WOOSTER — The Lyric Theater has been awarded a grant of $100,000 from the Stanley C. Gault Philanthropic Leadership Fund, a fund administered by the Wayne County Community Foundation and earmarked to support non-profit entities that enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the Wayne County region.
This grant, along with a successful effort by the community to match an anonymous $200,000 challenge grant issued late last fall, brought the $3.2 million capital campaign to a close Dec. 31.
Having reached this milestone, the non-profit’s board of directors is thrilled to announce that the Lyric Theater will open its doors to the public with a series of celebratory Grand Opening events the first week of February.
This grant from the Gault Leadership Fund represents the second grant awarded by the Gault Fund to support this project. The Downtown Arts Theater, Inc., the non-profit doing business as The Lyric, received a similar award in 2021 to support the purchase of the facility and the early phase of renovation.
“The Gault Leadership Fund was one of the first sources of funding to turn this dream into a reality – now it is one of the last,” commented Gregory Shaya, Board President of the non-profit. “The Lyric Theater will be another outstanding testament to Stan Gault’s legacy of community-based philanthropy.”
“We received incredible support in response to the anonymous challenge grant that allowed us to completely meet the match,” said Sandra Hull, Chair of the board’s fundraising committee.
“The Lyric Theater is a unique entertainment venue. I have no doubt that it will be an economic development catalyst that opens the door for future venues,” she said.
A public ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7 at 3:30 pm outside the theater’s entrance on 116 E. South Street, followed by special programming open to the public throughout the weekend.
Saturday festivities will be family friendly and include a Wooster Children’s Film Festival with films curated by the New York International Children’s Film Festival, made possible by a grant from the Laura B. Frick Charitable Trust.
An encore presentation of the same films will be held Sunday. Grand opening events are generously sponsored by The Commercial & Savings Bank, Mike Mariola Restaurants, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, and Flex Yoga.
“We could not be more excited to share news of our opening with this community,” said Jeremy Thomas, Managing Director of the Lyric who took the job in the fall of 2023, bringing 26 years of experience working at Cinemark. “I’d like to thank everyone who has lent us both support and patience as we worked hard to get to this moment,” he said.
The list of supporters is robust and includes more than 400 private donors from Wayne County and beyond. Numerous others, including local non-profits, businesses, the State of Ohio, the City of Wooster and managers of independent cinemas across the U.S. collaborated to offer support.
The board is especially thankful for the help of Scott Savage of Arborhill Consulting, who provided grant writing support.
“I have been amazed and truly moved by the outpouring of support for this project,” shared Cameron Maneese, VP of the Board and Co-Founder of the Downtown Arts Theater, Inc.
“Everything from donations to letters of support, to creative brainstorming and offers to volunteer – the support has been overwhelming. It has been so gratifying to see The Lyric come to life,” she said.
“We are so grateful to the community for all the support and happy to finally be able to say ‘See you at The Lyric, we saved you a seat!’”
The largest of the three auditoriums features recliners, custom booths, and high-top tables. Some recliners include tray tables and articulating armrests, making them ideal for date nights.
The smallest auditorium offers recliners with tray tables, providing a cozy space perfect for birthday parties and private rentals.
The mid-size auditorium is equipped with plush rocker-style seats, snuggle sofas for a more intimate movie experience, and flexible seating arrangements for live events.
The concession stand will offer a variety of options, including popcorn, soda, candy, nachos, pretzels, hot dogs, frozen drinks, ready-to-drink cocktails, beer, and wine. Additionally, a self-serve beer machine will feature a rotating selection of Ohio beers, seltzers, and ciders.
Included on the calendar of upcoming events are films like Paddington in Peru, the Brutalist and a series of Oscar-nominated Shorts.
Upcoming live events include “Love Letters” for Valentine’s Day, starring Dick Figge and Sally Patton, magic and comedy by Tim Hill, The Thomas Neptune Band, an Irish band for St. Patrick’s Day and a performance by The Shawshank Big Band.
Updates will be posted on the Lyric’s social media channels, and via a new website, scheduled to launch before we open.
For more information, contact Jeremy Thomas at: director@lyricwooster.org, or visit: www.lyricwooster.org.