OHIO — In the once-booming mining-town of Shawnee, Ohio, new life is arriving in June for its artistic scene.
The Tecumseh Theater, built in 1908, is having a grand reopening of its second floor on June 6 for the first time since 1960.
Built originally as the Improved Order of Red Men’s Hall, the building closed in 1960 and was saved from being torn down in 1976 when it was turned into the Tecumseh Theater.
Melissa Wales is the executive Director of Sunday Creek Associates, the nonprofit which owns and operates the Tecumseh Theater. Wales joined the nonprofit in 2025.
"The AMLER (Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization) grant that folks were able to secure in 2019 has been transformational." Wales said. "It has impact to restore the theater, build the elevator tower and get us to the point where we are so excited to announce our re-opening."
Reconstruction has been the theme since then, with preservationists restoring the roof, repairing structural issues, facade restoration, replacement of the interior stairwell and and window replacement.
"The AMLER grants are incredibly impactful and transformational, and it's giving me, giving the organization momentum as we go to seek partners in funding for the rest of the restoration work that we need to do," Wales said.
The first floor of the building is an event space, known as the Tecumseh Commons, which serves multiple purposes. The theater is located on the second floor of the building.
"I think the theater space is the crown-jewel of the AMLER Project's restoration here," Wales said.
For its grand re-opening, the theater will have several performances including The Laughing Chimes, Brian Harnetty and Henry Harnetty, Megan Bee Music, Lora Jane and Jane, Rich Greenlee, Mike Boley and Dr. Bones.
The grand reopening will also debut a new variety show, "Live From Tuesday Creek." The show will return each month, bringing audiences to the fictional town of Tuesday Creek, a once-booming company town inspired by southern Perry County.
"Through three distinct timelines, viewers will follow the lives of local families as they navigate the challenges of the coal boom, the Civilian Conservation Corps era, and the social shifts of the 1960s," the theater's website reads.
"These opera houses have always been of, by, and for the communities that they're in, and so I'm really excited to have local musicians and theater groups and performers on our stage from our local region," Wales said. "I think one of the challenges in reopening a space like this is the decades of disconnection from the local community."
Wales said when bringing it back, the group has a commitment to the community as they center the region within programming, offerings and focusing on the area in their offerings.
"I'm working with a local theater group to have this be their venue," Wales said. "One of the things we're very intentional about is reaching out to the local school district, Southern Local here in Perry County, I've had several great meetings with them."
Wales said a fledgling drama group is starting and the teacher came to the theater to see where the drama club would put on their play.
"There are also some great Perry County tribute bands, so we've already got three of those booked for the fall," Wales said. "Those are the kinds of things that we're really excited to bring here as well as things that the community will come to us with as far as ideas for culturally, educationally-relevant for the authentic sort of experiences that we want to curate here."
Wales said one goal of the theater is to preserve the history of the region.
"I think if you drive around this region, which is so beautiful, you know, but also there's a lot of economic challenges here, so I think, one of the things is just the building itself because the history of these communities is so important and the buildings are so critical for understanding and showcasing that history and if we lose them, they're gone forever," Wales said.
She said she hopes, with the various program offerings, to have different people from the region come in and visit the theater, as well as other local businesses.
"I know how these theaters can be an economic engine for communities that can, you know, create economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and and others who who live here," she said.
The theater is also joining in America's 250th celebration by serving as the Perry County location for "Ohio Goes to the Movies," where several indpendent films will be featured on Oct. 3.
Wales said other programming that will be available in the theater will range from local artists to concerts for the year.
Tickets for the grand re-opening show can be purchased by clicking here.
Source link ← Back to News