Galion Community Theatre

Current Name of Theater: Galion Community Theatre
Current Type: Performing arts theater
Seats: 1,200
Website: http://www.galiontheatre.org
Historic Names of Theater: Galion Theatre
Address: 127 Harding Way W, Galion, OH 44833
Contact: (419) 468-2662
Email: GCTheatre@live.com
Year Built/Style: 1949 /
Original Architect:
Original Cost:
Listed on National Register:
History of Theater: Located at 127 Harding Way West, the Galion Theatre opened in July of 1949 as a state-of-the-art 1,200 seat movie theatre and operated as a movie house until the early 1970s. It was then used as a restaurant and a nightclub until 1983. Various ventures were housed there until 1993 when it was purchased by our organization in a greatly deteriorated state.
Cost of Rehabilitation: $932,000
Architect:
Contractors:
Source of Funds:
Renovation Story: The Galion Community Theatre was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1984 and purchased the Galion Theatre in 1993. Our organization is governed by an eighteen-member, volunteer board of trustees, truly a “working board,” which oversees, maintains, and repairs the theatre; raises funding; and produces an annual season of three theatrical productions, a children’s workshop production, and, as funding is acquired, concerts featuring professional artists.
The Galion Community Theatre’s mission from that time on has been to renovate the building into a first-rate facility for providing the community with opportunities to experience the performing arts as performers, volunteers, and patrons.
Since the original improvements to the building in 1993, which included the installation of an emergency lighting system, overhead canister lights, and the partial repair of the original marquee, the building has been renovated to its present condition as a 230 seat theatrical house, complete with professional lighting and sound systems, an expanded stage area, an art exhibit gallery, a restored front lobby and original ticket booth, remodelled restrooms, and the creation of backstage facilities, including dressing rooms, a make-up room, and a green room. The historic old marquee, reportedly one of the few remaining neon-lighted marquees in the state, has been fully restored to its original glory.
With the financial support of community foundations, legacies from the estates of deceased members, and generous donations from local service clubs, businesses, and individuals, the Galion Community Theatre has to date invested approximately $932,000 + worth of purchased improvements to the Galion Theatre, a sum which does not include the thousands of dollars of donated material and tens of thousands of hours of volunteer labor and expertise which have gone into the project