Popular youth theater told to fix roof or be shut down

Image 1 of 7

A local theater is told to repair its damaged roof - or be shut down.

Pouring everything she has daily into her dream of helping children. Retired teacher and now co-founder of Motor City Youth Theater, Nancy Florkowski,  looks around Friday. She hopes that dream doesn't literally, come crumbling down.

"We help kids, they love it," she said. "This is an escape for them, they are like family here.

"We were told we will lose our insurance if we don't get a roof before the snow flies."

The old building on Grantland Street in Livonia is filled with costumes and props and covered by a roof that's caving in and doors that leak.

"It's so cold in the winter that we have to put Styrofoam against the doors to protect against the cold," said Florkowski. "And then when you have shows, people are standing outside because we have no lobby."

Eventually hoping to get a lobby and a parking lot, Florkowski says the need for a new roof is immediate. She started a GoFundMe page hoping to raise about $12,000.

"We've raised half of the money but it has dropped off now," she said.

Florkowski, who has done dozens of plays like the Wizard of Oz and Shrek Jr. says the kids love it and look forward to it. Some have grown up and even made it to Broadway.

"Other people go on to helping positions like doctors, lawyers, teachers," she said. "And this background has helped them a lot and they never stop telling me how much."

Getting ready to start another play after Labor Day, Florkowski says she simply hopes to keep these doors open so future kids like these can let their imaginations shine.

"It's definitely my life," she said. "It's what I put everything into."

If you would like to help, CLICK HERE to donate to the GoFundMe page.