Heritage Trust members get peak at Capitol Theater.
Posted by PM on February 13th, 2012 12:12 pm
After 35 years of dormancy, the Capitol Theater and its annex is set to raise its curtain by May.
But first it needs the curtain, as well as a few seats.
Speaking at the Heritage Trust’s annual meeting Sunday, Capitol Theater executive director John Speer said the Capitol Theater and Performing Arts Center lacks seating – 400 seats in all – as well as paint and some smaller items, such as stage curtains.
Speer told the roughly 30 members of Burlington’s historic preservation group the theater originally opened in the 1930s as the city’s only venue for sound films, also known as “talkies.” The first tickets sold for 36 cents.
Ticket sales are set to resume in May, although prices likely will be higher.
Speer said performances will start small with larger events planned after June 1, in case the May deadline isn’t made.
“June 1 will be the grand gala opening,” Speer said. “It will be hosted by Russell and Mary Arms from Keokuk and Brandon and Megan Howard. All local people will be performing.”
Another special performance already being planned by Speer is a silent movie with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra performing during the film.
But before the first performance can take place, work on renovations must continue on the project originally estimated to cost approximately $5 million.
“That’s where we started,” Speer said. “When it’s all said and done, though, it will be close to $3 million.”
Speer said funding is coming close to the goal.
“Right now we have $2.2 million and a few thousand more in tax credits,” Speer said. “We are wonderfully close.”
Additional funding will help fill equipment needs, such as sound equipment and stage lighting.
Once the doors open, Speer said the theater will need to generate $25,000 annually to cover expenses. Since the Capitol Theater Foundation is a nonprofit organization, anything over operating costs will be put back into the business or go in the form of community donations.
Sunday, Heritage Trust members were offered a chance to tour the theater. With nearly all attendees staying for the sneak peak, the crowd was broken into two groups.
While chairs were lacking and the drywall remained incomplete, work on the stage, which has been lengthened to hold an orchestra, is nearly done.
Speer, a northeastern Ohio native, has a master’s degree from Brigham Young University in mass communication and public relations. His career has involved public relations, journalism and entertainment. He has published award-winning newspapers and magazines and is the founding president of the American Regional Theatre Project. He has produced more than 50 plays, musicals and concerts in the Midwest and California.
Prior to Speer’s presentation the Heritage Trust filled two open positions on its board with John Slahor and Hal Morton. Kim Perlstein and Dick Keith were re-elected to their board positions. After 35 years of dormancy, the Capitol Theater and its annex is set to raise its curtain by May.
But first it needs the curtain, as well as a few seats.
Speaking at the Heritage Trust’s annual meeting Sunday, Capitol Theater executive director John Speer said the Capitol Theater and Performing Arts Center lacks seating – 400 seats in all – as well as paint and some smaller items, such as stage curtains.
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Double-click on video to start/stop.Speer told the roughly 30 members of Burlington’s historic preservation group the theater originally opened in the 1930s as the city’s only venue for sound films, also known as “talkies.” The first tickets sold for 36 cents.
Ticket sales are set to resume in May, although prices likely will be higher.
Speer said performances will start small with larger events planned after June 1, in case the May deadline isn’t made.
“June 1 will be the grand gala opening,” Speer said. “It will be hosted by Russell and Mary Arms from Keokuk and Brandon and Megan Howard. All local people will be performing.”
Another special performance already being planned by Speer is a silent movie with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra performing during the film.
But before the first performance can take place, work on renovations must continue on the project originally estimated to cost approximately $5 million.
“That’s where we started,” Speer said. “When it’s all said and done, though, it will be close to $3 million.”
Speer said funding is coming close to the goal.
“Right now we have $2.2 million and a few thousand more in tax credits,” Speer said. “We are wonderfully close.”
Additional funding will help fill equipment needs, such as sound equipment and stage lighting.
Once the doors open, Speer said the theater will need to generate $25,000 annually to cover expenses. Since the Capitol Theater Foundation is a nonprofit organization, anything over operating costs will be put back into the business or go in the form of community donations.
Sunday, Heritage Trust members were offered a chance to tour the theater. With nearly all attendees staying for the sneak peak, the crowd was broken into two groups.
While chairs were lacking and the drywall remained incomplete, work on the stage, which has been lengthened to hold an orchestra, is nearly done.
Speer, a northeastern Ohio native, has a master’s degree from Brigham Young University in mass communication and public relations. His career has involved public relations, journalism and entertainment. He has published award-winning newspapers and magazines and is the founding president of the American Regional Theatre Project. He has produced more than 50 plays, musicals and concerts in the Midwest and California.
Prior to Speer’s presentation the Heritage Trust filled two open positions on its board with John Slahor and Hal Morton. Kim Perlstein and Dick Keith were re-elected to their board positions.
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