The Sandusky State Theatre's next act

Staying on script In the coming days, the Register will dive deeper into more specific topics related to the Sandusky State Theatre's rebuild. This would include individual news stories on its: • Interior design • Historic auditorium • Additional spaces • Enhanced amenities • Capital campaign SANDUSKY — For the first time in almost two years, a program took place at a hallowed venue. The captivating reads and arousing performances by a star-studded cast electrified a standing-room-only crowd. By the end, audience members clapped, cheered and desired an encore performance in a landmark location hosting nearly a century's worth of entertainment acts — dances, plays, movies, concerts, recitals and more — in Sandusky. Friday represented a milestone moment in the ongoing Sandusky State Theatre transformation process, as officials hosted a ceremonial outdoor groundbreaking ceremony underneath its storied and lit marquee on Columbus Avenue. State theater personnel can now shift their priorities: from fortifying a weakened structure and preserving key aspects to now reconstructing and resurrecting such a historical site. The groundbreaking marked this very crucial turning point. Emceed by executive director Chris Parthemore, local and state officials delivered impassioned speeches to about 200 people who showed up, lining the downtown road ending at Water Street. This would include Sandusky ex officio mayor Dick Brady, city manager Eric Wobser, Erie County commissioner Steve Shoffner and U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. "It's been a long road to get to this point, and we are excited for these next steps in the process," Parthemore said. "Theaters are about coming together for a shared experience. We've been missing that these past few years, but seeing the community come together for the groundbreaking reminds us why we have to make sure the theater is set up to serve the community for decades to come." Many people beamed with pride talking about the theater's rebirth. It's expected to reopen sometime in 2023. Count Kim Redfern, the state theater's board president, in this bunch, who's been involved with the nonprofit for nearly a decade. "I've watched my daughter perform on the stage through the many youth programs offered over the years," Redfern said. "As you can imagine, it's a very special day for me, as it is for many people." The prologue Parthemore referenced the site's destruction occurring on June 10, 2020, when a sudden devastating windstorm ransacked through the illustrious structure, causing a collapse of its roof and walls. During the next year, contractors needed to remove: • Remnants of the wrecked Vaudeville-era stage, which hosted thousands of performances, including some recent Broadway shows, since its debut in 1928 • Waterlogged seats, where attendees, concert-goers and family members of those participating in plays or dance recitals took in shows • Marred equipment, which accentuated and spotlighted acclaimed entertainers, ranging from Wayne Newton to UB40. In the actual theater portion, what remains is a bare-naked version of, arguably, the Firelands Region's most legendary building for arts and entertainment. "We had to protect the integrity of the historic landmark," Parthemore said. Parthemore alluded to how contractors emptied damaged areas of the venue. It's a necessary precursor before design-related tasks can start and, then eventually, construction work. Both theater personnel and their hired contractors coordinated to "winterize" the building. Most notably, this meant buttoning up the stage area to protect everything else contained inside from further loss caused by outdoor elements. Several quintessential theater amenities — including the signature wall, signed by many famous entertainers and musicians; the chandelier; and the marquee sign — somehow didn't sustain any damage. "That was our first priority," Parthemore said about winterizing the building. "We were able to get it enclosed before it got really cold. We were thankful for everybody that worked so diligently that got us from Point A to Point B." An FYI on DLR The Sandusky State Theatre tapped Cleveland-area firm DLR Group to oversee this rebuild. "Choosing a partner who will be with us throughout the project is a huge step forward, and we are thrilled to find that partner here in Ohio," Parthemore said. DLR Group traces its roots back to 1905, when it was founded by Abram Garfield, son of President James A. Garfield. The firm has worked on more than 100 historic theaters around the country, including such notable projects as Cleveland's Playhouse Square, The Balboa Theater in San Diego, California, The Lyric Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama, and The Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville. "Our firm is honored to be a part of the team to reimagine and rebuild the Sandusky State Theatre," said Paul Siemborski, the firm's principal. "The theater was built in 1928, the heyday of live entertainment in America," Siemborski continued. "Now, nearly (94) years later, we have an opportunity to transform the Sandusky State Theatre, positioning it for whatever comes its way in the next century." Among the firm's main priorities: ensuring the theater becomes an even stronger cultural anchor of downtown Sandusky and the surrounding area. "It has been an amazing experience to see how the theater and community have taken the tragedy of the storm and embraced it as an opportunity to expand its 1920s footprint into a truly modern venue," said Brant Miller, the group's lead designer and architect. "The new design draws from the history and people of Sandusky, providing new spaces for gathering and entertainment and expanding the possibilities of programming in the future. Making sense of the dollars and cents The state theater's board pegged construction costs at about $30 million, according to information exclusively shared with the Register. Among a quick breakdown: • A little more than half, or roughly $16.8 million, should be covered through an insurance payment. From this amount, $2.2 million still must be paid. • The venue obtained about $3.3 million in federal tax credits, an account helping to preserve historic structures. • The theater locked down about $2.1 million in fundraising dollars. On Friday, the Erie County Community Foundation voted to commit $250,000 — it's the largest gift in the organization's 27-year history — for the theater's rebuilding purposes. "Philanthropy means 'love of humanity,' and I believe the Sandusky State Theatre is truly the beating heart of this community," foundation executive director Beth Maiden said. "The Erie County Community Foundation is honored to make this significant gift, which is only made possible with the love and support of our many donors and the foresight and wisdom of our founders and our board." Additionally, Sandusky's government recently voted to provide $1 million from stimulus funds it previously acquired for similar means. Among those voting to approve this measure was city ex officio mayor Dick Brady. "This city would not allow the theater to die," Brady said. "What this city has done for 200 years is we meet challenges head-on. I knew this gem of Sandusky would rise again. Just as Sandusky has overcome adversity throughout its history, this theater will do the same. Today marks a new beginning." State theater personnel intend on continuing fundraising efforts and searching for other funds to offset this balance ranging between $6 million and $7 million today. Recognized as a nonprofit, the state theater doesn't have a war chest to pay for exorbitant costs. -- Appreciate news from your community? Click here to subscribe to the Register.