So often a beloved local establishment will shutter, and many of us are sad and surprised. But when we think about it, we admit to ourselves we really hadn't supported that business in a long time – even though we meant to.

The Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT), 158 N. Broadway, is acknowledging the tenuous space between closing and squeaking by. In a recent video, artistic director Brent Hazelton laid it out there.

"Without immediate and significant help, the current season will be Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s last. We are not crying wolf, nor is that a fundraising tactic; it is, unfortunately, a mathematical truth," Hazelton says in the video.

Basically, to continue the season the theatre needs $285,000 in pledges by Feb. 28. They have already raised $215,000, but it's just not enough. 

"Failure to achieve this benchmark will result in the loss of this cultural point of pride for Milwaukee before the end of the current season—and with it, a valuable piece of the local arts community in which we take such pride," says Hazelton.

The reasons to support MCT are many: at least 50 percent of all MCT artists identify as either Black, Indigenous and People of Color or female. It also founded the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival. The organization also compensates all artists and staff above the Milwaukee County Living Wage Standard.

So now's the time, Milwaukee, to do something if we literally wanna keep the lights on at this local gem. (Payment on pledges will only be due if MCT receives total pledges meeting their goal.)

For more information and / or to donate, please go here.