Area theaters trying to survive shutdown

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

With no clear idea of when people will be able to gather in large groups, local live venues are scrambling to reschedule shows and find ways to pay their rent and utilities.

Four regional theaters, the Grand Theatre in Elizabeth, The Lamp Theatre in Irwin, The Palace Theatre in Greensburg and The State Theatre and Performing Arts Center in Uniontown, have similar missions: to promote the arts in the region while stimulating the local economy. All are currently closed due to the coronavirus restrictions in place.

Lori Kolodziej, owner of the Grand Theatre, says she and her husband are paying bills for the theater out of their own pockets while it’s shuttered.

“It’s privately owned, which makes it different from the other theaters. We fall between the cracks,” Kolodziej said. “We’re in survival mode right now.”

The Grand works in conjunction with the nonprofit Mon River Arts, with Kolodziej also serving on the board for that organization. While the nonprofit group is holding its own through virtual classes, it has had to cancel live performances and has put in-person summer camps on hold. 

All those functions would have been held at the Grand, providing at least a small amount of rental income.

“We do a lot of private rentals. I had to cancel three birthday parties, two outside performers and a dance recital,” Kolodziej said. “The theater is an anchor business in Elizabeth, so it would have a huge impact if we were to close down.”

The theater was built in 1902 for vaudeville shows. It also served as a movie theater. The 225 seat-theater was closed for 20 years before the Kolodziejs bought and renovated it 21 years ago.

“It’s our passion and labor of love,” Kolodziej said.

The Lamp Theatre in Irwin is owned by the borough and serves both to promote the arts and as a business anchor in the community. It has a 350-seat capacity and is operated by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group. Nearly all the theater’s income is from bringing in outside performers, primarily tribute bands and regionally known musicians.

“This was developed as an economic stability project. Three new restaurants opened on this end of the block since we opened. They are still open, but they’re struggling,” said Bill Elder, general manager of The Lamp Theatre. 

As a relatively small concert venue, The Lamp may be able to open more quickly than a larger concert hall.

“We haven’t canceled any shows yet. They’ve all been postponed,” Elder said. “Arenas are going to be the last thing you can open.”

Elder said he is hoping patrons unable to attend rescheduled shows will consider donating their tickets back to The Lamp to help offset the losses it’s incurring. Elder said the biggest issue at present is the uncertainty of the situation.

“We have no information, which is the main thing. We have no idea when we can go back to work,” Elder said. “The bands probably have it worse than the venues. Each show is dependent on the one before and the one after. It’s going to be an economic hardship for everybody. Everybody in every industry is going to suffer from this. What I’m hoping to see is local arts coming back more vibrant.”

The nonprofit State Theatre and Performing Arts Center in Uniontown has canceled or rescheduled all performances there through at least July, moving this summer’s performance of “Beauty and the Beast” to 2021 and rescheduling the summer performance of “Cabaret” to the fall.

“We’re waiting to see what’s going to happen with the governor’s orders on reopening,” said Erica Miller, executive director of the theater. “As a nonprofit, we’re always looking for funding and how we’re able to continue. Usually, we have ticket sales to help us get through, but right now there are no ticket sales.”

The State has applied for and received some grants, as well as payroll protection from the state, but that isn’t enough to cover all the expenses.

“I’m fearful for what’s going to happen. I’m hopeful we are going to be able to continue,” Miller said. “I’ve had a lot of calls from dance studios who want to schedule their recitals.”

Miller said the State Theatre opened in October 1922, so it has weathered adversity in the past.

“It’s a scary time for the arts. We’re all so focused, as we should be, on helping each other through a health crisis, that the arts fall to the back,” Miller said. “It can be a challenging thing to bring it back to the forefront once things settle down, getting people away from the fear and back to being comfortable being together.” 

The Palace Theatre is just one venue owned by the Westmoreland County Community Trust, and as a trust, it has a broader financial base than some of the other theaters in the region. 

April Kopas, CEO of the trust, said it is working to provide cultural entertainment virtually, but that really doesn’t fill the void created by the closure of the 1,369-seat theater.

“There have been 40-plus shows rescheduled, canceled or postponed,” Kopas said. “Most are going into 2021, so they aren’t rescheduled yet. Plus, people not coming downtown to eat, shop, park, it all has an impact.”

Kopas said the trust is looking at ways to return to business once gatherings are permitted again.

“Our team is trying to develop strategic operating and marketing plans,” Kopas said. “The Palace is a main revenue generator for the trust, but we are more diverse than that.”

The first goal is to adapt its performance model to focus on smaller community gatherings, possibly with an intimate live audience paying a premium price while live-streaming the events.

“We put in for a large grant with the R.K. Mellon Foundation for a virtual platform,” Kopas said.

Kopas said the trust is already doing some virtual performances, splitting the proceeds between an artists’ fund and the Westmoreland County Food Bank to help performers and the community.

“Even though we’re struggling as a nonprofit, it’s larger than us,” Kopas said.

Kopas said the trust is putting together a virtual recognition ceremony via Zoom for high school seniors who would normally be recognized at this time of the year at the Achievement in the Arts ceremony.