The State Theatre has begun a fundraiser to incorporate the community while raising money before its scheduled opening in December.

"We're getting ready to raise the curtain," Board of Directors member David Glickman said, referring to the name of the campaign.

Since 2001, $3.9 million of the $6.2 million originally required has been raised -- leaving $2.3 million still needed, State Theatre Chief Executive Officer John Hook said.

The State Theatre, 128 W. College Ave., will raise funds through a paver program, where it will sell personally inscribed bricks to be set in the sidewalk around the theater, Hook said.

Paver Committee Chairman Roy Love said that the pavers are 6-by-9-inch bricks with tones of gray and that each will hold 13 characters per line, including spaces, with three lines available per brick.

Hook said the concept is the same as the personalized bricks on the Centennial Walk outside The Tavern, 220 E. College Ave.

The program is a continuation of a campaign started three years ago in which bricks were sold for installation in the theater's alcove, Hook said.

"For 150 bucks, people can use them to memorialize anything or anyone," Hook said.

Two thousand bricks are available on College Avenue. Bricks that are sold will occupy the sidewalk in front of the theater, and Hook said the borough has given permission for the bricks to occupy the space in front of Ye Old College Diner, 126 W. College Ave., and Mio Zio Café, 132 W. College Ave.

Hook said the theater hopes to have all the bricks installed by Aug. 30, 2006, in time for the 2006-07 school year.

He said if all pavers available are sold, the theater would raise $250,000. Money will also be raised through a chair-naming campaign, Hook said.

Glickman, chairman of the Director's Chair Committee, said that for $1,000, people can purchase plaques that will be permanently placed on chairs in the theater. Five hundred and fifty chairs are available for lifetime sponsorship, he said.

Hook said the chair campaign could bring in an additional $600,000. For the remaining money, $1.4 million, Hook said the theater will continue to solicit producer-level sponsorship -- sponsors can purchase advanced notice for two tickets for all shows at the theater -- for a period of 10 years at a cost of $10,000, Hook said. "It's an opportunity to buy tickets early -- you still have to buy tickets, but you are the first to buy tickets," Hook said. "It gets you the seats that you want."

Hook said there are naming opportunities for things such as the theater's stage, lobby and concession area. He said the goal of the fundraisers is to open debt-free in December.

"If we don't open debt-free then we have an interest payment that needs to be paid, and that will take away from our non-profit ability, which is the original purpose of the whole thing," Hook said.

Downtown Improvement District (DID) Director, Teresa Sparacino, said the DID is active in what the State Theatre is doing and provides ongoing support. Pavers and plaques for chairs are already being sold. Interested customers should go to www.statetheatre.org or visit the State Theatre office at the Fraser Street parking garage. Love said pavers will also be available for purchase at an open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the theater.

"For college students, this could be something you can get together, split the 150, still help the State Theatre and leave your name on College Avenue -- probably be the last chance you have do that," Love said.