The Katy Grand Theatre Project
Katy, TX (February 26, 2016) The Noyes Fine Arts Foundation (NFAF) announces the launch of its Capital Campaign to build The Katy Grand Theatre, an initiative known as The Katy Grand Theatre Project. Founded in 2011 by fellow artists Andrew Noyes and Dr. Debbie Siebert, NFAF was established as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization intending to create a permanent center for professional quality performing arts, entertainment, and arts education in Katy, Texas. As lifelong advocates for arts, and music, and theatre professionals themselves, Noyes and Siebert tried to locate a well-appointed and affordable performance space for rent, and soon discovered Katy’s need for a state-of-the-art performance venue to fit this need. With successful theatre companies in smaller neighboring communities, Katy benefits from having its own community minded, professional quality theatre company. With a focus on producing the highest quality theatre and musical presentations tapping into community involvement, building a new venue fills that need and provides local organizations an affordable, quality option to rent.
The Katy Grand Theatre facility is designed by local architect Verret Group. Its design is a mix of modern elegant theatre with sophisticated old west flavor. Featuring a 400-seat auditorium with red velvet grand drape and seats, excellent sight lines, ample staging and loading areas, and multipurpose classroom spaces, all with cutting edge theatre technology. The overall budget for the construction and opening is estimated at $5 million dollars. This venue will bring the talented members of the community together to produce thrilling, professional quality, family entertainment. Offering concert and performing arts attractions, as well as family entertainment and performing arts training for the entire community, this destination attraction will act as an economic generator for Katy and attract visitors from Houston and the region to hundreds of annual events.
As Executive Director, Noyes brings his vast experience and network of professional artists to ensure the highest quality and overall success of NFAF programs. His performance resume includes leading roles on stage, in film, and T.V. He has been teaching and working as a production consultant for over 15 years including B.Y.U. workshops, producing and hosting a local television show, working on the Emmy Awards at Fox Studios, and as Entertainment Director for Holland America cruises. Noyes co-created Mission IMPROVible, a successful improvisation troupe. Upon arriving in Katy in 2010, he established a local team of this comedy troupe, but after struggling to locate a permanent home, the troupe folded. “Every location available was either too expensive, not suitable, or overbooked and we needed a place to call home in order for the community to be able to consistently find us. It was a difficult decision to fold, but it was also the catalyst to launching this initiative to build a permanent home for the performing arts in Katy. ”
Co-founder Dr. Debbie Siebert has her Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Voice and with her considerable resume will assume the role of Director of Education. Siebert, a mezzo-soprano, has performed with opera companies including Houston Grand Opera, Sugarland Opera, and Opera Las Vegas, and has appeared in many symphony concerts as a featured performer. Siebert is an accomplished music director for theatre productions, concerts and recitals. She arranges, composes and records music, is an accompanist for other artists, and is a veteran choir conductor. As a fierce advocate of the arts, Siebert explains “I have witnessed the performing arts uniting communities and I firmly believe The Katy Grand Theatre Project will be a strong force bringing the Katy community together to enjoy and grow in the arts.”
Andrew Noyes and Dr. Debbie Siebert
Noyes and Siebert have worked tirelessly to launch this company and acquire funding for the building project. In 2013, they successfully produced a large-scale production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, renting space at a local church. The audition announcement easily attracted a full cast and crew and, with only grass roots marketing of the event, sold out four nights of performances. Individual NFAF programs including Katy Youth Choir, Katy Youth Symphony, and Book Bash (touring children’s theatre) have been well established and performing in the Katy community by outsourcing rehearsal and performance space. Upon completion of the new state-of-the-art venue, NFAF will launch Katy Grand Theatre Presents!, a community minded Theatre Company producing full seasons of musical theatre productions, the Triple Threat Academy offering training programs for young artists interested in theatre and music, and has future plans for an adult choir and symphony.
Throughout, Noyes and Siebert have focused on the pursuit of funding for the building project. Their team has raised seed money, commissioned the architects, hired a third party to conduct a professional feasibility study, launched a professionally designed website at www.nfa.org, scouted the prime location near The Katy Mills Mall and newly announced Convention Center, expanded the Board of Directors with effective artistic and professional business leaders, and applied for federal funding.
The USDA has recently awarded The Noyes Fine Arts Foundation $3 Million dollars in guaranteed funding, to be released upon raising the first $400,000 of the overall $5 Million project, under a deadline of September 2016. With this great news, NFAF officially launched the Katy Grand Theatre Project Capital Campaign. The Fundraising Committee, chaired by Megan Comin, is planning the first annual NFAF fundraiser, the “Puttin’ on the Ritz Gala,” a black-tie event, for April 29th, 2016 at Briscoe Manor in Richmond, TX. Also scheduled is the “Let’s Make Some Noyes” clay shooting event on August 31st, 2016 at Westside Sporting Grounds in Katy. Detailed information about NFAF, its programs, tickets, and gift & naming opportunities are available on the website at www.nfaf.org or contact kgt@nfaf.org for inquiries or to request a personal presentation of all current plans.
Courtesy of the Noyes Fine Arts Foundation
