2012 AMS Planning & Research Corp.

Transcription

1 2012 AMS Planning & Research Crp. 37

2 Respndent Prfile Gender Female (58.5%) Age Under 45 (50.5%) Race/Ethnicity White (94.0%) Educatin At least a Cllege Degree (67.2%) Incme Under $75,000 (70.0%) Children N children under 18 (56.9%) Residency Gshen (71.5%) 2012 AMS Planning & Research Crp. 38

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10 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) It's a beautiful building and I think it's incredibly imprtant t the Gshen dwntwn. We are a family f seven. It is very hard t find whlesme family activities that d nt cst a frtune by the time we pay fr everyne. The Learner Theater in Elkhart is a gd "template" f what Gshen Theater can d! I wuld like t see it saved. I wuld like t see stries abut it. a renvated theater is EXACTLY what the dwntwn are needs! A renvated theater usually attracts persns wh remember and enjyed the space in years past. They are usually inviting and ften present quality perfrmances. Adaptive reuse can be a glrius thing; but yu have t accept the fact that the verall wants f the many are mre imprtant the wants f a few...(translatin: the kids want rck and rll, nt pera) Advertising in the regin (all f Nrthern Indiana) will be crucial t success (fr perfrmers and spectatrs), a variety f events/rganizatins shuld use the theater, private lessns are a gd way t keep cnstant traffic in and ut Already seems like an asset and I think it has great ptential especially given the renewed interest in the arts in this area ver the past 10 years. I think Gshen is becming a very interesting place t cme fr dinner and a night ut and very interesting t turing grups. We have a really nice variety f types and sizes f venues fr all kinds f perfrmers...sauder Hall, Ignitin Garage, and thers in between. Best wishes n yur prject! Any renvatin will need t supprt a wide variety f uses as ppsed t a single purpse in rder t be successful lng term Any renvatins shuld be dnatins and nt use f the city mney. As a child/yung adult in the 40's & 50's my family and I attended Gshen Theater nearly weekly. I can remember singing and dancing after seeing a musical mvie! The theater is an imprtant part f Gshen! As a teen I remember many gd memries f the Gshen Theater, it wuld be wnderful t have it back & well attended. Beautiful building, hpe it gets renvated and used mre. Befre any such renvatin ges frward, I wuld be interested t knw where the funding will cme frm. The city via the taxpayers? A private cncern? This is a gigantic and cst-laden prject and funding surces shuld be entered int public debate. being able t stay lcal fr events wuld be awesme!! Certainly, it needs mre bathrms! Mre parking, a better sund system and mvie screen. Acustics need t be MUCH better t bring in music grups that wuld cmmand a high ticket price. des the church meeting there wn the building? Elevatr, extended meeting space upstairs, accessible thrughut (men's rm is currently a nightmare), and plenty f parking nearby are all imprtant. expanded restrm space :) Facility desired fr cmmunity use. Current church wnership causes cnfusin wh can use it. having public wnership, r neutral management wuld encurage mre public use. 46

11 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) Gshen has an active arts cmmunity and I think it wuld be supprted. I currently live in Mishawaka, s I dn't get t Gshen as ften as I wuld like. I think all the grand ld theaters shuld be renvated and used fr arts and educatin in the cmmunities. The Lerner in Elkhart is a great example f what can be dne with cmmunity supprt. Theater, arts and music helps keep kids ff f drugs and ther harmful activities. Gshen has dne a gd jb at keeping its dwntwn alive and vital t the cmmunity. A renvated GT wuld nly enhance this even mre. Gshen is blessed t have s many pprtunities already in place. Value is mre in preserving and enhancing histric dwntwn Gshen than in prviding needed perfrmance space. Still, enhanced space wuld bring in additinal entertainment and cultural events. great lcatin, can be very nice space Have ppular mvies shwing n a weekly basis, perhaps Tues-Thursday. Develp a mre intentinal screen/sund system fr this. Leverage the utside ticket bth - bring back a nstalgic flavr f the space in this way, while keeping it current with ppular mvies. Perhaps use a dllar theater apprach, keeping it affrdable fr peple. Als, prmte the ballrm space as a cnference venue. Many reginal rganizatins, nn-prfits wuld enjy this. Haven't seen the inside f this space but expect it is nt as 'rich' as the Lerner in Elkhart...and it desn't need t be. Design it t fit the desires indicated in this survey but keep the csts in hand s it can survive and can be maintained at reasnable cst. Gshen is ding a great jb 'reinventing' itself and staying alive thrugh difficult times. I wish yu well. Having a space like this dwntwn is vital t ur cmmunity Headliner entertainment wuld be a great plus fr Gshen. Allw the sale f alchl at the event wuld help bring in mre peple. Hpefully it will be a quality renvatin. I realize it wn't be n the same level as the Lerner in Elkhart due t the much smaller size, but it still needs t be classy., Hping t see a cmeback alng the lines f the Lerner Theater, with acts like the Mrris, and events like the Suth Bend Civic. Hw much I am willing t pay and hw interested I am in attending depends very much n what the event r wh the perfrmer is. Impssible t give a gd respnse with n event cntext. I always enjyed ging the mvies there as a teenager. I am 9i and need gd audi sund, easy parking, cmfrtable seats. n lng prgrams have intermissin s ne is nt sitting t lng. I am always annyed if a venue des nt have a standing/dancing area. Being stuck at seats is frustrating. I like t have a beer while enjying a cncert that is reasnably priced. I am nt sure that with the amunt f seating that if renvated it wuld be able t bring the incme needed t pay fr the renvatins. If the renvatins are paid fr by a grant it wuld be great t see mre things perfrmed there. I answered the questin abut children including grandchild I believe it wuld be a gd place fr the cmmunity t gather I believe the theater can be an integral part f the dwntwn arts cmmunity and wuld appreciate seeing it used t its fullest ptential. 47

12 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) I believe the theater has a lt f ptential. I think it needs t be dne in a prfessinal manner. Lights and sund need t be up t par with what's expected f a theater f that size... I think there culd be mre dne in terms f netwrking and trying t generate interest in the space and attending events in the space. At sme pint there may need t be the discussin f maybe a temprary liqur license fr certain events. I have yet t attend an event there (ther than natinal acts with their I can remember my mm taking me t my first mvie there back in the 60's, It was Snw White. I dn't think I'll ever frget it. I d think it wuld enhance the experience f Gshen citizens and guests in twn. A restred space such as the Sphn Ballrm exemplifies cmmunity pride, as des all f the dwntwn restratin since I mved here 12 years ag, and sends a message f welcme t all. I dn't think the theater shuld be used as a church as well. I favr the renvatin f histric buildings, especially in a dwntwn venue. If well dne, I think it the renvatin f the Gshen Theater wuld tremendus value t the verall feel f a dwntwn. If it was designed as a multi-use space, I think it wuld bring a lt f peple t dwntwn wh might nt therwise cme dwntwn. I went there as a child t see mvies, and I've appreciated the effrts made during the past 10 r s years t fix it up and bring cmmunity tgether in different ways fr a wide r I feel it is vital t enhance the livelihd dwntwn Gshen. The Gshen Theater wuld be anther asset t ur vibrant cmmunity. I feel with the current persnnel, any mney that is spent n this venue will be wasted mney. They will nt get enugh acts returning t the theater year after year with the nn prfessinal persnnel. Parking is anther huge issue fr peple cming t a theater. They dn't want t have t walk in the chilly weather in nice clthes fr a blck r mre. This was ne f the biggest cmplaints we received when ur grup perfrmed at the theater in Withut prper parking, the mney will be spent and the I grew up in Gshen and mved away sme years ag. I mved back t Indiana in 2006 and culd nt WAIT t see mvies in the theatre as I remembered it, and was s sad it wasn't in use. I want very much t see it restred and enjyed again. I have a nstalgic interest in this, as it was the place I first saw films in the 1950s. And I am cncerned abut the cultural prsperity f Main Street Gshen, even thugh I d nt live there any mre. I have enjyed perfrmances there, and have heard similar cmments frm thers. A renvatin wuld be wnderful t cntinue t enjy the facility fr years t cme. I have had an inside tur f the theater. It wuld be my hpe that sme f the histrical aspects wuld be preserved in a renvatin; i.e., dressing rms, catwalks, mlding details. I supprt this venture and hpe it happens sn! I think it wuld just be anther wnderful enhancement f the grwing psitive features f dwntwn. I have lived in Gshen fr my whle life. I still remember seeing "Smurfs and the Magic Flute" at the theater when I was little. I was s happy when the building started t be used again. I think the dwntwn wuld greatly benefit frm the renvatin and imprvements t the building. I als think it culd see greater use with the many updates it culd use. I have many gd memries there and wuld like t see it restred I HAVE ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FIRE HOSES OUT OF THEATER. YOU CAN HAVE IT, IF YOU WANT IT. LARRY WINKLER I have recently been intrduced t the Gshen Theater and didn't realize hw beautiful it was! I truly hpe it will have the pprtunity t be renvated and histrically preserved. 48

13 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) I have sme cncern ver the cmmunity's ability t fund a renvatin, and the subsequent cst t rent the venue fr events. The Lerner Theater is an example f what NOT t d. While it is spectacular, there is n way that the cunty can supprt enugh events fr this t make ecnmic sense. While it is a great venue fr lcal theater, the quality and csts f the "featured" cncerts has been a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Bringing tired ld entertainers and charging $50 + will nt fly. I have used the dwnstairs theater space and the tp flr fr dance classes. I d nt knw much abut the facilities as a whle, r the middle flr. Thse spaces are cmfrtable and adequate. The "ld-time" feeling f the theater is a plus fr me; I wuld nt think there is a great need t replace all the seats (fr example) if that had a huge price tag. Bathrms have been fine. I've never been there when it was even ne third full, s I dn't have the perceptin f a shrtage f space. I think it I hpe that grant mney and specific cntributins - frm lcal business and individuals culd be used first. A third surce culd be taxpayer mney, but I dn't think this shuld be the majr surce. There are t many ther really urgent needs right nw - like educatin, and general upkeep f the streets and transprtatin system. I hpe that it wuld preserve the histric elements - that is prbably my greatest cncern. It wuld be great if it wuld have mre backstage and wing space. Sme flexibility in the use f the space wuld be nice, t - i.e., pssibility f setting it up fr intimate perfrmances, rm t dance, large seated cncerts/plays, etc... I hpe the funding can be fund t restre it as the Lerner has been restred. Nt t that extreme. I knw f theaters that use the lbby areas r ther large public areas t hst changing art exhibits. I think the Lerner Theater is quite successful at bringing in large crwds. Anytime I've attended a perfrmance there, there has been a large crwd. I like it, but it's imprtant that it retains the ld-ish feel in sme way shape r frm. I like the Theater's ld feeling. Changing ut the lighting frm incandescent wuld be nice! I lk frward t seeing all this theatre can becme. I lve the Gshen Theater and supprt whatever maintenance r renvatin that is necessary t keep it a vibrant part f Gshen's cultural life. I lve the Gshen Theater, and have been attending varius events there fr years. It is a wnderful space fr lcal artists. I lve the Gshen Theater. I wuld lve t see it keep its same lk, but practical renvatins are always necessary t keep up appearances and what nt. I am all fr anything that is decided t give the Gshen Theater what it needs. I lve the Gshen Theatre! It's been a big part f my life and I wuld lve t see it renvated. I used t wrk in the ticket bth in the early 80's and lved it! I think a large part f any renvatin wuld be letting peple knw that the Gshen Theater still exists and has stuff ging n. I think that alne may get mre peple in the dr. I think a renvatin wuld be wnderful fr Gshen. I knw it wuldn't be t the scale f the Lerner renvatin but if it wuld be half as nice it wuld be wrth the effrt. Wuld lve t see the Gshen Theater renvated. Wuld lve t see an elevatr if pssible. Hauling a baby seat up t the 3rd flr fr my daughter's dance class was trturus...and I was nt the nly ne and I'm sure I wn't be the last! 49

14 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) I think disassciatin with any particular church r religius rganizatin is imprtant. I think it fits nicely with the whle dwntwn revitalizatin and culd be a real asset. I think it is a beautiful space that shuld be used but I have ften wndered abut whether it is up t safety cde. Depending n the cst, I wuld favr renvatin. It is a histric feature in a prime lcatin and shuld be preserved/maintained. I think it is imprtant t the dwntwn I think it is very exciting t have this lcal gem used mre many different venues! I think it wuld be gd fr dwntwn. I think it wuld be great t have classes there. I think it's a great idea t renvate the Gshen theater. I lve what it already brings and think a renvatin wuld just add even mre psitives t dwntwn Gshen. I think it's an awesme venue ding great with what it currently has with the help f hard wrking staff making it happen. It als has great ptential t be amazing! I think it's beautiful nw. I think its imprtant that if time and mney is put int the Theater that it be used as much as pssible. I think it's sad that the Gshen Theater has fallen int private religiusly affiliated hands. Nt that I have anything against religin (I'm a Christian), but that filter can limit what can be seen/dne there, and if it interferes with the church's gals, then it will be cmprmised. I wuld lve t see a renvated Gshen Theatre be the center stne f ur thriving dwntwn. Why nt seek grants t renvate, and get vlunteers t assist? Seek a matching grant and canvas the cmmunity fr dnatins. Yu I think renvating the Gshen theater culd be a vibrant part f what has already been a wnderful transitin fr Gshen int an artistic cmmunity that draws peple frm all ver the regin I think renvating the Gshen Theater wuld be an excellent way t incrprate it with dwntwn Gshen. The wrk that Dave Pttinger & Jeremy Stutsman have dne has created an interesting dwntwn that wuld be cmplimented by a space that ffered entertainment fr adults & families alike. It wuld be nice t see Gshen with an arts cinema r theater that gt larger names a la The Vickers in Three Oaks r The Mrris in Suth Bend. I believe there is a cmmunity in Gshen that wuld supprt a variety f entertainment I think renvatin f the Gshen Theatre culd really add a great deal t dwntwn Gshen, and becme a real gem fr dwntwn, and add s much t life and entertainment and culture dwntwn. Wuld lve t see an established theatre grup/rganizatin (r tw) make the Gshen Theatre their regular hme fr prductins. There are a cuple f such rganizatins right nw lcally that culd make it their new hme (full r part-time) such as Elkhart Civic Theatre, and New Wrld Arts. In the same vein, it wuld I think that Gshen has been leading the Michiana area in the arts. This wuld be a great pprtunity t cntinue that emerging reputatin. I think that having a resurce like the Gshen Theater wuld be wnderful fr the cmmunity. The Lerner in Elkhart has been a wnderful additin t the Elkhart cmmunity, and Gshen culd benefit by having the theater restred t its frmer glry like the Lerner. The Gshen cmmunity is unique, we have a vibrant dwntwn and the cmmunity appreciates and supprts what ges n. I think that the cmmunity wuld rally behind the theater and supprt it. I think that the theater is an imprtant part f Gshen's cultural histry. I wuld like t see utilized mre. I think the current design is beautiful, and I want t maintain that as much as pssible. 50

15 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) I think there's a great pprtunity fr there t be multiple perfrmance spaces in Gshen with the additin f a renvated Gshen Theater. I'm excited abut the pssibility f lcal/reginal music acts, nes wh are t small fr the Learner, but draw t big f a crwd fr A Cnstant Spring. I think ne way t help the success f the Gshen Theater wuld be t partner with venues like Gshen Cllege's Sauder Cncert Hall, Umble Theater, and New Wrld Arts t bk and advertise the venues in twn effective I think this wuld be a psitive bst t ur dwntwn as well as preserving a lcal histric landmark. I think with a future renvatin f the theater it wuld bring many mre peple int Gshen, especially since first Fridays have becme much mre ppular. I live in Dunlap and always enjy my jurneys t Gshen and lk frward t every first Friday t have fun and unwind and spend time with family and friends. I wnder abut cmpeting venues...the Brew, Wrld Bks, new music stre...thse are all dwn-twn lcatins. Is there any cllabrative effrt r desire t utilize Gshen Theater r des each entity need the n-lcatin expsure t ensure nging business success? I wuld be excited t hear that it be renvated. I attended events at ther lcatins and lved seeing the renvatins f ther lder theaters and seeing them used fr events. Examples: Mrris Civic, Embassy in Frt Wayne I wuld greatly appreciate the Gshen Theater being renvated. I wuld hpe it wuld still feel "ld-schl", even if it were t be renvated. That's part f the charm. I wuld like the name t be the Jeffersn Theatre. I wuld like t get invlved if there is any pprtunity. I wuld like t see it renvated t its riginal status. It makes the whle experience mre enjyable t be surrunded by beautiful decr instead f walls, ceiling, and flring in disrepair. I wuld lve it if Gshen Theater culd hst cmmunity awareness prjects: maybe invite peple t speak abut what it's like t live in Gshen as a Latin(a), a gay persn, a trans persn, an African American persn, a persn living in pverty, etc. I wuld lve t see it used as a mvie theatre again, shwcasing classic films, art films. I s enjyed the evening a James Dean classic was featured. It wuld be a refreshing change frm the adlescent films at The Linway. I have s many fnd memries f ging t the theatre n Saturday mrnings as a kid...it kindled my lve fr films. I wuld lve t see the Gshen Theater be renvated in a way t allw fr a maximum amunt f types f entertainment. I think it's imprtant t d these renvatins while maintaining the integrity f the histrical style and structure f the building. Excellent wrk s far! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE GOSHEN THEATRE RENOVATED LIKE THEY DID THE LERNER AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE OUR THEATRE DO FOR GOSHEN WHAT THE LERNER HAS DONE FOR ELKHART!!! I wuld lve t see this as a beautiful and viable part f dwntwn Gshen's renvatin prcess! Hping it wuld bring in mre art/cultural activities t the dwntwn, and give small grups a place t perfrm. We d have ther gd places fr sme grups (Sauder Center fr the cllege and Maple City Chamber Orchestra, and Gshen schls have gd facilities in the main) but this wuld be an additinal venue. Having an elevatr t the upper flrs wuld be a HUGE help. I wuld supprt the renvatin f the Gshen Theater if the funding ALL is t be private mney. Gvernments shuld nt be in this business. Much mre imprtant things fr their resurces. 51

16 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) I'd lve t see a prject similar in scpe t the Lerner Theatre in Elkhart. I'd lve t see it happen. Gshen has a great dwntwn and this wuld strengthen it further. If I may be f future assistance in c-develping and/r executing strategic marketing and public relatins plans t assist with fundraising fr the renvatin and marketing f ur belved Gshen Theater, please cntact me at mccraecmmunicatins@gmail.cm r It wuld be a privilege t be part f the great Gshen Theater renaissance. Thank yu fr cnducting this imprtant survey and fr all effrts twards ensuring the vital rle f ur dwntwn theater in arts, culture, histric preservatin I'm very supprtive f this pssibility. It is in line with the nging artistic grwth this city is cultivating. Hw d the aspiratins f this prject cmpare t what Gshen Cllege already ffers? Having mre quality perfrmances which nurish ne's sul and mind is a thrilling thught. Mre public lectures by recgnized authrities is lacking in ur area. Thank yu fr yur visin and effrt whever yu be. In medium t small twns where a theater has been renvated, it prvided a quantum increase in cultural and artistic expsure t the ppulatin. One f the mst successful is the State Theater in Falls Church, VA. But it des require financing and hard wrk up frnt. If the Gshen Histrical Sciety decides t becme a partner in the renvatin, I will be very prud f us. Bill Bigler It definitely needs renvated. It is already a great cmpnent f a thriving dwntwn and it has huge ptential fr getting anther/additinal crwd dwntwn. it desn't need a tn f wrk in my pinin. but I dn't mind things that are a little shabby... It feels t clsed, private, and dark. The entrance and signage needs t invite peple int the space. There's n r regular cmmunicatin abut events happening at the theater. It is a beautiful building and needs t be preserved and used. Our vibrant dwntwn shuld be able t supprt its use. It is a great building with neat histry and it adds a lt t the dwn twn area It really needs renvated befre mre time passes and renvatin csts really get high. IT WOULD BE ASHAME TO LOSE THE GOSHEN THEATER, EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT ATTEND FUNCTIONS AND IT WOULD COMPETE WITH ELKHART AND GOSHEN COLLEGE, IT IS STILL WORTH SAVING. it wuld be great t have the theater renvated fr cmmunity use with acustical upgrading It wuld be interesting t see hw it wuld cexist with the Elkhart Theater and still be successful. It wuld be nice t have lder mvies at a reduced rate maybe nce a mnth fr families t g see. Like maybe $5 t see a mvie that was ppular in the 80's r smething like that. It wuld draw a brader grup f peple. It's a beautiful building with s many pssibilities. Just needs a lt f TLC! It's a beautiful histrical place in Gshen and if a grant t renvate it can be received, it wuld be great t preserve it's histrical value and make it mre useful t the cmmunity. It's a lvely spt that has nt lst all its charm ver the years and culd with sufficient funds be brught back t past glry and cmmunity pride. It's exciting t me t think abut the theater being a hub f the cmmunity in dwntwn Gshen. I think a diverse range f events wuld serve ur cmmunity well. The thught f civic events and cmmunity dialgue happening there feels like it strengths the theaters place in the cmmunity. 52

17 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) Just that I wish they had a parking lt that was secure fr evening perfrmances. keep it lking like it did when I was a kid in the 60's and early 70's. Let's g fr it. It's a dwntwn treasure, and is critical t the cmmunity and financial health f the dwntwn. Lng time Gshen resident and have fund memries f ging t the shws when a I was a child and wuld like it t remain a vibrant fixture f the dwntwn. Our family enjys ging t the mvies there. A renvatin desn't need t take place fr this activity, but there are activities that may attract mre incme that wuld require a renvatin. Please use the space belw t share any additinal cmments yu might have ab...- Prviding cnstructive entertainment fr children and families is imprtant fr bringing busy families tgether and keeping children safe and ut f truble. A successful First Friday event wuld als prvide smething fr the teens t d ther than litering. Raised in Gshen frm 1946 until I left fr cllege, army, etc. Attended many mvies as a child and teen. Wuld like t see the Saturday mrning children mvies/news/cartns again. right nw...it sucks Seria una buena inversión para la cmunidad, pues el edifici ha sid abiert para servir la cmunidad de Glsen y de sus alrededres. Sme gd acts wuld be awesme. Rck, cuntry, blues. Sme type f cncessins r catering wuld be nice The bathrms need t be cmpletely verhauled and mdernized, but fitting with the architectural design f the building. As usual, twice as many stalls shuld be prvided fr the wmen than fr men. The Gshen Theater culd really use a renvatin nw, befre the repairs keep building up and might cst a lt mre in the future The Gshen Theater has tremendus ptential as a fully-functinal traditinal theater as well as a facility that has ther areas available fr a variety f use. It is a genuine asset t this cmmunity, especially t the arts cmmunity. It des still need additinal wrk, especially in the areas f redecrating, updating, and accessibility, but it is demnstrably mving in the right directin. I want t add that I am nt just saying this because I'm the Mm f the venue manager, but because I have a semi-p The Gshen Theater is a fantastic additin t the Gshen cmmunity. The city f Gshen is really beginning t be a great artist cmmunity and a renvated Gshen Theater wuld be a huge plus fr this. There are sme great lcal designers and visual artists that are always lking fr mre spaces t shw their wrk. Alng with visual artists, we have musicians, actrs, and writers wh need a great venue t shwcase their talents. It is my hpe that the Gshen Theater can be rehabbed and that peple really will The Gshen Theater is part f the city's histry and prvides the cmmunity with a place that nt nly cntributes t the spiritual well-being f Christians but als ther grups - bth children and adults in a variety f artistic and cultural activities. Renvatin f the Gshen Theater culd put it in a place where it can cntinue t serve and enrich the cmmunity as it has in the past but als give it the capability t expand it's fferings. The mre reasns there are fr peple t participate in event The Gshen Theater is such a beautiful building and has the ptential t becme s much mre. I am persnally in favr f having it renvated t restre the beauty that it nce held in its day. I can see the many pssibilities that the Gshen theater can prvide and with a renvatin it can becme s much mre. The Gshen Theater shuld be used and nt get any mre deterirated. The last time we were in the Theater, we were cmmenting n hw nice it was. I'm nt cnvinced it needs renvating. 53

18 Please share any additinal cmments yu might have abut the Gshen Theater and the pssibility f its future renvatin. (n=163) The Lerner in Elkhart has, since it's renvatin, had tp selling acts such as Kansas and Willie Nelsn (I knw, I created the psters fr each shw). I think Gshen Theatre culd btain the same quality perfrmers... and wuld lve t create psters fr thse acts :) The Lerner Theater in Elkhart is a gd mdel fr this. It seems t have made a nice cntributin t the revitalizatin f the dwntwn. It is imprtant fr it t be a really gd restratin. Acustics will be very imprtant. If they are pr, gd acts wn't be interested in the venue and audiences will be disappinted with the experience. The mre we can use it the better fr Gshen The renvated Lerner Theater in Elkhart has been great fr that cmmunity. Gshen deserves a great venue like the Lerner. The theater has a lt f great qualities but des need a lt f repairs t up grade areas. I hpe the right peple are able t give it the attentin it needs t be updated with the right funds. It's a beautiful building & s many events mre events culd be held in there nce its mre updated. The theater has great pssibilities fr future guests and artists that it culd hst, and that is just the auditrium, that's nt including the rest f the building which als has the ptential t be beneficial fr the Gshen cmmunity. The theater renvatin wuld be an asset fr the Gshen cmmunity a surce f lcal pride. The theater space n Main St. is certainly an asset t Gshen and needs t be maintained and imprved. New seats wuld be the first imprvement that cmes t my mind. Definitely needed. there are a variety f perfrmances that culd and shuld be brught in t increase the arts and entertainment in Gshen if the Theatre gt the renvatin it s desperately needs. I lk frward t seeing future prductins at the Gshen theatre. There are very few high-quality venues fr lcal and up-and-cming musical artists east f the Suth Bend - Mishawaka area. Enthusiastic arts lvers are the nes wh will sustain the arts scenes; fill the events calendar with artists wh are creating new high quality wrk and the enthusiasts will spread the wrd. "New" is the key wrd because ldies acts will nt generate repeat business r buzz. Dwntwn Gshen has built a fantastic fd scene ver the last five years, nw it just needs a dedicated arts venue We have enjyed events there in the past and it culd nly get better as the building is imprved. It is a gd central lcatin t ur twn and a ppular place t meet peple. It's nly natural t renvate and cntinue t utilize the building fr events, in cnjunctin with First Fridays and the Christmas Shpping dwntwn, etc. We live within walking distance s parking isn't a prblem fr us, hwever, this might be a snag fr attendees; especially in Winter times. We really need smewhere in Gshen t get a little "culture". We regularly supprt and attend the newly renvated Lerner Theatre in Elkhart. A similar venue clser t ur hme in Gshen wuld receive ur families full supprt and attentin if similarly utfitted and perated. What an exciting idea! When I drive thrugh twn I always lk at the Theaters sign t see what is happening... While I n lnger live in Gshen, I applaud effrts t renvate the theater. I was an imprtant part f my yuth and deserves t be the site f entertainment and cultural events again. While structural mdificatins and decr are imprtant, during the renvatin put a lt f time int planning tech system upgrades. Thse are the things that enable perfrmances and bring in the acts. With the way Gshen has grwn, it seems fit t bring the ld theater back t life. Lets get peple t twn mre ften then just n First Friday! 54

19 Gshen Theater Feasibility Study June, 2012

20 Venue Name Venues Lcatin Owner / Operatr Missin Statement Descriptin The Paramunt Theatre & Visual Arts Center Paramunt Theatre 714 seats, Visual Arts Center; Paramunt Gallery and Gifts St. Clud, Minnesta Owned By City f St. Clud Operated By Paramunt Arts Resurce Trust, 501(c)(3) The missin f the Paramunt Theatre & Visual Arts Center is t prvide pprtunities fr artistic prductin, creative explratin, arts educatin and the enjyment f arts and entertainment. The Paramunt Theatre & Visual Arts Center is an histric theater lcated in dwntwn St. Clud. A rental-nly facility, it supprts cmmunity and artistic grups and artists f many genres. The Visual Arts Center hsts studi arts classes in a variety f media. Page 2

21 MISSION STATEMENT The missin f the Paramunt Theatre & Visual Arts Center is t prvide pprtunities fr artistic prductin, creative explratin, arts educatin and the enjyment f arts and entertainment. The facility is managed t ensure use by a diverse set f patrns, enhance artistic pprtunity, prvide a creative envirnment fr cmmunity invlvement in the arts and generate a psitive ecnmic impact n Dwntwn St. Clud. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY On Christmas Eve 1921, citizens f Central Minnesta paid fifty cents t attend the grand pening f "St. Clud's Largest and Finest Playhuse," The Sherman Theatre. The event, featuring D.W. Griffith's silent film "Way Dwn East," accmpanied by a live rchestra, was the beginning f generatins f entertainment at the theatre, including Vaudeville acts, peras, cncerts, Bradway rad shws, animal acts, wrestling matches, speeches, plitical rallies, plays and mvies. Althugh it was nt the first theatre f its kind in St. Clud, it was said t be the grandest, with seating fr 1,700, a decrative lbby and fyer, a majestic theatre rgan and a stage t accmmdate large sets and up t 30 dancers. Entertainers and celebrities enjyed the Sherman's private dressing rms, state-f-the-art "air cnditining system" and its prximity t St. Clud's finest htel, the Breen. Als built in 1921, the Breen Htel served as the perfect cmpanin fr this lush new theatre, with its 180 mahgany-finished rms, tw dining rms and elevatrs that brught guests up t a rf garden which, at the time, was the highest pint in the city. Tday, these landmark buildings stand as symbls t residents f what a lively, bustling dwntwn St. Clud might have been like in the "Raring Twenties." In 1997, the Breen Htel became knwn as the Germain Twers; the upper flrs having been cnverted t husing units fr elderly residents. The Sherman Theatre (riginally named after well-knwn Minneaplis mtin picture executive Harry A. Sherman) was renamed the Paramunt in 1930, when the theatre underwent its first renvatin, adding sund equipment t accmmdate the new "talkies" and featuring a new marquee. Althugh mvies had becme the primary fcus, the generatin that fllwed enjyed varius types f entertainment, including rad shws, mvie stars and, eventually, WWII rallies and perfrmances. The Paramunt, like s many theatres f its stature, played an integral rle in Page 3

22 helping the citizens f Central Minnesta thrugh the Great Depressin and WWII. After the war, the Paramunt was remdeled nce again t further imprve the acustics and t change the marquee t its present frm. By the mid 1960s, the Paramunt had fallen int disrepair. The theatre was used fr small scale viewings, but was nt being used t its fullest ptential. After years f neglect, the Paramunt fell victim t fire n Tuesday, January 15, The damage was fairly extensive, estimated at $60,000. During the early 1990s, the Paramunt was patched and upgraded enugh t prvide a hme t live theatre nce again. The majr renvatin t return the Paramunt t its rightful place as the cultural centerpiece f dwntwn St. Clud was underway! It has taken the cperatin f many grups t see the Paramunt Theatre's renvatin thrugh t cmpletin. Task frce grups had t be rganized, while fundraising events were established. In the end, lcal supprt and vlunteer effrts were integral in building the Paramunt Resurce Trust int smething that the St. Clud cmmunity culd nce again be prud f. Mre than just a theatre, the Paramunt is wrking t imprve the artistic pprtunities fr all peple f Central Minnesta. FACILITY The Paramunt Theatre & Visual Arts Center is a multi-use venue lcated in dwntwn St. Clud. There is a visual arts center that is a part f the theatre cmplex, as well as a gallery and gift stre lcated next dr. There are 706 seats in the theatre; 445 n the main level and 261 in the balcny. The stage is 29 deep. The aprn dwnstage f the plaster line is 6. The rchestra pit elevatr extends the aprn 12. Altgether, the stage measures 47 deep by 40 wide. The decrative prscenium arch is wide x 21 8 high. Stage right has 12 f clear space frm the upstage edge f the plaster line tapering t t the back wall. Stage left has 12 f clear space frm the upstage edge f the plaster line tapering t 9 at 20 6 upstage f the plaster line. There is a 4 crssver frm the last batten used t the furthest upstage wall f the stage. Grid height frm the deck t tp f catwalks is 44 with effective flying height f 43. The frnt edge f stage is 2 10 abve first rw flr. The rchestra pit elevatr is 40 wide. It measures 12 frm the dwnstage edge t the upstage edge at the centerline and 8 at the ffstage ends. The pit drps t tw duble hung drs int the pit strage rm and als ne dr t the green rm. The tw duble hung drs fr strage area have penings that are 5 10 high and 5 4 wide. Page 4

23 The lading area has direct access t the stage, hwever, this access is frm a busy street. The lading drs are 3 abve the sidewalk. Fr heavy equipment and cases with wheels, there is an accessible hallway frm the sidewalk t the theatre huse. PROGRAMMING The Paramunt Theatre & Visual Arts Center is a rental nly facility, which hsts apprximately 50 perfrmances each year. Perfrmances include jazz music, flk music, musical theatre, theatre, cmedy, film, dance, chral music, cuntry music, cmmunity band, lectures and ppular music. Ticket prices range as fllws: Jazz Music $10-$20 Flk Music $20, $13-$17 Musical Theatre $10-$35, $16-$22 Theatre $21-$23, $17-$19 Cmedy $20 Film $5, Free Dance $15-$18 Chral Music $6, $15 Cuntry Music $17-$20, $15-$18 Cmmunity Band Free Lecture $15-$30, $7-$12 Ppular Music $20, $20-$26, $28-$44 Grup and student pricing are available fr sme perfrmances. The Paramunt perates its wn bx ffice and sells tickets nline, in persn and ver the phne. There are n resident cmpanies, but details n prgramming fferings are divided int cmmunity versus cmmercial activities: Cmmunity Cmmercial Musical Theatre, Film, Chral Music, Cmmunity Band, Lectures, Dance Jazz Music, Flk Music, Theatre, Cmedy, Cuntry Music, Ppular Music Page 5

24 80% f the events n the Paramunt's stage are cmmunity rentals. The fllwing rganizatins and perfrmers annually rent the facilities, with the balance being cmmercial renters: St. Clud Municipal Band Stria Ballet Cmpany Hepcat Junctin Jim Brickman Three Sisters Publishing The GREAT Theatre St. Jhn's Bys Chir Gne Fishin' Gspel Grup Ozark Jubilee GLBerg Entertainment St. Clud Singing Saints Minnesta Dance Ensemble LEAF Empty Bwls St. Clud Christian Schl Ring f Kerry St. Jhn's Preparatry Schl The Petersn Family Helps Internatinal, Inc. Cathedral High Schl Cmpany Nrth Crest Visual Arts Minnesta Rbert Rbinsn Independent Lifestyles The Visual Arts Center ffers a variety f studi arts classes, Mnday thrugh Friday, 10am-9pm, with weekend and summer prgrams as well. Open Studi and Teen Night meets every Thursday frm 6-9pm and ffers experimentatin in a variety f mediums. OWNERSHIP/OPERATING STRUCTURE The facility is wned by the City f St. Clud and perated by Paramunt Arts Resurce Trust, a 501(c)(3) private, nnprfit rganizatin. The bard f directrs is 16 members. Page 6

25 STAFF The Center emplys nine staff, as shwn belw: Executive Directr Visual Arts Directr Perfrming Arts Directr Finance Directr Technical Directr Gallery Manager Event Manager Visual Arts Center Office Manager Marketing Assistant The staff is cmplemented by a vlunteer usher prgram. FINANCIAL INFORMATION The annual peratinal budget is $944,911, with ttal revenues f $1,027,018 and a year-end surplus f $82,107. Revenues by categry include the fllwing: Earned Revenues Prgram service revenue $758,210 Investment incme $ 669 Other incme $ 59,240 Cntributed revenues $208,899 UNIVERSITY PRESENCE and OTHER VENUES St. Clud is the hme f St. Clud University, with a student bdy f 18,000. St. Clud Technical and Cmmunity Cllege, Rasmussen Cllege, Glbe University/Minnesta Schl f Business and Cllege f St. Schlastica als make their hme in St. Clud Page 7

26 St. Clud University is east f the dwntwn area and huses a Perfrming Arts Center, which was built in Music, theatre, film studies, dance classrms and ffices are lcated in this building. There is als a main theatre (seating 450), a studi theatre and recital hall (seating 300), a rehearsal hall and private practice studis. These venues nly present student prductins. Page 8

27 Venue Name Venues Lcatin Owner / Operatr Missin Statement Descriptin The State Theatre 571-seat theatre State Cllege, Pennsylvania Owned By City f State Cllege Operated By The State Theatre Inc., 501(c)(3) We are a vibrant, inclusive theatre, ffering ur venue as a cmmunity stage, a center fr lcal, reginal and internatinal perfrmers, an experiential learning envirnment and a respnsive philanthrpic space. The State Theatre is a 571-seat theatre that was renvated and repened in 2006 as a cmmunity facility t supprt lcal arts grups and artists. A smaller receptin lbby r studi theatre supprts cmmunity rganizatins. The State Theatre rganizatin seeks t prvide brad cmmunity supprt thrugh reasnable rental fees and marketing supprt. Page 9

28 MISSION STATEMENT The missin f the State Theatre is: We are a vibrant, inclusive theatre, ffering ur venue as a cmmunity stage, a center fr lcal, reginal and internatinal perfrmers, an experiential learning envirnment and a respnsive philanthrpic space. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY In 1938, Warner Brthers pened the State Theatre as a test market fr new films. It was built by Jhn Hamiltn Henzey fr RCA Films at a cst f $70,000. The first shwing at The State Theatre was "The Sisters" frm "the best-selling nvel" was accmpanied by "The Outstanding Shrt Subject f the Year: 'The Declaratin f Independence.'" The State, said Warner Brs., was ne f nly three theatres "in the United States t premiere" the new featured film. The State Theatre pened with a general admissin price f 30 cents fr matinees, 35 cents after 5pm; children were admitted fr 15 cents "at all times." The film schedule t be fllwed wuld prvide patrns with fur different fferings each week. A "Clnial Mtif" graced The State. "The general architecture f the building and frnt is f clnial style in keeping with the architectural scheme f State Cllege, but the interir is markedly mdern and simple with pastel clrs, [rich] drapes and a unique lighting system." Suggesting that the pulence f lder theatres detracted frm the film itself, ne f the news stries prclaimed: "The day f the verbedecked, gilded and rnate theatre palace that was the high pint f its day, ten years ag, has given way t the functinal theatre. That is a theatre whse beauty is designed t further the requirements f sund, prjectin and cmfrt." Over time the theatre deterirated and finally its drs clsed in Hwever, sme dedicated cmmunity members envisined a new life fr the dilapidated theater: an arts perfrmance center, wned and perated by the cmmunity. Lcal grups wuld have a hme stage and citizens wuld be able t enjy diverse music and theatre in an intimate setting. The State Theatre had the ptential t revitalize the dwntwn, expse a range f peple t artists, bth natinal and internatinal, and bring additinal incme int the cmmunity. An enthusiastic lcal cntingent threw their weight behind the revival, hsting events, selling pavers and tuting the case f the State. Sidney and Helen Friedman generusly gave bth the theatre and a mnetary gift t the cmmunity and renvatins began. The recnstructin unearthed many lvely architectural elements that were subsequently preserved. The lush glry f the State's frmer life was being renewed and State Cllege regained its histric gem. The theatre was renvated in 2006 and received a 1,170 square ft expansin and excavatin under the stage and beynd the back crner wall. Page 10

29 FACILITY The main theatre has ttal seating f 517; 430 seats at the rchestra level and 141 seats in the balcny. The theatre is cmplemented by a bx ffice, star dressing rm, with full facilities (shwer, tilet, sink), tw chrus rms, with full facilities, green rm, prductin ffice and shw ffice. The stage is 29' deep by 40' wide, with a prscenium 34' 4" wide by 21'0" high. The upstage, 8'6", is nly 27' wide due t the Stage Right spiral stairway that prvides the crssver dwn thru the green rm. The spiral stairway is hidden by an up and dwnstage, dead hung, 7' deep black velur leg and a matching up and dwnstage leg is n Stage Left. Lad-in is at street level, ff stage left. Trucks/vans (nt buses r semi trucks) pull r back int the parking lt ff Calder Alley, next t the stage dr. There is a 4'6" x 10'0" scissr lift (capacity 3,000 punds) at the frnt f the stage t raise gear up t stage level. Als available fr rent is an upper lbby / studi theatre. This space is apprpriate fr receptins, lunchens and dinners, meetings and smaller prductins. There is a catering kitchen adjacent t this space, as well as elevatr access. Upper Lbby RENTALS The facility is rented each year fr film, perfrmances, lectures, meetings and receptins and family-based educatinal prgramming. Page 11

30 Rental Rates Main Theatre Full Day 1 shw: Nn Prfit - $1,750; Fr Prfit - $2,250 Full Day 2 shws r prtin f day: Variable Upstairs Lbby $300 Labr: The theatre requires a client t utilize the technical staff f the theatre fr their event. Any expense fr labr incurred by the theatre is billed t the client per the fllwing rates: Lighting Designer $25/hr, (4 hr min) Sund Operatrs $25/hr Spt Operatrs $20/hr Sund System $400 Film Prjectinist $30/hr Head Ushers $15/hr, (4 hr min) Cncessins $15/hr, (4 hr min) Stage Crew $20/hr, (4 hr min) Security $25/hr (The State Theatre reserves the right t require security depending n the nature f the prgramming) Pian $150 plus tuning Technical Directr $25/hr While the State Theatre is available t a myriad f cmmunity rganizatins, requests fr rental f the theatre may be denied if the prpsed event presents a ptential cnflict t the market target f a previusly scheduled event r des nt meet cmmunity standards. N X rated films may be screened at the State Theatre. PROGRAMMING Prgramming at the State Theatre is a mix f presentatins and prmters. The mre cmmunity-based film series and family events are prduced by the theatre itself. Ppular music is bked thrugh prmters. Details n prgram fferings divide them int cmmunity versus cmmercial events, with the fllwing distinctins: Cmmunity Cmmercial Film, Musical theatre, Chral music, Variety, Theatre, Lecture, Family Film, Ppular music, Orchestral music, Variety, Jazz music, Dance, Cmedy Page 12

31 Including film, there were 177 perfrmances frm August 2011 t May 2012 in the State Theatre. Fllwing are the number f events and average ticket prices by genre: Genre Number f Events Average Ticket Price Film 93 Free, $6-$8, $10- $15, $15-$22 Musical Theatre 12 $15-$22 Ppular Music 15 $10, $25-$30, $22- $28, $49 Chral Music 1 $6-$10 Orchestral Music 1 $6-$10 Variety 2 $6-$10 Jazz Music 1 $25-$30 Theatre 38 $16-$18 Dance 4 $10-$20 Cmedy 3 $28 Lecture 1 $6-$10 Family 6 $10 Student and Senir discunts are available, as well as a discunt fr Grup Sales. In cllabratin with Schlw Library, the theatre hsts "Read It and Watch It!," a prgram where lcal children read children's classics and then see the mvies fr free. The State Theatre is cmmitted t invlving lcal nn-prfits in prgramming, spnsrships, fundraising, visibility and supprt and has wrked with the fllwing lcal cmmunity rganizatins: American Red Crss Centre Cunty ARC f Centre Cunty By Scuts f America Bridge f Hpe Centre Cunty Centre Cunty Breast Cancer Awareness State Cllege Area Fd Bank Centre Regin Parks and Recreatin Centre Cunty Wmen's Resurce Center Philipsburg Osela High Schl PILF PSPCA PSU PRSSA Charity auctin PSU United Way Radi Park PTO Rland Theatre Secnd Mile Clintn Cunty Schlw Library Page 13

32 Centre Cunty Vlunteers in Medicine Child Develpment Family Cuncil Central PA Festival f the Arts First Night Centre Cunty Friends Schl Habitat fr Humanity Huse f Care Husing Transitins Leadership Centre Cunty Make a Wish Fundatin Millbrk Playhuse Next Stage Our Children's Centre Mntessri Our Lady f Victry Daycare PA Centre Orchestra PA Dance Theatre Penns Valley High Schl Philipsburg Mainstreet Prgram Secnd Mile Centre Cunty Central Cunties PSPCA (Centre Hall, PA) State Cllege Chinese Alliance Church State Cllege Area High Schl State Cllege Friend's Schl The Music Academy PAWS WIC (Wmen, Infants, Children) State Cllege Area Y.M.C.A. Yuth Service Bureau Big Brthers-Big Sisters Centre Cunty Big Brthers-Big Sisters Clintn Cunty Family Decisin Making Grup Stepping Stne Transitinal Husing Strmbreak Yuth Yuth Haven Yuth and Family Services Zerby Gap Family Wrks OWNERSHIP/OPERATING STRUCTURE The State Theatre is wned by the City f State Cllege and perated by The State Theatre Inc., a private, nn-prfit 501(c)(3), with a 14-member Bard f Directrs. Operating cmmittees include Finance Cmmittee, Prgramming Cmmittee, Web Site Cmmittee, Develpment Cmmittee, Special Events Advisry Cmmittee, Membership Cmmittee and Theatre Décr. Page 14

33 STAFF The theatre emplys 24 staff: Executive Directr Technical Directr Operatins Manager Assistant Operatins Manager Marketing Manager & Membership Directr Accuntant Administratr Prjectinist (2) Lighting Designer Sund Assistant Bx Office (4) Head Ushers (2) Cncessins (6) IT Phtgrapher The staff is supplemented by vlunteer ushers and a street team fr prmtins. FINANCIAL INFORMATION The annual perating budget fr fiscal year 2010 was $1,618,838. Salary expense is $498,217. Ttal revenues are $1,305,781 and breakdwn is as fllws: Ticket Sales $845,136 Prductin Incme $263,726 Other Revenue $ 3,035 Cntributins & Grants $193,844 Page 15

34 In fiscal year 2010, there was an perating lss f $300,000. The State is fine-tuning its prgramming apprach, curting cmmunity and crprate interests and maturing its fundraising effrts. UNIVERSITY PRESENCE and OTHER VENUES State Cllege is the hme f Penn State University, with a student ppulatin f 86,205. A prtin f the campus is lcated dwntwn. The State Theatre is ccasinally used by student grups fr film shwings fr university students nly. Penn State hsts student prductins at its Penn State Dwntwn Theatre Center, which has 192 seats. MARKETING The State Theatre marketing department prvides the fllwing ptins t help prmte a renter s event: Event listing n its website, with hyperlink t rganizatin s website Online ticket sales Event listing in the calendar distributed in the Bx Office Event inclusin in the theatre s regular marketing Listing in the calendar sectin f the playbill A windw bx display fr prmtinal psters (limited availability) Ability t place flyers in the Bx Office ECONOMIC IMPACT With the rave reviews the State has received, State Cllege is garnering press beynd the regin, making it a magnet destinatin fr patrns as far away as Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Buffal and Frederick. It encurages the use f the dwntwn restaurants, parking garages and htels. In additin, the State creates jbs in the area and serves lcal charities by prviding them with a venue fr fundraising. Page 16

35 Venue Name Venues Lcatin Owner / Operatr Missin Statement Descriptin Avaln Theatre 900-seat theater Grand Junctin, Clrad Owned by - City f Grand Junctin Operated by - Tw Rivers Cnventin Center The missin f the Avaln Theatre is t serve as the cultural hub fr Grand Junctin. We strive t serve the diverse tastes f ur cmmunity with a balanced mix f cultural pprtunities; t prvide a supprtive envirnment fr lcal arts rganizatins and a welcming experience fr audiences and t be an ecnmic catalyst fr Dwntwn Grand Junctin. The Avaln Theatre is a dwntwn anchr that currently seats 900. A three-phase renvatin plan includes accmmdatins t better supprt perfrmances by the Grand Junctin Symphny Orchestra, as well as a smaller film screening rm. Page 17

36 MISSION STATEMENT The missin f the Avaln Theatre is: t serve as the cultural hub fr Grand Junctin. We strive t serve the diverse tastes f ur cmmunity with a balanced mix f cultural pprtunities; t prvide a supprtive envirnment fr lcal arts rganizatins and a welcming experience fr audiences and t be an ecnmic catalyst fr Dwntwn Grand Junctin. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY Built fr the residents f Grand Junctin by lcal publishing giant Walter Walker, the Avaln Theatre was, and still is, ne f Western Clrad's largest perfrming arts halls. It is lcated in the Dwntwn Shpping Park at 645 Main Street. Built in 1923, it was renvated in 1947 fr film and again in the early 1990s, including restratin f the histric facade, lbby and upgrades fr cncerts and film presentatins. The Avaln Theatre is currently in Phase I f a three-phase expansin and renvatin that will result in a secnd, smaller film screening / rehearsal / theatre space and, ultimately, a renvated auditrium and lbby with expanded back f huse and lading areas. FACILITY The Avaln Theatre is a 900-seat histric theater in dwntwn Grand Junctin. PROGRAMMING In additin t playing first-run mvies, the Avaln Theatre shws independent and freign films. Live prductins include cncerts, theatrical perfrmances and dance recitals and the theater is rented fr private functins. There is a Bradway series and it is the hme f perfrmances by the Grand Junctin Symphny Orchestra. The Avaln Theatre hsts 65 events per seasn. The Bradway series presents fur prductins, each with three weekend perfrmances. The 2012 seasn includes Frever Plaid, Cats, Miss Saign and Oliver!. Single tickets are $20, $30 and $40; a fur-shw subscriptin is $100. admissins t the mvies. The Avaln als hsts Dinner and a Mvie every Tuesday. Patrns wh enjy dinner at any Dwntwn Grand Junctin Restaurant, and bring their receipt t the Avaln, receive tw free Page 18

37 OWNERSHIP/OPERATING STRUCTURE The Avaln Theatre is wned by the City f Grand Junctin and perated by the Tw Rivers Cnventin Center, an agency f the City f Grand Junctin, which is supprted by a Business Imprvement District tax, as well as the General Fund. STAFF Operated under the umbrella f the Tw Rivers Cnventin Center, the Avaln Theatre has tw full-time and fur part-time staff members, which are shared between the facilities: Full Time: Interim Manager Directr f Sales and Marketing Part Time: Sales & Planning Assistant Operatins Supervisr Banquet Manager & Building Maintenance Mvie Prjectinist FINANCIAL INFORMATION The expense budget fr fiscal year 2012 was $236,000, brken dwn as fllws: Salaries, Wages & Benefits $99,035 Building $66,250 Operatins $66,900 Administratin $ 4,137 UNIVERSITY PRESENCE and OTHER VENUES Clrad Mesa University, a liberal arts university with a student bdy f 9,000 is lcated in Grand Junctin. It is the hme f The Mss Perfrming Arts Center, which was built in 2002 t huse theatre, music and dance prgrams. The Center includes a recital hall, an experimental Page 19

38 theatre, chral and instrumental rehearsal rms, a music library, dressing rms, ffices, music practice rms, classrms, a cstume shp, an utstanding dance studi, a scene shp and the Rbinsn main stage theatre. Recital Hall: Seats 288 and hsts mre than 30 events each year, including senir recitals and the Guest Artist Recital Series. Rbinsn Theater: Serves as the department's main stage venue and hsts fur theater prductins and mre than 20 music department cncerts each year. This 600-seat theatre has a fly lft and a mdern drama lighting system. Mesa Experimental Theater: Als knwn as the MET and "Black Bx", this venue seats up t 150 peple and has almst an unlimited number f pssible perfrmance cnfiguratins cnducive t experimental theatre perfrmances. Page 20

39 Venue Name Venues Lcatin Owner / Operatr Descriptin The Babcck Building 750-seat theater, apartments and retail space Billings, Mntana Owned and Operated By Babcck, LLC The Babcck Building (in which the Babcck Theater is hused) is wned by Babcck, LLC. Babcck, LLC cnsists f fur stakehlders and was granted a develpment agreement in 2009 t redevelp and restre the histric Babcck Theater, where they will turn ver the theater t the city (r the city s designated party) in BACKGROUND AND HISTORY A.L. Babcck purchased this site as undevelped prperty in 1889 befre the dwntwn business district had spread t the nrth. By 1889, a cuple f hmes were erected n the suth prtin f the blck, but this nrth half remained pen. This building succeeded the 800-seat Billings Opera Huse (als built by Babcck), which had its first perfrmance in 1882, but burned dwn in Babcck built the new Theater Building Page 21

40 n the current site, replacing what had been a tennis curt. In 1935, the theater interir was cmpletely gutted by fire, but was immediately rebuilt by a well-knwn theater designer based in Califrnia during the 1920s and 1930s. The riginal building exterir was brick, accentuated with clumns with flral carving. All f the riginal exterir has since been cvered with blue metal paneling. It is best nted fr nce being the largest theater lcated between Minneaplis and Seattle. A.L. Babcck was ne f Billings' leading businessmen. He arrived in twn during its funding year and established a hardware cmpany with a partner, Babcck and Miles. In 1892, he bught ut the partner, and in 1902, Babcck Hardware sld t Billings Hardware. In 1895, he funded the Yellwstne Valley Fluring Mill and it became a keystne in Billings' agricultural ecnmy. Later n, he was funder f the Yellwstne Natinal Bank and an rganizer f the Billings Telephne Cmpany. The building has had nly three wners in 104 years. The building has been accepted fr placement n the Natinal Register f Histric Places. Renvatin The Babcck Building was mst recently renvated after Babcck, LLC purchased it in The renvatin was dne in phases, addressing the apartments and retail spaces first. Then the theater itself was addressed. The renvatin was financed by the wners in cnjunctin with the City f Billings. FACILITY The Babcck Building features the histric Babcck Theater, apartments and retail spaces. It is lcated in the center f dwntwn Billings and takes up ne-quarter f a city blck. In additin t the 750-seat theater, there is a lbby, a small bx ffice kisk, a green rm and dressing rms dwnstairs ff the stage. A multi-use facility, there are als 14 apartments fr rent and five main flr retail spaces. The apartments are currently fully ccupied, alng with the retail spaces. The retail tenants are Mre s Market (market/cnvenience center), zpizza, Billings Gallery f Fine Art, Cline Fine Art, Jimmy Jhn Sandwiches,and Rck Creek Cffee Rasters. The 14 apartments feature studi, ne and tw bedrm layuts. All tenants and businesses pay rent t Babcck, LLC. Page 22

41 PROGRAMMING The Babcck hsts First Friday events and is a part f the dwntwn ArtWalks. A rental-nly facility, it will hst 33 prgrams frm August 2011 t July 2012 (12 First Fridays are included in the ttal). The building is used fr film, ppular music, petry readings, cmedy, band and rchestral music, dance and meetings. While there are n resident cmpanies, the Billings Symphny and Cmmunity Band d perfrm there. Tickets range frm free (Billings Symphny, First Fridays) t $40 (ppular music). Details n prgramming fferings divide activity int cmmunity versus cmmercial, with the fllwing distinctins: Cmmunity ArtWalk, First Fridays, Meetings, Cmmunity Band, Symphny Cmmercial Film, Ppular Music, Petry readings, Cmedy, Dance A variety f prmters rent the space, including Jade Presents, Level 1's After Dark and Ty Sldier Prductins and Yellwstne Bluegrass Assciatin. Marketing is at the discretin f the prmter/renter f the theater, but the theater des prvide event listings n their website, which links t sites where peple may buy tickets r directs them t businesses that are selling tickets (the Babcck des nt perate a bx ffice). All events are cnsidered rentals except fr the First Friday events and ArtWalk events, which are cmmunity-spnsred events that use the facility fr free. OWNERSHIP/OPERATING STRUCTURE Babcck LLC cnsists f 4 stakehlders wh were granted a develpment agreement in 2009 t redevelp and restre the histric Babcck Theater. The peratin f the theater will revert t the City f Billings in UNIVERSITY PRESENCE and OTHER VENUES There are several institutins f higher learning in Billings. These include state schls: Page 23