Geyer Performing Arts Center brings entertainment, education
Courtesy of Kelly Tunney
The Geyer Performing Arts Center无毛视频檚 November production of 无毛视频淪pring Awakening无毛视频� was its highest box office since reopening.
Submitted photo
The Geyer Performing Arts Center reopened in July with 无毛视频淟end Me a Tenor无毛视频� after being closed since March 2020 because of the pandemic.
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Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale
For more than three decades, the Geyer Performing Arts Center has brought theatrical productions to the area, giving artists a chance to create and offering area residents a chance to experience the thrill of a live show.
无毛视频淲e无毛视频檝e built a theater community that is a wonderful place for people and inclusive for all,无毛视频� said Roberta Higinbotham, president of the GPAC无毛视频檚 board of directors.
But, she said, 无毛视频淚t was a really rough year-and-a-half. We were unable to do any type of productions, and a large portion of our budget comes from ticket sales.
无毛视频淲hen you can无毛视频檛 produce shows, there无毛视频檚 no income coming in,无毛视频� she said.
The theater maintains a cooperative relationship with Actors and Artists of Fayette County, which produces six shows a year there. GPAC also produces six shows yearly, in addition to one-act plays and educational shows.
The theater also operates the Geyer Education Center in a building adjoining its Pittsburgh Street location in Scottdale.
The nonprofit无毛视频檚 education program includes free after-school care two days a week, classes, and other events meant to give children exposure to theater and the arts.
无毛视频淪o many children in our area 无毛视频� don无毛视频檛 have the opportunity to have an early introduction to art and theater,无毛视频� Higinbotham said. 无毛视频淭his allows us to bring it to them.无毛视频�
The building that is now GPAC was built in 1900, and originally operated as the Geyer Opera House. It went through a couple of name changes over the years, before going back to its roots as the Geyer Performing Arts Center in 2005.
Because the building is more than 120 years old, Higinbotham said there are always upkeep and maintenance costs to keep it running.
无毛视频淔inances are a big issue,无毛视频� she said. 无毛视频淲e hate to say it无毛视频檚 all about money, but without financial support we can无毛视频檛 keep the building going.无毛视频�
The age also limits them from putting on productions that require more high-tech equipment, she said, so the board is working with an engineering company to modernize the theater.
They无毛视频檙e also exploring new ways to raise funds, hopeful that the community they serve will rally around them.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 difficult in this area, but we think that people really understand how important the theater is 无毛视频� not just for those who participate but for the community at large,无毛视频� said Higinbotham.
Although the theater stopped productions for several months, the board continued to work on finding funding streams. A grant allowed them to renovate the education center to make it more accessible, and handicapped accessible restrooms were added.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 more user-friendly now, for not only classes, but for rehearsal space,无毛视频� Higinbotham said.
They无毛视频檙e also holding fundraisers, like the upcoming Elf Fun Run on Dec. 18. The run coincides with Actors and Artists of Fayette County无毛视频檚 production of 无毛视频淓lf the Musical,无毛视频� running from Dec. 16-19.
Higinbotham said the theater is also in need of volunteers, including ushers, ticket collectors and box office workers, and the educational arm of GPAC is accepting volunteers to run arts-related workshops for the children it serves.
The board of directors also has a couple of vacancies, she noted, should anyone have the time and interest to serve in that capacity.
While the scuttled 2020 season was a financial difficulty, Higinbotham said she无毛视频檚 encouraged to see attendance slowly going up.
A recent production of 无毛视频淪pring Awakening无毛视频� saw the highest box office since reopening in July, she said.
无毛视频淲e have amazing talent in this community,无毛视频� Higinbotham said, 无毛视频渁nd we welcome anybody who would like to get involved with us.无毛视频�
Those interested in volunteering or becoming board members can email the theater at geyerpac@verizon.net or call the GPAC at 724-887-0887. Donations can be mailed to Geyer Performing Arts Center, 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, Pa., 15683. An online donation option is available at the bottom of the homepage at Geyerpac.com.