This past week Diversionary Theater held a special “Thank You” party at the Wine Lover in Hillcrest in honor of County Supervisor Pam Slater, who put up a $15,000 matching grant for the theater. The event also signaled the kick-off of Diversionary’s fundraising drive to raise the $15,000, which Slater will match dollar for dollar.

“We are very grateful to County Supervisor Slater for this support,” said Diversionary Executive Director Chuck Zito. “In all we will end up with $30,000. This is the first major investment in the facility since we moved in 1994.”

Zito went on to thank Supervisor Slater, not only for “joining the Diversionary family,” but also for her “strong support for the arts throughout all of San Diego.”

Zito presented Slater with a commemorative plaque in honor of the occasion and Slater gave a brief speech in which she talked about seeing a recent production of Falsettos. She described the work of Diversionary as important because “it is about understanding,” finished her remarks by calling on those present to “support your theatre. And it is your theater. Dig a little deeper and give to Diversionary.”

The Diversionary Theater plans to use the funds from the matching grant to make improvements to the stage floor, the light system, the lobby and install a communications system in the building.

“We can’t think of a better gift to give the Theatre for its 10th Anniversary on Park,” Zito said. “Once we’ve completed these upgrades, we’ll be able to deliver an even better show.”

Already, Diversionary has been able to reach 20 percent of the $15,000 goal. Over the next months, the theater will be encouraging all of its supporters to contribute to the challenge grant.

“Money that anyone donates above and beyond what they gave last year will go the challenge grant,” Zito said. “If you gave $500 last year, think about giving $600 or $700 this year. Then $100 or $200 can go toward the $15,000.”

Currently, Love! Valour! Compassion! is playing to sold out crowds at the Diversionary and its run has been extended through Oct. 18. Opening on Nov. 6 will be Another American: Asking and Telling by Marc Wolf. Another American is based on a series of interviews done by Wolf with straight, gay and lesbian military personnel from across the country, veterans from WWII to Desert Storm, civil rights lawyers, politicians, activists and even the sociology professor who created the disastrous “Don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy.

For more information or to contribute to the Diversionary Theatre, contact them at (619) 220-0097.