Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company has surpassed its fundraising goal for a permanent home, raising $101,146 through a 24-hour stream-a-thon to support young performers in Albuquerque.The fundraiser, held April 11-12 on YouTube and Twitch, was launched to help the organization make a down payment on a building near Menaul Boulevard and Wyoming Boulevard. While the property is still under negotiation, Executive Director Doug Montoya said the money raised puts the organization in a stronger position to secure a long-term space.”The stream-a-thon has exceeded my wildest expectations,” Montoya said during the event as donations continued climbing towards the original goal of $100,000.For more than 20 years, Cardboard Playhouse has produced theater for young performers in Albuquerque while working out of rented spaces. The company has done this without charging tuition or participation fees to its youth cast members.Montoya said finding a permanent space has become critical as available venues have become harder to find and more expensive to rent. He said the company spends significant time and energy coordinating show dates, securing trucks, moving sets and equipment, and repeatedly setting up and tearing down productions.Sometimes, he said, the group has to remove everything from a venue during the week and bring it all back later because materials cannot stay in place.Montoya said those challenges are not just logistical — they also affect affordability for families. As rental costs and venue-related ticketing fees rise, it becomes harder for the company to keep ticket prices low.”If we had our own venue, then we would be in control of our ticket sales,” Montoya said.He said a permanent home would allow Cardboard Playhouse to reduce added fees and focus more of its resources on productions and students.The fundraiser also drew a strong response from the community. Montoya said alumni, volunteers and supporters helped drive the campaign, with former participants sending in testimonials about how their time with Cardboard Playhouse shaped their lives.Montoya called the volunteer support one of the biggest highlights of the stream-a-thon. He said community members helped run multiple stages, organize activities and keep the event moving throughout the 24-hour fundraiser.If the current building deal is completed, Montoya said the company plans to move in and begin producing shows in the space while building out a fuller theater over time.If that deal does not go through, he said the fundraising success will still allow the company to continue searching for another permanent location.Montoya said people who want to support Cardboard Playhouse can attend performances, share the organization’s message and encourage others to get involved.The company’s next production is “Six: Teen Edition” at Q-Staff Theatre.”Cardboard Playhouse is still accepting donations. You can click this link to donate.
Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company has surpassed its fundraising goal for a permanent home, raising $101,146 through a 24-hour stream-a-thon to support young performers in Albuquerque.
The fundraiser, held April 11-12 on YouTube and Twitch, was launched to help the organization make a down payment on a building near Menaul Boulevard and Wyoming Boulevard. While the property is still under negotiation, Executive Director Doug Montoya said the money raised puts the organization in a stronger position to secure a long-term space.
“The stream-a-thon has exceeded my wildest expectations,” Montoya said during the event as donations continued climbing towards the original goal of $100,000.
For more than 20 years, Cardboard Playhouse has produced theater for young performers in Albuquerque while working out of rented spaces. The company has done this without charging tuition or participation fees to its youth cast members.
Montoya said finding a permanent space has become critical as available venues have become harder to find and more expensive to rent. He said the company spends significant time and energy coordinating show dates, securing trucks, moving sets and equipment, and repeatedly setting up and tearing down productions.
Sometimes, he said, the group has to remove everything from a venue during the week and bring it all back later because materials cannot stay in place.
Montoya said those challenges are not just logistical — they also affect affordability for families. As rental costs and venue-related ticketing fees rise, it becomes harder for the company to keep ticket prices low.
“If we had our own venue, then we would be in control of our ticket sales,” Montoya said.
He said a permanent home would allow Cardboard Playhouse to reduce added fees and focus more of its resources on productions and students.
The fundraiser also drew a strong response from the community. Montoya said alumni, volunteers and supporters helped drive the campaign, with former participants sending in testimonials about how their time with Cardboard Playhouse shaped their lives.
Montoya called the volunteer support one of the biggest highlights of the stream-a-thon. He said community members helped run multiple stages, organize activities and keep the event moving throughout the 24-hour fundraiser.
If the current building deal is completed, Montoya said the company plans to move in and begin producing shows in the space while building out a fuller theater over time.
If that deal does not go through, he said the fundraising success will still allow the company to continue searching for another permanent location.
Montoya said people who want to support Cardboard Playhouse can attend performances, share the organization’s message and encourage others to get involved.
The company’s next production is “Six: Teen Edition” at Q-Staff Theatre.”
Cardboard Playhouse is still accepting donations. You can click this link to donate.
