Members of the New Ulm Area Foundation (NUAF) presented State Street Theater with a $7,5000 grant for repairs to the theaters curtain rigging system. Photo from left to right: John Illikman, Kathy Van Rockel, Shannon Hillesheim. Tom Henderson, Lorie Jewell and Janese Olson. Photo by Clay Schuldt

NEW ULM – State Street Theater Company (SSTC) received a $7,500 grant from the New Ulm Area Foundation (NUAF) to support repairs to the theater’s rigging for the stage curtains.

The stage curtains themselves are fine, but the rigging and pulley system that controls the curtains is in need of an update.

Former SSTC president Mary Ellen Domeier said the rigging equipment is a hodgepodge from different eras, with some of it nearly 90 years old. The hope is to get the rigging up to date to allow the curtains to operate safely and ensure quality performances.

NUAF executive director John Illikman said theater curtains are not something most people think about when talking about theatrical productions, but they’re actually a vital part of the show. He said if the curtains are not workng properly, it is difficult to have a play.

“For that reason we thought it was important to fund this,” he said.