A Brief History
THE SILVER SCREEN
Formerly known as the Geauga Cinema, the Art Deco theater was built in 1939 and ran successfully as a movie theater for years, until finally closing in 1996.
Formerly known as the Geauga Cinema, the Art Deco theater was built in 1939 and ran successfully as a movie theater for years, until finally closing in 1996.
COMMUNITY THEATER
Two years later, owner Larry Dolan donated the theater to the City of Chardon, which then leased it to the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild - an arts education organization and volunteer acting troupe that formed in 1954. The Guild turned the Geauga Theater into a traditional community theater. Renovations began in 2001, and with the first two phases of the restoration effort completed, the theater’s lobby and exterior were renovated and restored with a $300,000 grant from the Geauga Department of Community and Economic Development. An additional renovation project in 2019 included updating the women’s restroom, lobby, installing insulators in the roof, and various electrical improvements. The renovation was funded by a $200,000 Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Cultural Facilities Grant.
Two years later, owner Larry Dolan donated the theater to the City of Chardon, which then leased it to the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild - an arts education organization and volunteer acting troupe that formed in 1954. The Guild turned the Geauga Theater into a traditional community theater. Renovations began in 2001, and with the first two phases of the restoration effort completed, the theater’s lobby and exterior were renovated and restored with a $300,000 grant from the Geauga Department of Community and Economic Development. An additional renovation project in 2019 included updating the women’s restroom, lobby, installing insulators in the roof, and various electrical improvements. The renovation was funded by a $200,000 Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Cultural Facilities Grant.
GLTG DISSOLVES
On March 19, 2020 the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild dissolved when its four last remaining board members resigned. “The Board has labored to save the organization over the last four months since learning the full scope of the issues and debt burden that we uncovered in January,” according to a statement. “But in the end, our efforts could not overcome those challenges as well as recent circumstances.” Following this, the City of Chardon began searching for a new organization and direction for the theater - forming the Theater Ad Hoc Committee.
On March 19, 2020 the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild dissolved when its four last remaining board members resigned. “The Board has labored to save the organization over the last four months since learning the full scope of the issues and debt burden that we uncovered in January,” according to a statement. “But in the end, our efforts could not overcome those challenges as well as recent circumstances.” Following this, the City of Chardon began searching for a new organization and direction for the theater - forming the Theater Ad Hoc Committee.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
On November 12, 2020, Chardon City Council approved the Theater Ad Hoc Committee’s unanimous recommendation to entrust Thrive Performing & Visual Arts with programming and management of the Geauga Theater and the facilities at 106 Water Street. Thrive’s programming at the venue will be three-fold: live music, musical theater, and classic cinema complete with beer, wine, and snacks. Thrive will generate much of the entertainment staged at the Geauga Theater, but will also host outside acts: bands, orchestras, dance companies, comedians, and more.
Under Thrive's direction, the Geauga Theater is undergoing renovations and upgrades to make it into a top-notch destination for resident performing arts and regional entertainment.
On November 12, 2020, Chardon City Council approved the Theater Ad Hoc Committee’s unanimous recommendation to entrust Thrive Performing & Visual Arts with programming and management of the Geauga Theater and the facilities at 106 Water Street. Thrive’s programming at the venue will be three-fold: live music, musical theater, and classic cinema complete with beer, wine, and snacks. Thrive will generate much of the entertainment staged at the Geauga Theater, but will also host outside acts: bands, orchestras, dance companies, comedians, and more.
Under Thrive's direction, the Geauga Theater is undergoing renovations and upgrades to make it into a top-notch destination for resident performing arts and regional entertainment.