CONTACT: Kim Frydman 603-745-6032 kfrydman@papermilltheatre.org

NORTH COUNTRY CENTER FOR THE ARTS CELEBRATES POURING OF CONCRETE FOUNDATION FOR JEAN'S PLAYHOUSE, A NEW YEAR-ROUND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

$2.6 Million Capital Campaign Continues for New Community Theatre Facility

LINCOLN, NH November 16, 2009 - Over 70 people turned out today to help North Country Center for the Arts (NCCA) celebrate pouring of the concrete foundation for Jean's Playhouse, a new, year-round community performing arts center in Lincoln, and the future home of NCCA's Papermill Theatre.

"This is a very exciting day for NCCA," said NCCA President Rick Kelley. "This is something that we have looked forward to for a very long time and we feel that it is important to celebrate this milestone with our community and supporters."

The concrete pouring ceremony took place just to the southwest of the current Papermill Theatre building in Lincoln, on a parcel of land that was donated to NCCA by the Town of Lincoln in 2008. The new 15,000-square-foot, 250-seat building will include space for set design and construction, storage, as well as NCCA's administrative offices. The facility will be fully accessible, insulated and climate controlled, and will also be available for community activities and use by other non-profit organizations.

Named for Jean Hallager, one of the prime movers behind the success of the Papermill Theatre and other cultural centers in the area, the year-round facility will allow NCCA to offer more of the outstanding entertainment and cultural offerings for local residents and visitors for which it has become known. NCCA's youth programs - live performances, outreach programs, camps and school vacation programs for youth will also be expanded.

The former Franconia Paper Mill building, NCCA's current facility and the theatre's home for the past 23 years, is being demolished to make way for the new InnSeason Resorts' Riverwalk project.

Despite the challenging economy, the ongoing capital campaign has been very successful to date, already raising half of the necessary funding for the building. Fundraising is continuing to reach the goal necessary to complete the construction of the new theatre facility. "We are thrilled with the support that we have received to date and are confident that we will not only reach our campaign goal but surpass it," states Al Simensen, Campaign Chair.

For more information or to make a donation, call 603-745-6032 or visit papermilltheatre.org. ###

Founded in 1986, the NCCA is a community based and supported 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization that promotes the performing and visual arts throughout north central New Hampshire by producing live, professional-quality artistic, educational, and entertaining programs for all ages. The excellence of the acting, directing, choreography and producing of NCCA productions has resulted in numerous awards from The New Hampshire Theatre Awards Program.

The Children's Theatre performs all original musical adaptations of favorite children's tales six days a week for eight weeks during the months of July and August. Shows are presented in NCCA's home community of Lincoln, as well as a number of other communities including Claremont, Meriden, Concord, Waterville Valley, North Conway and Plymouth. The Children's Theatre plans to expand its schedule to include additional communities in the future.