The new seats at the Thumbnail Theater in Snohomish.
Doug Ramsay
SNOHOMISH — That memory of wiggling and shifting positions on hard, cold wood is a thing of the past, but new memories will form from their cozy replacements.
Pew seating was aesthetically apt for the 1905 building at 1211 4th Street that once served as a church, and is now The Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater. But the church pews have been sold to recoup costs for cushioned theater seats that tip back a bit, for the comfort of 85 guests arriving regularly to see musical events, plays, comedic performances, and open mic nights.
“This is so much nicer than to try and squirm around in those pews,” said Sharon “Corkie” Cordisco as she nestled into a mid-room seat. Corkie is the full time theater manager for the all-volunteer, nonprofit organization.
“The Thumb,” as it is nicknamed by its regular visitors, was in the process of a face-lift last week. Its new-paint, new-carpet, new-seating endeavor is scheduled for completion by the time the four-person band Josephine County takes the stage on Feb. 16 at 4 p.m. Josephine County draws musical influence from the United States, French Canada and Ireland.
One upgrade was 2,000 square feet of low-pile loop carpeting; a multi-color mix in jewel-tones including deep cranberry and teal. It is a “really colorful” selection, said Abbey Carpet owner Todd Stiger, who donated the carpet. He said he’s known Corkie and her husband Mike for some time, and has been to shows there. He is one of the many supporters for the nonprofit.
Eight volunteers joined to install carpeting, and put two coats of newly toned neutral paint over the old color, which Corkie described as “institutional blah.” The dazzling purple in the artists’ entryway backstage remains unchanged, though re-coated. All work was done by volunteers.
“It’s just an amazing testament to how much people support this place” she said.
When the weather warms and the exterior-paint fundraising campaign wraps up, the outdoor-siding will be redone. But that project-phase is awaiting a goal to raise $15,000. They are more than one-third of the way there and have already scheduled Tim Bliss to take on the job.
The Thumb has been operating as a nonprofit since 2005, Corkie said, and her hope is that upgrades and word-of-mouth from experiences will bring new visitors, to discover the show-space.
Aside from scheduled shows, the venue is home to private music lessons and other classes. Tickets are $15 to $25 for peformances, she said. The venue hosts performers with local, national and international acclaim.
Open Mic Night is every Friday at the alcohol-free venue, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the event at 7. The evenings are a way for budding artists to practice their performances, and is by donation, suggested at $3 for performers, $5 for audience members. The Thumb strives to match its vision, posted on the website: “We envision a world where the joy of self-expression, respect, peace and empowerment are freely demonstrated through the performing arts.”
The experience of art can be a salve in a world that sometimes seems as if it’s gone mad.
“I find entertainment and the arts a form of escapism. You can come here, enjoy some incredible music and fun and laughter,” she said. She attends almost all of the events, and said, “one of my favorite things is watching how much people enjoy the performances.”
More information on theater, fundraising
The Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater is a nonprofit organization with two founders and art directors: Tim Noah and Cyndi Elliott. The organization provides a venue for artists in the city of Snohomish. To donate to the exterior-painting fund, or to the nonprofit overall, visit www.thumbnailtheater.org
The theater hosts musical, comedic events and plays, and also offers private musical lessons and classes. Tickets to upcoming shows can be purchased in advance at www.brownpapertickets.com, or by dropping by during business hours. Events are listed at www.thumbnailtheater.org/events
