March 6th, 2008

Dear Senator Theatre Contributors,

A year has passed since an operational crisis at The Senator Theatre was averted, and we want to thank you again for your generosity and for your creative input and encouragement. This communication is to apprise you of our emerging plans to take The Senator to a dynamic new level of entertainment and service to the community. This letter is not a funding solicitation.

March 2007

Thanks to you, the theatre remains in operation as Baltimore's Art Deco jewel showcasing films and hosting special events and fundraisers as an economic engine and cultural amenity anchoring the resurgent Belvedere Square district and the residential communities that surround it. The Senator remains endangered, however, in its present configuration.

A unique collaborative process has taken place in the past year involving many of you who offered much more than your financial contributions. As a group, you have also contributed creative suggestions, constructive criticism and positive feedback, fueling an interactive planning process that continues to evolve.

We initially envisioned hosting on-site town hall meetings to collaborate with our donors, community members and political leaders and fashion a plan to achieve a sustainable future for The Senator that preserves its original function. It became apparent that on-site town hall meetings might not be a feasible method for interacting with all of our contributors. Analysis revealed that the majority of donations were not from Maryland, and that more of you made your contributions from across the USA and from as far as Switzerland, Sweden and the UK. This occurred despite the lack of any national or international news stories to alert those who live outside the region of The Senator's precarious plight.

Many of you responded when alerted by friends and family through a lateral person-to-person process. It was astounding to discover that our historic, community-based theatre was the thankful recipient of an extraordinary generosity coming from a different type of "community" than we initially thought.

Once the crisis was averted, we examined the flood of e-mails, calls and letters to identify common elements. It's apparent that many contributors have lost one or more of their beloved community theatres or have seen them converted to undesirable uses, prompting action to prevent a similar fate from happening to The Senator.

It was also heartening to learn that thousands responded to assist an endangered institution that serves and benefits the communities that surround it, although they do not live in physical proximity to the region it serves. The flood of over 3,500 contributions in ten days demonstrated that a online virtual community can form on short notice and act on its collective vested interest in ways that mirror the motivations of a geocentric community.

A significant benefit derived from a dispersed contributor community is receiving information about innovative enhancements made to endangered historic theatres in other locales. We learned about numerous independent theatres that increased attendance and profitability by expanding their capabilities, programming and concessions.

Examples were cited of historic theatres that added balconies and reconfigured adjacent spaces with sensitivity to their landmark status, creating the flexibility needed to accommodate a variety of public and private functions. A greater variety of food and beverage options was also suggested to increase attendance and per capita income. Specifically cited were the amenities offered by Baltimore's Landmark Theatre location.

Film programming suggestions include the continuation of first-run Hollywood "event" features and art/specialty independent features, and adding more classic revivals, repertory and ethnic film festivals. It was noted as well that The Senator could grow its niche by showcasing the emerging 3D digital technology and interactive video gaming.

We agree that The Senator Theatre is ideally positioned to become a dynamic, multi-faceted entertainment facility by offering a wider array of programming choices. Our goal is for The Senator to become a unique, 1000 seat North Baltimore special event showcase for the moving image and the arts. In addition to filmed entertainment, options include: live jazz, rock, folk, country and classical music concerts, and presentations of the increasingly popular HD Metropolitan and La Scala Opera broadcasts.

Weekday educational programs for students of all ages also show great promise by utilizing an HD digital-equipped Senator Theatre and its large 40' screen as a graphic interface for enhanced learning. Educational opportunities exist to present films and interactive digital programs to student groups in synch with their history, literature, music, drama, and language and science curriculums. "Green" programming can also offer dazzling high-definition presentations of the "Planet Earth" series and others intended to increase awareness of environmental issues.

It was also suggested that The Senator's high-profile legacy of raising millions in funds for deserving causes be expanded in scope to include benefits that serve to preserve and protect the theatre itself. Instituting a shared percentage policy on fundraising events benefiting others was also recommended to help maintain The Senator's economic viability.

A series of on-site, community-based round table meetings are currently underway with the goal of refining a viable action plan for The Senator Theatre. Discussions are also ongoing to evaluate for-profit and not-for-profit scenarios and an optimal financing package to bring the plan to fruition. If you have an interest in offering  your input, joining our round table discussions or posing questions please do so through info@senator.com or by calling us at 410.435.1174.

As we continue our campaign to achieve a vibrant and sustainable future for The Senator Theatre, we will forward progress reports to our e-mail list members and post them as well on www.senator.com. Our shared goals are to preserve, enhance and protect The Senator Theatre as the premiere entertainment venue in the region and an invaluable community asset for the enjoyment of all for generations to come. Please stay tuned!

Sincerely,
Thomas A. Kiefaber