I was made in 1921. Since that time I have served the Sidney public in a faithful and efficient manner, carrying out my prescribed duties to the best of my ability. I have made thousands of people laugh and I have made just as many cry. For these are my duties. I have caused youngsters to almost laugh themselves into hysterics, and I have gladdened the hearts of old people. I am a servant of all of the people, young and old...i invite you within my walls as often as you will come. from The Schine Theatre dedication in 1927 Introduction Vibrant communities have similar qualities that make them the kinds of places that people like to visit and want to live in. First-class educational opportunities, state of the art medical care, a solid government infrastructure, robust manufacturing, and diverse cultural arts are all qualities that define them. The Shelby County community is fortunate to have a number of talented and thriving arts organizations. As these groups perform in churches, on the court square, at high schools and beyond, the dream of a performing arts center is ever-present. A renovated Historic Sidney Theatre would provide a venue for our community to rehearse and perform in as well as a place for national and touring cultural arts events. It will be an attraction for the region, positively affect Sidney s downtown district and preserve an historic landmark. 1
Overview In 2009, a journey to address an important cultural and historic dimension of our Shelby County community began when Raise the Roof for the Arts (RTR) was formed. RTR is a group of Shelby County citizens who, along with local arts organizations, see an opportunity to enhance the quality of life in our community. Over the past three years, RTR has spent time planning and meeting with designers, engineers, community leaders, arts organizations, architects, and financial experts, to develop a strategy for the renovation and operation of this historic landmark. Theatre Usage Today Today the theatre is being used for live performances, meetings and events. RTR welcomes local performing groups and others to use the space. 2012 Events held at the theatre included: Sock & Buskin Players productions: An evening of One Act Plays; Dear Edwina; School House Rock; Rocky Horror Picture Show; Mr. Scrooge the musical. Sidney Dance Company performed It s a Wonderful Life. Other events included: Masquerade New Year s Eve Party, a Progressive Dinner and the Applefest Industry Timeline exhibit. In 2012 the usage totaled: 14 The Majestic Theatre opens Built in 1921 for full stage live performances and silent film, the bright letters on the marquee of the Historic Sidney Theatre have been a fixture in the Shelby County community for decades. Mr. C.B. DeWeese built and opened the then-called Majestic Theatre on September 9th 1921, with a touring production of Robin Hood, the comedic opera. Tickets sold for two, three and five dollars and nearly all of the facility s 1300 seats were filled. The following day, a silent film was shown. Area residents recall performances from the 1940 s through the late 1960 s including the Vienna Boys Choir, Norman Vincent Peale, New York City Opera, among others who came and performed. From the mid 1970 s to 2004 Chakeres Theatre company operated it as a triplex movie house. Upon closing in 2004, the building sat vacant until 2006 when a private individual purchased the theatre and completed a number of improvements including the completion of certain interior demolition and securing an occupancy permit. Sidney Dance performers It s a Wonderful Life - December 2012 events, 6 live theatrical productions, 17 performances, 171+ rehearsal days with 6,000+ users, 300+ local performers, crew, artists, & volunteers involved and more than 4,820 audience served. I applaud the efforts of the board of directors and other volunteers associated with Raise the Roof for the Arts and their exciting efforts to renovate the Historic Sidney Theatre. We are so blessed to have a variety of local performing arts organizations here in Shelby County, and while we are fortunate to have a variety of venues for performances, the Historic Sidney Theatre will be the only true theatre. The theatre being downtown provides another important facet to this project! - Marian Spicer, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Shelby County 2
Raise the Roof for the Arts - The Dream Begins In September 2008 an option to purchase the Historic Sidney Theatre was secured by a group of citizens. Local arts groups were then approached to determine interest and usage. In December 2008, a campaign feasibility study was completed by Goettler & Associates, in which 30 Shelby County community leaders were interviewed. The results were shared with the local arts organizations and positive feedback was received. A steering committee was formed to review and make decisions regarding the future of the theatre. The committee was comprised of community and arts groups members: John Beigel, John Dunlap, Mardie Milligan, Tom Milligan, Ken Monnier, Libby Van Treese, Gateway Arts Council: Ellen Keyes and Jerry Doerger, Sidney Dance Company: Sharon Eikenberry and Judy Westerheide, and from Sock & Buskin Players: Kevin Frazier-Jones and Christi Thomas. Led by the steering committee the decision to purchase was made, Raise the Roof for the Arts was formed and the building was purchased on March 30, 2009. Planning - The Dream Unfolds RTR plans to renovate and operate the Historic Sidney Theatre for cultural, artistic and educational purposes. We wish to provide a beautifully renovated venue for performing arts, entertainment, cultural and educational activities and other community events to serve Shelby County and region. RTR leadership has spent time addressing the questions raised in the campaign feasibility study. A strategic plan was completed in 2010 with Mike Morris. Mr. Morris is the former executive director of the Midland Theatre in Newark, Ohio and oversaw the successful capital campaign, renovation, and management of that facility for a number of years. Taking the advice of campaign counsel, focus groups were formed to provide feedback regarding the project design cost, an operational budget, governance / management and the utilization of the facility after the renovation. Governance & Management RTR met with local arts groups to discuss management of the finished facility. These groups have strong missions relating to the creation of art and the presentation of cultural activities. Currently these groups do not anticipate changing their missions to include facility management. RTR will continue to manage and operate the Historic Sidney Theatre and will evaluate any future governance changes as needed. Sustainability and strong utilization are important and facility management requires proper maintenance and sound financial planning. It is anticipated that a facility manager will be in place prior to the completion of the renovations. The manager will be responsible for the events and operations of the facility including a future annual membership drive and program development. We anticipate having staff of two and one-half full-time equivalents (Including technical and maintenance staff) following completion of the renovations. "Though I'm no longer a resident of Sidney and have never been involved with the arts, I am pleased to support this project for my hometown, county, and region. This is an important component for the area's culture and heritage, and a specific asset for downtown Sidney." Dave Ross, Ft. Loramie 3
Utilization of a Renovated Facility RTR met with local arts groups to discuss usage of the theatre post renovation. Taking into consideration current and future uses by area arts groups, conservative utilization numbers have been projected. Annual projections include: Sock & Buskin Players and Sidney Dance Company, (both currently use the Historic Sidney Theatre) estimate 8 productions with 30 performances, 120-150 rehearsal days, 500 youth and adults performing, and approximately 9,000 audience members. National touring artists, such as those presented at comparable historic theatres, account for 3-6 performances with 1,500-2,500 audience members. Other events such as: lectures, films, concerts, performances, workshops, education field trips, corporate or private rentals are estimated at 6-12 events with the potential of 4,000 audience. Looking forward, additional opportunities may arise to co-promote events with outside promoters. This is a widely used practice that other historic theatres have successfully implemented throughout the U.S. to generate more usage and revenue for their facility. Once renovated, it is anticipated that the HST will be used for a wide variety of events including live concerts, films, speakers, lectures, performing arts, and private functions. It is projected that annually there will be 30-35 performances, 6-13 additional events, 120-150 rehearsal days, more than 500+ artists served and 14,000-15,000 audience attendees. Project Design Cost RTR leaders retained Freytag & Associates (Sidney), an architectural engineering design firm with over 80 years of experience, to prepare a detailed renovation budget. They worked with their in-house experts and others to provide estimates for the renovation budget. Other experts included: Martyn Blundall, a licensed estimator from Blundall & Associates (Ft Wayne, IN), a professional construction-cost consulting firm with 32 years experience and a specialization in costing for historic renovations. Michael Nauman, principal of Nauman & Zelinski (Dayton) and an HVAC engineering consultant who helped design the Schuster Center systems. Steve Everhardt of Tiffin Scenic Studios (Tiffin), manufacturer and installer of stage rigging systems across the U.S. since 1901. Michael Hurwitz, theatrical consultant with Telesolve Group (Reynoldsburg) who has worked with several historic theatres in Ohio including the Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine. 4
Renovations Today, the Historic Sidney Theatre remains an impressive entertainment facility. According to Freytag & Associates, the building has strong physical attributes, built primarily of concrete, steel and brick. It is a large venue (nearly 30,000 sq. ft.) with a raked seating area and stage (2,400 sq. ft.) patterned off of Dayton s Victoria Theater. It has a potential seating capacity of more than 900 including the balcony. RTR reviewed the building renovation cost presented by Freytag & Associates. Given the state of the economy, RTR decided to move forward with a phased renovation plan. The first phase is a complete first floor renovation addressing the building exterior and interior spaces of the auditorium, stage, and entrance, as well as the ground floor of the south building. Balcony seating is not included at this time. RTR is excited about these proposed renovations, which will deliver a beautiful, 500-seat, performing arts facility to serve the community and the region. Interior Cost allowances include: Auditorium, lobby & concession area South building ground floor New first floor accessible restrooms New fixed seating of 500 (first floor only) All new interior finishes including: walls, floors, ceilings & fixtures New stage equipment including: lighting, sound, rigging system, curtains & communications Essentials such as: fire protection, plumbing, electrical, heating & ventilation Exterior Cost allowances include: Site work Windows and doors Exterior masonry repairs New or repaired roofing, gutters and downspouts 5
Operational Budget / Financial Statement RTR finance committee has developed a 5-year operations budget based on operations, renovations, depreciation, shrinkage, interest expense, and other costs. The cash flow statement was designed to retire any construction debt in year five to coincide with the completion of the five-year pledge period. As RTR is a start-up organization, some operational expenses have been included as well as a modest reserve fund. Future revenue sources will be comprised of a blend of ticket sales, rentals, advertising, concessions sales, ticket fees, sponsorships, grants, special fundraisers, and annual memberships. All of these revenue sources are used in historic theatres across the country today. Need Set The RTR board wants to provide a facility that will make a difference for the community and has set a need of $3,500,000 for the capital campaign to renovate the Historic Sidney Theatre. RTR is asking prospective donors to consider a gift over a 5-year period. RTR has established a capital campaign fund through the Community Foundation of Shelby County to receive and administer gifts. The 5-year cash flow projections include: Renovations - $2,795,000 Reserve fund - $208,000 Operations - $144,000 Campaign costs - $45,000 Interest expense - $168,000 Shrinkage - $140,000 Schedule 2011 Board gifts completed 2012 Campaign announced: Leadership and Pacesetting gifts 2012, 2013 Campaign, Renovations begin 2014 Anticipated Gala Celebration Note: RTR currently owns the Historic Sidney Theatre and has no debt. The first phase of the project began in late 2008 and was completed in 2010. During this phase $250,000 in gigs were received to cover the acquisijon, legal / consultant fees, ujlijes, and operajonal expenses through 2010. 6
The Campaign for the Restoration, Preservation and Utilization of the Historic Sidney Theatre will provide A H A s Shelby County is thriving with local and vital performing arts groups such as Sock & Buskin Community Theatre, Sidney Dance Company, Eleventh Hour Theatre Company, Gateway Arts Council, Sidney Civic Band, Swing Era Band, and Gateway Choral Society. Many of these groups have been performing in churches, schools and outdoor venues as available. A renovated Historic Sidney Theatre would provide them a dedicated performance venue and allow for them to expand the performances they present and produce, particularly among the most active user groups, Sock & Buskin Players and Sidney Dance Company. Other ways the theatre will be used includes: films, plays, art demonstrations, exhibits, lectures, concerts, contests, dances, weddings, meetings, parties and more. As representatives of the corporate community, we are proud to support Raise The Roof For The Arts and their exciting plans to renovate the Historic Sidney Theatre. We believe this will be a terrific resource for the arts in Shelby County, as well as a key attraction for downtown Sidney. We look forward to a continued relationship with the organization as they begin this new endeavor. - Robert Anderson, Vice President, Human Resources, Emerson Climate Technologies E A s E O Providing a home for organized extracurricular arts activities is an important need for the Shelby County community. Sock & Buskin Players and Sidney Dance Company seek out and embrace working with youth of all ages and will expand programming once renovations are complete. Currently, Sock & Buskin s two summer musicals (one for ages 5-13 and another for 13 years and up) typically see more than 150 youth and adults audition. Sidney Dance Company productions typically have casts/crews of 70-100 people of which 80% or more are youth. I wish you could see the theatre through the eyes of our youth. I ve watched my dancers faces light up with elated energy as they stand on stage and look out into a real theatre. For them, this is an opportunity of a lifetime, and an important part of their development. Performing in a production helps to broaden their horizon each and every time they work together, perform, and participate in age-specific, interactive, and educational performances. Raise The Roof for the Arts plan to renovate the Historic Sidney Theatre is fantastic news for all of the local performing arts organizations, particularly for the youth in our community. - Sharon Arnold Eikenberry, Founder & Artistic Director, Sidney Dance Company A K A 20 M R s & B The renovated Historic Sidney Theater will be a beautiful performing arts facility with anticipated seating capacity of 500 (potential expansion to 900+ with balcony), the only venue of its size and type within an approximate 20-mile radius. The majority of audiences for local performance groups are made up of friends and 7
family of the performers. In these circumstances it is the community performing for their community, very similar to a high school football game and the fans in the stands, these events are to be celebrated and a win-win! Touring professional performances will draw from a larger 40-mile radius of Sidney and beyond, including Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus. RTR sees an opportunity to grow programming of this type when the renovation is complete. Audiences will come from Shelby County and beyond to attend local and professional events, thus patronizing local establishments such as restaurants, bars, hotels and gas stations. Americans for the Arts national study indicates on average, for every ticket purchased for an event, an additional $20 is spent locally in the form of dining out, casual drinks, a tank of gas, a hotel stay, a babysitter, or purchasing items for entertaining at home prior to or following a performance. Thus, if a performance draws 500 people, one could expect $10,000 in additional economic activity surrounding the event. At the Chamber we view restoration of the Historic Sidney Theatre as a true catalyst toward the overall revitalization effort in downtown Sidney. Recent new business ventures in both the restaurant and retail sectors have given us cause for excitement. The completion of this restoration coupled with year round performing arts programming is certain to spur additional economic growth and vitality in our central business district. - Jeff Raible, President, Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce A D H st T & B P g A s C Sidney has a beautiful court square district including a Civil War memorial building, a bank building designed by famed architect Louis Sullivan, and the Art Deco-styled Spot Restaurant. Like many historic downtowns, Sidney lacks diverse activity after 5:30 in the evening. During the campaign feasibility study, many identified this project as being a part of downtown revitalization. The recent demolition of two historic structures in Sidney brings to the forefront the importance of restoration, preservation and utilization of our court square buildings. RTR realizes the renovation of the Historic Sidney Theatre won t fix the challenges that downtown Sidney faces, but believes it will have a positive effect and might encourage others to step forward and invest in the revitalization of the downtown district. Raise the Roof for the Arts is a notable effort that will provide tremendous benefits for our community. I believe that the restoration of the Sidney s theatre can be the catalyst for the revitalization of the entire downtown. As we have seen recently, buildings of historic significance in Sidney are at risk of falling into disrepair and being demolished. Giving new life to the theatre building provides an opportunity to not only save a distinctive landmark, but also to showcase local performing arts in a true theatre setting. I would ask our community to join with me in supporting the effort to Raise the Roof for the Arts and help to begin the rebirth of downtown Sidney! - Mike Barhorst Mayor, City of Sidney 8
The photos above were taken in 1955 following the Chakeres Theatre renovation of the interior and exterior of the theatre. It represents how we want the theatre to look after renovations. C ó The community has a use and need for the Historic Sidney Theatre. RTR has a plan for the preservation, restoration and utilization of the building. ó The revitalization of the Historic Sidney Theatre is not just about the reconstruction of an historic landmark but also about de?ining who we are as a community and the experiences we want to create for our families, ourselves and future generations. ó Whether it is to renew our downtown, create a home for the arts, revitalize a historic landmark, or add a new dimension to what Shelby County citizens call home, this project will touch all of our lives in a positive fashion. ó The dream of a performing arts facility has been around for years. We now have the opportunity to join together and make it a reality. ó Please join the Capital Campaign for the preservation, restoration and utilization of The Historic Sidney Theatre. Select photographs used with permission from area artists: Brad VanTilburgh and Sara Newman (5/5/13) 9
Board of Directors Mardie Milligan, PRESIDENT Community Volunteer, City of Sidney councilwoman John Dunlap, VICE PRESIDENT Principal, John Dunlap and Associates Nancy Brown, SECRETARY Community Volunteer Walt Bennett, TREASURER Vice President, Thor Industries John Beigel, Partner, Primary Eyecare & Associates Jerry Doerger, Retired CPA Dan Freytag, Principal, Freytag & Associates Rudy Keister, Principal, Ruese Insurance Agency Sarah Kleinhans, Community Volunteer Tom Milligan, Principal, Western Ohio Cut Stone, LLC Ken Monnier, Vice President Engineering, Emerson Climate Technologies Mark Starrett, Associate, Honda Engineering North America Inc. Powertrain Division Christi Thomas, Executive Secretary, Sidney Fire Department Libby VanTreese, Community Volunteer Judy Westerheide, Community Volunteer Director s Circle Lisa Alvetro, principal Alvetro Orthodontics Staff - Sarah Barr, PROJECT COORDINATOR RTR Offices 126 ½ East Poplar PO BOX 484 Sidney, OH 45365 The Historic Sidney Theatre 120 West Poplar Sidney, OH 45365 Raise the Roof for the Arts (RTR) is a non pro@it charitable 501(c)3 organization. Phone: 937.498.1921 // email: office@sidneytheatre.com // web: www.sidneytheatre.org https://www.facebook.com/sidneytheatre 10