Public Theatre of Kentucky and Fountain Square Players are reaching out for help with needed repairs to their facilities.

PTK, in the Phoenix Theatre at 545 Morris Alley, has been having problems with its heating, ventilation and cooling system. Getting a more energy-efficient HVAC will be a big part of its next big capital fundraising event, which hasn’t been decided, producing director Jennifer Wells said.

“We got it turned back on with a $1,000 patch job. It fixes it for now, but we need a new unit,” she said. “The plan is getting estimates from local companies.”

The system failed in the middle of Sunburst Youth Theatre Camps, as well as a couple of productions in summer and winter.

“People were drinking cider and under blankets. Our patrons are wonderful people,” Wells said. “They went to their cars and got blankets and huddled up and enjoyed the show. (The HVAC is) too small for our building, so it can’t keep up.”

Wells hopes to get a grant from the Kentucky Colonels and find sponsors who can match funds. In addition to the familiar honorary commissions granted by the governor, the Kentucky Colonels is a nonprofit organization that awards thousands of dollars in grants through an application process.

“We don’t have any funds. Everything we get we put back into the community,” she said. “We’re currently looking for sponsors. In the next month, we’re looking for estimates for HVAC units. If they fund us, we can do it sooner.”

In addition to having its own sound and lighting system on its wish list, PTK also needs help with roof repairs. Somewhere in the theater, bats have been getting through.

“Everybody’s been kind and supportive while we’ve been getting it under control,” Wells said. “There’s something about performances that they really come out.”

Fountain Square Players has roof problems at its rehearsal hall at 313 State St. FSP also performs at the Phoenix Theatre.

“With the amount of moisture, cold freezes and thaws, we have substantial leaks. We’re looking at an option,” said Jeff Moore, president of the FSP board. “Unexpected expenses, especially when you’re a nonprofit, wrecks your expenses.”

The roof was tarred about eight years ago, and now it’s starting to wear out, Moore said.

“It did leak into some of our costumes stored in a cardboard box,” he said. “We bought that building in 1985. Fountain Square Players has been around for 35 years. The building is much older than that. It’s part of the district of Shake Rag.”

For now, the FSP board is looking at estimates to see if putting more tar on the roof or getting an angled roof would be better for the building, Moore said.

“We’re hoping it will be a fairly inexpensive roof. We love this property,” he said. “It’s close enough to move our stuff to the Phoenix Theater. It’s downtown where it’s popular to be.”

One way the public can support the theaters is to attend shows, Wells and Moore said.

“We’ve got a little bit of money in the bank. We have donors and benefactors. Our big source of revenue has been ticket sales from shows,” Moore said. “That’s our revenue stream. That’s what keeps us going. We have to look and see what we can do to increase revenue to fix this situation.”

Fountain Square Players will present “God of Carnage” at 8 p.m. March 13-15 and at 3 p.m. March 16. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $8 for children under 12.

Daniel Curry plays Alan Raleigh in the Tony-award winning play, which features four actors who have equal time onstage.

“Two couples each have 11-year-old sons, and there has been a playground altercation. By the end of the play, they are being more infantile than the children,” he said. “Every parent should see this play. It isn’t all that unusual for real-life issues to spin out of control in exactly the same way that is present in the play.”

Public Theatre of Kentucky is planning a Support Sunburst talent show for youths 7 and older at 7 p.m. March 21. Auditions will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and March 13. Entry fee for those who audition who make the show is $10. General admission for the show is $10.

“Any money from the box office and donations will go to summer programming, so hopefully we’ll raise money to offer scholarships,” Wells said. “This gives kids a chance to show off their skills and people the opportunity to see we’ve got talent in the community.”

— For more information about PTK, call 270-781-6233, email ptkybg@gmail.com or visit ptkbg.org. For more information about FSP, call 270-202-0703 or visit fountainsquareplayers.org. 

— Follow features reporter Alyssa Harvey on Twitter at twitter.com/bgdnfeatures or visit bgdailynews.com.