News Release: 8/27/2026

CHESTERFIELD, VA. - August 26, 2026 - The Board of Directors of Swift Creek Mill Theatre has voted to endorse a newly developed business plan and launch a “Save the Mill” fundraising campaign through September 30th, in an effort to establish a base for operating support that would bring back the holiday show Drifty the Snowman this December and move forward with a partial spring/summer 2027 season.

The Mill paused operations earlier this year after a Board-led review found the theatre had spent more than it brought in for several years running, driven in large part by the cost of operating a full restaurant alongside live theatre. Since then, volunteers and Board members have studied years of financial and programming records, consulted peer theatres in Virginia and North Carolina, and surveyed nearly 1,100 community members to shape a new business plan built around live theatre, music, and youth programming…without the restaurant.

To date, the campaign has raised $116,000 toward its Phase II goal of $250,000. With this plan, the Board will work with staff to plan a series of fall fundraising efforts to raise a separate $250,000, the full amount originally set for Phase III, to begin endorsing a new Business Plan.

“Having not fully achieved the Phase II goal, we are still not out of the woods in terms of debt and liability obligations. This Board is resolute not to resume operations until all debt and short-term liabilities are eliminated, and until we have enough operating reserve to hire essential professional and artistic staff, crew, and others”, said Cathy Martin, Chair of the Board.

In reference to the Plan, many may ask, what’s different? Rather than guess at solutions, the Board and leadership did the homework. Over several months, volunteers and Board members dug into years of financial, donor, and programming records, talked to peer theatres across Virginia and in North Carolina about what works at appropriate scale, and most importantly, listened to the community. Nearly 1,100 community members responded to the survey, telling us what they love about the Mill and what they want to see more of.

If the campaign reaches its goal, programming will continue to focus on:

• Children's shows and holiday programming, including the return of Drifty the Snowman in December 
• Cabarets and other live music
• Rentals for outside organizations and community groups
• Community events such as wine dinners and other arts-centric events

The Mill's 60-year-old home, a working gristmill dating back to 1663, remains the cultural cornerstone of the plan. The Board continues to recruit new members with finance, fundraising, governance, and legal expertise to support the theatre's next phase.

Community members can support the extended campaign with a tax-deductible gift, a new annual or ongoing contribution to the Mill's Annual Fund, or by volunteering for Board or front-of-house roles. Details on upcoming Community Open Houses will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Swift Creek Mill Theatre
Founded in 1965, Swift Creek Mill Theatre is housed inside a working gristmill dating back to 1663 in South Chesterfield, Virginia, and has served as a cultural home for Central and Southside Virginia for 60 years, presenting live theatre, music, and youth programming.