In a significant boost to the local arts, Premier Community Bank has joined the prestigious Directors Club by donating $25,000 to the Iola-Scandinavia School Musical Theatre Department’s Auditorium Improvement Project. This generous contribution underscores the bank’s commitment to fostering creativity, education, and community engagement.
A Commitment to Community Growth
Premier Community Bank President Tom Pamperin expressed the importance of supporting projects that bring the community together.
“It is a privilege to support a great project like this. Watching the entire community come together in support of something that brings the entire community together is what being a neighbor means!” Pamperin exclaimed.
This donation will help ensure all students in the district have access to high-quality theatrical experiences, offering them opportunities to develop skills in teamwork, creativity, and collaboration. The annual musical production brings together students from diverse backgrounds, including music, shop, and athletics, fostering a shared sense of achievement.
A Vision for the Future
The Auditorium Improvement Project, estimated at $450,000, aims to enhance the performance space for both students and the community. The project is divided into three critical phases:
Lighting Up the Stage – The current lighting system is outdated and requires full replacement. LED lighting will be installed, offering greater energy efficiency and reducing heat output. Costs for lighting upgrades rise 15% annually, making timely donations crucial.
Elevating Sound Quality – Currently, the auditorium borrows essential audio equipment from the Jensen Center in Amherst, but increasing demand has made this unsustainable. New microphones, speakers, a soundboard, and a director communication system will be installed. Original speakers will be rewired and relocated, with additional onstage speakers added for an immersive experience.
Enhancing Stage Design & Rigging – The existing curtains only open and close, limiting staging possibilities. The project includes A mid-tier curtain for flexible scene changes, a ceiling-mounted projector and white cyclorama for enhanced visual displays, and improved rigging systems to optimize stage use.
How the Community Can Help
The success of this initiative depends on community contributions, and donations of all sizes are encouraged. Donation Tiers are: Building Support: $1–$100 (Curtain Call Club), $101–$500 (Spotlight Society); Growing Impact: $501–$1,000 (Backstage Backers), $1,001–$5,000 (Performance Partners), $5,001–$10,000 (Showstoppers); and Transformative Giving: $10,001–$25,000 (Directors Club), $25,001–$50,000 (Producers Club), $50,001–$100,000 (Founders Club).
Donations can be sent to: Auditorium Project, 450 East Division Street, Iola, WI 54945.
Checks should be made payable to I-S Schools.
A Call to Action
Premier Community Bank’s donation is a milestone moment, but continued support is needed to make this vision a reality. By contributing, community members help build a cultural hub where students can thrive and showcase their talents for years to come.
For those passionate about the arts, education, and community enrichment, this project is an investment in future generations. Now is the time to step into the spotlight and support this important endeavor!