RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond's Virginia Repertory Theatre, the central Virginia region's largest professional theatre, is asking for help from the community to avoid shutting down as it faces significant financial woes. New leadership took over the theatre last year, but were welcomed with a deficit of $1.7 million, which is expected to increase by another $1.6 million in the next year. Some of the theatre's donors have recently withdrawn their support as well, resulting in a further budget shortfall of around half a million dollars. These financial issues are compounded with a lack of an endowment fund which could be used to sustain the theatre "through the financial ups and downs common to not-for-profit organizations." The theatre said that, in order to avoid shutting down in the next few weeks, it needs an "immediate infusion" of more than $600,000. "Virginia Repertory Theatre is very much worth saving. Richmond deserves a world-class regional theatre, and based on the quality of its other leading arts institutions, Richmond clearly has the wherewithal to support one," said the theatre in an announcement Thursday. "We are immensely grateful to the donors, foundations, and companies that have, and continue to support us through these difficult times." More information on the theatre and how to help can be found on its website.