Q: What is Great Lakes Theater Festival?
The mission of Great Lakes Theater Festival is to bring the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience in northern Ohio. The Festival’s marks its 46th season in 2007-08.
Q: Who does Great Lakes Theater Festival serve?
Great Lakes Theater Festival connects approximately 75,000 adults and students to classic theater annually. GLTF primarily serves northeastern Ohio, although its productions attract subscribers from as far away as Erie, Pennsylvania. GLTF’s education programs serve students and teachers in 18 Ohio counties, including Ashtabula, Auglaize, Carroll, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Guernsey, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Wayne.
Q: What are you raising money for?
The purpose of the Campaign is to 1) renovate the Hanna Theatre into an intimate new home for GLTF with a Shakespearean thrust stage, 2) establish an endowment, and 3) provide three years of annual operating support.
Q: What is a “thrust” theater?
In theater, a thrust stage (also known as a platform stage or open stage) is one that extends into the audience on three sides and is connected to the backstage area by its up stage end. A thrust has the advantage of greater intimacy between audience and performer than a proscenium, while retaining the utility of a backstage area.
Q: What is the relationship between Great Lakes Theater Festival and Playhouse Square?
The first resident of Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theater Festival has called the Theater District home since 1982. As part of the Re-Imagine a Classic Campaign, Great Lakes Theater Festival and Playhouse Square have ratified an agreement that will allow the Festival to control the Hanna Theatre’s performance calendar and brand the theater space (including the marquee) as the home of Great Lakes Theater Festival. Playhouse Square will continue to own, manage and maintain the Hanna Theatre.
Q: Will it be more expensive for GLTF to operate in the Hanna?
Looking toward the future, our board and staff have developed a business model through 2012. We have surveyed earned and contributed income patterns for theater renovation projects throughout the country and have adopted an extremely conservative projection. For example, a median earned revenue projection for like projects in the first year averages a 30% increase and we have utilized 15% in our projections. We have allowed for appropriate inflation and other cost increases based on our industry. Given this approach the board is confident that the company is sustainable in our new home.
Q: Why embark upon this project now?
The Hanna project:
- The Festival’s strong partnership with Playhouse Square and the growth of the Theater District positions this project optimally.
- Great Lakes Theater Festival’s financial state is stronger than it has ever been in its 45 year history.
- The project frees 104 days in the Ohio Theatre’s schedule allowing Playhouse Square to create new rental opportunities in the Ohio – the most in-demand theater in the District. Note: GLTF holiday programming – 42 days of A Christmas Carol – will remain in the Ohio Theatre.
- The Festival has the management team and board leadership in place at the right time and place to make it happen.
- A successful planning study validates the optimism and confidence of key donor constituents – board, foundations, and corporations. Each of these groups said, “Do it and do it now!”
Q: When will construction begin?
Construction is slated to begin in December 2007/January 2008.
Q: When will the new Hanna Theatre open?
The opening of the Re-Imagined Hanna Theatre is slated for the 2008-09 season. A firm opening date will be announced at a later time.
Q: Will there be a restaurant/concessions?
With the completion of the Euclid Corridor Project, Playhouse Square Foundation is reenergizing its role in the real estate development of the area with special emphasis on retail and restaurants.
Q: Where will we park?
The Theatre District offers a variety of convenient parking opportunities including the Hanna Garage located directly behind the Hanna Theatre and the U.S. Bank garage located directly across the street from the Hanna Theatre’s entrance.