning through the stories we tell.
After our announcement, we received a few questions we would like to answer.
We would also like to address any questions that were not asked.
Are you changing locations?
At this time, we are not changing our location. However, we have outgrown our building, so if you know of a bigger space that is affordable to a small non-profit, let us know! ☺️
Are you leaning into the religious aspect and away from the theater?
Steven, myself, and our Board of Directors have always run Legacy with our faith at the center. We believe our faith is why we produce works of excellence both for the students and for our Mainstage. That being said, we never push our religious beliefs on our students, volunteers, or adults. Neither do we hide them.
The Seeing Place is not a “Christian Theater.” We are a community theater where everyone is welcome.
We will not be leaning into religious aspects any more than we already have.
By changing our name and mission, we hope to expand our offerings and provide a wider range of experiences for our community. Ultimately, the decision to participate in our classes, workshops, and S.O.T.A program or audition on stage with us is entirely up to each individual, and we are happy to have the opportunity to extend an invitation to anyone who may be interested in what we have to offer.
Community, Theater, Arts, Ministry: Is that what you guys are now?
COMMUNITY: Our primary focus is on the people who walk in our doors: our volunteers, actors, singers, students, families, and audience members. People are why we do what we do.
THEATER: We are still producing quality plays, musicals, concerts, comedies, and dramas on our stage. Some will feature religious themes (like last Fall’s Family Portrait, this year’s Godspell, or the Fall 2022 production of Nunsense). Some will not feature religious themes (like Miracle Worker, Odd Couple, Rehearsal for Murder, Once On This Island, and Anne of Green Gables). We are and will always be a community theater.
ARTS: Music and The Arts is the soul of who we are at The Seeing Place. We will continue to offer concerts within our theater (like our Christmas Concerts, That’s Amore, or Back to the ‘80s). We will also be looking into more choral works, open mic nights, and acoustic performances.
MINISTRY: A ministry refers to the work or service carried out by individuals or groups in service to a particular cause or belief system. This may not affect our audiences as much as those who volunteer with us. But what has become apparent to Steven and I is that those who are willing to see themselves and others often come to us for guidance, advice, and mentoring. We want to create a space where our volunteers and students can find support in their day to day lives.
Are you still a nonprofit?
Yes. We are still a non-profit 501(c)(3), and all donations are tax-deductible. Our EIN number has not changed.
Are Steven and Erika Bain still running things?
Yep. Until God says otherwise, we are still at the helm.
Are my kids’ classes at S.O.T.A. changing?
Nope. We will continue to do what we have always done with our students. After every class, I will continue to pray with our students as I have since 2011 and I will continue to inspire our students to be all that God has created them to be both on and off the stage.
In terms of faith, I don’t believe what you do. Can I still audition and volunteer?
Yep. Come on down. All are welcome.
What does The Seeing Place mean?
The word theater comes from the Greek teatro, “a seeing place.” When we step into a theater, whether on or offstage, we see the truth about ourselves, our neighbors, culture, society, faith, beliefs, and the truth in the stories we tell.
This post aims to answer some questions that have come up and questions you may be asking yourself. If there is something I didn’t address, please let me know via email at contact@seeingplace.org.
You can always call me at 910-548-6323. Thank you for being a part of us.
💜 Erika Bain