The Imperial Theatre's monthly 50/50 raffles continue to gain momentum.
Executive Director Brian Austin Jr. said the January raffle "exploded" with a take home prize of $61,510, after $123,020 was collected.
"We were really pleased with the first few months, prizes were around $10,000 to $12,000, but the end of January draw just exploded," said Austin. "We were just beside ourselves watching the pot grow, and grow, and grow, and grow."
He expects the February raffle may be just as popular.
Austin Jr. said the funds free up operating dollars, because everything raised is dedicated to theatre equipment, production expenses and renovations.
He said they've had to be creative when it comes to fundraising during the pandemic.
"Early on we held a few fundraisers. We did one specifically for the Inn of the Good Shepherd, and one for us, which was really successful. Over the summer we did a concert series called 'Concert in a Bubble' and over Christmas, we wrote, directed, filmed, edited a feature length musical film."
Austin Jr. said they're considering a few other projects, but he admits with the new COVID strains, and safety regulations changing week-to-week for the industry, it's hard to plan.
He said they've been updating their reopening plan with each update on regulations, but it takes time to produce, rehearse, work on costumes and sets.