April 10, 2025

Dear KCST Family-

For decades, Kingswood Children’s Summer Theatre has been run by staff that give time, energy and love to our program because of their love of theater, the arts and children. There have been years when many of us have not taken much or any of the small salaries offered because costs have risen greatly and we just want this program to continue. We have a very small Board of Directors that work throughout the year to organize our summer program and try to secure funding to supplement our budget. 

Unfortunately, for the summer of 2025 – we have neither the funds nor the staff to proceed in having KCST this year. The funding for a grant we were expecting the past 2 years has not come through, and we have been unable to fill the vacancies left with the retirement of our staff member who wore many hats. We are incredibly sad and disappointed to need to share this news- and really have been trying hard to find a way around this decision to not be together this summer. We will all miss our time together.

We have been finding it harder to fill positions – both staff and board members. We understand everyone has busy lives, but if this program is important to your child- helping is important to make sure we can move forward. Fundraising will need to happen this year. Grant writing will need to be done this year. And we need help filling staff positions- we have reached out to our connections but if you have any ideas please reach out!

Staff positions needing to be filled:

-Registrar: the forward facing staff involved in all communication with families, managing and tracking registrations, updating staff on enrollment

-Front of House Manager: in charge of publicity and materials for actual performances

-Website manager: can either work directly on updating website or work with our web host guru to keep website updated

-Social Media Manager: update our content on various platforms for recruitment of thespians and audience, and keeping in touch with our families

It has been a fantastic 17 years with this program as a family member for me and 11 as a staff member. Beginning next week – communication will be transferred to Delina Bickford, President of our Board of Directors. 

Missing Everyone, Already-

Sue Matos

Registrar / Front of House, Emeritus