Renaissance Theatre (Mansfield, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Ohio Theatre
|
|
Front of the theater after the expansion and makeover in March 2012.
|
|
 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 138 Park Ave., W., Mansfield, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical |
| MPS | Park Avenue West MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002040 |
| Added to NRHP | May 31, 1983 |
The Renaissance Theatre is a cool old building in Mansfield, Ohio. It used to be called the Ohio Theatre. This theater is a special kind of old movie house, sometimes called a "movie palace." It has 1,402 seats, so lots of people can watch shows there!
The theater first opened its doors on January 18, 1928. Back then, it was known as the Ohio Theatre. Today, it's the biggest place for performing arts in North-Central Ohio. The Renaissance Performing Arts Association runs the theater. They put on about 40 different shows each year.
You can see many kinds of performances here. These include Broadway-style musicals, classical music concerts, and comedy shows. They also have educational programs, popular music concerts, and special family events. The Renaissance Theatre is also the home of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra. Plus, it hosts the Miss Ohio Scholarship Pageant every year. This pageant is the state competition for the Miss America Pageant.
Contents
History of the Renaissance Theatre
The Miss Ohio Pageant played a big part in saving the Ohio Theatre. It also helped turn it into the Renaissance Theatre. The Miss Ohio Pageant was first held at the Ohio Theatre from 1959 to 1962.
In 1963, Jacquelyn Mayer from Sandusky won Miss America. After that, the Miss Ohio Pageant moved to Cedar Point Amusement Park. But in 1975, the pageant came back to Mansfield. It was held at Malabar High School Auditorium for a few years. Then, in 1979, it moved to the Madison Theatre.
How the Theater Was Saved
In 1980, people decided to show the Miss Ohio Pageant on TV. The Madison Theatre wasn't big enough for a TV show. It didn't have enough stage space or room backstage. So, the pageant producer, Denny Keller, and set designer, Paul Gilger, had an idea. They convinced the Miss Ohio Board to move the pageant back to the old Ohio Theatre.
This move helped reopen the theater. It was spruced up for its first TV broadcast. The pageant's return was the first step in fully renovating the theater. This led to it becoming the Renaissance Theatre. The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program has been held there every year since 1980. That's over 40 years!
New Name and Renovations
In August 1980, the Ohio Theatre officially became The Renaissance Theatre. Later, in January 1997, its name was shortened to The Renaissance. This happened when it joined with the Mansfield Symphony.
On May 31, 1983, The Renaissance Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building. The original building was fully restored in 1985. This restoration cost about $2.25 million.
Modern Expansion and Updates
In the summer of 2008, work began to make the Renaissance Theatre bigger. An old building next to the theater was torn down. Construction continued through 2009. The new part of the theater opened in November 2009.
The new section was closed to the public until January 30, 2010. That's when the Grand Opening Gala took place. A famous singer, Sylvia McNair, performed for guests. The new addition brought many improvements. It added an elevator, making the theater accessible for everyone. There are also new offices for staff. The Mansfield Symphony now has a permanent music library. Plus, there are bigger restrooms, a new snack area, and meeting spaces.
On June 27, 2010, the old marquee (the sign outside) was removed. It had been put on the building during the 1984 restoration. It was given to the Mansfield Sailors and Soldiers Museum. A new electronic marquee was put on the new addition during the 2008 expansion.
See also
- List of concert halls
