Mirrorbox Theater is asking for $30,000 in community support to avoid closing by the end of the month

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Mirrorbox Theatre, the only theater in Cedar Rapids focused exclusively on premiering contemporary plays in Iowa, is seeking community support to reach its fundraising goal of $30,000 by the end of October. The funds will help the nonprofit cover rent and maintain its location in the city’s Time Check neighborhood until 2024.

“With this $30,000 in support, we have enough to last us the entire calendar year, both programming and rentals,” said Cavan Hollman, founder and artistic director of Mirrorbox.

Hollman said the theater’s mission is to bring new stories and perspectives to Iowa audiences. “We had our first production in the spring of 2018, and since then we have been the only theater company in the state of Iowa exclusively producing contemporary plays at our Iowa premieres,” he said. “I like to say, ‘Come here, you’ll see something new.’

Known for its unique programming, Mirrorbox includes improv and an annual holiday show that Hollman describes as “sort of a Christmas counter-program.” Last year, their holiday special, Die Hard the Christmas Movie, sold out eight of its nine performances.

The theater, like many nonprofit arts organizations, continues to operate through ticket sales, donations and grants. However, despite limited success in fundraising in recent weeks, Hollman said they now face falling behind on rent and an upcoming November payment. “This morning we learned that we need to pay two months’ rent in arrears in addition to the rent that is due on November 1 in three days; otherwise we will have to vacate the property.”

Within hours of announcing the goal on Facebook, supporters had donated $1,700 toward the Mirrorbox’s goal, but Hollman said he hopes donations will continue to secure the theater’s future.

He said he believes contemporary art spaces like Mirrorbox play an important role in local art. “We need places for new things. It can’t just be an old channel,” he said.

Those interested in supporting Mirrorbox Theater’s mission can donate on their website by clicking here.