It’s the Season of Giving and the tiny, money-strapped theatre company in the Redmond Town Center is hoping to spark your support.

The SecondStory Repertory Theatre (SSR), Redmond’s only professional theatre company located on the second floor of the Center Street Plaza, is facing bankruptcy unless it raises $80,000 by Dec. 31. As of Nov. 17, SecondStory Rep has raised approximately $22,000, according to artistic director Susanna Wilson.

Now in its 11th season, SSR has been a Redmond institution for more than a decade and it would be a shame that this theatre company would become yet another recession victim.

But if everyone donates to the cause, maybe, just maybe, the “little theatre that could” can continue chugging along and forever be a Redmond staple.

“For Redmond, as Mayor (John) Marchione stated in fall’s Efocus, it takes choice in order to make a vibrant city, including entertainment choices,” said Wilson. “A city without a professional theatre company is missing a vital choice. It is also missing a group of artists to push the envelope, to inspire change and growth.”

The numbers prove that SSR has had a positive impact in the community when it comes to growth and change, especially during times when budget cuts are the norm.

Two years ago, SSR served 280 students through outreach classes to local schools and in-house classes at the theatre, according to Wilson. Last year, that number more than doubled to 640 students, Wilson said.

“Dwindling arts funding in the schools has meant that students must study the arts elsewhere. SSR is helping to fill that gap.”

So far this season, students from 40 different Eastside schools are coming to SSR’s Children’s Theatre shows, with 3,057 students in attendance, a huge increase from last year, Wilson said.

SSR is providing exposure to the arts for youngsters and education for aspiring actors. You have to look beyond the box office to see SSR’s true impact on the community.

SSR has cultivated partnerships and relationships all over Redmond and beyond. For many actors, SSR is a springboard for a lucrative and personally rewarding acting career. For the community members who attend the shows, it’s needed entertainment in downtown Redmond, which is on the rise. Downtown is a growing residential neighborhood and losing SSR would only create a black hole in the city’s center.

Wilson said she sees actors and audience members as “sparks of flame, and the theatre as the place we can, together, create a bonfire.”

Let’s help the cause and make sure SSR keeps burning bright in Redmond.

Go to www.secondstoryrep.org to make a donation.