Annie Coons takes role of honorary chair in Clear Space Theatre capital campaign

Delaware’s Annie Coons, wife of U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, is extending her philanthropy wings to Clear Space Theatre as honorary chairperson for its capital campaign. 

“I first got to know Clear Space Theatre as a wonderful place for my daughter to go to summer theater camp, where she learned from talented professionals and had an amazing experience. She’s now a theater major in college, showing what an impact it had on her life. Clear Space is now taking its vision to a level that can impact theater-goers and younger people from across Sussex County and our region,” said Coons.  “I’m confident it will be a wonderful influence on the lives of many in our community.”

Coons is a dynamic and active member of the Delaware community. A native of Lancaster, Pa., Coons moved to Wilmington following graduation from Dennison University to work on a U.S. Senate campaign for Sam Beard in 1988. Across a decade of active engagement in politics and government, Coons worked on many state and local campaigns. She then served for eight years in New Castle County government, leading community outreach efforts for County Executive Dennis Greenhouse and working in low-income communities with the New Castle County Police. 

While raising three children and running five marathons, Coons has stayed engaged in the community, serving on the boards of Children & Families First, the Central Branch YMCA, Catholic Charities and the St. Francis Hospital Foundation. As a child, her mother often took her to live theatre; and she has seen the impact of live theater on her own family. Coons said she’s delighted to serve as the honorary chair of the capital campaign for the new Clear Space Theatre.

The ACT III: Staging Our Future capital campaign will help Clear Space fund the construction of a new theatre performance building and the Spotlight Theatre, a new rehearsal and instructional theatre building, on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. The new buildings will offer patrons, artists, and participants in the arts institute a place for creative expression through live theatre.

For more information regarding the plans for Clear Space Theatre on Rehoboth Avenue, go to clearspacetheatre.org.