In addition to realizing it’s long-time goal of creating an appropriate, identifiable and dynamic home for classic theater in Cleveland, Great Lakes Theater Festival’s Re-Imagination of the Hanna Theatre will also contribute tremendously to Playhouse Square and the region’s performing arts community as a whole.

A Re-Imagined Hanna Theatre will:

• Enhance the Theater District with a state-of the art thrust theater space and advance Playhouse Square’s legacy as a visionary leader in historic theater restoration and community development.
• Offer regional performing arts groups and Playhouse Square a flexible space that is the appropriate size and design for more intimate productions.
• Enable Playhouse Square to satisfy intense programming demands on the Ohio Theatre and, as a result, offer a wider range of performance events to the citizens of Northeast Ohio – events that historically haven’t visited Cleveland due to the Ohio Theatre’s calendar limitations. Gina Vernaci, Playhouse Square Foundation Vice President of Theatricals stated “The Ohio Theatre will continue to support our significant educational programs, smaller concert events and address the needs of our other resident companies.”
• Afford Playhouse Square the opportunity to improve outmoded systems within the Hanna Theatre - addressing safety and efficiency concerns, while simultaneously incorporating environmentally sensible or "green" design elements into the building.