A groundswell of community support for the Capitol Theatre, the home of the Little Theatre of Greeneville, is beginning to develop in advance of a pending foreclosure sale of the landmark structure on the Greene County Courthouse steps, a Little Theatre spokesman said Wednesday.

The Little Theatre Board of Directors remains hopeful that enough funds can be raised to head off the planned foreclosure sale on Thursday, June 26, according to Little Theatre President Jenny Yeip.

The Rural Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which loaned the Little Theatre $500,000 in 2002 to enable the organization to complete a major renovation of The Capitol, has notified the organization that it is foreclosing on the loan, which is two years in default.

A public notice advertisement on Page B-6 of today's issue of The Greeneville Sun states that, since the loan is in default, "the entire indebtedness has been declared due and payable" as provided in the Real Estate Deed of Trust signed by the Little Theatre on Jan. 8, 2002.

The agency states in the notice that plans call for the agency to have The Capitol sold at auction to the highest bidder at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, at the Greene County Courthouse.

Yeip said in an interview last week that she and the board had been aware that the organization is two years in default on the annual $29,000 payments the Little Theatre is required to make each January to the Rural Development Agency.

She said the organization was also aware that, because of the default, there was the possibility of foreclosure.

She said she was notified by an RDA official on May 28 that definite plans to foreclose had been made by the agency.

Yeip also emphasized in the interview last week that the Rural Development Agency has "been great with us. I can't tell you enough about them trying to work with us.

"They've been saddened by all of this, too. They don't want to see this happen."

Charles Brooks, local director of the RDA, echoed that statement, explaining that, with The Capitol or with any foreclosure, "We do our best to work with the families to see if they can stay in the [structure]."

He stated that if the community "made some contributions to the group and they could solve the foreclosure," his office would work with the Little Theatre group.

In the wake of the announcement that the RDA was foreclosing on the loan, Yeip said Wednesday in a press release, the Little Theatre's board of directors "has moved to concentrate fully on fundraising efforts, which they hope will avoid the foreclosure proceedings."

"The outpouring of support from the community has been steadily growing," the press release said.

At this point, the organization has on hand around $12,000 to put toward the USDA loan, $10,000 of which came from a Mary Gertrude Fox Foundation grant.

Additional funding and interest in helping with the efforts have also been flowing in, according to Yeip.

A "Save The Capitol Fund" has been set up at GreenBank by the Little Theatre Board of Directors for The Little Theatre, which is the non-profit which occupies the Capitol, "is asking the community to step up and show that they want the Capitol to remain a part of the downtown area."

The theatre is a non-profit entity, and all donations to it are tax deductible, the news release stated.

The release added that, "in the unfortunate event that this drive is unsuccessful in saving the Capitol, monies will be returned."

Donations may be sent to:

Save The Capitol Fund

P.O. Box 160

Greeneville, TN 37744

The Little Theatre statement continued:

"The Capitol is a historical icon in downtown Greeneville. The theatre has recently gained a surge of support for their theatrical productions, and their music series, held on the first Saturday of the month, has been the talk of the town.

"Community support will be crucial in securing the future and helping to continue the legacy and create new history. It will take an outpouring of support to save the Capitol, but our community will hopefully be up to the challenge.

"The board of directors is actively pursuing fundraising efforts. This week, letters have been sent to all local businesses, and over 600 e-mails have been sent to past Capitol supporters.

"With the short time period that is given, the group is pleading with the community to rise to the challenge. In addition, state officials have been contacted to request support during this time."

Quoting Yeip, the Little Theatre president, the press release added:

"Many from the community have either asked or implied that Scott Niswonger should or will take over the building. However, it is not Scott's responsibility to fund everything in Greeneville and the surrounding area.

"Scott assumed the interest payment on a $250,000 loan for The Capitol and provided significant funding during the initial renovation process.

"He has done his part. Now it is time for the community to let us know if they want The Capitol to remain a part of the community.

"Our town needs to act now and not assume that someone else will take care of this. If they do, it could be too late."

Meanwhile, the press release said, The Capitol plans to continue with its upcoming theatre and music productions without cancellation, adding, "The attendance and support of the community are especially important now."

The progressive bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters, along with Greeneville's own Lost Mountain String Band, will play at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 7th.

"Those in the community who have never attended a Capitol Music Series event are urged to come enjoy this event while also showing newfound support and appreciation for The Capitol."

Following the Capitol Music Series show, the Missoula Children's Theatre will come to Greeneville.

"Missoula offers a chance for local children and young adults, grades 1-12, to participate in an amazing theatrical experience in which they receive expert instruction from the Missoula troupe.

"This event will take place June 9-14.

"This is a chance for a great educational and developmental experience that will enrich all school age children."
The patriotic production of "Kilroy Was Here" will be presented from June 20 through July 4.

"Those with children should consider enrollment in the Missoula Children's Theatre," the press release said, and "Kilroy Was Here" will be a production "that will make you proud to be an American!"

The release added, "This show is being supported by our local units of the Veterans of Foreign War and the American Legion."

More information on the Capitol, scheduled performances, and updates on the current status of the theatre, can be found by visiting the Web site at www.CapitolTheatreOfGreeneville.com.

Those interested in providing financial support are asked to mail checks to the address above, or call (423) 638-7712, or e-mail capitoltheatre@comcast.net with questions, according to the press release.