Established by the Sweetwater-Nolan County Auditorium Board in
2003, the Jim Wortham Memorial Fund is a 501(c)(3)
tax-deductible contribution fund to further the restoration of
the historic
Sweetwater (Texas) Municipal Auditorium.
The fund
was created as a living memorial to further the vision of
James
Harland (Jim) Wortham, a leader in the
auditorium restoration project, who was struck down by a heart
attack at age 48 in 2003. Jim had devoted most of his life to
the Auditorium project, starting with on-stage performance and
crew work in the Horizon Theatre productions of 1975 that
inspired the beginning of the Auditorium’s revival. Jim was a
charter member of the Auditorium Board when it was created by
the Texas Legislature in 1983, and at the time of his death was
the only charter member still on the Board – after 20 years of
public service.
From 1975
through 2003, people would be hard pressed to name a performance
or production in the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium that did
not include Jim Wortham – delighting audiences as an athletic
and entertaining actor or as a member of the Sweetwater
Municipal Band or – silently behind the scenes – toiling for
hours or weeks on lighting, set construction, or other crucial
elements of
stagecraft
that made productions enjoyable to performers, crew, and
audiences alike.
His tenure
of active participation in the renaissance of this historic
performing arts venue spanned almost 30 of his 48 years, and has
been an inspiration to all those who are dedicated to the
ongoing enhancement of the Auditorium and its contribution to
the quality of life in West Texas.
The
Auditorium Board established a fund in Jim’s name to make
improvements in the Auditorium that focus on areas of particular
interest to Jim – such as lighting, sound, and stage equipment.
By doing this, the Auditorium Board is dedicated to continuing
Jim’s legacy for generations.
If you wish to make contributions, please mail to
Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium, P.O. Box 584,
Sweetwater, Texas 79556
Copyright 2004 - Jim Wortham Memorial
Fund
Site by E.Progetto
Designs
stagecraft
that made productions enjoyable to performers, crew, and
audiences alike.