The Sacramento State Theater and Dance Department has organized donation collections to benefit the Rio Americano High School Theater Department whose theater suffered $2.5 million in fire damage earlier this month.

The Sac State theater group took up collections during the intermissions of the final three performances of its play, “A Servant To Two Masters,” which was held in the University Theater on Nov. 3, 4 and 5. The total collection amounted to $1,274.

“We are so grateful for their thoughtfulness for donating to the theater,” said Betty Miller, a teacher with the High School Theater and Sac State alumna.

The collection will go toward replacing the props, costumes and equipment that were lost in the fire, Miller said. Miller also said that the money could help with the high school’s production of “Grease” that they are currently trying to hold in another venue.

“This is an illustration of how supportive actors are of other actors,” said Robert Smart, a theater professor and director of “A Servant To Two Masters.” “I hope other community theaters will pick up on this.”

He hopes neighboring theaters will also come to the aid of the high school, whose theater facilities will not be functional for at least a year, he said.

The idea came from Joshua Laskey, president of the Dramatist Society with William Powers and Tedaryl Chapman, two of the play’s cast members.

“These are really superb students,” said Roberto Pomo, chair of the Theater and Dance Department, who discussed the idea with the students.

Pomo had visited the theater facilities while they were in use and knew some of the Rio Americano faculty members.

“It touched me on a more personal level,” Pomo said.

The department is currently working out the details of how the money should be transferred, and the Theater and Dance Department is offering more assistance should the high school need it, Pomo said.

The local fire department identified the cause of the fire to be arson, according to Smart.

Theater and Dance Department collected $1,274 for theater damaged in fire