The agenda included a variety of presenters on various ways to fund theater rehabilitations, planning and programming: Deena Epstein from the Gund Foundation; Jessica Fagan from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission; Don Longwell from the Longwell Law Firm; Jimeka Hollway from the Foundation Center; and Pat Henahan from the Ohio Arts Council.

To summarize the day’s proceedings:

• One cannot under-estimate the need for vision and a strong well-formed long range plan (The Ohio Arts Council helps fund this).
• Approach funders that match your needs (The Foundation Center & member libraries have the resources at your disposal to do this).
• Planning for a state appropriation is not a hand-out; build your groundwork share your plan as you educate state representatives.
• Taking advantage of historic tax credits for rehabilitation can supply a significant amount of capital to a rehabilitation project, but is not for amateurs; yes it is viable, hire the appropriate expertise to make things run smoothly.

Heritage Ohio has been involved in this Historic Theaters Initiative because theaters are an important partner in the revitalization of our communities and the buildings themselves are frequently iconic landmarks in the community- both socially as well as architecturally. We have worked with the Ohio Arts Council, which also recognizes the cultural and economic impact that theaters have in our communities.

What’s next?

Our next workshop will be June 29th in Wilmington the featured topic will be Community Partnerships. The League of Historic American Theaters will be hosting their national conference in Cleveland July 15-18, they are offering a discounted registration to Ohio’s Historic Theaters.

We have had several volunteers working on spin off projects that may interest out constituents. Michael Hurwitz is focusing on Opera Houses, he is writing a play that will be performed throughout the state this fall, visit his new web site at www.historicoperahouses.org.  Volunteer Carrie Cox has undertaken a huge task to update a database of Ohio’s historic theaters, based on an inventory from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. Soon we’ll make that available so that the public can give us updates.

So far our workshop participants have been enthusiastic to learn more from their peers here in Ohio and we look forward to forming a Google group to facilitate even more communication.  It’s kind of like looking for a needle in the haystack- finding all of the communities in Ohio which have opera houses and theaters- both operating and under-utilized.  If you or anyone you know should be contacted let us know!

33rd Annual Conference and Theatre Tour

July 15-18, 2009 in Cleveland, OH

BALTIMORE, MD (May 2009) – The League of Historic American Theatres announces its 33rd Annual Conference and Theatre Tour, Focus 20/20: Your Theatre, Your Town, July 15-18, 2009 in Cleveland, OH.

Change is in the air. The future is profoundly less certain than at any time in recent memory. How are global economic woes affecting historic theatres that have been important catalysts for the economic and cultural development of many neighborhoods and communities? What strategies and tactics are they developing for these turbulent times?
Hosted locally by PlayhouseSquare, the world’s largest theater restoration project and the nation’s largest performing arts center outside New York City, the League’s 2009 conference convenes in one of the most collaborative cultural districts in the United States. Cleveland, a city that has overcome many challenges over decades, is a great place for confronting difficult challenges with creative solutions and envisioning the future of historic theatres.
Challenging times require new strategies, renewed energy and resolve. The League’s 2009 conference will offer resources for leveraging diminishing resources to greater advantage, thinking strategically, and developing strength as change agents within organizations and communities. Conference activities will help attendees improve their historic theatres, their business and their communities.

Headquartered at the Wyndham Cleveland Hotel at Playhouse Square, the conference includes visits to local historic theatres and neighborhoods and sharing Cleveland’s wealth with the League’s growing network of operating historic theatres across the U.S. and Canada. A varied agenda of early morning “Eye Opener” breakfast sessions and peer discussions, tools and techniques sessions, a service providers and suppliers expo, theatre tours and performances feature presentations by local and national experts. Awards for Outstanding Historic Theatre and Outstanding Individual Contribution will be announced during the Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, July 18th.

The League’s conference and pre-conference Historic Theatre Ramble will include visits to Ohio theatres of varying sizes, architectural styles, operating structures and programming philosophies. An optional pre-conference professional development seminar, Capital Campaigns in Tough Times, provides a real life case study of Great Lakes Theater Festival’s renovation of the Hanna Theatre. NYC-based consultants Halsey and Alice North will be joined by the Great Lakes Theatre Festival’s capital campaign leaders in presenting the day-and-a-half seminar.

For additional information, including secure on-line registration, visit the League’s web site at: www.lhat.org .

About the League of Historic American Theatres

Dedicated to sustaining America’s historic theatres, the League of Historic American Theatres, Inc. (www.lhat.org), a non-profit membership association, is a network of professional stewards of irreplaceable social, economic, historic and cultural resources for their communities. Founded in 1976, the League serves members through educational programs, publications, specialized services and an annual conference and theatre tour, facilitating the exchange of information and resources for improving their theatres, their business and their communities.

League members include theatre managers, who are effective cultural conveners in communities of all sizes, as well as architects, engineers, specialists in historic finishes, and other consultants, service providers and suppliers. Many League members have energized venues and neighborhoods, are operating successfully, and are generating significant economic and cultural benefits for their communities. Other members are dedicated to rescuing their hometown facility and improving their communities by returning cultural life to their main streets.